Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media - Juneau
Eric Stone covers state government, tracking the Alaska Legislature, state policy and its impact on all Alaskans. Reach him at estone@alaskapublic.org.
Alaska House passes bill aimed at reducing down payment requirements for state-backed home mortgages
The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation said the change would allow it to reduce the required down payment from 5% to 3%.
With Dunleavy veto threat looming, lawmakers work toward common ground on education
Dunleavy has to sign or veto the bill by March 14, or it becomes law without his signature.
Alaska House resolution calls on feds to scrap rule limiting NPR-A development
The Bureau of Land Management rule would apply “maximum protection” to more than half of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
Alaska House debates constitutional amendment guaranteeing Permanent Fund dividend payment
Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, said it would protect the dividend from competing with other budget priorities.
Dunleavy demands additional concessions before he’ll sign bipartisan education bill
Gov. Mike Dunleavy says he'll veto the bill if lawmakers don't address his priorities.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy says bipartisan education funding bill ‘falls far short’
The bill would increase the base per-student state funding to school districts by $680, the first substantial increase since 2016. The bill would also provide new support to charter and correspondence schools and offer funding to help young students struggling to read.
Alaska House passes bipartisan education compromise bill with funding boost
The $246 million bill would permanently increase state education funding, boost internet speeds in some rural schools, and provide new support to charter schools.
Dunleavy moves to control appointments to Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board
Right now, the Legislature appoints four of the board’s nine members. The executive order would allow the governor to appoint all nine.
Dunleavy introduces bill to crack down on protests blocking public spaces
The bill would create the new crime of “obstruction of free passage in public places" and stiffen penalties for blocking highways.
Future of education bill uncertain after rural lawmakers raise early objections
Three members representing areas off the road system voted against a key procedural question, throwing the future of the bill into limbo.
Alaska Senate moves toward rejecting some of Gov. Dunleavy’s 12 executive orders
Senators expressed concerns about several of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's 12 executive orders. The Legislature has until mid-March to reject them.
Attorneys argue scope of Metlakatla’s off-reservation fishing rights in federal court
Attorneys presented oral arguments in a long-running dispute over fishing rights on Alaska’s only Native reservation on Thursday.
Funding remains a key sticking point in education bill debate
Leaders of the state House and Senate say they've found some common ground, but education funding remains a key sticking point.
Bill to provide free access to Cook Inlet seismic surveys moves forward
House Resources Committee chair Rep. Tom McKay, R-Anchorage, said he believes the proposal could spur more drilling.
Cook Inlet gas crunch likely to push up prices as lawmakers search for solutions
The state’s largest gas utility is warning that shortfalls could come as soon as next year – and imports are years off.
Gov. Dunleavy casts doubt on future of Senate-passed public-sector pension bill
In a news conference on Wednesday, Dunleavy said he was skeptical that a pension plan would make a significant difference in recruiting young people.
New Alaska Supreme Court chief justice highlights improvements in first annual address
Chief Justice Peter Maassen listed initiatives from the past year that he said improved the court system’s accessibility and efficiency, like remote hearings.
Alaska school administrators urge action on ‘crisis’ in teacher hiring and turnover
"We are struggling in the worst crisis Alaska has ever seen in terms of turnover. We can't recruit teachers," said Lisa Parady, who leads the Alaska Council of School Administrators.
A closer look at the Harvard charter school study making waves in Juneau
A new study ranks Alaska's charter schools No. 1 in the nation. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has cited the study in calls to expand charter schools.
Gov. Dunleavy’s State of the State addresses resource development, education
Gov. Mike Dunleavy implored Alaskans and lawmakers to capitalize on the state’s natural resources in his annual State of the State address Tuesday.