Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media - Juneau

Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media - Juneau
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Eric Stone covers state government, tracking the Alaska Legislature, state policy and its impact on all Alaskans. Reach him at estone@alaskapublic.org and follow him on X at @eriwinsto. Read more about Eric here.

Gov. Dunleavy vetoes bipartisan education bill

Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the bill “lacked sufficient changes in how charter schools are chartered in order to allow more students and families charter school possibilities.”
Legislative chamber

Alaska Legislature rejects 8 of Gov. Dunleavy’s 12 executive orders

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s 12 orders make up nearly 10% of the total number of executive orders issued since statehood.

New poll says Alaskans support ‘large’ education funding increase, child care bill, federal trawling ban

Half of Alaskans favor a per-student increase of $680 or more, the same amount the House and Senate passed in recent weeks.
A house that's under construction.

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%.
the Alaska State Capitol

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.
Man speaking in front of state seal

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.
a woman with glasses in a meeting room

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.
Happy lawmakers

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.
A woman with a black jacket on speaks into a megaphone, held by a person in a yellow shirt.

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.
three men in suits on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives

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.
man exiting legislative chamber

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.
the Alaska State Capitol

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.
a Hilcorp platform in Cook Inlet

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.
Man speaking to legislative committee

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.
Man speaking in front of state seal

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.
Man speaking in legislative chamber

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.