James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
To help state budget, legislator proposes income tax: $20 for most Alaskans, more for those with upper incomes
House Bill 156 would tax Alaskans 2% of any annual income above $200,000. If someone makes less than that amount, they’d pay $20.
3 Southwest Alaska Native tribes sue feds, seeking to block Donlin Mine
Three Alaska Native tribes and an environmental law firm have sued the federal government, seeking to block a large Southwest Alaska gold mine.
Looming state deficit encourages Alaska House lawmakers to quash budget additions
House legislators made few additions to their spending plan as they worked through a second day of amendments.
Inadequate training and a fatal U-turn cost Alaska government $3M, settlement docs say
The state of Alaska will pay to settle claims brought by the family of a man killed in a 2018 crash caused by a state trooper.
Alaska House votes for temporary boost to public school funding
This week, the House is considering amendments to a state budget proposal that contains a deficit of about $600 million.
Bill would add second-degree murder charges for drug dealers in Alaska overdose deaths
Family members of some who died from overdoses support stronger penalties, but civil liberty advocates say it could deter calls for help.
Alaska House prepares to block legislators’ pay increase, but top senators say they’re uninterested
In the Alaska Capitol, committee chairs can exert an enormous amount of power, as demonstrated by the "Bert Locker."
Alaska House committee removes funding for state attorney assigned to sue local school districts
A proposal from Gov. Mike Dunleavy was a "flashpoint amendment," one committee member said.
Fast-track budget bill, intended to help food-stamp program, speeds through Alaska Legislature
The Alaska Legislature has passed a fast-track budget bill intended to immediately address problems with the state’s food-aid program.
Alaska’s occupational licensing division staggers under its workload
Gov. Mike Dunleavy proposes staffing increases and universal temporary licensing to help the agency, as lawmakers propose adding to the burden.
Alaska legislators fail to block pay hike, but additional action is planned to stop it
A lengthy debate Wednesday resulted in no action by the Alaska Legislature to prevent a 67% salary increase approved by a state commission.
Even with a slimmer Permanent Fund dividend, low oil prices generate deficits in Alaska
Lawmakers say they’re prepared to spend from savings to cover the gap in the current fiscal year, but the picture for the next fiscal year is unclear.
Lawsuit accuses Alaska of unconstitutionally mismanaging Yukon, Kuskokwim salmon fisheries
In a Monday hearing, a state attorney sought to have the case thrown out of a Bethel courthouse.
Alaska legislators are again on track to ignore the 90-day session law imposed by voters
Court rulings have upheld the Legislature's ability to work until a 121-day constitutional limit, saying that guideline takes precedence.
After years of contentious fights, Alaska’s state budget is advancing smoothly in the House
House subcommittees made few changes to a proposal authored by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
ANWR boundary dispute will continue as Alaska challenges ownership of oil-rich land
A dispute between state and federal officials over the western border of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge won’t be resolved anytime soon.
Federal judge rules in favor of ConocoPhillips to keep Willow drilling data secret
A federal judge has blocked the public release of exploration data from five oil wells drilled as part of the Willow project.
Proposal that would restrict transgender students’ rights lacks support in Alaska Senate
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposal was formally introduced in the House and Senate on Wednesday.
Alaska Legislature votes down raises for governor and other top officials
The Alaska Legislature has voted unanimously to block raises for the state’s governor, lieutenant governor and commissioners.
Alaska Senate president makes new pitch to tax e-cigarette product and discourage youth vaping
Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak. has introduced Senate Bill 89, which seeks to impose the first-ever statewide tax on e-cigarette products.