Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media
Liz Ruskin is the Washington, D.C., correspondent at Alaska Public Media. Reach her at lruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Liz here.
From left and right, Young finds fault with ACA replacement bill
To repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, U.S. House leaders are straining to overcome dissension in the Republican ranks. As many as two dozen conservatives oppose the bill on grounds that it doesn’t repeal enough of the ACA. A smaller number of Republican moderates say it doesn’t replace enough. Alaska Congressman Don Young is a little in both camps. Listen now
Senate lifts ban on predator killing in Alaska refuges
The U.S. Senate today voted to overturn an Obama Administration rule that banned certain methods of killing predators on national wildlife refuges in Alaska. The repeal resolution now goes to the White House for signature. Listen now
Murkowski at odds with Trump’s call to end NEA funding
President Trump’s budget calls for ending funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA has been a frequent target of Republicans, but U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski supports the endowment, and Tuesday she won an award for it. Listen now
Don’t panic over Trump’s budget, Murkowski says
President Trump’s first budget shows zeroes for several programs important to Alaska. Sen. Lisa Murkowski says there's a lot for an Alaskan to be upset about in this document, but she says Congress isn't going to adopt it. Listen now
GOP health bill won’t cure what ails Alaska market, say 2 industry pros
The bill to replace the Affordable Care Act is on shaky ground in Congress, drawing criticism from left, right and center in the U.S. House. Guests on “Talk of Alaska” Tuesday said the bill would do more harm than good. “One of the criticisms of the original Affordable Care act is that it addressed coverage but it didn't address cost," said one. "But this bill really is not addressing the cost side either. It's just rolling back some of the coverage.” Listen now
Young’s idea: ‘Wall bonds’
Rep. Don Young is no fan of President Trump’s plan to build a border wall. But if you like it, Young says he knows a way you could pay for it. Listen now
3 things to know about the GOP health care bill in Congress
A Republican bill to repeal and replace parts of the Affordable Care Act is advancing in the U.S. House. Its effects across the country are uneven. Here are three things an Alaskan should know about the proposed American Health Care Act. Listen now
Trump takes in ‘all things Alaska’
Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan brought their case for developing Alaska’s resources to the Oval Office. Murkowski said they met with President Trump Wednesday for nearly an hour. Listen now
Senators make budget plea for Coast Guard
Both of Alaska’s U.S. senators wrote the White House budget director Wednesday asking him to spare the Coast Guard from the budget ax. Listen now
Amid buzz on health bill, Murkowski keeps quiet
Two U.S. House committees are about to take up a Republican replacement bill for the Affordable Care Act. Sen. Lisa Murkowski could turn out to be a swing vote, willing to break with her party to keep Medicaid expansion and funding for Planned Parenthood. What does she make of the House bill? She's not saying. Listen now
ACA replacement bill has skimpier tax credits for Alaskans
U.S. House Republicans have released their plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. Their plan would defund Planned Parenthood and phase out Medicaid expansion. It offers tax credits to help people buy insurance, but the credits are far less generous to Alaskans than the subsidies in existing law. Listen now
Murkowski, Sullivan diverge on Sessions
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday he will not involve himself in any investigation of foreign interference in last year’s election. Sen. Lisa Murkowski was among several Republicans who called on him to recuse himself. Listen now
With new Interior secretary, renewed hopes for King Cove road
Former Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke rode a horse to his first day of work in Washington, D.C. today. He’s the new secretary of the Interior. The position is an important one for Alaska, where more than 60 percent of the land is owned by the federal government. Listen now
EPA funds for Native water projects could disappear under Trump administration
The White House wants to eliminate Environmental Protection Agency funds for water projects in Alaska Native villages. That’s according to a story in the Washington Post Wednesday (March. 1). It said the Trump administration’s plans for the EPA budget also include trimming grants to states by 30 percent and eliminating climate-change initiatives. Listen now
Alaska delegation gives Trump speech good reviews
President Trump gave a restrained speech to Congress Tuesday night. He said little about energy or the environment. But Alaska's congressman and U.S. senators liked a lot of what they heard. Listen now
EPA budget cut could slow permits, slash grants
President Trump reportedly wants the EPA budget cut 25 percent. There’s no word yet on where exactly the budget ax will fall, but Alaska has a lot at stake: The state received $78 million last year from the EPA in grants and contracts. Listen now
Light on Trump, Sullivan aims for optimism
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, in his annual address to the Alaska Legislature, barely mentioned President Trump, and he did not bring up the issues that drove demonstrators to the steps of the state Capitol today: Trump’s policies on immigration and refugees, and the Affordable Care Act. Sullivan did, though, directly quote a different president - Teddy Roosevelt. Listen now
Spicer says feds likely to boost enforcement of anti-marijuana laws
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said today he expects the Department of Justice will step up enforcement of federal marijuana laws. No details yet on how this will affect states that have set up recreational marijuana industries. Listen now
Murkowski looks at Trump, sees resource development
Sen. Murkowski is skeptical of some of President Trump's actions, but in a speech to the Alaska Legislature, Murkowski portrayed the Trump administration as an opportunity for resource development. She also says she won't vote to defund Planned Parenthood or repeal Medicaid expansion. Listen now
Veteran of Alaska campaigns said to be in line for White House job
Multiple news outlets report Mike Dubke is about to be named as President Trump’s new communications director. The Washington-based political strategist has worked on several Alaska campaigns, including those of Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan. Listen now