Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN - Juneau
agutierrez (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.209.1799 | About Alexandra
Sen. Murkowski Says Protecting Lands Is Top Priority
Beyond filing lawsuits and requesting meetings with administration officials, there's little Alaska's legislative or executive branches can do to influence President Barack Obama's approach to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
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Jewell, Governor, Delegation Descend on Northwest Arctic Borough
Instead of Juneau or Anchorage. For two days, the Northwest Arctic Borough is suddenly Alaska's seat of power, with the governor, the lieutenant governor, the whole congressional delegation, and 10 legislators all descending on the region. But the most high-profile visitor is Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior and a member of President Barack Obama's cabinet.
Upon Filing Settlement Legislation, Walker Drops Point Thomson Lawsuit
Gov. Bill Walker has introduced legislation clarifying the powers of the attorney general when settling litigation related to Alaska’s oil and gas resources.
House Passes Arctic Policy Bill
The bill lays out the state’s values concerning the Arctic, and provides a general sense of direction for how lawmakers would like to see it developed.
Facing First Cuts In Years, Alaska Lawmakers Tackle The Budget
Right now, the Legislature is facing a deficit that some leaders are describing as a “$4 billion problem.” With oil prices half what they were a year ago, lawmakers are having to cut agency budgets for the first time in years. Today, the finance committees in the House and the Senate held their first hearings on the operating budget. APRN’s Alexandra Gutierrez was there, and joins us to talk about the Legislature’s approach.
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In Rare Appearance Before The Legislature, Walker Announces Plans For Point Thomson Lawsuit
Gov. Bill Walker has announced that on Friday, he will drop his Point Thomson lawsuit against the state and instead try to address his concerns with the settlement through a piece of legislation. It’s exactly what legislative leaders have been calling on him to do for the past two weeks. But the way Walker went about it left some of those same lawmakers less than amused.
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Chief Justice Stresses Need For Rural Presence
With lawmakers reviewing the state budget for cuts, Chief Justice Dana Fabe made the case for preserving the judicial branch’s funding in her annual speech to the Legislature on Wednesday.
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Lawmakers Consider Repeal Of Some Credits And Subsidies
Every year, the state of Alaska forgoes roughly a billion dollars because of tax credits, subsidies, and fee exemptions. With the state facing a multi-billion dollar deficit, the Legislature is taking a closer look at these potential revenue sources.
In A Social Media Fracas, Walker Withdraws Appointee
A Walker spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that Jeff Landfield’s nomination to the judicial conduct commission was withdrawn because of “disrespectful” and “misogynistic” images posted to his social media account.”
As Alaska Warms, Climate Change An Awkward Subject For Lawmakers
When it comes to climate change, Alaska is seen as a bellwether. Temperatures have risen nearly 4 degrees over the past 50 years, double the national average. But even though Alaska figures in discussion of climate change nationally, it’s rarely a major topic of conversation in Juneau.
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As Capital Budget Work Begins, A Call For Lower Expectations
The Legislature had already received more than $1 billion in capital requests from communities and organizations. Of those, only health and public safety projects will get priority consideration.
Governor’s New Budget Cuts 300 State Employees
The latest iteration of the governor’s budget cuts $136 million from the previous version.
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Before Releasing Budget Details, Walker Warns Of Layoffs
The new proposal is expected to include another $100 million in reductions to the operating budget, with cuts to 300 jobs.
As House Leadership Calls For End To Point Thomson Litigation, Attorneys Request Extension
Attorneys challenging the Point Thomson settlement have requested more time to prepare a new brief on the case. The potential delay has rankled legislative leaders, who think it’s inappropriate for Gov. Bill Walker to remain a plaintiff in an ongoing lawsuit against the state.
Walker Files $50 Million Budget Supplement
Gov. Bill Walker has filed his supplemental budget, which covers spending for this fiscal year that was not originally appropriated.
To Fund Lobbying Effort, Sex Worker Advocates Turns To Internet
Smart watches, movies, even potato salad -- all these things have found success with crowdfunding. Now Terra Burns wants to see if Internet users will pay for her to travel to Juneau and advocate on behalf of sex workers.
Legislature Plans For Gasline Special Session
Senate Rules Chair Charlie Huggins, a Wasilla Republican, says the Legislature needs to take up tax legislation in order to keep up with scheduled development of a North Slope gasline.
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Lawmakers Skeptical Of State’s Plan To Buy Fairbanks Natural Gas Utility
Governor Bill Walker’s latest move to advance the state backed Interior Energy Project with the purchase of a private natural gas utility is expected to expand availability and lower the price of gas in Fairbanks.
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In Response To Obama Actions, Senator Goes Seuss
On Friday, Fairbanks Republican Click Bishop gave a Seussian speech on the federal government’s attitude toward Alaska, and read from a modified version of Green Eggs and Ham, titled “Click on Uncle Sam."
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National Guard Problems Highlight Outdated Military Code
The way the military code is currently written, a member of the Alaska National Guard can be passed over for promotions or discharged from the service, but they can’t be court-martialed in the way Army troops or Air Force members can.