Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN - Juneau
agutierrez (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.209.1799 | About Alexandra
Faced With Marijuana Money Puzzle, Legislators Curious About A State-Run Bank
When Alaskans voted for an initiative to legalize and regulate marijuana, they approved a system where the drug can be bought and sold by retailers operating in the open. But with federal regulations prohibiting bank deposits of drug money, the marijuana sellers can end up holding large amounts of cash.
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Walker Sketches Agenda In State Of State Address
In his first State of the State address to the Legislature, Gov. Bill Walker spoke broadly of the need to address the state’s financial shortfall and the importance of building a natural gas pipeline. But while its spirit was praised, legislative leaders found it short on detail.
Legislators Anticipate State Of State Address
Rep. Mike Hawker, an Anchorage Republican, took to the House floor Wednesday morning to encourage Gov. Bill Walker to describe his plan for the development of a natural gas megaproject, that would be used to get reserves on the North Slope to market.
Walker Adds More Commissioners To Cabinet
Gov. Bill Walker has decided to keep on two acting commissioners, and appoint one new one.
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With Focus On Budget, Social Issues May Be Left Behind
With the budget taking top billing this session, lawmakers expect bills on social issues, like abortion, to get less attention than last cycle.
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Legislators Prefile 23 More Bills
Lawmakers submitted 23 early bills today, after having prefiled more than 60 pieces of legislation last week.
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As Work Continues On Spending Plan, Walker To Revive State Of The Budget Address
It’s been almost a decade since a governor has delivered a State of the Budget address. With Alaska now in deficit-spending mode, Gov. Bill Walker plans to bring the speech back.
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Governor Names New Deputy Labor Commissioners
Gov. Bill Walker has named two new deputy commissioners at the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
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Habitat Director Out, As Walker Administration Shifts Approach To Permitting
Habitat Division head Randy Bates is the second Fish and Game director to be removed since Walker took office. His resignation is one of a number of personnel changes that signal a shift from the Parnell administration’s approach to land management.
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In First Batch Of Early Bills, No Big Ticket Items
In a little over a week, the 29th Legislature will gavel in. In preparation, lawmakers have released the first batch of bills they plan to consider.
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Walker: With State In Red, Tax Credit Payouts “Unsustainable”
Once companies apply a combination of credits meant to promote development on the North Slope, stimulate production in Cook Inlet, and encourage competition from new players in Alaska’s oil fields are applied, the state expects to pay out $100 million under the production tax formula this fiscal year.
As Walker Forges Own Way On Gasline, Republicans Wary
It was a not-quite-midnight purge. At 9pm on Tuesday, Gov. Bill Walker announced via press release that half the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation board of directors was being dismissed. And in the process, he put the oil and gas industry on notice that he would be doing things differently from his predecessor.
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Walker Purges Gasline Board, Rejects Confidentiality Agreement
In a statement issued late Tuesday night, Walker announced that he was removing three members of a board tasked with representing Alaska's interests as the state pursues a natural gas megaproject in collaboration with the energy industry.
Ousted Military Affairs Official Returns As Senate Media Strategist
McHugh Pierre was asked in September to step down as deputy commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, as part of then-Gov. Sean Parnell's efforts to reform the Alaska National Guard. He has now been granted a contract to aid the Senate's Republican majority caucus in their communications with the press.
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Ousted Military Affairs Official Returns As Senate Media Strategist
McHugh Pierre was asked in September to step down as deputy commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, as part of then-Gov. Sean Parnell's efforts to reform the Alaska National Guard. He has now been granted a contract to aid the Senate's Republican majority caucus in their communications with the press.
Mallott To Decide Walker’s Future Involvement In Point Thomson Settlement
In a letter signed on Monday, Walker granted Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott the power to decide if Walker's prior litigation against the state while an attorney in private practice should prevent him from participating in decisions about those same cases in his new role as governor.
Walker Plans To Stick To Marijuana Implementation Schedule, But Other Delays Still Possible
At a recent meeting with governor, participants concluded that is possible to meet the timeline established recently passed marijuana initiative. It's just not certain.
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Walker Continues To Fill Out Cabinet With Administration, Education Commissioners
Walker has named Sheldon Fisher head of Administration, and will keep Mike Hanley on as education commissioner.
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Walker Submits Skeletal Capital Budget
With oil prices now crashing, Gov. Bill Walker has halved Parnell’s proposal to $106 million in unrestricted general fund spending -- the money that legislators can appropriate with no strings attached.
With Lower Oil Prices, State Expecting Major Deficits
When lawmakers passed their budget this spring, they planned for a gap of $1.4 billion. The deficit for that same budget has now ballooned to $3.5 billion because of low oil prices.
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