Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN - Juneau
agutierrez (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.209.1799 | About Alexandra
Permitting, the Public Process, and House Bill 77
The Legislature is going to go back into session next week, and one of the big issues they're expecting to grapple with is permitting. A controversial bill that would put restrictions on water rights and limit who can appeal state decisions has been criticized by Native groups and fishing interests, but the Department of Natural Resources says it's needed to streamline the agency's work.
APRN: Tuesday, 1/14 at 10:00am
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State Goes On Charm Offensive Against Wal-Mart Over Salmon Dispute
For months, Wal-Mart and state officials have gone back and forth on whether Alaska salmon should be sold in their stores. The dispute is over a tiny blue sustainability label from the Marine Stewardship Council, which Wal-Mart requires for their seafood. A trip by Wal-Mart executives to Juneau has left state officials optimistic for a resolution.
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Judge Sen Tan To Retire
In a brief letter sent yesterday, the Anchorage Superior Court judge informed Gov. Sean Parnell that his retirement would be effective on July 1. Tan did not give a specific reason for leaving his post or supply information on his future plans.
Exxon, Chevron Spend Big Against Oil Tax Referendum
Exxon and Chevron have made major contributions to a campaign that wants to preserve a controversial oil tax law that passed this year, according to recent filings with the Alaska Public Offices Commission.
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With Months To Go, Oil Industry Spends $1 Million Against Referendum
Two years ago, oil companies spent over a million dollars to defeat an initiative that would have revived Alaska's coastal management program. They're on track to spend even more this election cycle to protect the new tax system they lobbied for.
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Will Smaller Capital Budgets Mean Fewer Jobs?
During the recession, Alaska lawmakers spent record amounts on infrastructure as a way of putting people to work. They even went as far as calling their capital budgets "job bills." But with less tax money coming in, the days of fat capital budgets are coming to an end. Should Alaskans be worried about what that means for the state unemployment rate?
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Is Alaska Ready To Move Past AGIA?
Is AGIA being put to bed? When the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act was first introduced in 2007, it was sold as the state's best hope of getting work started on a natural gas pipeline. But six years after the bill's passage, the Parnell administration thinks it's ready to go beyond that framework in an effort to get a LNG project built.
Legislators Consider State Takeover Of School Health Plans To Lower Costs
School districts currently manage their own health insurance plans. They pick their own providers, they decide how much of the premium they want to cover, and their employees can bargain for better benefits. But now, a senator from the Mat-Su Borough is pushing for the state to take over management of school health plans, and a report commissioned by the Legislature backs that proposal up as a way of saving money.
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Parnell Proposes ‘Belt-tightening’ State Budget
With oil revenues expected to decline, Gov. Sean Parnell wants to cut the state's budget by $1 billion next year and draw on savings to balance the rest.
Department of Administration Gets New Acting Commissioner
The Department of Administration has a new acting commissioner. Curtis Thayer has been promoted from his deputy position, and he will be taking over for Becky Hultberg, who left the position for a job with the state hospital association.
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Lindsey Holmes Recall Application Rejected
The Division of Elections has rejected a petition calling for the recall of Rep. Lindsey Holmes. While the recall group exceeded the number of signatures required by the state, state attorneys weren't compelled by their legal reasoning for removing Holmes from office.
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With State In The Red, Lawmakers Considering Savings Withdrawal
The state was already looking at deficit spending even before Wednesday's revenue forecast came out, but now Alaska is facing a $2 billion budget shortfall. The governor also wants to put $3 billion toward the state's unfunded pension liabilities. Lawmakers plan to cover that gap with a mix of budget cuts and savings withdrawals.
Oil Tax Revenue Expected To Decline By $2 Billion
The State of Alaska is expecting to take in $2 billion less in oil taxes over the next fiscal year, according to the Department of Revenue's fall forecast. That means a 30 percent drop in the state's unrestricted general fund, the pool of money that the state's elected leaders control.
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Democratic Legislators Push For Stricter Campaign Disclosure Rules
Over the next year, millions of dollars are expected to enter Alaska in the form of campaign spending. The Alaska Senate race could end up being one of the more expensive races in the country, because Republicans need to unseat Democrat Mark Begich if they want to take control of Congress. Since much of the money is going to be spent on political ads, some state legislators would like to see stronger federal disclosure laws, so voters know who's paying for the airtime.
Seward Man Fined For Dumping Oily Bilge Water
Bilge water is the nasty stuff that collects at the bottom of a boat. It can contain engine oil and anti-freeze, and releasing it in state waters is illegal. But even though it's a crime, the state doesn't get too many chances to prosecute it. Last week, the Department of Law scored a rare legal victory when a bilge water case was decided in their favor.
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Legislators Draft Drone Policy
With the Federal Aviation Administration considering Alaska as a drone test site, lawmakers are drafting a policy for their use in the state.
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Legislators To Submit Receipts For Office Expenses
For the past year, legislators have been required to treat their office accounts as income. They got a lump sum from the state, and were expected to spend that money on stationery and mailers under the honor system. Now, they're moving back to a policy where they have to submit receipts for those expenditures.
Anti-Pebble Initiative Clears Signature Hurdle
A group opposed to the proposed Pebble Mine has secured enough signatures to get their initiative on the ballot.
LNG Pipeline Plan Suggests State Ownership Stake
The Department of Natural Resources has released a roadmap for getting a natural gas pipeline built, and it involves taking on a multi-billion-dollar ownership stake in the project.
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DNR Calls Off Public Meetings For Permitting Bill
Since the Legislature gaveled out this spring, state officials have been trying to build support for a controversial land management bill that couldn't get enough votes in the final days of session. Public meetings were supposed to be part of their outreach effort. But now the Department of Natural Resources has called those meetings off.
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