Alaska Legislature

Gov. Dunleavy trims $225M with budget vetoes but leaves school funding boost intact

Dunleavy trimmed funding for Head Start, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and rural broadband, among other line-item vetoes.

Alaska Supreme Court sides with state, allows correspondence school laws to stand

The court said plaintiffs had failed to show that a 2014 law reforming Alaska's correspondence school system violated the state Constitution.
Empty court chamber

Justices grill attorneys as correspondence school case reaches Alaska Supreme Court

The justices are considering an appeal of a decision that ruled two 2014 laws key to the correspondence school system unconstitutional.
the Alaska State Capitol

Elections officials investigate eligibility complaint against Southwest Alaska House candidate

Elections officials say they're not certain whether nonpartisan candidate Darren Deacon has been a resident long enough to run for House.

Man dies while being booked at Anchorage jail, matching Alaska’s 2023 inmate toll in 6 months

Police say a vandalism suspect arrested early Wednesday "went into medical distress" at the Anchorage Correctional Complex.
a polling place

Ahead of withdrawal deadline, some Alaska legislative candidates call it quits

Ahead of the withdrawal deadline, an Anchorage House race is down to two Republicans, and the race to replace Click Bishop lost a candidate.
a sign says "Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation"

Why Permanent Fund managers are again sounding the alarm about a key account running low

The Alaska Permanent Fund’s two-account structure means there’s a significant risk that it runs out of spendable cash in the coming years.
an office

After email leak, some Alaska legislators say they’re skeptical of Permanent Fund’s direction

The Legislative Budget and Audit Committee has oversight authority over the Permanent Fund. A performance audit could be in the offing.
a woman addresses a meeting room

On Juneteenth, Gov. Dunleavy weighs adding a new legal holiday for Alaska

If the governor signs a recently passed bill, Juneteenth would be observed as a state holiday in 2025.
Mount Redoubt

Royalty-free terms draw only 3 oil and gas lease bids in Alaska’s Cook Inlet

DNR Commissioner John Boyle is "disappointed" by the results but defends royalty reductions to encourage more inlet drilling.
Bert Stedman

Stedman confident education funding will survive the governor’s desk

Senate Finance Committee Co-Chair Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, weighed in on whether Gov. Mike Dunleavy will veto education funds this year.
Click Bishop

At candidate filing deadline, 7 Alaska legislators decline to seek re-election

Sen. Click Bishop has indicated that he may run for governor in 2026, after Gov. Mike Dunleavy leaves office.

Filings in Alaska Legislature races set up key races in August primary and November general

Just three legislative races will feature competitive primaries, but the final slate sets up a number of key contests in November.
a sign says "Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation"

Permanent Fund bosses vote to defy Alaska Legislature, keep Anchorage office

One dissenting member of the board of trustees warned that the vote could cause "a fight" with the Legislature.
Legislative chamber

Alaska legislative races take shape approaching filing deadline, with some big surprises

There are some big names among Alaska lawmakers who say they're bowing out, while some others are running unopposed.

Surprise moves ahead of Saturday deadline scramble races for Alaska Legislature

Among the shakeups: Rep. Tom McKay is dropping his bid for reelection and running for Senate instead. And Sen. Click Bishop and Rep. Dan Oritz are calling it quits.
a man

Former Soldotna state Rep. Gillham to challenge Ruffridge

Ron Gillham, who was defeated by fellow Republican Rep. Justin Ruffridge in 2022, has filed to run for his former seat.
Dan Ortiz

Ketchikan Rep. Dan Ortiz withdraws from reelection race

Ortiz said a doctor has asked him to curb his stress. His withdrawal currently leaves Republican Jeremy Bynum as the only candidate for his seat.
Rep. Cathy Tilton speaks to Lori Townsend, while both sit at a desk. Sen. Gary Stevens appears on a TV monitor next to the two.

Recapping the 33rd Legislature | Alaska Insight

Lori Townsend speaks with legislative leaders about the work they accomplished, and what went unfinished, at the end of the 33rd legislature.
an easel in a childhood classroom

Alaska lawmakers pass child care legislation to buoy sector ‘in crisis’

The policy changes are accompanied by $7.5 million for child care center grants.

Alaska’s new ‘green bank’ hopes to improve the financial case for renewable energy

Alaskans looking to invest in solar panels or other renewable energy infrastructure will likely have some new options in the next few years.
an office

8 young Alaskans sue to block proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline

The plaintiffs say the pipeline will contribute to climate change that harms their ability to access fish, wildlife and natural resources.
a sign

Shell abandons North Slope oil leases, raising questions about the industry’s future in Alaska

As the world pivots toward lower-carbon energy sources, experts say some of the state’s hard-to-tap oil prospects are becoming less attractive.

With a Railbelt natural gas crunch looming, the legislative session had a special focus on energy bills

State lawmakers passed several energy bills this session aimed at updating the Railbelt’s electrical grid and speeding up the transition to renewable energy.
fishing boats

Alaska commercial fishers will only pay to register vessels once under pending bill

House Bill 19, awaiting Gov. Mike Dunleavy's signature, would end the state Division of Motor Vehicles vessel registration fee.

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