Alaska Legislature
Alaska’s education spending lags behind national average when costs are factored in, economists say
Adjusted for the cost of living in rural and urban areas, Alaska spends about 7% less per student than the nationwide average, according to a recent study.
Committee dismisses ethics complaints against 2 Alaska lawmakers
Current and former Reps. David Eastman and Christopher Kurka were accused of allowing a visitor to improperly use state resources.
Funding gap looms for Alaska’s domestic violence programs, but need for services is as high as ever
Domestic violence advocates are scrambling to adequately fund the groups that keep one of the state’s most vulnerable populations safe.
Lawmakers hash out pet peeves over new Juneau legislative housing
Pets will be allowed in housing being prepared for legislators and staff, with apartments set to rent for $1,100 to $1,600 a month.
Alaska governor names Thomas Baker to fill vacated seat in Legislature
The seat came open when Rep. Josiah Patkotak was elected to serve as mayor of the North Slope Borough.
A co-creator of Alaska’s PFD program calls for reinstating a personal income tax
Rep. Cliff Groh wants Alaskans earning over $200,000 a year to pay a 2% income tax, with other residents asked to "chip in" $20 to fund state services.
Alaska retirement board recommends closure of widely used plan after analysis finds flaws
The "managed accounts" program covers more than 10,000 of the 122,000-plus retirement accounts managed by the state.
Vic Fischer, the last surviving signer of Alaska’s constitution, dies at 99
Fischer came to Alaska after serving in World War II. He served two terms in the state Senate and remained active in politics until his final months.
State Rep. Josiah Patkotak resigns after winning North Slope mayor’s race
Patkotak’s resignation opens a vacancy in the Alaska House of Representatives, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy has 30 days to nominate someone to fill the seat.
Alaska lawmakers pitch ways to close gaping budget gap from state sales tax to cutting oil tax credits
A revenue forecast released last week estimated the state has a shortfall of more than $450 million heading into the next fiscal year that starts July 1.
Fast-track budget bill, intended to help food-stamp program, speeds through Alaska Legislature
The Alaska Legislature has passed a fast-track budget bill intended to immediately address problems with the state’s food-aid program.
New revenue estimate for Willow project presents rosier picture for Alaska treasury
Changed assumptions about tax credits, oil prices and other factors resulted in an estimate of early cash losses over a shorter period.
Alaska regulators examine ConocoPhillips’ 2022 Alpine gas leak near Nuiqsut
ConocoPhillips says it now monitors well pressure more closely and would use more cement to reinforce its wells if needed.
Alaska legislators fail to block pay hike, but additional action is planned to stop it
A lengthy debate Wednesday resulted in no action by the Alaska Legislature to prevent a 67% salary increase approved by a state commission.
House special committee takes up PFD question
Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, co-chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, which helps set Permanent Fund Dividend checks' amounts.
Student leaders speak out against Dunleavy’s parental rights bill
Student advisors to the state Board of Education spoke out against what Gov. Mike Dunleavy calls his “parental rights” bill Wednesday.
State lawmakers join call to feds to intervene in Canadian mining upriver of Alaska
Southeast Alaska lawmakers are joining requests seeking to stop British Columbia’s mining activities in transboundary watersheds.
Alaska senator’s fight to regulate ‘forever chemicals’ gets a boost from new federal standards
PFAS compounds, known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment, have been linked to cancer.
Alaska legislators are again on track to ignore the 90-day session law imposed by voters
Court rulings have upheld the Legislature's ability to work until a 121-day constitutional limit, saying that guideline takes precedence.
After years of contentious fights, Alaska’s state budget is advancing smoothly in the House
House subcommittees made few changes to a proposal authored by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Local lumber bill would put grading in hands of producers
State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman's bill would allow certified sawmill operators to grade their own lumber rather than send it to third-party agencies.
Proposal that would restrict transgender students’ rights lacks support in Alaska Senate
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposal was formally introduced in the House and Senate on Wednesday.
Alaska legislators say state AG overstepped with Walgreens letter over abortion pill
Nearly two dozen members of the Alaska House and Senate signed on to a letter to Walgreens CEO Rosalind Taylor.
Gov. Dunleavy introduces bill requiring parent permission for sex ed, pronoun changes
Dunleavy's bill would require more parental permission to teach sex education and change students’ names or pronouns in school.
Alaska Legislature votes down raises for governor and other top officials
The Alaska Legislature has voted unanimously to block raises for the state’s governor, lieutenant governor and commissioners.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Daily Digest
Catch up on the latest headlines and statewide stories from Alaska Public Media.