Lex Treinen

Longtime legislators say Patkotak’s whaling during the legislative session might be a first in the body’s history.

The House and Senate came to an agreement late in the day Thursday, the first day of the special session.

The House voted to adjourn without hearing the Senate’s budget that had a $1,300 PFD. A special session starts Thursday.

The Senate adjourned on Tuesday afternoon without passing a budget bill for the House to consider.

The bill would make identifications issued by the Department of Corrections serve as legal IDs.

Alaska Public Media's Legislative reporter Lex Treinen has been following the action — or inaction — over the budget. He said the sticking point continues to be the size of the Permanent Fund dividend.

Despite a last-minute push by LGBTQ veterans and teenagers, the bill remains stalled in the House Judiciary Committee.

The bill faced pushback from critics about the efficacy of stricter sentences.

Sen. Löki Tobin was among those opposed to Bethany Marcum's nomination. “Ms. Marcum has shown that she cannot uphold the public trust,” Tobin said.

The bill, which was significantly watered down from its original form, was criticized by civil rights advocates.