Tag: Senate

House Finance Subcommittee Chair Mia Costello Holding Up Senate Bill to Continue Film Tax Credits

A program using tax credits to encourage film and television producers working in Alaska will get another hearing today. Representative Mia Costello of Anchorage chairs the Finance subcommittee reviewing Senate Bill 23, the film subsidy tax credit act that sunsets next year. In her mind, there is still a lot to resolve before moving the bill. Read More

Alaska News Nightly: April 4, 2012

City Clerks Office Reviews Voting Problems. Bethel Judge Removed From Bench. Senate Passes Budget. Cleveland Volcano Acts Up. Fisheries Panel Moves to Protect Undersea Canyons. U.S. and Russian Coast Guards Work Together. Courts To Consider FASD Mitigations. Rural Hazardous Waste Problems. Yupik Dancers Wow Neatherlands Festival.

Oil Tax Revision Passed by Senate, Anchorage Election Investigation

The stories up for discussion this week are: the oil tax revision passed by the Senate; Anchorage election results and ballot shortage investigation; proposed bill to offset high energy costs; Samantha Koenig body found; legislative session winding down; and "Justice for Ted" rally. KSKA: Friday, 4/6 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 4/7 at 6:00pm KAKM: Friday, 4/6 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 4/7 at 5:00pm

Senate Finance Passes Scholarship Bill with Part of Fund Reserved for Needs-Based Assistance

The Governor will likely get a scholarship bill from the Senate, but not quite the one he wants. The Senate Finance Committee Friday approved...

Oil Taxes; And The In-State Gas Line

The stories up for discussion this week are: the report on prosecutors’ conduct in the Ted Stevens case; the state’s oil tax debate; redistricting; Senate votes down measure to open ANWR; in-state gas line; the Anchorage mayoral race. KSKA: Friday, 3/16 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 3/17 at 6:00pm KAKM: Friday, 3/16 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 3/17 at 5:00pm

Senate To Present Version Of Oil Tax Bill Friday

Oil and Gas taxes take the forefront at the legislature this week – but that’s not all on the menu for the next few days.

Bill Would Help Preserve Alaska Native Languages

The Alaska Senate State Affairs committee heard testimony Tuesday on Senator Donny Olson’s bill to create an Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council. Annette Evans Smith, the President of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, says the time for action on keeping languages alive is now.

US House Republicans Plan To Reject Payroll Tax Cut Extension

Republicans in the U.S. House are rejecting a plan to extend the popular payroll tax cut Americans are now getting.

Lawmakers Study Texas Prison Reform

State Legislative Committees today (Monday) began looking at the steps needed to cut back on the cost of prisons at the same time as maintaining a “tough-on-crime” reputation. The House and Senate Finance Subcommittees on Corrections heard of strategies in other states – most predominantly Texas, where state Representative Jerry Madden recalled how he was part of a bipartisan approach to prison reform.

Pebble Mine Battle Extends to Lower 48

The battle over the Pebble Mine in Southwest Alaska is extending to the Lower 48. This week US Senator Maria Cantwell, from Washington State, sent a letter to the head of the EPA urging her to – if necessary – consider using the Clean Water Act to stop the development of the mine. If the EPA uses its veto power over the mine before the permitting stage, it would be a first for the federal agency.

Committee Considers Issues Raised By Recent Court Cases

Monday, legislators revived what once was a regular step in preparing for upcoming legislative sessions – the House Judiciary Committee discussed recent court cases that might need action next year.

Alaska Delegation Reacts to President’s Jobs Speech

Alaska’s Congressional delegation is giving the President’s speech Thursday night on creating jobs and boosting the economy mixed reviews along party lines. Before a rarely-convened joint session of Congress, President Obama laid out a plan he’s calling the American Jobs Act.

Alaska Issues Under Scrutiny in Wake of Fuglvog Incident

The admission this month by a Senate staffer that he’s guilty of illegal fishing in Alaska is creating greater impact than just one man’s future.

Senate President Defends Travel Expenses

Reports Monday of recent travel expenditures by legislators indicate that this current year is on track right now to costing about the same as most previous years’ travel – with one exception.

Request Yields No Independent Audit Proposals for Goose Creek Correctional Center

No one responded to the Senate Finance Committee’s request for proposals for an independent audit of the Goose Creek Correctional Center.

Coast Guard Commandant Lays Out Arctic Plans

The most powerful icebreaker in the world is now being built, and it will belong to China. That was among the revelations made by a worried Coast Guard Commandant to a U.S. Senate hearing Friday.

Partial FAA Shutdown Will Continue Through Congressional Recess

Congress wrapped up its summer work Tuesday without passing legislation to keep the Federal Aviation Administration open. Political bickering has partially shut it down – and may continue to until after Labor Day when Congress returns from its August recess.

Obama Signs Debt Deal Legislation into Law

President Obama has signed into law a deal to raise the debt ceiling, fending off a national default, which he warned could roil the markets and leave the U.S. without enough money to pay its bills.

Alaska Delegation Will Vote in Favor of New Debt Ceiling Plan

All three members of Alaska’s Congressional delegation say they will vote for the deal to raise the debt ceiling and cut spending. The plan announced Sunday night by President Obama slashes spending by about a trillion dollars over the next decade and raises the debt ceiling in time for the U.S. to avoid defaulting on its bills.

Congress Goes into Final Week to Come Up with Debt Ceiling Deal

Congressional experts say there’s just one week left until politicians in Washington have to come up with a debt ceiling deal. It's actually two-and-a-half weeks when the U.S. will hit its debt limit, but the Congress needs the extra time to write up a plan and get it passed through the House and Senate.