Author
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy signs bill granting free fur-trapping licenses to disabled veterans
Ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Gov. Mike Dunleavy has signed legislation that allows disabled military veterans to receive a free fur-trapping license. Senate Bill 10, by Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, is intended to fix a gap in state law, Kiehl said. Disabled veterans were eligible for free hunting and sportfishing licenses, but they […]
Alaska has more than half of America’s wetlands. A new ruling could change how they’re managed
A new ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court likely exempts large areas of wetlands in Alaska from federal regulation under the Clean Water Act, a decision that has alarmed environmentalists and could speed road construction, mining and other development projects here. The decision, in a case known as Sackett v. EPA, means that the Environmental […]
What happens in Alaska if the United States defaults on its debt next month?
As soon as June 1, Alaskans may go without Social Security checks, food-stamp payments and even their basic paychecks unless members of Congress agree to raise the nation’s debt ceiling. The consequences of America’s first modern debt default aren’t fully known, but the details are slowly becoming apparent, and Alaska is likely to be particularly […]
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy signs bill allowing state land to be used for carbon-offset credits
Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday signed new legislation that allows the state of Alaska to use state land for carbon credits, purchased by companies to offset the greenhouse gases they emit. Senate Bill 48, drafted by Dunleavy’s office and modified by the Alaska Legislature, passed through the Capitol with bipartisan support this spring; only Republican […]
America’s farthest-north state representative is planning to leave the Alaska Capitol
Independent Rep. Josiah Patkotak of Utqiagvik is running to become the next mayor of the North Slope Borough and said he’s prepared to resign his seat in the Alaska Legislature if he wins the October municipal election. Paktotak’s decision was made public via a Monday filing with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. The municipal election […]
Provision of Alaska budget bill would boost 2024 dividend, depending on oil price
A section of Alaska’s newly passed state budget could turn into a windfall for state residents. Called a “waterfall provision” by legislators, it calls for a payment of up to $500 for eligible residents in 2024 on top of the year’s Permanent Fund dividend. Inserted by members of the Senate Finance Committee and modified at […]
Alaska House approves state budget, Legislature adjourns special session after one day
The Alaska Legislature has adjourned for the spring after approving a $6.2 billion state budget less than 24 hours into a special session called by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Legislators failed to finish the budget during the state’s 121-day regular session, but after an all-day session of negotiations behind closed doors, the leaders of the House […]
Alaska House adjourns legislative session without budget vote; special session to begin
The Alaska House of Representatives failed to vote on the state’s budget bill Wednesday night and abruptly ended the state’s regular legislative session Wednesday night, defying a “take-it-or-leave-it” offer from the Alaska Senate. The failure to pass a budget, the Legislature’s central constitutional duty, caused Gov. Mike Dunleavy to order a 30-day special session beginning […]
Alaska’s legislators and top executive-branch officials will receive pay increases by 2024
Alaska legislators, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and the commissioners in charge of state agencies will see pay raises after the Legislature missed the final deadline for a bill needed to block the increases. Starting July 1, Alaska’s governor will be paid approximately $176,000 per year, the lieutenant governor about $140,000, and commissioners […]
No budget deal yet as Alaska Legislature prepares for the end of its regular session
The Alaska Senate ended the penultimate regular day of the state’s legislative session without advancing work on the operating budget needed to avoid a government shutdown on July 1. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, said the session may end on Wednesday without a vote on the Senate’s proposed $6.2 billion “take-it-or-leave-it” budget. The Senate will […]
Alaska Legislature continues on track for last-day vote on the state budget
The Alaska Senate made no significant changes on Monday to a $6.2 billion proposed state budget for the coming year, and the Legislature remains on schedule for the Senate to present the state House with a final “take it or leave it” proposal on Wednesday, the final day of the regular legislative session. If House […]
Legislature votes to honor Filipino Americans in Alaska
October will be Filipino American History Month in Alaska if Gov. Mike Dunleavy approves a bill that passed the state Senate unanimously on Friday. House Bill 23, from Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, is largely ceremonial — it does not declare an official holiday or require schools to teach lessons on Filipino American history — but […]