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Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, chair of the Legislative Council Committee, asks for a cut to lawmaker per diem payments by 75 percent at the Capitol on Monday, April 23, 2018. (Michael Penn

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Outgoing Juneau lawmaker’s idea to cut lawmakers’ pay swiftly rejected

Members of the Alaska Legislature rejected a proposed pay cut late Monday, saying they didn’t have time to…

Michael Penn

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Fight against derelict boats may cost boat owners

To help harbormasters identify and clean up derelict boats, the Alaska Legislature is considering a new fee on…

Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, discusses House Bill 25 on Monday, April 9, 2018 on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives. (James Brooks

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Alaska House votes to boost access to birth control

After three years of work, the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday voted 21-17 to approve a bill…

Members of the House of Representatives watch the vote on the state’s operating budget bill at the Capitol on Monday, April 2, 2018. The House passed the bill along caucus lines. (Michael Penn

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Alaska House approves $11.5 billion budget, sends it to Senate

With a 21-19 vote on Monday afternoon, the Alaska House of Representatives approved a $11.5 billion state operating…

From left to right, Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome; Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer; David Teal of the Legislative Finance Division; Gov. Bill Walker; Neil Steininger of the Office of Management and Budget; Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Eagle River; and Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel are seen at the signing ceremony for House Bill 321 on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in the governor’s cabinet room of the Alaska State Capitol. (Drew Cason

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Gov. Bill Walker signs ‘fast-track’ budget bill to avert shutdown of ferries, Medicaid

Gov. Bill Walker averted an impending shutdown of the Alaska Marine Highway System and the state’s Medicaid health…

123rf.com Stock Photo

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Legislature passes insurance bill amid warnings of higher costs for the elderly, poor

The Alaska Legislature has approved a measure that minority Senate Democrats say will result in higher auto insurance…

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Prosecutors consider charges against former Rep. Fansler

Bethel Democrats have suggested three candidates to fill the seat in the Alaska House of Representatives vacated by…

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Alaska House votes to legalize hemp farming

The Alaska House of Representatives has voted unanimously to legalize hemp farming in Alaska, a move that puts…

Juneau Empire file photo The Alaska State Capitol in Juneau.

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Permanent Fund spending is this year’s snarl in the Alaska Legislature

The Nenana Ice Classic bills itself as Alaska’s favorite guessing game. This year, that honor will go to…

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Budget cuts hit prosecutors hard

To see how state budget cuts are affecting Alaska’s legal system, head to Juneau’s courthouse and search the…

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Alcohol board still allows ‘fun’ at distilleries and breweries

Alaska’s alcohol control board declined to ban distilleries and breweries from hosting fundraisers and special events, but the…

Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, center, leaves the House chambers with Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, left, and Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, after holding a short technical session at the Capitol on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. The Alaska Senate on Friday approved a constitutionally problematic criminal justice reform bill, then adjourned the fourth special session of the 30th Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn

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Legislature’s special session lives in limbo without legislators

The Alaska Legislature’s special session will continue — without most legislators. On Monday, the Alaska House of Representatives…

Rep. George Rauscher, R-Palmer, left, Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, R-Wasilla, center, and Rep. Jason Grenn, NA-Anchorage, greet each other on the first day of the fourth Special Session of the 30th Alaska Legisture on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017. (Michael Penn

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As special session starts, House puts criminal justice bill on fast track

It started slowly, but the fourth special session of the 30th Alaska Legislature appeared to be on a…