Alaska Legislature

Sen. David Wilson offers an amendment to the operating budget at the Capitol on Monday, July 29, 2019. Sen. Wilson’s amendment would pay $1,400 as part two of an Alaskan permanent fund dividend. It was voted down. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

House passes capital budget, reverses sweep, approves veto restoration

House and Senate pass legislation on to Dunleavy’s desk.

 

Demonstrators of all ages hold up signs at a rally Sunday, July 28, 2019, against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget cuts at the Legislative Information Office, Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News).

Demonstrators urge Vance to roll back Dunleavy budget cuts

With signs reading “Gut fish, not Alaska,” “Support Education, not handouts” and “Keep Alaskans educated, healthy, employed, thriving,” about 135 demonstrators gathered Sunday in front… Continue reading

 

Demonstrators of all ages hold up signs at a rally Sunday, July 28, 2019, against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget cuts at the Legislative Information Office, Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News).

Demonstrators urge Vance to roll back Dunleavy budget cuts

Update: On Monday, July 29, in a vote of 32-6, the Alaska House passed Senate Bill 2002, appropriating money for a capital budget. In a… Continue reading

 

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, speaks against an override vote during a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature to vote on an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislators use ‘symbolic’ vote to deliver verbal smackdown to vetoes

The vote failed, but they said a lot.

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, speaks against an override vote during a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature to vote on an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
David Teal, director of Legislative Finance, gives a FY20 Budget update to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislative finance director points out potential ‘nightmare’ scenario

Time to fear the sweeper?

David Teal, director of Legislative Finance, gives a FY20 Budget update to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, chairs the House Finance Committee with Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, right, as they work on House Bill 14 at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Legislators will collect pay despite not finishing budget on time

They’re reinterpreting a law from last year.

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, chairs the House Finance Committee with Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, right, as they work on House Bill 14 at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Sen. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of a resolution to have a combined House/Senate committee to study a Permanent Fund Dividend solution at the Capitol on Monday, June 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

With no PFD attached, Legislature’s budget heads to governor’s desk

Another special session could be coming.

Sen. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of a resolution to have a combined House/Senate committee to study a Permanent Fund Dividend solution at the Capitol on Monday, June 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The ferry Columbia sails through Lynn Canal on April 29, 2019 in Southeast Alaska. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Ferry cuts in Legislature budget are heavy, but could have been worse

The governor can still veto funding.

The ferry Columbia sails through Lynn Canal on April 29, 2019 in Southeast Alaska. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Governor preparing for Mat-Su special session, instead of Juneau

“Pretty much everything worked out” for session up north.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Behind the gridlock: Two arguments divide Senate on PFD

One key vote was absent.

Joe Geldhof, left, testifies before the Alaska House Finance Committee on Thursday, May 23, 2019, in Juneau, Alaska as Rep. Andy Josephson listens. The committee heard a bill that proposes a full Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend this year but seeks changes to the dividend formula going forward. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press)

House committee gets blowback to PFD proposal

There were a lot of angry reactions.

Joe Geldhof, left, testifies before the Alaska House Finance Committee on Thursday, May 23, 2019, in Juneau, Alaska as Rep. Andy Josephson listens. The committee heard a bill that proposes a full Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend this year but seeks changes to the dividend formula going forward. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press)
Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai/Soldotna, and Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, sit next to each other after Knopp voted not to confirm Talerico as Speaker of the House on Feb. 5. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Knopp censured by Alaska Republican Party

Knopp will no longer receive any official support from the Alaska Republican Party

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai/Soldotna, and Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, sit next to each other after Knopp voted not to confirm Talerico as Speaker of the House on Feb. 5. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

What the Legislature left on the table: Ferries, addiction treatment, new revenue

Local lawmakers express disappointment.

State seeks outside consultant for Medicaid overhaul plans

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Alaska is seeking an outside consultant to review the potential benefits of its plans to overhaul Medicaid, officials said. The Alaska Department… Continue reading

‘Dangerous and outrageous’: Bill introduced in Alaska House would treat abortion the same as murder

It’s familiar territory for David Eastman.

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, walks with Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, as the House takes an at ease to wait for the conference committee on the crime bill to take place at the Capitol on Thursday, May 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Million dollar special session? Here’s how much it will cost the state.

Per diem could double the price tag.

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, walks with Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, as the House takes an at ease to wait for the conference committee on the crime bill to take place at the Capitol on Thursday, May 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Major issues unresolved in legislative session’s final weeks

Gov. Dunleavy is facing resistance to pieces of his agenda.

From ‘witch hunt’ to ‘yippee-ki-yay’: Lawmakers confirm Dunleavy appointees after debates

A couple votes in particular were heated.

Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, speaks about his bill to allow residents to donate their Permanent Fund Dividend back to the state’s general fund during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Monday, April 15, 2019 in Juneau, Alaska. Anne Weske, Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, right, also spoke to the committee. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Proposed bill suggests new way to send PFD money to state coffers

People could decide to keep or donate money.

Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, speaks about his bill to allow residents to donate their Permanent Fund Dividend back to the state’s general fund during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Monday, April 15, 2019 in Juneau, Alaska. Anne Weske, Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, right, also spoke to the committee. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Senate not shying away from PFD debate

They dive into the process next week.

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