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Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, talks to the Homer City Council during a special meeting before the start of the new legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers in Homer, Alaska. Screenshot.

News

Vance, city council hold discussion ahead of legislative session

The special meeting of the Homer City Council took place last Tuesday.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

Vance, Bjorkman prefile legislation

In total, 37 House bills, 39 Senate bills and five Senate joint resolutions had been filed as of…

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in favor of overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024 (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Bjorkman readies for start of legislative session

His priorities this year won’t look much different from those of his freshman legislative session.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Thursday, Nov. 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Dunleavy’s proposed budget includes funding for pipeline, Dixon diversion, Silvertip camp

Dunleavy spoke bullishly about the Alaska LNG project

Kelley Cizek speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

Legislators talk funding, priorities at school board work session

The priorities are largely unchanged from previous years

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

Bjorkman will lead 2 committees in Senate

Bjorkman is set to chair the Senate Labor Commerce Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee

The results of ranked choice tabulation show Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, winning reelection in the race for House District 6. (Screenshot/Gavel Alaska)

News

Bjorkman, Vance win reelection after tabulation of ranked choice ballots

An effort to repeal ranked choice voting and the open primary system was very narrowly defeated

State Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, left, confers with Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and other members during an April 24, 2024 floor session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion

Opinion: This could be Alaska’s last shot at bipartisan good

The next two years may be Alaska’s last chance for productive, bipartisan legislative action.

Alaska State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), left, and Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter (R-Nikiski) participate in the Senate District D candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

News

Bjorkman, Carpenter talk economy, energy, education at forum

Whoever is elected to the seat will serve a four-year term ending in January 2029

Homer Harbor on Saturday, May 20, 2023. (Emilie Springer/ Homer News)

News

Seafood industry roundtable slated to meet next week

Local fishermen and seafood industry stakeholders will be able to discuss their concerns

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs Senate Bill 179, while Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, right, stands by on Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo provided by Sen. Jesse Bjorkman)

News

Bjorkman property tax bill signed into law

The bill cuts property taxes for farmers and prevents transfer taxes on the sale of houses

Homer residents hold political signs in support of Alaska House District 6 candidates at WKFL park in Homer on Aug. 20, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Emilie Springer/ Homer News)

News

Bjorkman, Ruffridge, Vance lead in primary election results

House District 8 candidates Elam and Hillyer in close contention

Voters fill out their ballots at the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai, Alaska on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

News

Candidates report fundraising totals ahead of primary election

Incumbents still show strong leads in campaign fundraising in all but the race for House District 6