James Brooks

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Tax credit alternative passes House

On the same day they killed the centerpiece of Gov. Bill Walker’s 13-point plan to fix Alaska’s deficit, members of the Alaska House voted to… Continue reading

Michael Johnson

Glennallen man picked as state schools boss

Alaska’s new education commissioner is coming to Juneau from a rural school district with fewer than 500 students.On Thursday, the state school board announced the… Continue reading

Michael Johnson

Permanent Fund bill stalls in House Finance Committee

The Alaska House Finance Committee on Thursday evening failed to muster enough votes to advance a modified version of Senate Bill 128 that preserves its… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during a press conference in Juneau on Wednesday. Gov. Walker congratulated the Senate on passing SB 128, the Permanent Fund spending bill, and asked the House to do the same.

Governor urges action on Permanent Fund bill

Gov. Bill Walker urged lawmakers Wednesday to continue work on the flagship legislation of his 13-point plan to balance Alaska’s multibillion-dollar deficit, tempering his words… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during a press conference in Juneau on Wednesday. Gov. Walker congratulated the Senate on passing SB 128, the Permanent Fund spending bill, and asked the House to do the same.
Members of the House Bill 247 conference committee hold a brief discussion before opening a meeting at 8 a.m. Monday, June 6, 2016. From left are Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole; Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage; Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna; and Rep. David Talerico, R-Healy.

Lawmakers keep billion-dollar oil tax loophole

The Alaska Legislature has approved a cut to oil and gas drilling subsidies that promises millions in savings but fails to close a loophole that… Continue reading

Members of the House Bill 247 conference committee hold a brief discussion before opening a meeting at 8 a.m. Monday, June 6, 2016. From left are Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole; Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage; Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna; and Rep. David Talerico, R-Healy.
Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, left, and Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, listen during the House Finance Committee meeting as they work on SB 128, the Permanent Fund spending bill, in the Bill Ray Center on Monday.

House hostile to Permanent Fund bill

Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee continue to express uncertainty and hostility toward a measure that would use money from the earnings of the… Continue reading

Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, left, and Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, listen during the House Finance Committee meeting as they work on SB 128, the Permanent Fund spending bill, in the Bill Ray Center on Monday.

A’s to your Q’s on the Permanent Fund bill

The Alaska Legislature is moving quickly to address a bill that would divert a portion of the Alaska Permanent Fund to pay for the state’s… Continue reading

As Legislature balks, state's credit rating continues to fall

As Legislature balks, state’s credit rating continues to fall

The last credit rating agency to give Alaska a top credit rating has changed its mind.On Tuesday, Fitch Ratings gave the state an AA+ rating… Continue reading

As Legislature balks, state's credit rating continues to fall

Two vie for state’s top schools job

Two men from rural Alaska are in the running to become Alaska’s next commissioner of education, but regardless of who wins the role, he’s in… Continue reading

Legislature hits home stretch of special session

The Alaska Legislature is entering the final week of its 30-day special session with the biggest item of the year still unresolved.The ball is largely… Continue reading

Historic moment: State awards first commercial marijuana licenses

There were cheers, hoots and completely sober discussion Thursday as the state of Alaska approved the first licenses ever awarded for a commercial marijuana business… Continue reading

Sen. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, introduces a bill to the Senate State Affairs Committee at the Capitol in February. McGuire authored SB 128.

Senate votes to halve dividend, spend Permanent Fund earnings on state operations

The Alaska Senate voted late Monday to spend almost $1.8 billion per year from the Alaska Permanent Fund on the operations of state government.If approved… Continue reading

Sen. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, introduces a bill to the Senate State Affairs Committee at the Capitol in February. McGuire authored SB 128.

Walker’s 13-point deficit plan falters after four months in Legislature

After 137 days in regular and special session, the Alaska Legislature may be nearing an end to its work.“I know we’re not done yet, but… Continue reading

Juneau residents and visitors crowd into the Andrew P. Kashevaroff State Library, Archives and Museum during the grand opening on Monday. See the full slideshow of pictures from the opening by clicking the link in the story, or by clicking the link on the Empire's homepage.

Grand SLAM: New state museum opens

After 12 years and about $140 million in development, Alaska has a new state museum.The Andrew P. Kashevaroff State Library, Archives and Museum, affectionately known… Continue reading

Juneau residents and visitors crowd into the Andrew P. Kashevaroff State Library, Archives and Museum during the grand opening on Monday. See the full slideshow of pictures from the opening by clicking the link in the story, or by clicking the link on the Empire's homepage.

Insurance bailout bill sent to Walker

The Alaska Legislature has approved the Senate version of a $55 million insurance bailout bill. In a 24-10 vote Saturday, the House agreed with changes… Continue reading

Senate passes health insurance bailout

The Alaska Senate voted 14-2 on Friday to approve a $55 million bailout of the state health insurance program that covers “high-risk” Alaskans.House Bill 374,… Continue reading

Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, signs a tax bill out of committee and on to the House floor on Thursday. Pruitt, adamantly opposed to the bill, said he was voting to send it to the floor because of Gov. Bill Walker's threat to keep the Legislature in session until it voted upon measures to raise revenue to reduce Alaska's multibillion-dollar deficit.

Three tax increases move closer to final vote

The Alaska House is expected to vote as early as today on increases to the state’s taxes on gasoline, fish and mining.The House Finance Committee… Continue reading

Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, signs a tax bill out of committee and on to the House floor on Thursday. Pruitt, adamantly opposed to the bill, said he was voting to send it to the floor because of Gov. Bill Walker's threat to keep the Legislature in session until it voted upon measures to raise revenue to reduce Alaska's multibillion-dollar deficit.
The Alaska State Capitol

Legislature may move to Anchorage after collision with Celebration

Every two years, Celebration brings thousands of visitors to Juneau for a week of Alaska Native festivities. This year, Celebration events are on a collision… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol

Democrat to challenge Muñoz this fall; Kito unchallenged

Juneau’s Republican representative to the Alaska Legislature will face a relative unknown in this fall’s election.Before Wednesday’s 5 p.m. deadline, Mendenhall Valley Democrat Justin Parish… Continue reading

Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, left, talks with Rep. Liz Vazquez, R-Anchorage, as Rep. Bob Herron, D-Bethel, looks on during the first day of the 29th Legislature at the Capitol in Juneau on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.

Foster children, orphans benefit from two passed bills

While the Alaska Legislature has been consumed by the need to address the state’s $4 billion budget gap, it has still managed to find time… Continue reading

Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, left, talks with Rep. Liz Vazquez, R-Anchorage, as Rep. Bob Herron, D-Bethel, looks on during the first day of the 29th Legislature at the Capitol in Juneau on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.