James Brooks

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Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, speaks in favor of HB 143 during a House session on Monday. Rep. Muñoz's bill allows the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority to issue $120 million in low-interest loans to the backers of the Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Project. The bill passed 36-0.

House votes for Sweetheart Lake funding

The Alaska House has voted 36-0 to allow the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority to issue $120 million in low-interest loans to the backers… Continue reading

Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, speaks in favor of HB 143 during a House session on Monday. Rep. Muñoz's bill allows the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority to issue $120 million in low-interest loans to the backers of the Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Project. The bill passed 36-0.
Dennis Harris shows off part of his collection of political memorabilia before the Juneau Democratic Caucus on Saturday, March 26, 2016 in Centennial Hall's Sheffield Ballroom.

Bernie blowout: Sanders wins Juneau as turnout tops 2008

Even before the first vote was cast Saturday, the outcome seemed obvious. The only question was the margin.When Ken Burch rose to give a prepared… Continue reading

Dennis Harris shows off part of his collection of political memorabilia before the Juneau Democratic Caucus on Saturday, March 26, 2016 in Centennial Hall's Sheffield Ballroom.

Kito and Egan propose new pension system for longtime state employees

Juneau’s two Democratic delegates to the Alaska Legislature are pushing a proposal that would allow younger state employees access to a guaranteed pension system. The… Continue reading

Democrats make their presidential pick Saturday

At the start of the month, Alaskans picked Ted Cruz over Donald Trump. Now, they’ll get to decide whether they like Hillary Clinton or Bernie… Continue reading

Lawmakers say ‘OK’ to free travel on frozen rivers

The Alaska House of Representatives has given its OK to a bill protecting free travel on Alaska’s frozen rivers during winter.House Bill 216 confirms that… Continue reading

Committee approves bigger subsidy for oil and gas drillers

The Alaska House Resources Committee has approved a bill increasing the state’s subsidy for oil and gas drilling.The committee voted 7-2 at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker, second from right, shakes hands with Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole,left, Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, right, during a press conference at the Capitol Tuesday about the Supreme Court's ruling on John Sturgeon's use of a hovercraft on the Nation River in the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. The court on Tuesday unanimously threw out a lower court ruling that upheld enforcement of National Park Service rules banning the use of hovercraft on the river.

Supreme Court decision praised as ‘win’ for Alaska

Taking a break from the normal run of bad budgetary news, Gov. Bill Walker and four members of the Alaska Legislature held a press conference… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker, second from right, shakes hands with Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole,left, Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, right, during a press conference at the Capitol Tuesday about the Supreme Court's ruling on John Sturgeon's use of a hovercraft on the Nation River in the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. The court on Tuesday unanimously threw out a lower court ruling that upheld enforcement of National Park Service rules banning the use of hovercraft on the river.

House approves more funding for Alaska Legal Services Corp.

The Alaska House has approved a bill setting up dedicated funding for the Alaska Legal Services Corporation.In a 38-1 vote on Monday morning, the House… Continue reading

House committee keeps most oil company subsidies intact

A committee of the Alaska House of Representatives has diluted a plan by Gov. Bill Walker to cut the state’s subsidy for oil and gas… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks about his government's Spring Revenue Forecast during a press conference at the Capitol on Monday.

Deficit explodes as oil stays in cellar

Alaska’s annual budget gap will explode to almost $4 billion next fiscal year, according to new estimates from the Alaska Department of Revenue.On Monday, the… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks about his government's Spring Revenue Forecast during a press conference at the Capitol on Monday.

Infographic: A visual guide to (most of) the Alaska state budget

For a larger version of the graphic, click here. Millions, billions, kazillions.There’s a lot of zeroes involved in Alaska’s annual budget process.So many, in fact, that… Continue reading

If Legislature needs special session, lawmaker wants it in Railbelt

If the Alaska Legislature goes into special session this year, Sen. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, is again promoting the idea of a meeting on the road… Continue reading

Didemnum vexillum, commonly known as rock vomit, is shown encasing a rock in Sitka's Whiting Harbor. The Alaska House passed a bill to combat invasive species in Alaska's waters.

House approves bill fighting “rock vomit” and other invasive species

The Alaska House has voted 26-7 in favor of a bill that aims to fight invasive species in Alaska’s waters.House Bill 38, brought by Rep.… Continue reading

Didemnum vexillum, commonly known as rock vomit, is shown encasing a rock in Sitka's Whiting Harbor. The Alaska House passed a bill to combat invasive species in Alaska's waters.
Randy Hoffbeck, Commissioner for the Department of Revenue, speaks the Juneau Chamber of Commerce about Gov. Bill Walker's fiscal plan at the Hangar Ballroom on Thursday.

Revenue boss doubts income tax this year

On Thursday, Alaska Revenue Commissioner Randall Hoffbeck delivered to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce the same address he’s given more than 90 times to community… Continue reading

Randy Hoffbeck, Commissioner for the Department of Revenue, speaks the Juneau Chamber of Commerce about Gov. Bill Walker's fiscal plan at the Hangar Ballroom on Thursday.

Senate votes to relax penalty for texting while driving

The Alaska Senate voted unanimously, 20-0 on Wednesday, to relax the penalty for texting while driving. Senate Bill 123, brought by Sen. Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage… Continue reading

Kelly: Taxes not on the table this year

One of the leaders of the powerful Senate Finance Committee has said taxes are not on the table this year as the Legislature considers how… Continue reading

Federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland, stands with President Barack Obama as he is introduced as Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court during an announcement in the Rose Garden of the White House, in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Garland, 63, is the chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a court whose influence over federal policy and national security matters has made it a proving ground for potential Supreme Court justices. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Murkowski, Sullivan speak against Supreme Court nomination

Shortly after President Barack Obama announced he would nominate Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court, Alaska’s two U.S. Senators released statements explaining why the… Continue reading

Federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland, stands with President Barack Obama as he is introduced as Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court during an announcement in the Rose Garden of the White House, in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Garland, 63, is the chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a court whose influence over federal policy and national security matters has made it a proving ground for potential Supreme Court justices. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, argues against passing the state's operating budget at the Capitol on Monday. Sen. Wielechowski says the budget is balanced on the backs of the state's poorest residents.

Senate passes budget version; attention turns to taxes

The Alaska Senate voted 16-4 on Monday to approve an $8.73 billion state operations budget that includes $571 million in cuts and sets up the… Continue reading

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, argues against passing the state's operating budget at the Capitol on Monday. Sen. Wielechowski says the budget is balanced on the backs of the state's poorest residents.

Alaskans speak up about bill to smother smoking

The Alaska Senate is again considering a bill to prohibit smoking in bars, restaurants and public places across Alaska.Senate Bill 1 was the first piece… Continue reading

R.D. Robinson

Ownership issues surface over sunken tugboat

R.D. Robinson is a man with big plans. A mosaic artist who works in granite, he envisions and creates projects that last more than a… Continue reading

R.D. Robinson