Alaska Legislature

State Sen. Peter Micciche fields questions from constituents during a joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State Senate president lays out vision for upcoming session

Micciche seeks path forward on budget, looks to pass legislation on fishing permits, alcohol regulations

State Sen. Peter Micciche fields questions from constituents during a joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell was fired as CEO on Dec. 10 by APFC's board, a decision which has lawmakers and others asking 'why?' (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Lawmakers want answers on CEO firing at permanent fund corp

Record earnings reported.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell was fired as CEO on Dec. 10 by APFC's board, a decision which has lawmakers and others asking 'why?' (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, but if voters choose to have a constitutional convention next year, the state’s foundational document could be re-written entirely. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Group warns of costs, time and changes from constitutional convention

You say you’ll change the constitution.

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, but if voters choose to have a constitutional convention next year, the state’s foundational document could be re-written entirely. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The final proposed map for legislative districts in the Alaska House of Representatives from the Alaska Redistricting Board and set to be finalized Nov. 10, but the once-a-decade process has always faced litigation. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)

Redistricting board draws fire for senate pairings

Lawsuits are expected.

The final proposed map for legislative districts in the Alaska House of Representatives from the Alaska Redistricting Board and set to be finalized Nov. 10, but the once-a-decade process has always faced litigation. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)
Alaska state Rep. Laddie Shaw, an Anchorage Republican, waits for the start of a so-called technical session on the House floor, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The fourth special legislative session of the year began Oct. 4, in Juneau, but there has been little action at the Capitol and little progress toward resolving Alaska’s fiscal issues. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Special session trudges on with little action

Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he will not call another special session this year.

Alaska state Rep. Laddie Shaw, an Anchorage Republican, waits for the start of a so-called technical session on the House floor, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The fourth special legislative session of the year began Oct. 4, in Juneau, but there has been little action at the Capitol and little progress toward resolving Alaska’s fiscal issues. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

State drops open container citation against Alaska lawmaker

Trooper who issued citation no longer with state after being accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Cap

Last week of special session looks light

Slow session.

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Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives during a floor debate on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, over an appropriations bill during the Legislature’s third special session of the summer. Multiple organizations reported on Wednesday that Eastman is a lifetime member of the far-right organization the Oath Keepers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Data leak shows state rep is member of far-right organization

Wasilla area lawmaker said he joined when Oath Keepers first started.

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives during a floor debate on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, over an appropriations bill during the Legislature’s third special session of the summer. Multiple organizations reported on Wednesday that Eastman is a lifetime member of the far-right organization the Oath Keepers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. An Alaska state lawmaker was cited for driving with an open can of beer in his vehicle that another lawmaker said was actually his. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Lawmaker cited for open beer fellow legislator says was his

Republican Sen. Josh Revak plans to challenge the $220 ticket.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. An Alaska state lawmaker was cited for driving with an open can of beer in his vehicle that another lawmaker said was actually his. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Informal floor sessions were held this week at the Alaska State Capitol, shown in this September photo, but committee meetings were held remotely as many lawmakers have returned home. But only the House of Representatives was busy as the Senate was stalled by COVID-positive senators.

Senate is stalled while House gets to work

Two weeks left.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Informal floor sessions were held this week at the Alaska State Capitol, shown in this September photo, but committee meetings were held remotely as many lawmakers have returned home. But only the House of Representatives was busy as the Senate was stalled by COVID-positive senators.
Then-Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, left, and former Juneau Representative Bill Hudson, right, speak with John Torgerson, chairman of the Alaska Redistricting Board during a break in hearing public testimony at the Capitol Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Alaska’s state flags were lowered Thursday for longtime Alaska lawmaker, Hudson, who died Oct. 11. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

‘A large legacy’: Hudson remembered for dedication to Juneau and the state

Alaska’s state flags were lowered Thursday for longtime Alaska lawmaker Bill Hudson.

Then-Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, left, and former Juneau Representative Bill Hudson, right, speak with John Torgerson, chairman of the Alaska Redistricting Board during a break in hearing public testimony at the Capitol Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Alaska’s state flags were lowered Thursday for longtime Alaska lawmaker, Hudson, who died Oct. 11. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Several members of the Alaksa House of Representatives were absent form a floor session Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, but after a quiet first week lawmakers are scheduled to hold committee meetings through the end of the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

COVID cases delay Senate

Still slow going.

Several members of the Alaksa House of Representatives were absent form a floor session Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, but after a quiet first week lawmakers are scheduled to hold committee meetings through the end of the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The doors of the Alaska Senate chambers were shut Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, a week into the Alaska State Legislature's fourth special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called lawmakers to session to resolve the state's longterm fiscal issues, but the same divisions that have kept lawmakers from finding resolution before are still in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

A week into special session, work hasn’t begun

Quiet day at the Capitol.

The doors of the Alaska Senate chambers were shut Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, a week into the Alaska State Legislature's fourth special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called lawmakers to session to resolve the state's longterm fiscal issues, but the same divisions that have kept lawmakers from finding resolution before are still in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, and House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, step outside the House chambers on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, to discuss a message from the Senate. Lawmakers entered their fourth special session Monday, with a resolution to hold committee meetings remotely. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

4th special session gets off to a slow start

Lawmakers discuss making legislative work remote

Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, and House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, step outside the House chambers on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, to discuss a message from the Senate. Lawmakers entered their fourth special session Monday, with a resolution to hold committee meetings remotely. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers will return to the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Sept. 24, for a fourth special session. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office confirmed the start date of the next session will be changed from a Friday to a Monday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Next special session to begin Monday, not Friday

Fourth special session.

Lawmakers will return to the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Sept. 24, for a fourth special session. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office confirmed the start date of the next session will be changed from a Friday to a Monday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Per diem for special sessions? It’s up to lawmakers

They have options.

The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaking at a July 2021 news conference.In a statement on Tuesday, Dunleavy said he would not veto the $1,100 Permanent Fund dividend passed by the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy says he won’t veto ‘partial’ PFD, calls fourth special session

Legislature is set to meet in Juneau on Oct. 1.

This photo shows Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaking at a July 2021 news conference.In a statement on Tuesday, Dunleavy said he would not veto the $1,100 Permanent Fund dividend passed by the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Senators converse during an At Ease in a floor session of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Senators passed a budget bill with a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,100, but there’s disagreement over the fund sources that may lead to legal action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate passes budget bill, $1,100 PFD hours before deadline

Next stop: The governor’s desk.

Senators converse during an At Ease in a floor session of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Senators passed a budget bill with a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,100, but there’s disagreement over the fund sources that may lead to legal action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers are set to meet in the Alaska State Capitol today, the last day of the state Legislature’s third special session. Multiple debates, including the size of this year’s Permanent Fund dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Special session nears end with unresolved debates

The special session is set to expire tonight.

Lawmakers are set to meet in the Alaska State Capitol today, the last day of the state Legislature’s third special session. Multiple debates, including the size of this year’s Permanent Fund dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, right, speaks with Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, and Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, during a floor debate in the Alaska Senate over vaccine mandates on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Vaccine mandate debate roils Alaska

Mandate minefield.

Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, right, speaks with Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, and Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, during a floor debate in the Alaska Senate over vaccine mandates on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)