Alaska Legislature

Volatile oil market prompts conservative forecasts

Volatile oil market prompts conservative forecasts

New Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration is taking a more conservative approach to oil revenue forecasting to help avoid the creation of an oversized budget.… Continue reading

Volatile oil market prompts conservative forecasts
Swear off: Jackson’s oath of office likely violates statute

Swear off: Jackson’s oath of office likely violates statute

More House drama.

Swear off: Jackson’s oath of office likely violates statute
Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, left, and Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, relay a message to Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy in his Capitol office that the Senate is open and ready for business on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy to give first State of State address

It’s in less than a week.

Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, left, and Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, relay a message to Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy in his Capitol office that the Senate is open and ready for business on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Infographics: Alaska’s 2019 Budget

Infographics: Alaska’s 2019 Budget

How we pay for it and how we spend it.

Infographics: Alaska’s 2019 Budget
Hello? Cellphones banned on Senate floor

Hello? Cellphones banned on Senate floor

Sen. John Coghill said Tuesday evening he is considering a revision of a ban of cellphone usage on the Senate floor. Coghill is the Senate… Continue reading

Hello? Cellphones banned on Senate floor
Tensions rise in discombobulated Alaska House

Tensions rise in discombobulated Alaska House

Until a majority is formed, the House will be at a standstill.

Tensions rise in discombobulated Alaska House
Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, right, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speak during a Senate Majority press conference on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Curbing the crime wave: Lawmakers say collaboration is key

Sexual assault is a common focus of proposed legislation.

Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, right, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speak during a Senate Majority press conference on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, receives a kiss from his daughter, Adara, before Kiehl is sworn in on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s new state senator gets committee assignments, including ‘colossal’ task

The new House members will get their assignments later.

Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, receives a kiss from his daughter, Adara, before Kiehl is sworn in on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Pre-filed bills tackle Alaska’s sexual assault problem

Pre-filed bills tackle Alaska’s sexual assault problem

More than a third of Alaska women have experienced sexual assault.

Pre-filed bills tackle Alaska’s sexual assault problem
Control of Alaska House unsettled ahead of session start

Control of Alaska House unsettled ahead of session start

The big question.

Control of Alaska House unsettled ahead of session start
‘Like the first day of school’: Juneau’s freshman lawmakers gear up for session

‘Like the first day of school’: Juneau’s freshman lawmakers gear up for session

Story, Hannan, Kiehl weigh-in on legislative issues.

‘Like the first day of school’: Juneau’s freshman lawmakers gear up for session
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Free speech under attack? ACLU alleges political retaliation in Dunleavy firings

Three former state employees filed lawsuits today.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Counting down the top stories of 2018

Counting down the top stories of 2018

From the statewide elections to a whale statue.

Counting down the top stories of 2018
Dunleavy vows to crack down on crime, restore PFD

Dunleavy vows to crack down on crime, restore PFD

New governor, new cabinet.

Dunleavy vows to crack down on crime, restore PFD
In this Dec. 14, 2015 photo, Jan Rutherdale and her daughter, Isabel Bush, ski past the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Sexual violence, capital move and the PFD: Here’s four of the most important pre-filed bills

The 31st Legislative Session convenes next Tuesday.

In this Dec. 14, 2015 photo, Jan Rutherdale and her daughter, Isabel Bush, ski past the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
LeBon tops Dodge by one vote after House race recount
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LeBon tops Dodge by one vote after House race recount

LeBon picked up two votes during the recount.

LeBon tops Dodge by one vote after House race recount
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The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The Permanent Fund does not belong in the loan business

There’s no need for another state loan program.

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau, greets Airlift Northwest pilots Randy Aspeluind, left, and Tyler Cousins during a bill signing by Gov. Sean Parnell at the air ambulance company’s hangar at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday. Senate Bill 159, sponsored by Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, will exempt air ambulance services from the state’s insurance code, thereby allowing Airlift Northwest to continue their AirCare insurance program.

Former Rep. Muñoz back in state government

Cathy Muñoz was in Legislature from 2008-2016.

Rep. Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau, greets Airlift Northwest pilots Randy Aspeluind, left, and Tyler Cousins during a bill signing by Gov. Sean Parnell at the air ambulance company’s hangar at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday. Senate Bill 159, sponsored by Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, will exempt air ambulance services from the state’s insurance code, thereby allowing Airlift Northwest to continue their AirCare insurance program.
In this Nov. 30, 2018 photo, Alaska House District 1 candidate Democrat Kathryn Dodge, right, watches the election recount at the Department of Elections’ Juneau, Alaska office. The Democrat who lost a recount by one vote in a contested Alaska House race must decide by Wednesday whether to challenge the results. Kathryn Dodge, in a statement late Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, says she and her team were reviewing decisions made by the Division of Elections. She says she disagrees with some of the decisions but wants to “look at everything” before making a final decision. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Democrat who lost Alaska House race recount plans appeal

Kathryn Dodge said she disagreed with decisions the Division of Elections made on some ballots.

In this Nov. 30, 2018 photo, Alaska House District 1 candidate Democrat Kathryn Dodge, right, watches the election recount at the Department of Elections’ Juneau, Alaska office. The Democrat who lost a recount by one vote in a contested Alaska House race must decide by Wednesday whether to challenge the results. Kathryn Dodge, in a statement late Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, says she and her team were reviewing decisions made by the Division of Elections. She says she disagrees with some of the decisions but wants to “look at everything” before making a final decision. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Walker laments how fiscal crisis dominated tenure

Walker reflects.

Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Gov. Bill Walker talks about his four years as governor during an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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