Alaska Legislature

Larry Hartig, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, speaks to the Alaska Legislature in 2014. On Friday, Hartig was among the state commissioners who spoke in front of the Alaska Senate’s State Affairs Committee about the effects of Ballot Measure 1. (Juneau Empire file photo)

State officials: Ballot Measure 1 will make some construction projects impossible

In legislative hearing, experts testify about proposal’s side effects.

Larry Hartig, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, speaks to the Alaska Legislature in 2014. On Friday, Hartig was among the state commissioners who spoke in front of the Alaska Senate’s State Affairs Committee about the effects of Ballot Measure 1. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Bill Walker signs House Bill 44 in a ceremony under a temporary tent Thursday evening at Jewel Lake in Anchorage while a curious child looks on. (Screenshot)

Walker signs bill that will block lawmakers’ per diem expenses if budget is late

A late budget will now bring consequences for Alaska’s lawmakers. In a Thursday evening ceremony in Anchorage, Gov. Bill Walker signed House Bill 44 into… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker signs House Bill 44 in a ceremony under a temporary tent Thursday evening at Jewel Lake in Anchorage while a curious child looks on. (Screenshot)
Juneau Empire File

Feds sign death certificate for Juneau Road construction

Nineteen months after Gov. Bill Walker killed the Juneau Access Project, the federal government has signed the death certificate.

Juneau Empire File
In this file photo from April 5, 2017, Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, stands to speak in the House chambers against a bill establishing October 25 of each year as African American Soldiers’ Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day. The bill passed 39-1 with Rep. Eastman casting the only no vote. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Ruling: Alaska lawmaker violated ethics laws by disclosing complaint to press

The ethics subcommittee of the Alaska House of Representatives ruled Thursday that Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, violated state law by leaking the existence of a confidential ethics complaint to the press.

In this file photo from April 5, 2017, Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, stands to speak in the House chambers against a bill establishing October 25 of each year as African American Soldiers’ Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day. The bill passed 39-1 with Rep. Eastman casting the only no vote. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this August 2017 file photo, Juneau Police Department officers serve notices of eviction to homeless Juneauites living on Mental Health Trust Authority land in downtown Juneau. A legislative committee has suggested the Trust’s CEO, Mike Abbott, might be guilty of a crime for leaking an under-development audit. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Mental Health Trust boss accused of leaking audit

A legislative audit committee has suggested the executive director of the Alaska Mental Health Trust could be charged with a crime for giving an under-development… Continue reading

In this August 2017 file photo, Juneau Police Department officers serve notices of eviction to homeless Juneauites living on Mental Health Trust Authority land in downtown Juneau. A legislative committee has suggested the Trust’s CEO, Mike Abbott, might be guilty of a crime for leaking an under-development audit. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signs bill banning indoor smoking

Effective Oct. 1, ban mirrors similar regulations approved by Bethel, Juneau, Anchorage.

In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)
This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)

Gas pipeline negotiations continue

Correction: The proposed pipeline would be 807 miles, not 907 miles. The multibillion-dollar trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline project is still advancing, state lawmakers were told… Continue reading

This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)
This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)

Gas pipeline negotiations continue

The multibillion-dollar trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline project is still advancing, state lawmakers were told in a Wednesday morning hearing. At a regular quarterly update in… Continue reading

This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)
Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska pauses plan to borrow $1 billion for oil-company payouts

State officials confirmed Tuesday that a billion-dollar bond issue is on hold amid a pending lawsuit by two Juneau men.

Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)
Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska pauses plan to borrow $1 billion for oil-company payouts

State officials confirmed Tuesday that a billion-dollar bond issue is on hold amid a pending lawsuit by two Juneau men. The bonds, authorized by the… Continue reading

Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)
In this Sept. 17, 2017 photo, Capital City Fire/Rescue cleans up after fighting a fire at 526 Seward Street, next to the Terry Miller Legislative Building. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

New future for burned-down B&B? Legislature may buy downtown building to expand Capitol complex

The Juneau Community Foundation and Alaska Legislature are considering a move to add more space to the Capitol complex downtown. According to a June 15… Continue reading

In this Sept. 17, 2017 photo, Capital City Fire/Rescue cleans up after fighting a fire at 526 Seward Street, next to the Terry Miller Legislative Building. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this Sept. 17, 2017 photo, Capital City Fire/Rescue cleans up after fighting a fire at 526 Seward Street, next to the Terry Miller Legislative Building. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

New future for burned-down B&B? Legislature may buy downtown building to expand Capitol complex

The Juneau Community Foundation and Alaska Legislature are considering a move to add more space to the Capitol complex downtown. According to a June 15… Continue reading

In this Sept. 17, 2017 photo, Capital City Fire/Rescue cleans up after fighting a fire at 526 Seward Street, next to the Terry Miller Legislative Building. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Instacart hires Alaska lobbyist

Internet grocery firm Instacart has hired an Alaska lobbyist, according to filings released June 20 by the Alaska Public Offices Commission.

Instacart hires Alaska lobbyist

National internet grocery firm Instacart has hired an Alaska lobbyist, according to filings released June 20 by the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Instacart, which promises… Continue reading

Liz Snyder, candidate for House District 27, is seen in a May photo from her campaign. (Courtesy photo)

Ruling may allow more professors to campaign for office

The Alaska Public Offices Commission may approve a legal opinion today that could encourage University of Alaska professors to run for state office. In March,… Continue reading

Liz Snyder, candidate for House District 27, is seen in a May photo from her campaign. (Courtesy photo)
Liz Snyder, candidate for House District 27, is seen in a May photo from her campaign. (Courtesy photo)

Ruling may allow more professors to campaign for office

The Alaska Public Offices Commission may approve a legal opinion today that could encourage University of Alaska professors to run for state office. In March,… Continue reading

Liz Snyder, candidate for House District 27, is seen in a May photo from her campaign. (Courtesy photo)
Zach Fansler

Former Alaska legislator Zach Fansler withdraws from Democratic primary

Former Alaska legislator Zach Fansler has officially dropped out of the race for Democratic primary for House District 38. Fansler sent a letter to Division… Continue reading

Zach Fansler
Zach Fansler

Former Alaska legislator Zach Fansler withdraws from Democratic primary

Former Alaska legislator Zach Fansler has officially dropped out of the race for Democratic primary for House District 38. Fansler sent a letter to Division… Continue reading

Zach Fansler
Walker signs anti-crime bills

Walker signs anti-crime bills

Correction: The Office of Victims’ rights, not the Violent Crimes Compensation Board, is in charge of restitution to victims under House Bill 216. This article… Continue reading

Walker signs anti-crime bills

Walker signs anti-crime bills

Correction: The Office of Victims’ rights, not the Violent Crimes Compensation Board, is in charge of restitution to victims under House Bill 216. This article… Continue reading