Alaska Legislature

Alaska Senate approves youth e-cigarette ban

The Alaska Senate has voted 18-0 to prohibit the sales of e-cigarettes and vaporizers to Alaskans under 19 years old. Senate Bill 15, proposed by… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue workers return gear to an emergency vehicle in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday afternoon, March 8, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska lawmaker collapses, rushed to hospital

Rep. David Guttenberg, D-Fairbanks, was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital by ambulance Tuesday afternoon after collapsing in his office. Emergency calls taken by Capital City… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue workers return gear to an emergency vehicle in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday afternoon, March 8, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
From left to right, Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, and Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, are seen during an at-ease during Wednesday’s floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives. (Mike Mason | Alaska House Majority)

With two members absent, Alaska House stumbles on militia vote

A bill to reform the command structure of the Alaska’s state militia unexpectedly failed to pass the Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday morning as… Continue reading

From left to right, Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, and Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, are seen during an at-ease during Wednesday’s floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives. (Mike Mason | Alaska House Majority)

Alaska Senate committee advances tighter spending cap

A proposal to more firmly cap the state budget is advancing in the Alaska Senate. On Tuesday afternoon, boosted by public testimony firmly in support,… Continue reading

As Washington state approves bill, Net Neutrality proposal advances in Alaska Legislature

On the same day the Washington state legislature approved first-of-its-kind Net Neutrality legislation, a similar measure advanced in the Alaska Legislature. House Bill 277, sponsored… Continue reading

People fill the chairs in the gallery of the House Finance Committee on Friday, March 2, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

In public testimony, Juneau residents ask lawmakers for more education help

Some Juneau residents are urging the Alaska Legislature to boost funding for education and programs helping Alaskans released from prison. In public testimony given Friday… Continue reading

People fill the chairs in the gallery of the House Finance Committee on Friday, March 2, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
An electronic board in the chambers of the Alaska Senate shows the tally for House Bill 298 on Monday, March 5, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Legislature approves third Superior Court judge position in Juneau

The Alaska Legislature has approved a proposal by the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court and Gov. Bill Walker to add a third superior… Continue reading

An electronic board in the chambers of the Alaska Senate shows the tally for House Bill 298 on Monday, March 5, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
The desk of Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, is seen vacant Monday, March 5, 2018. Spohnholz said she had been diagnosed with complications from a pulmonary embolism and will be absent from the capitol until Monday. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Illness, injury keep House Majority short of votes to advance key legislation

Alaskans angry about the pace of the Alaska Legislature this year may focus their ire on a new target: The flu. On Monday, the Alaska… Continue reading

The desk of Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, is seen vacant Monday, March 5, 2018. Spohnholz said she had been diagnosed with complications from a pulmonary embolism and will be absent from the capitol until Monday. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)

House committee expected to move budget this week

The Alaska House Finance Committee, coming off three days of public testimony from Alaskans across the state, will put the finishing touches on its draft… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)
Rep. John Lincoln, D-Kotzebue, walks to his seat after being sworn into office by Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, in the House chambers on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. Rep. Lincoln is filling the open seat left by former Rep. Dean Westlake, who resigned in December after female aides accused him of unwanted touching and inappropriate comments. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Three new lawmakers face big adjustments and high stakes

As a pilot for FedEx, Mike Shower is used to picking up a bag and jetting out on a moment’s notice. He keeps one packed… Continue reading

Rep. John Lincoln, D-Kotzebue, walks to his seat after being sworn into office by Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, in the House chambers on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. Rep. Lincoln is filling the open seat left by former Rep. Dean Westlake, who resigned in December after female aides accused him of unwanted touching and inappropriate comments. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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Alaska Senate bill targets vaping by those under 19

The Alaska Senate is nearing a vote on a measure to make all vaping illegal for anyone younger than 19 years old. Senate Bill 15,… Continue reading

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Legislature passes insurance bill amid warnings of higher costs for the elderly, poor

The Alaska Legislature has approved a measure that minority Senate Democrats say will result in higher auto insurance costs for rural Alaskans, racial minorities, the… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore Stella Tallmon testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee in favor of HB 75, a gun violence protective orders bill, at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Local students champion gun-control bill in Legislature

Juneau high school students and dozens of other Alaskans offered two hours of impassioned testimony Wednesday afternoon on the first gun-control proposal considered by the… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore Stella Tallmon testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee in favor of HB 75, a gun violence protective orders bill, at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Senate votes down amendment to protect the PFD in the Constitution

The Alaska Senate has declined to advance a proposed constitutional amendment to guarantee the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. In a 6-14 vote Wednesday, the Senate… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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House amendment supports lower draw, higher dividend from Permanent Fund

The Alaska House Finance Committee has voted to set next year’s Permanent Fund Dividend at $1,270 and reduce the amount of money pulled from the… Continue reading

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The former Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Taku is seen in this undated photo provided by the Alaska Marine Highway system. (Rebecca Rauf | Alaska Department of Transportation)

Bill to fund Alaska Marine Highway System nears House vote

For the first time in six years, the Alaska Legislature has put a portion of the state’s budget, including funding for the Alaska Marine Highway… Continue reading

The former Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Taku is seen in this undated photo provided by the Alaska Marine Highway system. (Rebecca Rauf | Alaska Department of Transportation)
A man signs a banner as people pay tribute at a memorial for the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Parkland, Fla. Thousands of students joined their parents in walking past the three-story building at the Florida high school where the Feb. 14 shooting took place. It is now cordoned off by a chain link fence that was covered with banners from other schools showing their support. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)

In Alaska Legislature, little action in response to Florida shooting

In a visit to Juneau last week, U.S. Rep. Don Young suggested that Americans should turn to their state lawmakers for a response to the… Continue reading

A man signs a banner as people pay tribute at a memorial for the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Parkland, Fla. Thousands of students joined their parents in walking past the three-story building at the Florida high school where the Feb. 14 shooting took place. It is now cordoned off by a chain link fence that was covered with banners from other schools showing their support. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)
In this Jan. 19 photo, Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, speaks at a joint meeting of the Juneau Legislative Delegation and the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Parish education bill suffers setback

Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, has suffered a setback in his attempt to pass legislation affecting Alaska’s public school trust fund. In a procedural move Monday,… Continue reading

In this Jan. 19 photo, Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, speaks at a joint meeting of the Juneau Legislative Delegation and the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, center, is escorted out of the House of Representatives by Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, left, and Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, after his annual speech to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sullivan offers legislators six reasons for optimism

This is Sen. Dan Sullivan, optimistic. In a 36-minute Monday address to the Alaska Legislature, Alaska’s junior U.S. Senator drew repeated rounds of applause from… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, center, is escorted out of the House of Representatives by Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, left, and Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, after his annual speech to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Chris Dimond of Douglas is seen in an undated photo. (Courtesy photo)

Great-grandson of territorial Congressman seeks election to Alaska House

With incumbent Rep. Sam Kito III still undecided on re-election, a second person has announced their intention to seek the statehouse seat representing Haines, Skagway,… Continue reading

Chris Dimond of Douglas is seen in an undated photo. (Courtesy photo)