Alaska Legislature

Alaska Legislature considers bills to create electronic hunting, fishing licenses

Each day, in airports across Alaska, thousands of people swipe their cellphones across a scanner and board an airplane. Instead of a paper boarding pass,… Continue reading

The office of Alaska state Rep. Zach Fansler is shown in the Alaska Capitol on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, in Juneau. The door to the office was locked Monday morning. State House leaders have asked for Fansler’s resignation following a report in the Juneau Empire in which a woman alleged that Fansler hit her during a night of drinking. (Becky Bohrer | The Associated Press)

Experts don’t buy Rep. Fansler’s ‘BDSM kink’ defense in assault case

As the Juneau Police Department continues to investigate an alleged assault by Rep. Zach Fansler, D-Bethel, experts say Fansler’s text-message apology to the woman and… Continue reading

The office of Alaska state Rep. Zach Fansler is shown in the Alaska Capitol on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, in Juneau. The door to the office was locked Monday morning. State House leaders have asked for Fansler’s resignation following a report in the Juneau Empire in which a woman alleged that Fansler hit her during a night of drinking. (Becky Bohrer | The Associated Press)
John Lincoln is seen in this undated file photo from NANA Regional Corp. (Courtesy photo)

Democrats confirm Lincoln as newest House member

Democrats in the Alaska House of Representatives have confirmed John Agnaqluk Lincoln as the newest member of House. In a closed-door caucus meeting of the… Continue reading

John Lincoln is seen in this undated file photo from NANA Regional Corp. (Courtesy photo)
Governor candidate Scott Hawkins delivers his introduction during a GOP candidate forum at the Prospector Hotel on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Three Mikes and a Scott’: Republican gubernatorial candidates gather in Juneau

Juneau Republicans got their first look at their options for governor and lieutenant this year as the Juneau Republican Women hosted an hourlong lunchtime forum… Continue reading

Governor candidate Scott Hawkins delivers his introduction during a GOP candidate forum at the Prospector Hotel on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Steaming chicken sizzler with noodles (123rf.com Stock Photo)

The first bill to pass the Legislature this year allows restaurants to donate leftovers to charity

A coalition of Democrats, independents and Republicans controls the Alaska House of Representatives, but the first bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in 2018 has… Continue reading

Steaming chicken sizzler with noodles (123rf.com Stock Photo)

Walker selects Kotzebue man for vacant Alaska House seat

Hours before the deadline set by state law, Gov. Bill Walker selected John Agnaqluk Lincoln for a vacant position in the Alaska House of Representatives.… Continue reading

This text message exchange, provided by a woman alleging an attack by Rep. Zach Fansler, D-Bethel, shows Fansler’s attempt to apologize on the morning after the incident. (Courtesy photo)

Beaten by a legislator: Juneau woman accuses lawmaker of violent attack

Local police and the Alaska Department of Law are investigating an Alaska state lawmaker for allegedly hitting a woman and rupturing her eardrum during a… Continue reading

This text message exchange, provided by a woman alleging an attack by Rep. Zach Fansler, D-Bethel, shows Fansler’s attempt to apologize on the morning after the incident. (Courtesy photo)
In this screengrab from Chinese state TV on Nov. 9, 2017, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker and others in Beijing sign a $43 billion development agreement for a trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline.

Gas pipeline work on track, leaders tell legislators

House lawmakers on Wednesday said they remain cautiously optimistic about the future of a trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline following a presentation by the leaders of… Continue reading

In this screengrab from Chinese state TV on Nov. 9, 2017, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker and others in Beijing sign a $43 billion development agreement for a trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline.
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks during an interview Tuesday, about his bill, SB 63, to prohibit smoking in public places. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Smoking ban may again be foiled by one legislator

A bill to ban smoking in bars and restaurants across Alaska has wide support in the Alaska Legislature, but the measure’s fate will again be… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks during an interview Tuesday, about his bill, SB 63, to prohibit smoking in public places. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska auditors recommend dissolving state’s tourism marketing board

When is a tourist like a fish? A new state audit has recommended an end to the state’s tourism marketing board as the state prepares… Continue reading

Here’s what’s going on in the Capitol this week

The Alaska Legislature will begin to crack open the state budget and start the debate about how to pay for it as lawmakers enter the… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

In State of the State, Walker promotes self-sufficiency as solution to Alaska’s problems

With allusions to grit, determination and self-reliance, Gov. Bill Walker delivered his annual State of the State address to Alaskans on Thursday night in the… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Two of Juneau’s three lawmakers may not run for re-election

Two of Juneau’s three lawmakers may not run for re-election

Two of three Juneau lawmakers in the Alaska Legislature may not run for re-election this year. Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, told the Empire he… Continue reading

Two of Juneau’s three lawmakers may not run for re-election
Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, left, and Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, deliver a message to Gov. Bill Walker that the House is open for business on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. Legislators returned to Alaska’s Capitol to open the Second Session of the 30th Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Guardedly optimistic, Alaska Legislature starts second regular session

After the Girl Scouts and the Juneau-Douglas High School choir, two senators walked into the chambers of the Alaska House of Representatives with an air… Continue reading

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, left, and Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, deliver a message to Gov. Bill Walker that the House is open for business on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. Legislators returned to Alaska’s Capitol to open the Second Session of the 30th Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Three finalists named to replace Mike Dunleavy in Alaska Senate

A sitting state legislator is among the three names being forwarded to Gov. Bill Walker as possible replacements for Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla. On Monday… Continue reading

Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In this Feb. 15, 2017 photo, Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, speaks in support of his resolution to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during a House floor sesison. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Report confirms lawmaker harassed staff

An investigation by the Alaska Legislature’s internal watchdog has confirmed that former Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kiana, sexually harassed multiple Legislative employees in 2017. The investigation’s… Continue reading

In this Feb. 15, 2017 photo, Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, speaks in support of his resolution to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during a House floor sesison. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

10 candidates vie to fill Sen. Dunleavy’s seat, as he resigns to run for governor

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Republicans are expected to finalize their short list of candidates to replace Sen. Mike Dunleavy in a meeting tonight. On Sunday, the House… Continue reading

Brandon Howard, a cofounder of Amalga Distillery, left, serves mixed drinks to Nick Thein and Terra Veler at the distillery’s tasting room at Franklin and Second Streets on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, has proposed a bill that would allow the distillery to keep serving cocktails. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Legislator seeks ceasefire in bar wars

Alaska’s House Majority Leader has proposed a way to end the trouble afflicting distilleries in Alaska. On Friday, Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, proposed a bill… Continue reading

Brandon Howard, a cofounder of Amalga Distillery, left, serves mixed drinks to Nick Thein and Terra Veler at the distillery’s tasting room at Franklin and Second Streets on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, has proposed a bill that would allow the distillery to keep serving cocktails. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

30th Legislature reconvenes this week for second session

The Olympics don’t start until February, but Juneau will host some opening ceremonies of its own as the second session of the 30th Alaska Legislature… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau and Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, answer questions from Juneau area residents about legislative priorities during a townhall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau legislators ‘worried’ about upcoming session

Juneau’s three-person delegation to the Alaska Legislature told a well-attended town hall meeting Thursday night that they are worried about what will and will not… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau and Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, answer questions from Juneau area residents about legislative priorities during a townhall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)