Alaska Legislature

Walker signs alcohol, marijuana reform bill

Underage kids who drink alcohol will face a violation, not a full-fledged crime, under a new bill signed into law in a ceremony at the… Continue reading

Senate President Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, left, speaks to the media after the Senate gaveled out of the special session in the Terry Miller Legislative Building on Sunday. Gov. Bill Walker says he'll call lawmakers back for a fifth special session starting July 11.

After Legislature quits with work undone, Governor calls them back

It’s over, but not done.At 11:46 a.m. Sunday, the Alaska Senate adjourned the fourth special session of the 29th Alaska Legislature.Forty minutes later, Gov. Bill… Continue reading

Senate President Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, left, speaks to the media after the Senate gaveled out of the special session in the Terry Miller Legislative Building on Sunday. Gov. Bill Walker says he'll call lawmakers back for a fifth special session starting July 11.
The Alaska House of Representatives poses for a group photo on Saturday, June 18, 2016 in the Terry Miller Building after adjourning from the fourth special session of the 29th Alaska Legislature.

House quits: Representatives gavel special session to an end

After 148 days in Juneau, the Alaska House of Representatives has ended its work, but lawmakers are expected to soon be back on the job… Continue reading

The Alaska House of Representatives poses for a group photo on Saturday, June 18, 2016 in the Terry Miller Building after adjourning from the fourth special session of the 29th Alaska Legislature.
Gov. Bill Walker speaks during a press conference in Juneau on Wednesday. Gov. Walker congratulated the Senate on passing SB 128, the Permanent Fund spending bill, and asked the House to do the same.

Governor urges action on Permanent Fund bill

Gov. Bill Walker urged lawmakers Wednesday to continue work on the flagship legislation of his 13-point plan to balance Alaska’s multibillion-dollar deficit, tempering his words… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during a press conference in Juneau on Wednesday. Gov. Walker congratulated the Senate on passing SB 128, the Permanent Fund spending bill, and asked the House to do the same.

Two vie for state’s top schools job

Two men from rural Alaska are in the running to become Alaska’s next commissioner of education, but regardless of who wins the role, he’s in… Continue reading

Legislature hits home stretch of special session

The Alaska Legislature is entering the final week of its 30-day special session with the biggest item of the year still unresolved.The ball is largely… Continue reading

Legislators reach deal to avert shutdown, but deficit remains

Lawmakers late Monday reached a compromise to avert a shutdown of Alaska’s government, but the deal fails to address the structural problems facing state government.Lawmakers… Continue reading

Special session begins — slowly

Alaska lawmakers convened the fourth special session of the 29th Alaska Legislature today, but though the state is 38 days from a government shutdown, urgency… Continue reading

Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, listens to debate on an amendment to the oil and gas tax credits bill during the 121st day of the legislative session on Wednesday.

Legislature quits without finishing work

Alaska’s budget talks have failed.Shortly before midnight Thursday morning, the Alaska Legislature adjourned without fixing the state’s $4 billion annual deficit and without providing a… Continue reading

Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, listens to debate on an amendment to the oil and gas tax credits bill during the 121st day of the legislative session on Wednesday.

House passes ambitious plan to cut oil and gas subsidies

After a month of debate, the Alaska House of Representatives has approved legislation that cuts the state subsidy of the oil and gas industry.In a… Continue reading

Legislature passes crime bill to Walker

A sweeping reform of Alaska’s criminal justice system has passed the Legislature and is headed to Gov. Bill Walker.On Friday, the Alaska Senate voted 14-5… Continue reading

Committee approves LIO money, none for lawsuit-required school

The Alaska Senate Finance Committee has approved a state construction budget with funding for a controversial Legislative office building in Anchorage and without funding for… Continue reading

Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, left, pictured last month looking at the new office space for the Legislature at the Bill Ray Center.

House confirms its crime bill vote

The Alaska House has confirmed its decision last week to approve a set of sweeping reforms to the state’s criminal justice system.In a Wednesday floor… Continue reading

Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, left, pictured last month looking at the new office space for the Legislature at the Bill Ray Center.

For bill seeking to restrict sex ed, it was try, try, try and try again ─ then succeed

The fourth time was the charm for a bill that places restrictions on the teaching of sexual education in Alaska schools.In a 21-18 vote, the… Continue reading

More Alaskans could carry alcohol-restricted driver’s licenses

Like modern versions of Hester Prynne, a growing deviant Alaskans could be forced to carry a scarlet reminder of their misdeeds.In a 27-12 vote, the… Continue reading

House begins digging into crime bill; debates to continue today

Rarely has a discussion about bar fights been so soberly pursued.On Monday, the Alaska House began floor debates on Senate Bill 91, a sweeping reform… Continue reading

Council pursues new $12.5M office for Anchorage lawmakers

After a veto threat from Gov. Bill Walker, lawmakers have changed their plans for a new office building in Anchorage.On Monday evening, members of the… Continue reading

Sunday Recap: Highlights of the 90th Legislative day

Lawmakers didn’t approve any of the biggest items considered necessary for filling the state’s $4.1 billion budget deficit, but there was no shortage of action… Continue reading

Legislature will keep working after 90th day

It lay discarded on the Capitol’s second-floor carpet, a fortune cookie slip with a simple message: “Now is the time for peace in your life.… Continue reading

Senate approves more hurdles for school sex ed instruction, but House balks

The Alaska Senate has approved a version of House Bill 156 amended to require sex education teachers to garner approval from a local school board… Continue reading