Alaska Legislature

Bill would ban prison marriages, but not for the reason you think

In his younger years, Anchorage Republican Rep. Bob Lynn served as a police officer in Tucson, Arizona.Last year, when the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex… Continue reading

Bill would protect clergy who refuse marriages

Of the 34 bills prefiled by Alaska lawmakers on Friday, none have been more controversial than Senate Bill 120 and House Bill 236.The bills, proposed… Continue reading

Fights shape up over taxes, money

There seems little doubt that the 2016 state legislative session will be pretty ugly.The money situation is getting worse and there’s no reason to believe… Continue reading

Spokesman: Consultant’s contract not renewed

JUNEAU — The Alaska Gasline Development Corp. did not renew the contract for a South Carolina-based consultant once identified as the leader of the state’s… Continue reading

Gas project partners OK work plan, budget

JUNEAU — The partners in a major liquefied natural gas project that the state of Alaska is pursuing voted Thursday to approve a work program… Continue reading

Schools in jeopardy

Schools in jeopardy

Arthur Sharp remembers traveling with his elders in search of a new area to call home after a devastating earthquake rattled Southcentral Alaska in 1964.“They… Continue reading

Schools in jeopardy
Dr. Carlton Heine, an emergency room physician at Bartlett Regional Hospital, talks about the increased used of heroin in the community.

Ellis: Narcan bill means ‘life or death’

Editor’s note: This is part of a series of stories on heroin, with the next installments to be published Monday.Anchorage Sen. Johnny Ellis says his… Continue reading

Dr. Carlton Heine, an emergency room physician at Bartlett Regional Hospital, talks about the increased used of heroin in the community.
Gov. Bill Walker signs the bill to buyout TransCanada's share of the AKLNG project as Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Eagle River, left, Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, and Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, right, watch at the Capitol on Thursday.

Done deal: Walker signs bill buying out TransCanada’s share of pipeline

Gov. Bill Walker was all smiles as he signed a bill that will give Alaska one-quarter ownership of a natural gas pipeline — once it’s… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker signs the bill to buyout TransCanada's share of the AKLNG project as Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Eagle River, left, Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, and Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, right, watch at the Capitol on Thursday.

Arctic drilling complaint clears Legislature

After passing a landmark gas pipeline deal, the Alaska House approved a formal complaint against the Obama administration’s decision to cancel oil and gas lease… Continue reading

Pipeline plan passes

Alaska’s natural gas megaproject is moving forward.With a 39-0 vote, the Alaska House approved spending $161.25 million to advance the AKLNG project, which promises to… Continue reading

Attorney General Craig Richards speaks to the media about his change of plans to speak to the House Judiciary Committee on Monday.

Secrecy rules create angry conflict in Legislature

A dispute over the amount of secrecy allowed to board members of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation resulted in an unusual angry speech on the… Continue reading

Attorney General Craig Richards speaks to the media about his change of plans to speak to the House Judiciary Committee on Monday.
Barbara Huff Tuckness, a spokeswoman for Teamsters Union Local 959, speaks in favor of the TransCanada buyout proposal during public testimony in the House Finance Committee at the Capitol on Monday.

Legislature advances pipeline buyout

The state’s buyout of gas pipeline partner TransCanada advanced on Monday to the floor of the Alaska Senate en route to what seems to be… Continue reading

Barbara Huff Tuckness, a spokeswoman for Teamsters Union Local 959, speaks in favor of the TransCanada buyout proposal during public testimony in the House Finance Committee at the Capitol on Monday.
Speaker of the House Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, talks with legislators at his desk during an "at ease" in the House of Representatives at the Capitol on Monday.

House minority objects to Arctic drilling complaint

Members of the Alaska House minority raised procedural objections Monday morning as the body prepared a formal complaint in response to the federal government’s cancellation… Continue reading

Speaker of the House Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, talks with legislators at his desk during an "at ease" in the House of Representatives at the Capitol on Monday.

S&P gives good marks to governor’s Permanent Fund plan

On Monday, credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s said Gov. Bill Walker’s proposed changes to the way the Alaska Permanent Fund is used “is a… Continue reading

University of Alaska Board of Regents to decide budget

The board of directors for the University of Alaska is expected to approve a 9 percent tuition hike when it meets Wednesday morning in Anchorage.The… Continue reading

S&P gives good marks to governor’s Permanent Fund plan

On Monday, credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s said Gov. Bill Walker’s proposed changes to the way the Alaska Permanent Fund is used “is a… Continue reading

Legislature readies complaint after Arctic drilling nixed

The Alaska Legislature is preparing an official complaint letter to President Barack Obama after the federal government canceled planned oil and gas lease sales in… Continue reading

Daylight saving compromise proposed in House

A Wasilla Republican has suggested a compromise that could assuage the fears of Alaskans concerned about the proposed elimination of daylight saving time in the… Continue reading

Legislator’s advisers also call for TransCanada buyout

The advisers hired by the Alaska Legislature to provide an independent view of the AKLNG natural gas project say they agree with the state in… Continue reading

Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, left, Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, and Rep. Liz Vazquez, R-Anchorage, listen to Steve Butt, senior project manager of the ExxonMobil Development Company and currently serving as the project manager for the Alaska LNG Project, as he testifies in front of the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Friday.

AKLNG project head says it’s on course

The AKLNG natural gas project will be big enough to supply 5 percent of the world’s natural gas. It will carry enough gas to meet… Continue reading

Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, left, Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, and Rep. Liz Vazquez, R-Anchorage, listen to Steve Butt, senior project manager of the ExxonMobil Development Company and currently serving as the project manager for the Alaska LNG Project, as he testifies in front of the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Friday.