Alaska Legislature

State Rep. Craig Johnson (center), an Anchorage Republican, consults with a staff member while chairing a House Rules Committee meeting at the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday to hear Senate Bill 140, which as modified by the committee makes sweeping changes to Alaska’s education system. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Battle lines in massive education bill set by House and Senate majorities

Senate says bill rushed and reckless; House calls it balanced solution to struggling school system.

State Rep. Craig Johnson (center), an Anchorage Republican, consults with a staff member while chairing a House Rules Committee meeting at the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday to hear Senate Bill 140, which as modified by the committee makes sweeping changes to Alaska’s education system. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
From left, Bela Pyare, 13, Josie Elfers, 11, Nayeli Hood, 11, and Emily Ferry, a member of the Alaska Association of School Boards, discuss their testimony about a board-based education bill in a hallway at the Alaska State Capitol during a House Rule Committee meeting on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sweeping education bill advances to House floor despite overwhelming opposition from educators

Bill contains $300 BSA increase, boosts for charter and homeschooling, random audits of districts.

From left, Bela Pyare, 13, Josie Elfers, 11, Nayeli Hood, 11, and Emily Ferry, a member of the Alaska Association of School Boards, discuss their testimony about a board-based education bill in a hallway at the Alaska State Capitol during a House Rule Committee meeting on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A joint session of the Alaska Legislature meets Thursday night to vote on overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto to about $87.5 million of education funding. The override failed by a 33-26 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire) A joint session of the Alaska Legislature meets Thursday night to vote on overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto to about $87.5 million of education funding. The override failed by a 33-26 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Legislature fails by 33-26 vote to override governor’s veto to education funding

House speaker says joint session was procedural move to address constitutional process question.

A joint session of the Alaska Legislature meets Thursday night to vote on overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto to about $87.5 million of education funding. The override failed by a 33-26 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire) A joint session of the Alaska Legislature meets Thursday night to vote on overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto to about $87.5 million of education funding. The override failed by a 33-26 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of the House Rules Committee hear testimony from staff for Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, about Senate Bill 140 on Wednesday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska education reform bill appears on fast track after lawmakers see rewrite

House majority version includes a smaller funding boost than advocates requested

Members of the House Rules Committee hear testimony from staff for Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, about Senate Bill 140 on Wednesday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Acting Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Cathy Muñoz is seen in an undated headshot photo provided by the department. (Contributed photo)

Interim labor commissioner Muñoz is Dunleavy’s pick for permanent job

Former Juneau lawmaker must be confirmed for the position by the Legislature.

Acting Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Cathy Muñoz is seen in an undated headshot photo provided by the department. (Contributed photo)
Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, confers with other senators and legislative staff moments before gaveling in the start of this year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Legislature gavels in with House majority rejecting veto override session on education funding

Governor also issues a dozen executive orders, including replacing AMHS operations board.

Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, confers with other senators and legislative staff moments before gaveling in the start of this year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol is illuminated by the sun on the morning of Jan. 9, 2023. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

From abortion to zoning: Short summaries of every bill in the 33rd Alaska State Legislature

This list was last updated Jan. 16, 2024. Each year, members of the Alaska Legislature introduce hundreds of bills. They’re all listed on the Legislature’s… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is illuminated by the sun on the morning of Jan. 9, 2023. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Legislative fiscal analysts Alexei Painter, right, and Conor Bell explain the state’s financial outlook during a presentation to the Senate Finance Committee on March 24, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Report: $175 ‘energy relief’ payment to residents, education funding boost likely in final state budget

Legislative Finance analysis of governor’s proposal for next year predicts numerous other adjustments

Legislative fiscal analysts Alexei Painter, right, and Conor Bell explain the state’s financial outlook during a presentation to the Senate Finance Committee on March 24, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, addresses the audience during a town hall by the local legislative delegation Thursday evening at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

School district deficit, legislative pay hikes, compost burials among issues at legislative town hall

Veto override on school funding will help district, Juneau’s state lawmakers say.

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, addresses the audience during a town hall by the local legislative delegation Thursday evening at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol is scheduled to begin Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Limiting foreign property rights and campaign deepfakes among second batch of prefiled bills

Legislators and staff arriving in Juneau as session set to begin on Tuesday.

This year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol is scheduled to begin Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities at the Alaska State Capitol on March 1, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

First prefiled bills include voter preregistration for 16-year-olds, funds for remedial reading

Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, introduces the two proposals among the 48 by state lawmakers on Monday.

State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities at the Alaska State Capitol on March 1, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Driftwood Lodge, used for decades by state lawmakers and others during legislative sessions, is not on this year’s official housing list provided by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Historic Assembly Building to open as legislative housing next week, Driftwood off official list

Lodge hit by complaints last year after Tlingit and Haida purchase; officials say that’s not a factor

The Driftwood Lodge, used for decades by state lawmakers and others during legislative sessions, is not on this year’s official housing list provided by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Reps. Andi Story (foreground) and Sara Hannan, both Juneau Democrats wearing red blazers — reportedly by coincidence — greet visitors and family members during an annual holiday open house hosted by the local legislative delegation at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Making a list, checking it off thrice at holiday open house hosted by local legislative delegation

Visitors at Capitol share greetings and hopes for upcoming session with trio of Juneau lawmakers.

State Reps. Andi Story (foreground) and Sara Hannan, both Juneau Democrats wearing red blazers — reportedly by coincidence — greet visitors and family members during an annual holiday open house hosted by the local legislative delegation at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Alaska Attorney General Trig Taylor (foreground) discusses litigation the state Department of Law is involved with during Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s (left background) unveiling of his proposed budget during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol.

Legislative Council votes to sue Dunleavy administration in state employee union dues case

Legislators say executive branch violated separation of powers with unauthorized spending.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Alaska Attorney General Trig Taylor (foreground) discusses litigation the state Department of Law is involved with during Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s (left background) unveiling of his proposed budget during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol.
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, right, and former Rep. Christopher Kurka, R-Wasilla, saw ethics complaints against them dismissed on Nov. 29. (Photos by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Committee dismisses complaints that two Alaska lawmakers committed ethics violations

The body charged with policing the ethics of members of the Alaska House of Representatives has dismissed complaints alleging two members improperly allowed an Alaska… Continue reading

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, right, and former Rep. Christopher Kurka, R-Wasilla, saw ethics complaints against them dismissed on Nov. 29. (Photos by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The historic Assembly Building, built in 1932 and located across the street from the Alaska State Capitol, will serve as legislative housing during the coming session after the building was gifted to the Alaska Legislature for that purpose. (Photo courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)

Committee adopts policy for new apartments for Alaska lawmakers and staff

Apartments will be available starting next year for Alaska lawmakers and staff in a building that the Legislature was gifted, with a committee that oversees… Continue reading

The historic Assembly Building, built in 1932 and located across the street from the Alaska State Capitol, will serve as legislative housing during the coming session after the building was gifted to the Alaska Legislature for that purpose. (Photo courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)
Rep. Josiah Patkotak, I-Utqiagvik, speaks in favor of HJR 6, the resolution in support of the Willow oil project, on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. The resolution passed 36-0. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Applications now being accepted for nation’s northernmost legislator

Rep. Josiah Patkotak resigns after win in North Slope mayor’s race; governor seeks replacement online

Rep. Josiah Patkotak, I-Utqiagvik, speaks in favor of HJR 6, the resolution in support of the Willow oil project, on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. The resolution passed 36-0. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The Assembly Building is seen on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in downtown Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Legislature’s new apartment building is on budget, on schedule

A project intended to renovate a historic Juneau building into apartments for state legislators and staff is running on time and on budget, officials told… Continue reading

The Assembly Building is seen on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in downtown Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
A line of electric-assisted bicycle sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor in February. Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Friday vetoed a bill that would classify such bikes the same as regular bikes that passed the Legislature this year by a combined 57-2 vote. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy vetoes bill classifying e-bikes the same as regular bikes

Spokesperson calls bill, which passed the Legislature 57-2, “unnecessary bureaucracy.”

A line of electric-assisted bicycle sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor in February. Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Friday vetoed a bill that would classify such bikes the same as regular bikes that passed the Legislature this year by a combined 57-2 vote. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
State Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, talks to residents during a legislative town hall Thursday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Local legislators discuss this year’s achievements, next year’s goals at town hall

Residents raise questions about education funding veto, health and rehabilitation programs.

State Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, talks to residents during a legislative town hall Thursday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)