Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a House of Representatives floor session on Tuesday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Local lawmakers hoping for bipartisan, strong majority

The governor’s late budget is a factor in the standstill.

Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a House of Representatives floor session on Tuesday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, center, answers a question as Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, left, and Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, wait their turn during a standing-room only town hall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s legislators express concern about state jobs leaving town

Jobs have already been leaving in recent years.

Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, center, answers a question as Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, left, and Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, wait their turn during a standing-room only town hall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
House surprised with unexpected speaker nomination
House surprised with unexpected speaker nomination
Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers the State of the State address on Jan. 22, 2019 in the Alaska Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers the State of the State address on Jan. 22, 2019 in the Alaska Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Senators hire new liaison to Juneau, Southeast

Senators hire new liaison to Juneau, Southeast

She’ll connect Alaska’s capital with the nation’s capital.

Senators hire new liaison to Juneau, Southeast
Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, and Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, sit next to each other after Knopp voted not to confirm Talerico as Speaker of the House on Tuesday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, and Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, sit next to each other after Knopp voted not to confirm Talerico as Speaker of the House on Tuesday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Leadership remains unsolved in the House of Representatives on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)                                Leadership remains unsolved in the House of Representatives on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: All eyes on House as buzz circulates

Follow along with updates about the state government.

Leadership remains unsolved in the House of Representatives on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)                                Leadership remains unsolved in the House of Representatives on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Crime bill held up over conflict of interest

Crime bill held up over conflict of interest

Lawmakers say new ethics rule too ‘fuzzy.’

Crime bill held up over conflict of interest
Health insurance costs strain school districts’ budgets

Health insurance costs strain school districts’ budgets

Health insurance accounts for 16 percent of one district’s budget.

Health insurance costs strain school districts’ budgets
House Speaker Jim Duncan, D-Juneau, confers with Majority Leader Russ Meekins on Feb. 3, 1981, after the 22-day gridlock over House organization was broken late the previous afternoon following a series of parliamentary maneuvers. (Mark Kelley | Juneau Empire File)
House Speaker Jim Duncan, D-Juneau, confers with Majority Leader Russ Meekins on Feb. 3, 1981, after the 22-day gridlock over House organization was broken late the previous afternoon following a series of parliamentary maneuvers. (Mark Kelley | Juneau Empire File)
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen, left, listens to Dr. Steve Atwater, Executive Dean of the university’s new Alaska College of Education, during an interview at the University of Alaska Southeast on Friday, August 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen, left, listens to Dr. Steve Atwater, Executive Dean of the university’s new Alaska College of Education, during an interview at the University of Alaska Southeast on Friday, August 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

No-bid contract for psychiatric institute raises questions

A previous report advised against privatizing the institute.

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, receives a kiss from his daughter, Adara, before Kiehl is sworn in on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau senator proposes first legislation

It continues a theme from his days on Juneau’s Assembly.

Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, receives a kiss from his daughter, Adara, before Kiehl is sworn in on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Andy Jones, Director of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Office of Substance Misuse, right, speak about the fiscal impacts of the opioids on the state along with Michael Duxbury, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, and Laura Brooks, Director of Health and Rehabilitation for the Department of Corrections, in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Andy Jones, Director of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Office of Substance Misuse, right, speak about the fiscal impacts of the opioids on the state along with Michael Duxbury, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, and Laura Brooks, Director of Health and Rehabilitation for the Department of Corrections, in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gray-Jackson hoping Black History Bill passes this month

Gray-Jackson hoping Black History Bill passes this month

Honoring African-American contributions.

Gray-Jackson hoping Black History Bill passes this month
Capitol Live: Economy to take a hit, no matter the budget outcome

Capitol Live: Economy to take a hit, no matter the budget outcome

Live updates from inside the Alaska State Capitol.

Capitol Live: Economy to take a hit, no matter the budget outcome
Here’s a look at what Dunleavy’s four new crime bills would do

Here’s a look at what Dunleavy’s four new crime bills would do

The bills address sex crimes, pretrial processes, parole and prison sentences.

Here’s a look at what Dunleavy’s four new crime bills would do
House Republicans Cathy Tilton, left, David Talerico, center, and Lance Pruitt speak to the press outside the House chambers after Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State speech on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
House Republicans Cathy Tilton, left, David Talerico, center, and Lance Pruitt speak to the press outside the House chambers after Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State speech on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Tall promises, short details: Senate Democrats concerned about budget
Tall promises, short details: Senate Democrats concerned about budget
School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov’s bills includes $20M slash to education

The money was already approved.

School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)