Legislators weigh cost of running new prison

The megaprison being built in the Mat-Su so far is coming in on time and within budget, but some legislators still are pondering whether a private company could run it more cheaply than the state.

Alaska Politics blog: Village students lobby governor for new school

Senate majority wants more in capital spending budget

Legislator says gasoline price regulating bills need work

Legislator says gasoline price regulating bills need work

A key House committee chairman said two bills that would regulate Alaska's wholesale gasoline prices are dead unless their sponsors make changes.

Senate majority wants more in capital spending budget

While higher-than-expected oil prices have fattened state coffers, Gov. Sean Parnell said Tuesday he's imposing spending restraint in the Capitol. It's a concept lawmakers say they buy into, but there's debate over how the pennies should fall.

Alaska Politics blog: Village students lobby governor for new school

Palin critics question attorney general's ethics rules proposals

A legislative committee on Monday took up ethics issues that erupted during the Palin administration, but it's not clear whether the panel intends to take any action.

Hiring incentive linked to oil tax bill

LEGISLATURE ROUNDUP

Hiring incentive linked to oil tax bill

A House committee has agreed to consider a measure to give tax breaks for oil and gas companies whose work forces are composed of at least 80 percent Alaskans.

ALASKA POLITICS BLOG

Legislator proposes 'permanent fund' just for transportation

A Republican state House leader is proposing a big change in how road and other transportation projects are paid for in Alaska: a new "permanent fund" that could sidestep federal red tape.

Bill calls for protecting people over wildlife in Anchorage

It's been nearly two years since a pair of maulings on a popular Anchorage trail. It's been months since plans fizzled for the city to hire a "bear cop" to prevent more problems. Now, the battle over bears in Anchorage is back.

Alaska considers ban on drivers' cell phones

Lawmakers in the nation's most inaccessible state capital are considering the most aggressive statewide ban in the United States on the use of cell phones while driving.

Council OKs state campaign against polar bear protections

The Legislative Council has decided to push ahead with state funding for a public relations effort to curb the Endangered Species Act and the listing of polar bears, despite lawmakers saying it could create a black eye for Alaska.

Bill pushes safety as Fish & Game priority

More on the legislative session

ALASKA POLITICS BLOG

First hearing on bill to roll back oil taxes set for Monday

The state House next week will take up two of the biggest issues of the legislative session: whether to lower oil taxes and what to do about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing unlimited corporate and union election spending.

Legislature examining corporate campaigning

Complete Alaska Legislature coverage

Legislature examining corporate campaigning

Alaska lawmakers say it appears all bets are now off when it comes to corporate and union spending in Alaska elections, with no limits allowed or any requirements for disclosure after the recent landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

First hearing on bill to roll back oil taxes set for Monday

Complete Alaska Legislature coverage

Lawmakers spar over adding seats to Legislature

A push to increase the size of the Legislature so rural Alaska doesn't lose representation after this year's census is proving contentious, with a price tag running in the millions.

Complete Alaska Legislature coverage

Ellis bill: Use state systems for e-mails

Senate Majority Leader Johnny Ellis has proposed a measure that would require public employee e-mails related to state business be sent on state-run systems.

March 1 is target for maintenance proposal

A co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee says lawmakers will try to get the governor's deferred maintenance proposal passed by March 1. But Republican Sen. Bert Stedman said that will be difficult and he made no guarantees.

Firearms Freedom Act gets Senate hearing

Alaska lawmakers are fighting federal gun regulations with a proposed law of their own: the Alaska Firearms Freedom Act.

TransCanada Corp. defends proposed gas pipeline project

News of a higher price than expected and competition from other gas supplies are fueling skepticism among legislators that TransCanada Corp. can deliver on a natural gas pipeline to the Lower 48.

Ad campaign hits at state oil taxes

An energy industry trade group is using a new ad campaign to call for changes to Alaska's controversial oil and gas production tax. The campaign by the Alaska Support Industry Alliance shows what the group says are the faces of "real Alaskans" who have lost jobs or business because of oil industry cuts.

Legislature puts lingering ethics issues on the shelf

There's not a lot of enthusiasm in the Legislature for addressing ethics issues left over from Sarah Palin's time as governor, including what a judge called a "perceived loop-hole" making it legal to use private e-mail accounts for state business.

Complete Alaska Legislature coverage

Kill high school exit exam, critics tell committee

A high school exit exam is keeping hundreds of Alaska students from earning diplomas and jobs for which they're otherwise qualified, proponents of repealing the test told a state Senate committee Friday.

Bill aims to make sure governors live in Juneau

Motives of Alyeska staffing moves called into question

More on the legislative session

Bill aims to make sure governors live in Juneau

The governor's place is in Juneau. That's the gist of a measure introduced by state Sens. Bert Stedman and Dennis Egan, who wants to make clear the governor's "duty station" -- where he or she spends the majority of time to fulfill the office's duties -- is Juneau.

Motives of Alyeska staffing moves called into question

A state legislator from Fairbanks is questioning Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.'s decision to relocate some employees to Anchorage.