Some Alaska lawmakers say new ethics rules are too limiting
Senate Majority Leader Mia Costello said legislators are erring on the side of caution and in some cases declining meetings.
Senate Majority Leader Mia Costello said legislators are erring on the side of caution and in some cases declining meetings.
Preliminary numbers released by the state indicate the number of opioid-related overdose deaths in Alaska fell between 2017 and 2018.
Without an organized majority, the House has been unable to set up formal committees or hold bill hearings.
Three people picked for prominent positions quit or declined roles, two after offensive social media posts came to light and one after questions were raised about his work history.
Alaska’s attorney general says he can set aside his personal views on issues like abortion in performing his duties.
A law enforcement officer newly appointed to the board that regulates Alaska’s legal marijuana industry said the issue of onsite consumption should be revisited, if possible.
Brandon Emmett says Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s boards and commissions director told him Dunleavy was going “in another direction” and Emmett’s service was no longer needed.
The House lacks an organized majority and was warned by the Legislature’s human resources manager last week that a temporary staffing authorization was to expire the first day of session, which was Tuesday.
The money would be paid on top of whatever the annual dividend otherwise would be for this year, 2020 and 2021.
Republicans will hold 23 of the chamber’s 40 seats, which would be enough for a small majority. But party doesn’t always dictate how lawmakers organize.
The decision appears to give Republicans control of the Alaska House.
Mike Dunleavy is heading into his first legislative session as Alaska’s governor, faced with trying to implement campaign promises involving politically thorny issues.