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Starting April 1, state workers will need to shift from an enormous food stamp application backlog to begin processing a phased post-pandemic shift back to normal Medicaid requirements.
The Legislature is planning to hire an independent consultant to vet the Dunleavy administration’s proposals, which could take years to implement.
Speaking to lawmakers in the annual State of the State address, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy said, “We need more people in Alaska, not less,” but he didn’t offer policy details.
Three of the appointees would replace board members appointed by former Gov. Bill Walker.
With discussions underway to increase school funding, lawmakers may face challenges in writing the budget with the unpredictability of oil prices.
Leaders of a House majority made up of 19 Republicans, two Democrats and two independents said they would prioritize fiscal stability but balked at articulating any specifics.
After weeks of negotiations, posturing and rumors about how the House would organize, Tilton said two Democrats and two independents from the Bush Caucus will join the Republican-led majority caucus.
Josiah Patkotak, an Utqiagvik independent, was elected to serve as House speaker pro tempore, but the chamber adjourned on the first day of the legislative session without forming a majority.
This year’s incoming crop of state legislators includes the most freshmen coming to the Capitol since 2003.
With lawmakers set to be sworn in Tuesday, the legislative session heralds a new bipartisan coalition in the Senate, disarray in the House and another chapter in the unshakable debate about how to calculate the Permanent Fund dividend.
The first set of 63 pre-filed bills and five proposed constitutional amendments include measures to repeal ranked-choice voting and implement a new pension plan for state workers.
The state of Alaska settled a lawsuit in 2019 compelling it to improve its Medicaid processing times. Attorneys say the state is continuing to fail, and they are preparing to head back to court.
Guidance from Alaska Public Offices Commission staff indicates that donations to Rep. David Eastman, who’s fundraising to pay legal fees, would need to remain below a $250 cap instead of coming in as campaign contributions, which can be unlimited.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Mary Peltola and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy are in solid positions to retain their seats after thousands of additional ballots were counted on Friday.
Democrat Jennie Armstrong is set to be elected to the state House, but another challenge could be filed once election results are certified.