Concerts and longer hours could be in store for Alaska breweries, but lawmakers have the final say
The proposal to ease some restrictions on breweries is part of a sweeping overhaul of Alaska’s alcohol laws.
Politics
Alaska House Republicans confirm Prax to open seat
Glenn “Mike” Prax has been confirmed to a seat vacated when longtime Rep. Tammie Wilson resigned last month.
ExxonMobil and Hilcorp make big donations to group fighting effort to raise oil taxes
As of this week, the group against the oil tax measure had raised just over $2 million.
Kotzebue lawmaker says he won’t seek reelection
Rep. John Lincoln said he will finish the remainder of his term, and he intends to return to work for NANA Regional Corp.
Attorney general says state will not challenge impartiality of chief justice on recall
A pro-Dunleavy group had questioned whether Chief Justice Joel Bolger should consider the case.
Senators quiet over no-bid contract given to Dunleavy donor’s grandson
Attorney General Kevin Clarkson said he will open an investigation.
Dunleavy calls for investigation into Clark Penney state contract, criticizes Democratic lawmakers who questioned it
The governor said he would launch his own “deep dive” into a no-bid contract awarded to the grandson of a major financial supporter of his election.
Alaska will use private companies for stopgap ferry service
Only one of the state’s fleet of 12 ships is currently operating.
On Dunleavy recall, Alaska Supreme Court invites challenges to chief justice’s impartiality
The court’s lead clerk said attorneys have until Feb. 26 to ask Chief Justice Joel Bolger to recuse himself from the case.
State challenges ballot measure that would install ranked-choice voting statewide
The Alaska Supreme Court considered courtroom arguments on Wednesday.
Gov. Dunleavy proposes $1,304 supplemental Permanent Fund dividend
Dunleavy’s proposal would cost $815.9 million and be paid with Permanent Fund earnings, according to his budget office.
Dunleavy picks Mike Prax to replace Tammie Wilson for North Pole seat in Alaska House
The pick is subject to a confirmation vote by the House’s Republican members.
Sen. Murkowski says she’s focused on Alaska issues, not on presidential race
Trump has had policies that are good for the country and have helped Alaska, Murkowski said, but she did not say if she would support his reelection bid.
Pro-Dunleavy group drops out of recall lawsuit, but state says it will continue fight at Alaska Supreme Court
The move comes four days after the Supreme Court ruled that the state must allow recall proponents to gather signatures.
Alaska Democrats preparing for new primary voting system say Iowa’s problems won’t be repeated
The party is discarding electronic voting for presidential candidates in favor of by-mail ballots transported by hand.
Bill that would require state to recognize 229 Alaskan tribes gains momentum
The bill is largely symbolic, but “just a simple act of recognition can heal decades of hurt,” said the president of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.
How would Alaska’s lottery work? Here are two plans being debated.
A state lottery has been resisted in Alaska for decades, but two ideas are now being promoted, one by Gov. Mike Dunleavy and another by a key legislator.
Eight apply for pending Alaska Supreme Court vacancy
The nonpartisan Alaska Judicial Council will conduct interviews and forward a shortlist of nominees to the governor for a final selection.
Room in the Alaska Capitol will be named for the late legislator Bettye Davis
An Alaska Capitol room that hosts House education and social service committee hearings will be named for the late former lawmaker Bettye Davis.
Alaska Supreme Court puts Gov. Dunleavy recall campaign on fast track, allowing signatures to be collected
The decision also set a court date for March 25 to argue the legality of the recall.