Alaska House approves $299 million supplemental budget that would keep Medicaid running
If approved by the Senate and governor, the proposal would diminish the cuts made to the budget after last year’s contentious battles over state spending.
Politics
Alaska Senate approves alcohol-reform law boosting breweries and distilleries
The bill now advances to the House, where some critics have moderated their position in light of a compromise between brewers and an alcohol industry trade group.
Alaska public employees union files grievance over state outsourcing plan
Earlier this month, the Department of Administration announced what it called a digital alliance with Microsoft and plans to work together on various initiatives, including efforts to modernize state information technology.
Alaska House bill would establish health care pricing database
House Bill 229, sponsored by Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, would establish an all-payer claims database, along with a corporation to manage it.
Summer special election on recall of Gov. Dunleavy could cost $1.8 million, agency says
If the recall becomes an item on the Alaska’s Aug. 18 primary or Nov. 3 general election ballots, however, it would not incur that cost.
Campaign to recall Alaska Gov. Dunleavy begins collecting signatures
The recall organizers gathered 46,405 valid signatures over five weeks to apply for the recall. But the campaign must start over with a new signature drive to put the recall on the ballot.
Alaska Native groups seek to be included in ferry study group
The failure to include the Native groups was “not a snub to any group or any particular folks or location,” Gov. Dunleavy said.
Alaska marijuana industry works to influence local politicians
Since recreational marijuana became legal in the state, local businesses have joined the oil, fishing and tourism industries in working to shape how their industry is regulated.
How Republican Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan teamed with a climate-crusading Democrat to pass an ocean cleanup bill
Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island hopes that someday they’ll introduce a climate-change bill together.
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.
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.