Members of the Alaska House greet one another at the start of the special session of the Alaska Legislature on August 2, 2025, in Juneau. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Alaska lawmakers convened at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau for the first day of a legislative special session called by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Saturday, Aug. 2. In a joint session, legislators overrode two of Dunleavy’s vetoes. With 45 votes, they restored roughly $50 million in education funding that he had vetoed. Lawmakers also overrode Dunleavy’s veto of a bill meant to ensure the state is collecting the oil and gas taxes it is owed, before both the House and Senate recessed until Aug. 19.
Take a closer look at activity inside the Capitol as the special session began.
House Majority Leader Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, waits to board a flight to Juneau at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on August 1, 2025, a day before a legislative special session is set to begin at the Alaska State Capitol. Kopp said he was prepared to stay for weeks but expected the session to be shorter than that. (Marc Lester / ADN) Jacob Pennell, assistant sergeant at arms for the Alaska Senate, signals the start of the special session. (Marc Lester / ADN) Rep. Sara Hannan (D-Juneau) keeps a wagon full of peonies in her office at the Alaska State Capitol. Hannan said the flowers came from a friend in Fairbanks, Kim Dunshie-Herning of Northern Lights Peonies, who Hannan said sent them as a reward to lawmakers who attended the special session. (Marc Lester / ADN) Before the start of the special session of the Alaska Legislature, Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks, gives visitors a tour of the Senate chamber. (Marc Lester / ADN) Supporters of a veto override vote hold signs outside the Alaska State Capitol. (Marc Lester / ADN) Rep. Robyn Niayuq Burke, who was delayed getting to Juneau, talks with Alaska House colleagues during the special session. (Marc Lester / ADN) Sharon Denton, left, and Nancy DeCherney speak with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau. (Marc Lester / ADN) Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Anchorage, offers an air high-five to Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks. (Marc Lester / ADN) Gov. Mike Dunleavy talks about his recent treatment for skin cancer at the start of a news conference. “I didn’t get beat up by anybody,” he joked. “Or the Legislature — they didn’t beat me up either.” (Marc Lester / ADN) Supporters of a veto override vote hold signs outside the Alaska House chamber as Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, passes. From left are Eric Antrim, Laura Buchheit, Eliabeth Figus and Deborah Craig. (Marc Lester / ADN) Several members of the Alaska Legislature huddle after two veto override votes. (Marc Lester / ADN) The results of the education funding veto override vote are displayed. (Marc Lester / ADN) Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, takes a breath after the results of the education funding veto override vote are displayed. (Marc Lester / ADN) A spectator in the gallery celebrates the results of the first of two veto override votes. (Marc Lester / ADN) Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, left, is applauded as he exits the joint session of the Alaska Legislature following two veto override votes. (Marc Lester / ADN) Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage talks with Rep. Calvin Schrage, of Anchorage, during a joint session. (Marc Lester / ADN) Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, listens to discussion on the House floor. (Marc Lester / ADN) Reps. Alyse Galvin, of Anchorage, Andi Story, D-Juneau, and Rebecca Himschoot, of Sitka, record a video together following the two veto override votes. (Marc Lester / ADN) Gov. Mike Dunleavy makes comments in response to the first day of the legislative special session, which saw two of his vetoes overridden. (Marc Lester / ADN)
A group of legislators gather for a news conference after two successful veto override votes in the joint session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on August 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
