With the expiration of COVID-19 emergency declaration, legislative leaders diverge on strategy moving forward
The state House and Senate are planning different strategies to deal with airport testing, federal aid and more.
Politics
After US and China talks in Alaska, state leaders get their own chance to meet with top US diplomats
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan indicated that Alaska could be the site of future visits, according to Alaska’s senators.
Alaska attorney general to appear before Eagle River lawmaker’s committee
The hearing is would come more than a month after Dunleavy said his administration would no longer participate in hearings led by Sen. Lora Reinbold.
Alaska legislators plan to stay in session through at least mid-May — if not longer
House and Senate members expect to work at least to the session’s constitutional 121-day limit.
Alaska House speaker says her coalition has 21 members — enough to hold a majority
Speaker Louise Stutes said that Rep. Geran Tarr, an Anchorage Democrat who previously declined to join the coalition, has changed course.
Alaska lawmakers advance bill to double state’s US-lowest gasoline tax
Alaska’s current tax of 8 cents per gallon (3.8 liters) has not changed since 1970.
Alaska legislative aide recovering from severe case of COVID-19
“He came pretty close there. He came very close,” said the spouse of Konrad Jackson, a senior aide to Soldotna Republican Sen. Peter Micciche.
Plan to close 6 DMV offices from Southeast Alaska to the Interior encounters bipartisan opposition in Legislature
The idea would save a half-million dollars per year, but residents of some smaller towns could be forced to pay higher fees.
New legislation proposes steep fines for violations of Alaska’s open-meetings law, but opponents see an attempt at revenge
The proposal is being supported by the same groups who have fought the Anchorage Assembly’s pandemic mitigation measures.
Higher oil prices and federal aid improve Alaska’s revenue forecast
But the state still doesn’t have enough revenue to pay for both a traditional dividend and currently budgeted services.
Sen. Reinbold agrees to follow COVID-19 policy in Alaska Capitol
Two more legislative aides tested positive on Monday.
Most Alaska House Democrats join Republicans in support of ANWR drilling
A resolution asks President Biden to lift a pause on exploration activity within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Online forums for Anchorage mayor and school board candidates set for Monday evening
A forum for school board candidates begins at 6 p.m. on Zoom, and a forum for mayoral candidates will be streamed on Facebook Live at 7 p.m.
Alaska Republican Party vows to recruit challenger to Sen. Lisa Murkowski in 2022
The party’s statewide central committee on Saturday approved a resolution of censure citing Murkowski’s votes on issues including impeachment and the Affordable Care Act.
Gov. Dunleavy proposes new board to develop plans for Alaska’s ferry system
The goal is providing greater stability and reliability for the system, which has been under enormous financial pressure during Alaska’s budget crisis.
An Alaska legislative aide’s severe COVID-19 has heightened Senate reaction to anti-mask lawmaker
Republican Sen. Lora Reinbold of Eagle River attempted to return to the Capitol on Thursday after being ejected from most in-person activities.
Gov. Dunleavy withdraws plan to split Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
The governor cited “technical issues” and said the idea could return in a different form.
Alaska Senate votes to exclude Eagle River lawmaker who refused to follow COVID-19 policy
Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, is not following the Capitol’s testing and masking requirements, Senate leaders said.
Alaska legislators wary of Dunleavy plan to split health and social services agency
A House committee voted 6-1 to advance a proposal that could block the move, which was proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Eagle River lawmaker escorted from hearing after again violating Capitol’s mask rule
It’s the second such incident in two days from Sen. Lora Reinbold as legislators enforce a rule that’s been in place since the start of the legislative session.