Murkowski Among 5 Senators Putting Brakes On Obamacare Repeal
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski is among a group of senators looking slow down the process of repealing Obamacare, according to Politico.
January 2017
Murkowski’s Vote May Be Key To Obamacare Repeal
Politico is reporting growing resistance within the GOP to repealing Obamacare without a replacement. They are also reporting that as that resistance grows, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins may be the votes that decide the success and ultimate shape of that effort.
State Senate Releases Full List of Committee Assignments
The Alaska State Senate Majority today released their full list of committee assignments. The only noteworthy assignment I see is freshman Sen-elect Natasha Von Imhof got a seat on Finance, but that has been known for some time. Everything else looks pretty status quo.
AK Legislature Releases 52 Prefiled Bills for 2017 Legislative Session
The first list of prefiled bills for the upcoming legislative session was released this morning.
As you might expect the list ranges from the banal (HB 7 by Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins to ban ballot selfies and HB 28 by Rep. Tarr increasing disclosure requirements for cosmetics) to hot button socials issues (HJR 1 by Rep. Josephson to repeal the Alaska Constitution’s ban on same-sex marriage).
More Trumps, No Obamacare Repeal and Other 2017 Predictions From Political Consultants
Campaignandelections.com polled 18 national political consultants about what they see coming in 2017. They’re predictions range from politicians trying to duplicate Trump’s style to institutions revamping their digital security and outreach programs.
The Midnight Sun Podcast (January 8)
In our January 8 episode, Casey Reynolds and Forrest Dunbar discuss the shooting in Fort Lauderdale, Alaska’s revolving door between the news media and political jobs, and as many as ten ballot questions that could appear on the ballot in Anchorage’s upcoming election. We are also joined by incoming House Rules Chair Gabrielle LeDoux to discuss how the bipartisan House majority came together and if it will hold, Sen. Pete Kelly’s comments this week that the legislative session will be a fight between capitalism and socialism, and Sen. Kevin Meyer’s attempts to outlaw her PAC.
Leaked Documents Outline Gov. Walker’s Proposal To Freeze State Worker Pay
Gov. Bill Walker is preparing to propose a bill that would freeze the pay of nonunion employees at the University of Alaska, Alaska Court System, Alaska Legislature and the executive branch.
Friday in the Sun!!! (January 6)
Vazquez’ APOC pain, David Wilson’s vendettas, and Don Young still scaring DC. It’s Friday in the Sun!!!
Kelly and Tuck Offer RDC Different Visions of Coming Budget Battles
This morning, incoming Senate President Pete Kelly and incoming House Majority Leader Chris Tuck offered starkly different visions of Alaska’s budget problems and the upcoming legislative session at a joint breakfast appearance before the Resource Development Council.
Alaska Congressional Delegation Movin On Up
Call it George Jefferson Day for Alaska’s congressional delegation. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young all moved up in significant ways as the 115th Congress was sworn in yesterday.