Hundreds rally in support of state ferries. AKLEG Day 22 Recap
Ferries, alcohol laws and the budget.
AKLEG Recaps
Legislators use budget to rebuke administration for no-bid contract with grandson of Dunleavy donor
The Legislature is unable to put a stop to the contract because it was awarded by a state corporation that’s outside of legislative control.
‘It should be easier to protect our waterways than pollute them.’ AKLEG Day 21 Recap
A bill proposes to set up a formal process for making designations for pristine waterways, but opponents say the proposal is overly political and effectively impossible.
Bill would halt no-strings-attached legal defense of governor, attorney general
Violate the ethics act, you gotta pay the state back.
Department of Labor suspends widely panned proposal for trainee program, pledging better engagement
Opponents said the proposed trainee program would have skirted the well-regulated apprenticeship program, creating a pathway to less-prepared workers with lower earning ability.
Ferry outage in Southeast Alaska could extend through end of March. AKLEG Day 17 Recap
“There’s a good likelihood we will not have service in Southeast in March,” conceded Department of Transportation Commissioner John MacKinnon on Thursday.
‘Do your homework.’ Senators blast administration for downplaying REAL ID concerns in rural Alaska
The administration isn’t asking for additional money for a mobile DMV program because it says there’s been little interest from rural communities. Senators weren’t buying it. “Lives may be in danger because you are waiting for them to request services that they are unaware that they need,” said Sen. Lyman Hoffman.
Dunleavy asks for $128.7 million to cover Medicaid cuts legislators said were unrealistic. AKLEG Day 16 Recap
Legislators warned the governor against deep cuts, calling them unrealistic “flim-flam” last year. Now Dunleavy’s asking for money to cover his error.
‘Perhaps we could talk about sales taxes.’ Dunleavy administration seeks money for tax team
The administration said it’d like to engage the Legislature on new revenue. “In specific, perhaps we could talk about sales taxes.”
Administration struggles to explain no-bid contract to grandson of key Dunleavy donor
The administration said the contract was so small it doesn’t merit additional scrutiny, but they struggled to explain exactly what the state was getting out of the contract.