Operating budget heads to the House floor largely unchanged. AKLEG Week 6 recap
News and notes from around the building.
2020 session
Near-unanimous budget vote still dramatic thanks to Eastman. AKLEG Day 37 recap
Leave it to Eastman.
House ups prison funding, rejects increases to Pre-K or public broadcasting. AKLEG Day 36 Recap
The three main issues that came up were funding for public broadcasting, pre-K and prisons. The House funded only one of the three. Can you guess which one?
Legislature’s first hearing on Fair Share Act renews long-standing division on oil taxes
There’s a reason legislators have shied away from oil taxes in recent years.
Dunleavy stumbles and flails to defend controversial no-bid contract
Did the governor’s office have anything to do with the contract? Dunleavy says he can’t be sure but lashes out at legislators who dared question the contract.
Alaska can’t pass the plate. Murkowski says state must invest in getting REAL ID to Alaskans
Murkowski told the Legislature not to expect a lifeline from the feds when it comes to the looming REAL ID deadline.
House panel takes first step to restoring ‘basic, minimal’ year-round ferry service
The money would restore 12-months of “basic, minimal service.”
Chief Justice Bolger says courts will not bow to outside political interests and financial influences
Bolger said it’s critical for the judiciary to remain independent.
Sidelined legislators’ plan to rewrite rules probably violates the First Amendment. AKLEG Day 23 Recap
You know what they say: First the worst. We also got a look at the governor’s lottery proposal, the Legislature’s rebuke of Attorney General Kevin Clarkson and doubt about additional spending.
Legislators can’t stop Clarkson’s anti-union lawsuit, but they can take away his $600-per-hour attorneys
“If you can figure out a way to do it with your in-house counsel, more power to you and God bless you,” said Rep. Matt Claman.