As GOP blames unemployment benefits for labor shortage, Tuck asks ‘are they paying a living wage?’
“I think our responsibility here in the Legislature is to provide opportunity,” he said. “Not opportunity for a few, but opportunity for all.”
the economy
Without new federal aid, Alaska’s pandemic-driven economic woes could become a long-term nightmare
Without help, coronavirus could leave long-term scars on Alaska’s economy.
Alaska’s economic woes could get much worse without extension in unemployment benefits
“A large drop in consumer spending is certain as tens of thousands of Alaskans will simply have less to spend.”
‘We are facing the destruction of our economy.’ Businesses demand fixes to state relief program
Without significant fixes to the state-run relief program, Alaska could find itself returning as much as $200 million to the feds while Alaska businesses are left out in the cold.
Legislature close to finalizing relief spending, small business grant applications to open next week
With the Legislature nearly complete with approving nearly $1 billion in coronavirus relief spending, state officials say they’re ready to start putting that money out…
‘It’s a free country.’ Dunleavy plans near-full reopening, says Alaska’s ready if more get sick
“We don’t direct how people should live their lives,” said Dr. Anne Zink, the state’s chief medical officer.
Begich and Parnell to lead effort to protect Alaska’s economy from coronavirus fallout
It’s all hands on deck.
House committee drafting bill to ease restrictions on unemployment benefits
Legislators hope to hold the first hearing on the bill by the end of the week, but that would require minority Republicans to sign off on the meeting.
Coronavirus and tourism: Places like Alaska without a COVID-19 outbreak could still be devastated
Alaska doesn’t have a single reported case of COVID-19, yet economically it may be at its mercy.
Dunleavy issues disaster declaration for coronavirus, says economy is ‘second to health concerns’
The governor said the chief concern is preparing for the virus, saying economic impacts would come second.