Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Public Media & KTOO - Juneau
Andrew Kitchenman is the state government and politics reporter for Alaska Public Media and KTOO in Juneau. Reach him at akitchenman@alaskapublic.org.
House to debate criminal justice bill over weekend
The bill’s cost could reduce the savings from Senate Bill 91 by roughly 7 percent. Listen now
Costs are uncertain on Alaska criminal justice bill
Department of Corrections officials estimate the new bill could cost between $1.6 million and just over $4.3 million dollars. Listen now
Alaska sues OxyContin maker, alleging deception
With thousands of alleged violations, the total damages would be more than $50 million. Listen now
Gov. Walker announces public safety plan
Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth said reducing crime will take enhanced collaboration across different departments. Listen now
Payroll tax and crime overhaul on the docket for fourth special legislative session
Today ends the first week of the Legislature’s fourth special session. Alaska Public Media's Zachariah Hughes spoke with KTOO’s Andrew Kitchenman about where things stand. Listen now
Committee votes against most amendments to crime bill
Rep. Chuck Kopp has proven to be a key vote, largely sticking to Alaska Criminal Justice Commission recommendations. Listen now
Public testimony directs anger at crime law
Alaskans disturbed about rising crime are focusing their anger on a law passed more than a year ago, Senate Bill 91. Listen now
Key critic says the votes aren’t there for full repeal of crime bill
The House Judiciary heard a variety of proposed changes to Senate Bill 54. The bill would scale back some of the reductions in criminal sentencing enacted last year. Listen now
Fourth special session opens with differences over crime, tax bills
Of the two items on the special session agenda, there appears to be more urgency to pass the crime bill. Listen now
Judge rules independents can run in Alaska Democratic primary
It’s not clear whether independent Gov. Bill Walker will run in the primary. A campaign spokesperson said Walker could not comment because it is a pending legal matter to which the state is a party. Listen now
Deputy attorney general says SB91 repeal would be ‘dangerous’
“They’re calling it GTA, grand theft Anchorage, right now,” Rep. Lora Reinbold said. She wants to repeal Senate Bill 91. “It’s outrageous, what’s going on in the city that I love.” Listen now
Top two officials in division overseeing prisons no longer work for state
The Department of Corrections spokeswoman cites confidentiality in declining to provide more information. Listen now
Sen. Sullivan says he’s hopeful about tax changes, but cautions Trump on tweets
The U.S. senator is hopeful about the Trump administration’s infrastructure, permitting and energy policies. But he said Trump doesn’t always help himself. Listen now
Ridle to focus on costs as administration commissioner
Gov. Bill Walker announced Friday that he appointed Leslie Ridle to be commissioner of the Department of Administration. Ridle said her focus will be on the bottom line. Listen now
As anger over crime boils over, Alaska lawmakers weigh changes to law
Alaska lawmakers will face a challenge when they weigh what to do about the state’s criminal justice laws later this month: how to balance a body of research that supports changes they made last year, with the outrage about the current rise in crime. Listen now
Walker says tax is needed to pay for services
Gov. Bill Walker and his top aides tried to make the case for enacting a new tax to a group of business and political leaders Friday. Listen now
Next election may delay plan to fund state government
Candidates have been announcing plans for governor, lieutenant governor and the Legislature since July. And they’re taking positions that could make a budget deal more difficult. Listen now
Gov. Walker pitches 1.5 percent income tax with a limit
Administration officials have a mouthful of a name for it: the “capped hybrid head tax.” It’s a flat 1.5 percent of wages and self-employment income, with a maximum of twice the value of that year’s Alaska Permanent Fund dividend. Listen now
Gov. Walker cites uncertainty over funding in opposing ACA repeal
Walker said he has spoken several times with U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose vote could help determine the bill’s fate. Listen now
Should independents be able to run in a Democratic primary?
A Superior Court judge is weighing how to define who is allowed to run the Alaska Democratic Party primary. The party wants to allow independent candidates to run in the primary without registering as Democrats. Listen now