Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Public Media & KTOO - Juneau

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Andrew Kitchenman is the state government and politics reporter for Alaska Public Media and KTOO in Juneau. Reach him at akitchenman@alaskapublic.org.

Legislature approves all but one of Walker’s cabinet picks

The Alaska Legislature approved 101 of Governor Bill Walker’s appointments yesterday – and voted down one. The only rejection was of Fairbanks resident Drew Phoenix. Listen now

Time pressure makes special session likely

The Alaska Legislature is scheduled to end its session Wednesday, under a deadline set by the Alaska Constitution. But that doesn’t mean its work is over. Listen now

Senate votes down state income tax

The Senate voted against a state income tax Friday. Listen now

Alaska’s income tax fight is only latest skirmish in decades-long conflict

The Senate plans to vote Friday on a House proposal to bring an income tax to Alaska. Senate majority leaders oppose the tax, and it will likely go down in defeat. But this isn’t the first time Alaska has debated this tax — and it may not be the last. Listen now

Rep. Eastman becomes first Alaska House member to be censured

Representative David Eastman became the first member of the Alaska House to be censured on Wednesday. Listen now

New legislation aims to enshrine PFDs in constitution

Members of the House majority have introduced legislation to enshrine Permanent Fund dividends into the Alaska Constitution. Dividends would be at least $1,250 each year. Listen now
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Rural House members demand apology from Rep. Eastman over abortion remarks

Alaska House members are demanding Rep. David Eastman apologize for saying some women are glad to become pregnant so they can receive Medicaid-funded travel to have abortions. So far, he’s declined. Listen now

Deep differences remain with two weeks to go in Alaska’s legislative session

There are two weeks remaining until the legislative session is scheduled to end, but there are few signs of progress on reaching compromises on the budget and a long-term plan to pay for it. Listen now
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Rep. Eastman: Some women ‘glad’ to be pregnant for Medicaid-funded travel for abortions

State Rep. David Eastman said some Alaskans are glad to become pregnant, so that they can have a Medicaid-funded trip to Anchorage or Seattle to have an abortion. Eastman didn’t provide evidence for this, but said he had been told this by friends and acquaintances. Listen now

Alaska Native representatives offer support for income tax

Representatives of two regional Alaska Native tribal organizations offered support for an income or another progressive tax Tuesday. Listen now

Computer finds income tax could help budget if oil price is low

The extra money from a state income tax would help Alaska’s state government withstand low oil prices or poor investment returns, according to a computer model developed by nonpartisan budget experts. Listen now

Oil prices shrink budget gap, but lawmakers remain far apart

The state’s budget problem is shrinking, but it may not be enough to resolve differences between the Senate and House. Listen now

Senate defies Walker’s call to weigh nominees

Governor Bill Walker tried and failed to get lawmakers to vote on his nominees Thursday. Listen now

In public testimony, most support state income tax bill

The prospect of having a state income tax in Alaska for the first time in 37 years drew passionate responses both in favor and opposed during public testimony on Tuesday. Listen now

House, Senate wait for other to act on conference committees

The Legislature appears to be stuck. The House and Senate haven’t named members to the conference committees that would meet to resolve the two chambers’ differences. Until that happens, the fate of the state’s budget remains uncertain. Listen now

Senate passes survivors’ benefits bill, allowing municipalities to opt out

The survivors of state employed police and firefighters who die in the line of duty would receive health insurance under a bill the Senate.

Walker invites sharply divided legislative leaders to talk

Gov. Bill Walker wants to bring lawmakers together to resolve differences over a plan to balance the state government’s long-term budget. Listen now

As session breaks deadline, Senate passes bill to allow cellphone fee

The Legislature has gone past the deadline set under state law to finish the annual session – and there are few signs that they’ll be finishing their work soon. Instead of making announcements on major bills, the two chambers passed smaller legislation. Listen now

House sends income tax bill to Senate

The House passed a bill Saturday that would bring a state income tax to Alaska for the first time in 37 years. The vote sends it to the Senate, where leaders oppose the tax. Listen now