Sullivan: Trump’s emergency wall money ‘probably legal’
Sen. Dan Sullivan says President Trump probably can rely on his emergency declaration to divert military construction money to the southern border. "I've been supportive of the president's request for robust funding for barriers, fences, the wall ... however you want to describe it." Sullivan said, though he is concerned that money for Alaska projects could be diverted.
Senate bill would require UA regents to keep Legislature up to date on program accreditation
Senate Bill 53 would require the University of Alaska Board of Regents to prepare a report for the legislature outlining the accreditation status for university programs.
ASRC, after backing Dunleavy’s campaign, blasts his oil tax redistribution plan
ASRC president and CEO Rex Rock Sr. said: “Trying to balance a state budget on the backs of the Iñupiat people across the Arctic Slope is a wrongsided attack on our region.”
Alaska chief justice calls for computer security upgrade
In his State of the Judiciary address, Chief Justice Joel Bolger said an incident in Nome shows the state needs to do more to prevent privacy breaches.
Old DC jobs are new again for two Alaskans
Two Alaskans are back at their old jobs in Washington, D.C., both because of the election of Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Dunleavy seeks to scuttle Ocean Rangers cruise ship monitors
Voters in Alaska approved a 2006 ballot measure that put independent environmental watchdogs on cruise ships. But Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration is looking to scrap the program.
Tourism, courts, pensions, oil tax credits: Where Alaska Gov. Dunleavy wants to spend more cash
Dunleavy is proposing to increase spending on a handful of projects and programs. They represent some of the governor's core priorities, like public safety and criminal justice, along with non-negotiable obligations, like the system that pays pensions to retired teachers and other public employees.
House committees organize, five weeks after session began
The powerful House Finance Committee will have eight Republicans — including four from each caucus — two Democrats and one independent.
Murkowski cool to Dunleavy cuts
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said the state has big budget decisions to make, decisions she made clear are not up to her. But she expressed reservations about several cuts Gov. Mike Dunleavy has proposed.
Senators question Dunleavy’s budget proposal
Anchorage Republican Sen. Natasha von Imhof said that to maintain Dunleavy’s commitment to full permanent fund dividends — without having an income tax — would require cuts on the scale he’s proposed.
Industry launches campaign to rid ocean of plastic. Is it for real?
The plastics industry has a new billion-dollar campaign to get plastic trash out of the ocean. Sen. Dan Sullivan and a close ally are working on a bill to enhance that campaign. But is industry really suited to clean up the mess its products create?
Multi-partisan House majority takes shape
The newly-formed House majority is working out who will fill its committee seats. Meanwhile, the majority coalition is still trying to add more Republican members who are currently in the minority.
Legislative Finance gets ready to release its version of Dunleavy’s new budget
Typically, the governor is required to release a budget by mid-December, and the Legislative Finance Division has about a month to get through it before lawmakers come into session. But that didn’t happen this year.
Dunleavy offers Alaska National Guard support to Trump’s emergency declaration
Gov. Michael Dunleavy issued a short video statement Friday offering the state’s support to President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency.
Trump’s wall could drain money from Alaska military projects
President Trump's plan to divert $3.6 billion from military construction accounts could drain money from Alaska projects.
Alaska fishing towns would forfeit $28M in fish tax under Dunleavy budget
Governor Mike Dunleavy’s proposals for balancing the state’s budget include a plan to stop sharing of millions of dollars in taxes on commercial fishing with coastal communities.
Rep. Young sponsors bill to bring back deported vets
The "Repatriate Our Patriots" bill would allow honorably discharged veterans to return to the U.S. as permanent residents and apply for citizenship.
UA president says drastic actions would have to happen to cover Dunleavy’s proposed $134M in cuts
The Governor’s budget proposal lops $134 million from state support for the University of Alaska, reducing the general fund allocation from the current year’s $327 million dollars to $193 million.
Marijuana Control Board nominee draws fire from industry
Alaskans working in the state’s marijuana industry flooded a Senate hearing with criticism of a nominee who has a history of taking anti-cannabis positions.
House Republican group pitches plan for House
Under the proposal, every bill would be considered by all members of the House, on the floor.