State & Legislature

Alaska Senate Secretary Liz Clark, right, holds a copy of the Alaska Legislature’s uniform rules as she talks to Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, center, while Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna and Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Reinbold was excluded from most spaces in the Alaska State Capitol until she follows the Legislature’s anti-COVID policies. (James Brooks/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)

Alaska Senate takes action against member over virus rules

Fellow lawmakers say Republican Sen. Lora Reinbold has refused to follow measures meant to guard against COVID-19.

 

Alaska state Rep. Ben Carpenter, center, speaks to Rep. David Eastman on the floor of the House on Monday, May 18, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Local State House reps. get committee assignments

Local lawmakers will represent the Kenai Peninsula on at least five different state House committees

 

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, has his picture taken by a fellow senator after being unanimously elected on the first day of the 32nd Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, in Juneau. (Peter Segall/The Juneau Empire via AP, Pool)

Senate organizes Republican majority; Micciche elected president

Micciche’s election as Senate president was held by voice vote, with no one dissenting.

 

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House in this February 2019 photo. Knopp died July, 31, in a plane crash near his home town. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)

Knopp’s name to remain on Aug. 18 primary ballot

Should he win, the Alaska Republican Party will be able to petition for a replacement candidate.

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House in this February 2019 photo. Knopp died July, 31, in a plane crash near his home town. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks to constituents during a town hall at the Funny River Community Center in Funny River, Alaska on Jan. 9, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Carpenter likens virus screening stickers to Star of David.

“If my sticker falls off, do I get a new one or do I get public shaming too?”

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks to constituents during a town hall at the Funny River Community Center in Funny River, Alaska on Jan. 9, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Tom Begich (courtesy photo)

Opinion: Reconvene the Legislature

It’s time we went back to work to complete these tasks.

Sen. Tom Begich (courtesy photo)
Rep. Dan Ortiz, I-Ketchikan, introduces his bill, House Bill 105, to the House Fisheries Committee on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. The bill relates to claims against protection and indemnity insurance policies of vessel owners. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Dan Ortiz, I-Ketchikan, introduces his bill, House Bill 105, to the House Fisheries Committee on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. The bill relates to claims against protection and indemnity insurance policies of vessel owners. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gayla Hoseth, 2nd Chief of Curyung Tribal Council and Director of Natural Resources at Bristol Bay Native Association, left, Norman Van Vactor, CEO of the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, center, and former Alaska legislator Rick Halford, present at a press conference against thePebble Mine project on Monday, April 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gayla Hoseth, 2nd Chief of Curyung Tribal Council and Director of Natural Resources at Bristol Bay Native Association, left, Norman Van Vactor, CEO of the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, center, and former Alaska legislator Rick Halford, present at a press conference against thePebble Mine project on Monday, April 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Lance Twitchell, Associate Professor of Alaska Native Languages at the University of Alaska Southeast, testifies in front of the House Education Committee in favor of House Bill 24 on Monday, April 1, 2019.

Bill would help immersion school teachers

Professor says it will help preserve Alaska Native languages.

Lance Twitchell, Associate Professor of Alaska Native Languages at the University of Alaska Southeast, testifies in front of the House Education Committee in favor of House Bill 24 on Monday, April 1, 2019.
Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, listens to a question during a press conference in this Empire file photo. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, listens to a question during a press conference in this Empire file photo. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
James Biela, lead field advocate the Alaska Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, speaks during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New data shows Alaska suicide rate increase

Someone in Alaska dies by suicide every 44 hours.

James Biela, lead field advocate the Alaska Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, speaks during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dr. Suzanne Allen, from Boise, Idaho, gives an overview of the WWAMI School of Medical Education program to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Monday, March 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tuition assistance for medical students on the chopping block

Alaska would be the only state in the country to not provide state assistance for medical education.

Dr. Suzanne Allen, from Boise, Idaho, gives an overview of the WWAMI School of Medical Education program to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Monday, March 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this May 2008 photo, the ferry Malaspina heads up Lynn Canal toward Haines and Skagway, Alaska, from Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this May 2008 photo, the ferry Malaspina heads up Lynn Canal toward Haines and Skagway, Alaska, from Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Commissioner Designee Bruce Tangeman presents the state’s revenue forecast to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New state revenue forecast slightly more positive for 2020

Oil forecast goes from $63 to $69 per barrel.

Commissioner Designee Bruce Tangeman presents the state’s revenue forecast to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Students from the University of Alaska system pose for a photo after a rally on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Mollie Barnes | Juneau Empire)
Students from the University of Alaska system pose for a photo after a rally on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Mollie Barnes | Juneau Empire)
This graph shows the fare box recovery rate for the Alaska Marine Highway System. (Courtesy)

Beyond the budget: What are the options to extend ferry service past October?

After hearing hundreds of testimonies, lawmakers say keeping basic service a top priority.

This graph shows the fare box recovery rate for the Alaska Marine Highway System. (Courtesy)
Rep. Dan Ortiz, I-Ketchikan, right, reacts as Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tompkins, D-Sitka, mentions a bill to move legislative meetings to Anchorage as they speak at the Native Issues Forum with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, left, and Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kiehl: ‘We’re pulling so hard to keep from going backwards’ on senior housing shortage

‘We’re finding ourselves a little short on time and resources to try and move forward.’

Rep. Dan Ortiz, I-Ketchikan, right, reacts as Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tompkins, D-Sitka, mentions a bill to move legislative meetings to Anchorage as they speak at the Native Issues Forum with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, left, and Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
People pack the room to give public testimony on the Alaska Marine Highway System in the House Transportation and Public Facilities committee on March, 12, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
People pack the room to give public testimony on the Alaska Marine Highway System in the House Transportation and Public Facilities committee on March, 12, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
On day 56, the Alaska Legislature passes first resolution of session

On day 56, the Alaska Legislature passes first resolution of session

Congress accepting comments on environmental impacts on ANWR through Wednesday.

On day 56, the Alaska Legislature passes first resolution of session