Alaska Legislature

Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, left, speaks with Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, on the House floor as amendments to the budget are proposed on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, left, speaks with Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, on the House floor as amendments to the budget are proposed on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Bills look at PFD’s future, spending cap for Legislature

Bills look at PFD’s future, spending cap for Legislature

One bill is meant to be a “conversation starter.”

Bills look at PFD’s future, spending cap for Legislature
In this Jan. 15, 2019 photo, House Republicians huddle for a decision on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Effort to move legislative sessions to Anchorage overcomes hurdle

Proposal would not move the capital.

In this Jan. 15, 2019 photo, House Republicians huddle for a decision on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
State’s top public defender resigns

State’s top public defender resigns

He’ll stay on until the state finds a replacement.

State’s top public defender resigns
After hearing from 1,800 Alaskans, House ready to form budget to counter Dunleavy’s
After hearing from 1,800 Alaskans, House ready to form budget to counter Dunleavy’s
Members of the public wait to share their thoughts on the governor’s budget to the House Finance Committee at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, March 22, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

House Finance holds 1st community meeting on budget in Juneau

Dozens of people told lawmakers they’re ready to give to the state.

Members of the public wait to share their thoughts on the governor’s budget to the House Finance Committee at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, March 22, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
A homeless person sleeps on the sidewalk along South Franklin Street on Friday, March 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A homeless person sleeps on the sidewalk along South Franklin Street on Friday, March 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jason Brune, Commissioner designee for the Department of Conservation, speaks to the House Resources Committee at the Capitol on Friday, March 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Public skeptical of commissioner’s Pebble past

Dozens of people testified Friday afternoon.

Jason Brune, Commissioner designee for the Department of Conservation, speaks to the House Resources Committee at the Capitol on Friday, March 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Amber Batts (left) and Terra Burns (right) speak to residents on behalf of CUSP at the Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna on March 11, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Advocacy group pushes for measure on police sexual contact

CUSP is pushing to make it illegal for police to have sexual contact during an investigation

Amber Batts (left) and Terra Burns (right) speak to residents on behalf of CUSP at the Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna on March 11, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Bill would make permanent Alaska Native Heritage Month
Bill would make permanent Alaska Native Heritage Month
Voices of the Peninsula: Job losses are personal. I should know.

Voices of the Peninsula: Job losses are personal. I should know.

I’m preparing to tell you something very personal and intensely painful.

Voices of the Peninsula: Job losses are personal. I should know.
District 31 Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, waits for results to come in at an election night party at Land’s End Resort on Nov. 6, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Vance apologizes for video bashing high school students

Following uproar over a video that some Homer High School students called condescending, Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, removed a Facebook live video she made last… Continue reading

District 31 Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, waits for results to come in at an election night party at Land’s End Resort on Nov. 6, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Lawmakers question repeal of anti-cruise pollution program
Lawmakers question repeal of anti-cruise pollution program
Rep. David Talerico, R-Healy, speaks during a press conference with Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, left, and Rep. Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, R-Wasilla, at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov’s budget draws both concern and praise from local legislators

“There isn’t anybody at this point who says ‘We approve that total budget.’”

Rep. David Talerico, R-Healy, speaks during a press conference with Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, left, and Rep. Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, R-Wasilla, at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this July 2018 file photo, Seine boats wait in line to set their nets at Amalga Harbor. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
In this July 2018 file photo, Seine boats wait in line to set their nets at Amalga Harbor. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Joel H. Bolger speaks to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, listen from the Speaker’s desk in the House of Representatives. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Joel H. Bolger speaks to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, listen from the Speaker’s desk in the House of Representatives. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this Nov. 30, 2018 file photo, House District 1 candidate Republican Bart LeBon points to a vote tally board with his campaign manager Brittany Hartmann during a election recount at the Department of Elections’ Juneau office. Republican Bart LeBon picked up two votes while Democrat Kathryn Dodge picked up one making him the winner of the election with a total of 2,663 votes. LeBon joined the bipartisan House Majority Coalition on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

House fills key leadership roles

House majority, minority taking shape.

In this Nov. 30, 2018 file photo, House District 1 candidate Republican Bart LeBon points to a vote tally board with his campaign manager Brittany Hartmann during a election recount at the Department of Elections’ Juneau office. Republican Bart LeBon picked up two votes while Democrat Kathryn Dodge picked up one making him the winner of the election with a total of 2,663 votes. LeBon joined the bipartisan House Majority Coalition on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Kelly Goode, right, deputy commissioner for the Department of Corrections, sits alongside DOC Administrative Services Director Sylvan Robb, center, and Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin as they present to the Senate Finance Committee on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Kelly Goode, right, deputy commissioner for the Department of Corrections, sits alongside DOC Administrative Services Director Sylvan Robb, center, and Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin as they present to the Senate Finance Committee on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, poses questions to Department of Corrections and Office of Management and Budget officials during a Senate Finance Committee meetingon Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, poses questions to Department of Corrections and Office of Management and Budget officials during a Senate Finance Committee meetingon Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Bethany Lowrance, left, of Gavel Alaska, and Rashah McChesney, a reporter with the Alaska Energy Desk (a collaboration between stations of the Alaska Public Radio Network), cover a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget may end all state funding for public radio and broadcast stations. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s radio, TV contribution on the chopping block

Dunleavy’s budget would cut state funding for public media.

Bethany Lowrance, left, of Gavel Alaska, and Rashah McChesney, a reporter with the Alaska Energy Desk (a collaboration between stations of the Alaska Public Radio Network), cover a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget may end all state funding for public radio and broadcast stations. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)