Minority caucus Republicans offered amendments that would cut $28 million, but none passed.
Government
House floor debate on state operating budget continues for third day
The House has been voting down the minority caucus Republicans’ budget amendments. Minority leader Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, says it’s still worthwhile to have the conversation.
State election officials seek help registering, informing voters in their Native language
Alaska election officials are looking for help in some of the state’s smallest communities to provide assistance to register and inform voters about the ballot and elections in their Native language. But sometimes help is unavailable, leaving few options.
Federal spending bill does not include Tongass policy riders
A bill to fund the federal government emerged Wednesday night in Congress, and environmental groups are celebrating that it does not include policy riders to advance old-growth logging in the Tongass National Forest.
At confirmation hearing, Fisher says he supports diversifying state revenue
Sheldon Fisher didn’t champion any individual tax during his confirmatin hearing. Afterward, he said the biggest source of new revenue should be a draw on Alaska Permanent Fund earnings.
Boom in gun sales sends $33 million in taxes to Alaska for wildlife conservation
The U.S. Interior Department announced Alaska’s share of a gun tax revenue: $33 million. That’s more than double what the state got just six years ago.
Bartlett Regional Hospital plans to expand rehab services
A $2.5 million expansion of Bartlett Regional Hospital would go toward a 4,000-square-foot addition to house the Rainforest Recovery Center. It would take pressure off of the emergency room.
Rep. Sam Kito III will not seek re-election
Rep. Sam Kito III is not running for re-election in the fall. Kito told the Juneau Empire he made his decision Friday due to financial concerns.
State elections division holds Alaska Native language summit
Alaska elections officials are struggling to put methods in place to translate the state’s election ballot into an array of diverse Alaska Native languages.
Wrangell Assembly approves new $9 million water plant
The Wrangell Assembly approved a new $9 million water treatment plant last week. The current plant hasn’t met the town’s needs for several years.