In the weeks since the state legislature convened, there’s been a workplace training, proposed changes to the legislature’s sexual harassment policy and allegations made against one lawmaker — Bethel Democrat Rep. Zach Fansler — who has now resigned.
Government
Distillery cocktail debate continues after weekend hearing on House Bill 269
The House Community and Regional Affairs Committee met Saturday in the state Capitol to hear public testimony on House Bill 269. The bill would settle a debate over whether distilleries can serve mixed cocktails in their tasting rooms.
Two lawsuits challenge NPR-A lease sale
Two coalitions of environmental groups filed separate lawsuits Friday challenging the federal government’s December lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. It was the largest lease sale ever offered in the Indiana-sized reserve west of Prudhoe Bay.
University supporters rally for full funding outside state Capitol
About 100 supporters of the University of Alaska rallied outside the state Capitol Friday to call on legislators to fully fund the state’s university system. Legislators, university faculty and students spoke about the need to fund Alaska’s public university to strengthen the state’s workforce and economy.
Legislature seeks public testimony Saturday on distillery tasting rooms
State lawmakers are hearing public input on whether distilleries should be allowed to serve mixed drinks Saturday morning in the State Capitol building. The House Community and Regional Affairs Committee hearing is on House Bill 269, which would clarify the law regarding serving mixed drinks in distillery tasting rooms.
Rep. Zach Fansler to resign effective Feb. 12
Alaska state Rep. Fansler resigned today, KTOO government reporter Andrew Kitchenman says. It was announced on the House floor Friday morning.
Marijuana tax collections in Alaska tumble again
Marijuana tax revenue in Alaska fell for the second straight month in December, though a state tax auditor says the slide may be short lived.
Alaska Attorney General started defending Juneau in a lawsuit. Then it changed its mind.
The Attorney General filed a friend of the court brief in support of the City and Borough of Juneau in its cruise ship lawsuit. Less than 24 hours the state withdrew, claiming the filing was an “error due to internal miscommunications.”
State supplemental budget reaches $178 million, prompts Medicaid concern
Most of this cost — $92 million — is from Medicaid. Legislature is funding Medicaid at a lower level than state officials projected costs would run. On top of that, those projections were too low. Officials say more people enrolled in Medicaid due to the recession.
Y-K Delta Democrats discuss Fansler’s potential replacement
Democrats met Tuesday in Bethel to discuss who should replace Rep. Zach Fansler if he resigns or gets expelled from his seat. About 20 of Fansler’s constituents filed into an empty classroom on Bethel’s Kuskokwim University campus in Bethel and tried to decide what to do.