Latest oil tax bill expected to cost state over $1 billion
The latest rewrite of a bill cutting taxes on oil companies is expected to bring down state revenue by more than $1 billion next year.
Otter bounty bill gets good, bad reviews
A bill rewarding sea otter hunters was praised and panned at its first hearing on Wednesday.
Concerns raised over how drug testing bill would affect bush Alaska
A bill that would allow the state to drug test recipients of cash assistance programs got its first hearing on Tuesday.
Senate Finance Committee produces new version of oil tax bill
Under the Senate finance committee’s substitute, companies would pay lower taxes on oil from the North Slope than they do on shale from the Eagle Ford formation in Texas, the Haynesville formation in Louisiana, or the Bakken formation in North Dakota.
Bill increases time required for teacher tenure
Public school teachers might have to wait a couple years longer to acquire tenure rights if a bill proposed in the Alaska House is passed.
Lawmakers call for more local food production
Less than 5 percent of food consumed in Alaska is harvested in the state, according to a 2007 study by the United States Department of Agriculture.
3 things to watch for in the Alaska Legislature this week
The Alaska Legislature will be back in full swing this week, after a break last week that allowed some legislators to attend an energy conference in Washington, D.C., or spend a few days back home.
Lawmakers meet with lobbyists in DC
While the legislature debates whether to cut taxes on oil companies, state lawmakers were in Washington, D.C last week– meeting with oil and gas lobbyists.
Lawmakers remember first session, accomplishments and failures of last 100 years
One hundred years ago this week, the first territorial legislature gathered in Juneau’s Elks Hall.
Alaska politicians, lobbyists and aides have a band called ‘Spank the Dog
Around this time of year, Juneau is known for the bustle of the legislative session — the committee hearings, the press conferences, and the many, many floor speeches. But after hours, some members of the capital gang can be found making noise of a different variety.
