The Republican-led Senate majority is more focused on cutting spending to close the state’s budget deficit than the new mostly Democratic House majority or independent Gov. Bill Walker.
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Trump’s defense pick challenges rules around civilian control of the military
Legally, recently-retired generals aren’t eligible to serve as Secretary of Defense. While praising George Mattis’ service, some Democrats question whether he should lead the Defense Department.
In Defense Bill, Senate Approves Plan For Women To Register For Draft
The bill still must be reconciled with a House bill that doesn’t mention women and the draft, and it faces a veto threat from President Obama over, among other things, the closure of Guantanamo Bay.
Senate votes to cut Permanent Fund dividend to pay for state budget
Without changes, the state runs the risk of exhausting its savings – imperiling all dividends – in a few years.
Another Democrat joins Republican-led Senate majority
Senate Minority Leader Berta Gardner, an Anchorage Democrat, said her caucus members were disappointed.
Former lawmaker Bill Thomas returning to Juneau as lobbyist for Haines borough
Former lawmaker Bill Thomas will return to Juneau this session as a lobbyist for the Borough of Haines. Several Haines residents spoke against paying $45,000 plus expenses to send Thomas to Juneau, especially as the state is facing a financial crisis.
Alaska Legislature adopts budget, averts government shutdown
For weeks, the two bodies have been at an impasse over whether to fund cost-of-living raises for public employees.
Parts Of Patriot Act Expire, Even As Senate Moves On Bill Limiting Surveillance
Unable to overcome parliamentary maneuvers by Sen. Rand Paul, the Senate adjourned, and let three provisions of the Patriot Act expire at midnight.
FCC investigates bid discounts for Doyon-owned firm
The FCC is ready to investigate how a company partly owned by Fairbanks-based Doyon won licenses to use the wireless spectrum while claiming it was entitled to billions of dollars in discounts.
Full Senate Debates May Reveal Recent Bipartisanship As An Illusion
On the committee level in the Senate, Republicans and Democrats have been able to get deals done. The problem will be what happens after bills leave the committees and head to the Senate floor.