Half of the money that doesn’t go to dividends would pay for state education funding.
Andrew Kitchenman
State Government Reporter, Alaska Public Media & KTOO
State government plays an outsized role in the life of Alaskans. As the state continues to go through the painful process of deciding what its priorities are, I bring Alaskans to the scene of a government in transition.
Tensions over PFD fuel talks of a new constitutional convention. Alaskans will vote on whether that time has come.
Vic Fischer, the last surviving delegate from the 1955 Alaska Constitutional Convention, has said now is not the time for another one.
Alaska Supreme Court explains ruling on governor’s appointees
Justice Peter Maassen wrote that the record from Alaska’s constitutional convention showed the importance the delegates placed on holding a joint session for votes on the governor’s appointments.
Alaska Redistricting Board finishes work to adopt maps; opponents say courts could toss out portions
All three members who were appointed by Republican elected officials supported the map; the two who were not appointed by Republican officials opposed it.
Alaska Redistricting Board chooses final Senate map despite gerrymandering allegation
Two board members expressed concern that the voting strength of racial minorities in South Muldoon would be weakened by putting it in the same Senate district as Eagle River.
New Alaska Senate map takes shape, with Eagle River gaining a senator
The board chose a Senate map for Anchorage drawn by board member Bethany Marcum. She was appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Alaska Redistricting Board chooses map that emphasizes compact districts in Anchorage
Board member Budd Simpson said the benefits of more compact districts in the final map make it more likely to withstand a legal challenge than a proposal by Bethany Marcum, a fellow appointee of Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Fourth special session ends quietly for Alaska Legislature
The Senate held just one regular floor session during the special session, on its first day, while the House held two regular floor sessions.
Higher oil price could affect debate on Alaska’s long-term budget plan
Ketchikan independent Rep. Dan Ortiz says that even with the higher forecast for oil prices, he’s not more likely to back Dunleavy’s PFD proposal. He said it must be weighed against the state’s other needs and the importance of protecting the permanent fund.
Rise in oil prices could add $1.2B in state revenue for Alaska, preliminary forecast says
State slightly lowers forecast for production due to uncertainty over large projects.