The vote was the latest action in a stalemate that’s preventing Alaska’s House of Representatives from beginning work this session.
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.
Dunleavy targets crime in first State of the State address
Gov. Mike Dunleavy promised to reduce crime and protect permanent fund dividends in his first State of the State address.
House chooses Foster as temporary speaker, but there’s still no majority
Speaker Pro Tempore Neal Foster was able to swear in House appointee Sharon Jackson, but the legislative body still can’t form committees or start work on bills until a majority comes together.
House appointee’s oath of office stirs confusion among state lawmakers
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were caught off guard when Anchorage Republican Rep. Joshua Revak posted a two-minute video of the oath on social media.
Dunleavy seeks PFD back payments over 3 years
Alaskans who received permanent fund dividends in 2016 — and who still live in the state — would receive the back payment for 2016 this year.
Alaska House tied in knots on session’s first day
The uncertainty in the Alaska House of Representatives became clear when Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer attempted to swear in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s nominee to fill a vacant seat in Eagle River.
Lt. Gov. Meyer prepares to wield gavel amid House uncertainty
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer will gavel in the legislative session on Tuesday, and there’s an unusual amount of uncertainty surrounding the Alaska House of Representatives. As of Monday afternoon, there was still no majority coalition.
Former Alaska state workers sue, saying they were unconstitutionally fired
The lawsuits filed by the ACLU of Alaska name Gov. Mike Dunleavy, chief of staff Tuckerman Babcock and the state as defendants. The Alaska Department of Law isn’t commenting on the lawsuits.
Dunleavy says PFDs should be automatic, contrary to court ruling
Gov. Mike Dunleavy said state spending will match its revenue. That will require a $1.6 billion spending cut, equal to 27 percent of the portion of the state budget the Alaska Legislature directly controls.
Legislation would put 90-day legislative session, PFDs in Alaska Constitution
Two constitutional amendments were among the first batch of legislative proposals released before the Alaska Legislature convenes on Jan. 15.