Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell presented a study that predicts a nearly 50 percent chance of the fund losing value in the next decade, if it’s used to pay for state government as lawmakers have proposed.
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.
Walker calls for timely action on budget in annual address
Republican lawmakers reacted coolly to the speech by Walker, an independent.
State senators slam additional Medicaid costs
Budget director Pat Pitney notes spending increased health care access, strengthened health care industry.
Top Republican, Democrat in Alaska Senate differ on income tax
Senate President Pete Kelly said his caucus was right to oppose an income tax last year. Anchorage Democratic Sen. Berta Gardner, the minority caucus leader, said a broad-based tax is still needed.
House leaders aim for compromise, early school budget this year
“We’re willing to sit down and negotiate and to talk about what it takes to not only get a budget done for the upcoming year, but to put a package together that keeps essential services in plan and allows for our economy to once again stabilize,” said House Speaker Bryce Edgmon.
Nominees for vacant House seat meet with Walker, describe qualifications
Nominees, Sandy Shroyer-Beaver and Eugene Smith have years of experience on Kotzebue’s city council. The third, Leanna Mack of Utqiagvik, said her community involvement makes up for her relative lack of political experience.
Petitions submitted to bar payments to lawmakers if they miss budget deadline
The group Alaskans for Integrity said it likely has more than enough signed petitions to put an initiative on the fall ballot.
Walker plans to meet House nominees before making pick
A majority of the 16 Democrats in the House must approve Westlake’s replacement.
Newscast – Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018
KTOO’s midday newscast for Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. In this newscast:
Alaska Democrats have announced the three finalists for the state House seat vacated by Dean Westlake;
Alaska Republicans are moving quickly to find a replacement for Wasilla state Sen. Mike Dunleavy;
the U.S. House of Representatives honored new dean of the House Rep. Don Young; and
Gastineau Humane Society removed 25 cats from a Mendenhall Valley home.
New pretrial system scales back cash bail, increases monitoring
The state has created an entirely new Pretrial Enforcement Division. Its 60 officers are responsible for monitoring defendants’ compliance with their conditions of release.