Ridle didn’t say whether the administration will pursue pay freezes.
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.
Newscast – Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017
KTOO’s midday newscast for Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. In this newscast:
Nearly every Alaskan woke up $1,100 richer today, thanks to this year’s permanent fund dividends;
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released Armstrong Energy’s plans for its billion-plus-barrel Nanushuk oil project; and
the Pentagon is injecting $440 million more into missile defense to counter North Korea’s accelerating push for a nuclear armed-missile capable of hitting the U.S.
As anger over crime boils over, Alaska lawmakers weigh changes to law
Lawmakers are trying to balance a body of research that supports changes they made last year, with the outrage about the current rise in crime.
Walker says tax is needed to pay for services
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has proposed a tax of 1.5 percent on wages and self-employment income. There would be a limit. No one would pay more than twice what they receive in an Alaska Permanent Fund dividend.
Next election may delay plan to fund state government
Candidates have been announcing plans for governor, lieutenant governor and the Legislature since July. And they’re taking positions that could make a budget deal more difficult.
Walker pitches 1.5 percent income tax with a limit
Administration officials have a mouthful of a name for it: the “capped hybrid head tax.” It’s a flat 1.5 percent of wages and self-employment income, with a maximum of twice the value of that year’s Alaska Permanent Fund dividend.
Should independents be able to run in a Democratic primary?
Superior Court Judge Philip Pallenberg heard oral arguments in a lawsuit on the issue. He said he’ll try to reach a decision as quickly as he can.
Gov. Walker cites uncertainty over funding in opposing ACA repeal
Walker said he has spoken several times with U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose vote could help determine the bill’s fate.
Newscast – Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017
KTOO’s midday newscast for Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 The Alaska Marine Highway System could shut down this spring;
The new owners of Alaska’s largest newspaper laid off reporters, editors and other employees;
A 20-year-old California man who illegally shot two brown bears and a deer in Southeast Alaska has been fined $10,000; and
As ocean temperatures rise from climate change, new species could move into Alaska waters.
PFD announcement fanfare is gone, as dividends are cut in half
PFDs would have been about $2,350 each, the highest dollar figure in dividend history.