About 100 supporters of the University of Alaska rallied outside the state Capitol Friday to call on legislators to fully fund the state’s university system. Legislators, university faculty and students spoke about the need to fund Alaska’s public university to strengthen the state’s workforce and economy.
Government
Legislature seeks public testimony Saturday on distillery tasting rooms
State lawmakers are hearing public input on whether distilleries should be allowed to serve mixed drinks Saturday morning in the State Capitol building. The House Community and Regional Affairs Committee hearing is on House Bill 269, which would clarify the law regarding serving mixed drinks in distillery tasting rooms.
Rep. Zach Fansler to resign effective Feb. 12
Alaska state Rep. Fansler resigned today, KTOO government reporter Andrew Kitchenman says. It was announced on the House floor Friday morning.
Marijuana tax collections in Alaska tumble again
Marijuana tax revenue in Alaska fell for the second straight month in December, though a state tax auditor says the slide may be short lived.
Alaska Attorney General started defending Juneau in a lawsuit. Then it changed its mind.
The Attorney General filed a friend of the court brief in support of the City and Borough of Juneau in its cruise ship lawsuit. Less than 24 hours the state withdrew, claiming the filing was an “error due to internal miscommunications.”
State supplemental budget reaches $178 million, prompts Medicaid concern
Most of this cost — $92 million — is from Medicaid. Legislature is funding Medicaid at a lower level than state officials projected costs would run. On top of that, those projections were too low. Officials say more people enrolled in Medicaid due to the recession.