Alaska legislators agree on the need to address the state’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit. But rifts remain over how best to do that, with divisions forming over taxes, how much to keep cutting spending and whether the state needs to tinker with Alaskans’ beloved yearly oil wealth check. A new 90-day legislative session begins Tuesday. Many…
Juneau
Finance committee weakens school district funding request, sends to next step
The Juneau Assembly could give the Juneau School District about $250,000 extra to pay for facilities maintenance. It’s a fraction of what the district asked for.
Police chief to give update on local crime
There will be a public meeting on local crime rates and crime prevention in the Assembly Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday night.
Conflict of interest, corporate tax bills proposed in Alaska
An incoming Alaska lawmaker has proposed legislation he says is aimed at greater transparency. The bill, from Rep.-elect Jason Grenn, relates to potential conflicts of interest and is among the measures released Friday ahead of the new legislative session, which starts Tuesday. Grenn, an Anchorage independent, says the bill will need to be accompanied by…
Juneau Assembly pushes sales tax exemption for cruise ships
The Juneau mayor’s tax initiative will certainly be welcomed by the cruise line industry which says its passengers pay nearly $8 million in sales tax while onshore in Juneau but has historically not paid sales tax for goods and services sold aboard its vessels.
No foul play suspected in death of Juneau man found in woods
Brandon Shaun Estes, 23, was found dead near a mudslide chute above Gastineau Avenue by a hiker Friday afternoon, according to a Juneau Police Department news release. His body showed signs of being unattended in the woods and he had no identification on him.
Alaska’s House majority weighs whether to hold open caucus meetings
Most of the Democrats who were out of power last year will be in the majority this year. But it’s not clear whether the majority caucus will hold these pre-session open meetings.
JPD seeks help identifying body found near Gastineau Avenue
A hiker reported about 2:13 p.m. Jan. 7 finding the body of a man near an avalanche chute above Gastineau Avenue.
Juneau Assembly considers downtown ‘camping’ ban
The Juneau Police Department chief spoke out in support of a proposed anti-camping ordinance that would empower officers to clear homeless people sleeping in front of the city’s downtown businesses.
Insurance for law enforcement and firefighters’ survivors among early bills
A bill to provide survivors with insurance was among the first bills filed ahead of the legislative session, starting on Jan. 17.