The nation in the next few years faces many important decisions about health care — most of which have little to do with the controversial federal health law.
Government
House Bill would help keep children in state custody closer to home
Tribes say filing a petition to adopt in state court is hard to accomplish in remote villages, and requires the services of an attorney.
Insurance director tells lawmakers individual market could collapse
That was the message delivered to lawmakers Thursday, as they consider a bill to use the state’s high-risk insurance pool to help stabilize the market.
Potential loss of cruise passenger funds puts Skagway budget in limbo
If the state were to forgo distribution of passenger taxes, Skagway would lose out on about $4 million.
Historic agreement gives Kuskokwim tribes say in fish management
The agreement is the first formalization of co-management between the Alaska tribes along the Kuskokwim River and the federal government.
Evaporated Cane Juice? Puh-leeze. Just Call It Sugar, FDA Says
Companies cultivating a healthful image often list “evaporated cane juice” in their products’ ingredients. But the FDA says it’s really just sugar, and that’s what food labels should call it.
Beating the Brain Drain: States Focus on Retaining Older Workers
California has a problem: Fifty-two percent of its managers in the state workforce could decide in the next five years that they’re tired of working, grab their retirement packages and go. Their departure would create a serious brain drain for the state, which has the largest number of state employees in the country — 220,000.
U.S. Senate bill includes $1B for icebreaker
The cost of a single icebreaker would exceed the Coast Guard’s entire yearly allotment for ship-building.
Should the state subsidize a beer festival?
“I don’t see why the state would want to forward fund a festival built around consumption of alcohol,” said Jeff Jessee, CEO of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.
Walker ally resigns from gas line board for state Senate run
In his resignation letter, Democrat Luke Hopkins said the legislature “has utterly failed Alaskans.”