Most senators met in Juneau for a floor session for the first time since the Legislature passed the budget on June 22. But most House majority members were out of town.
Politics
Emails show Trump Jr. knew Russia was working to support Trump campaign
“This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump,” said one email.
From Anchorage, Walker tells lawmakers to get back to Juneau
During a press conference in Anchorage, Governor pushes sustainable fiscal plan and state gasline project.
‘G19’ nations affirm climate plan, acknowledging U.S. withdrawal
Noting President Trump’s stance, a declaration states, “The leaders of the other G20 members state that the Paris Agreement is irreversible.”
Tillerson: Trump confronts Putin over Russian election meddling
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said President Trump “pressed” Vladimir Putin about election meddling, but the two leaders agreed on the need to move on in the U.S.-Russia relationship.
Alaska Legislature has nothing to show for two weeks after budget
Gov. Bill Walker asked lawmakers to consider a bill changing oil and gas taxes shortly after the budget vote, but they still decided to leave.
University of Alaska Southeast tightens belt, gets creative after about a half-million dollar budget cut
University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield said University of Alaska Southeast will lose $400,000 – $600,000 under the current plan.
Hughes leaves Senate majority over budget
For the second time this year, a Republican from Matanuska-Susitna Borough left the state Senate majority caucus.
How the Senate health care bill could disrupt the insurance market
In their Affordable Care Act repeal bill, Senate Republicans dropped the requirement that all Americans get health insurance. But they also kept the mandate that insurance companies cover everyone.
State shutdown would freeze teacher certification, gum up school districts’ summer hiring
The potential government shutdown would come at the busiest — and worst — time for the state office that processes teacher certifications. And unresolved state education funding is compounding the teacher hiring crunch.