“I think people made the case on radio that it was very important to rural Alaska,” Sen. Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, said in an interview after the meeting. He added: “TV, not so much.”
Politics
Legislature confirms Hopkins to AGDC board, Williams as corrections chief
A joint session of both houses voted 31-27 to confirm Hopkins to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation board.
Gov. Walker pushes reset button on water protection bills
The federal government requires states have a process for designating extraordinary water bodies for high levels of protection, which is what these bills were intended to establish.
Bill to update Alaska’s ‘toothless’ military justice code advances
Investigators looking into allegations of sexual assault and harassment within the Alaska National Guard two years ago found no real recourse for cracking down on perpetrators. This bill would give the outdated military code teeth.
Bill to reform minor consuming penalties nears passage
The bill also would let state public safety officials run criminal background checks on applicants for commercial cannabis permits.
Walt Monegan reappointed to head Department of Public Safety
Monegan will replace outgoing Commissioner Gary Folger, who is retiring at the end of May.
Report: Walker’s budget proposals hit poorest Alaskans hardest
The Rasmuson Foundation commissioned the report. Foundation President and CEO Diane Kaplan said the report gives the legislature and the governor a chance to reflect on how their actions will affect different groups.
Chugiak Sen. Stoltze won’t run for reelection
Sen. Bill Stoltze announced on the Senate floor Wednesday he will not seek re-election.
Conference committee votes to cut University of Alaska by $50 million
The conference committee voted five to one to adopt the House version of the university budget, which cuts $35 million more than the $15 million cut proposed by Governor Bill Walker.
King Cove road advocates take plea to Washington, D.C.
“Our lives are minimized, marginalized and in many ways consciously, consciously, determined to be unimportant, to the point where we become faceless,” said Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott.