Anchorage Rep. Geran Tarr concedes there is no clear consensus about whether eating genetically-modified foods is harmful, but she’s not taking any chances. House Bill 92 aims to help GMO-cautious consumers identify which foods in Alaska have been genetically engineered.
State Government
Southeast residents want public input on state roadside spraying
A bill that seeks to restore some public comment opportunity for herbicides spraying along state highways had its first hearing in a House committee this month.
Environmental youths announce lawmakers of the year
The Alaska Youth for Environmental Action awards go to Reps. Andy Josephson, Charisse Millett, Les Gara and Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.
Budget consideration sparks Medicaid debate
Democrats have proposed 22 amendments, and discussion of the bill is expected to last into the late hours. The minority opened with an effort to restore Medicaid expansion to the budget.
Alaska Senate passes bill to end daylight saving time
The Alaska State Senate has passed a bill that would eliminate daylight saving time.
House Speaker reattempts Agrium tax credit
The Alaska Department of Revenue expects a proposed tax credit for the Agrium fertilizer plant in Nikiski to cost the state between $3 million and $4 million in foregone revenue annually.
Alaska teens lobby governor on climate change
Alaska Youth for Environmental Action delivered a petition with more than a thousand signatures to the governor’s office on Tuesday.
At National Guard confirmation hearing, the political becomes personal
At a pair of confirmation hearings on Tuesday, Laurie Hummel was asked about her plans for reforming the Guard, and went through a personal line of questioning along the way.
AFN asks Walker to change position on adoptions
They say the state’s position in the case Tununuk v. the state of Alaska erects barriers between tribal children and tribal homes.
Update: Fast ferry engine damage could affect service
One of the Alaska Marine Highway’s new ferry engines is down. That could affect service in Southeast and Prince William Sound.