In a letter to Gov. Bill Walker, Juneau’s legislative delegation says it’s concerned only two state commissioners have committed to living in the capital.
State Government
Mike Neussl returns as AMHS chief
The Alaska Marine Highway System has a new boss. Mike Neussl began work Monday as the Department of Transportation’s deputy commissioner overseeing ferries.
Pot smoke added to Juneau’s indoor smoking ban
The Juneau Assembly unanimously voted to amend the city’s indoor public smoking ban to include pot, despite objections from some marijuana advocates.
To fund lobbying effort, sex worker advocates turns to internet
A sex worker group is raising money to send one of their own to Juneau.
Legislature plans for gasline special session
Republican leaders expect that the Legislature will go ahead with a special session in October focused on natural gas policy.
Col. Laurie Hummel named new Adjutant General for the Alaska National Guard
Retired Colonel Laurie Hummel served in Army intelligence for 30 years after graduating from West Point, and is the first woman to lead the Guard.
Lawmakers skeptical of state’s plan to buy Fairbanks natural gas utility
Key Republicans, like Anchorage Representative Mike Hawker, are skeptical of the utility’s purchase.
Innovation required to deal with budget shortfall, Walker says
Speaking at JEDC’s Innovation Summit, Walker says Alaska will need ingenuity – and possibly carrot beer – to deal with the state’s budget deficit.
State to appeal education funding lawsuit ruling
The judge ruled that municipalities should not be required to pay for public education because the required local contribution is essentially a tax earmarked for a special purpose.
AMHS to close ferry bar service this winter
AMHS is closing bars on state ferries, a move that state Department of Transportation officials say will save about $750,000 a year.