The House Minority caucus grew from ten to 13, making support from at least some of their members necessary for any action that requires a three-fourths vote.
State Government
With new regents, Walker alters geographic makeup of university board
Gov. Bill Walker has named four new members to the University of Alaska Board of Regents, changing its geographic composition.
State board closes two areas to commercial Dungeness crab fleet
Alaska’s Board of Fish this month for the most part voted down proposed closures for commercial Dungeness crabbing around Southeast.
Alaska leaders call ANWR proposal a ‘war on Alaska’s future’
President Obama is proposing the largest ever wilderness designation in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which would forever put the coastal plain off-limits to oil and gas development.
Joint session to address marijuana decriminalization as municipalities scramble to regulate
Republican Senator Lesil McGuire of Anchorage has introduced the first large-scale bill regulating marijuana like alcohol in Alaska.
Former Commissioner Marc Luiken appointed DOT chief
There’s a new boss at the state agency overseeing, roads, airports and ferries. Marc Luiken is the commissioner of the Department of Transportation.
Walker outlines plans for budget cuts
With Alaska facing a multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall, Gov. Bill Walker is proposing 5 percent cuts to agency funding.
Walker names National Guard special investigator
Gov. Bill Walker has named a retired judge as his special investigator into the Alaska National Guard.
Juneau Assembly, legislative delegation discuss budget issues
The Juneau Assembly met with the city’s legislative delegation, as well as its state and federal lobbyists over breakfast Wednesday.
Walker sketches agenda in State of State address
In his first State of the State address to the Legislature, Gov. Bill Walker spoke broadly of the need to address the state’s financial shortfall and the importance of building a natural gas pipeline.