“It’s not where we want to be in any shape or form,” Gov. Bill Walker told reporters. “It’s not where we thought we would be.”
State Government
State employees receive email from governor warning them of layoffs
Lawmakers last month approved a $5 billion budget that only provides $2 billion in funding.
Rep. Young riles Indian Country with hearings on ‘land into trust’ powers
The Interior Secretary’s power to take land into trust for tribes could create pockets of Indian Country across Alaska.
Sitka parks feel the strain of fiscal belt tightening
State officials have rolled out their plan to terminate direct management of state parks in Sitka, including two of the most historic sites in Alaska.
AK, B.C. promise more input into mine decisions
The Walker-Mallott administration say it will include transboundary mine critics’ concerns in its negotiations with British Columbia.
Budget cuts sideline Taku ferry July through September
A budget shuffle means most state ferries will sail their scheduled routes this summer. But one ship, the Taku, will be shut down.
With no budget deal in sight, lawmakers hold brief technical session
With just a handful of legislators in the chambers, the House floor session lasted about ten minutes. The Senate lasted just five.
State legislatures quarrel over whether to expand Medicaid
Medicaid expansion was a big deal in a handful of state legislatures this year. Wyoming said no. Tennessee said no. But Montana said yes, and three more states are coming down to the wire.
While pitching expansion, health department officials cite fixes to payment system
Xerox’s Medicaid payment system has been plagued with issues since it went online in 2013.
Minority members schedule their own meetings as session drags on
With the 30-day special session at the halfway mark, seven meetings have been held on the budget, one on Medicaid expansion, and zero on a sexual abuse prevention bill known as Erin’s Law.