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Alaska lawmakers who each year relocate to a capital city accessible only by plane or boat are facing challenges in getting settled ahead of what is expected to be a difficult legislative session overshadowed by COVID-19.

According to his budget proposal, he wants to draw about $6.3 billion from the state’s permanent fund earnings — about half of that is part of the regular draw that would happen under state statute. The rest, he’s calling a one-time ask — saying he doesn’t intend to regularly lean on the fund to pay for large expenses. 

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivered his 2020 State of the State address Monday night.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy promised to reduce crime and protect permanent fund dividends in his first State of the State address.

The Nikiski Republican says he’s running for governor because he thinks there’s a lack of leadership in the office.

The gas line bill would have added three legislators as non-voting Alaska Gasline Development Corporation board members.

MacKinnon said she’d like to see members of all legislative caucuses work on solutions on a limited number of issues.

Gov. Walker said he’s created a new cabinet level position in his administration, an oil and gas adviser. He appointed John Hendrix to the job, who most recently worked as general manager for Apache Alaska.

Chenault said the legislature already considered the Permanent Fund restructuring and tax increases that Gov. Bill Walker asked them to pass.

State budget director Pat Pitney said the no action plan would cut funding to state agencies from more than $4 billion to only $1.5 billion, creating a dire situation.