The Alaska Marine Highway has seen deep funding and service cuts as the state deals with a massive budget deficit. With the money running low, what are the system’s prospects during this year’s legislative session?
"Dan Ortiz"
Most incumbents do well in Southeast primaries
Tuesday’s primary election was pretty low-key in Southeast Alaska. The real battle for state House and Senate candidates will come during the general election. But a few trends emerged.
Who is on Tuesday’s Southeast primary ballots?
Southeast Alaska’s four House and two Senate districts have no primary contests this year. Two have no contests at all.
Rep. Dan Ortiz stops in Wrangell for Bearfest
Rookie state legislator Rep. Dan Ortiz, who represents District 36, is up for re-election in November and said Wrangell residents have expressed concern about the $3.5 billion state budget deficit, the ferry system and a restructuring of the permanent fund.
So far, no more ferry system cuts
The Alaska Marine Highway System made it through one step in the legislative budget process without further cuts. But those could come later.
Ketchikan Rep. Ortiz faces campaign finance fines
The Alaska Public Offices Commission says Rep. Dan Ortiz failed to properly report some campaign contributions and spending. It also says he accepted an illegal donation and did not properly list who paid for several campaign fliers.
Transboundary mine measure before state House
Three Southeast representatives want their colleagues to sign on to a campaign to protect the region’s fisheries from British Columbia mines.
Bill seeks to legalize fish and game donations
Eight legislators introduced a bill that would allow Alaskans to donate sport- and subsistence-harvested fish and game to non-profit meal programs.
Update: Hyder border closure keeps emergency access
Canadian officials say the small Southeast Alaska town of Hyder will continue to have 24-hour-a-day access to emergency health care.
Deeper Alaska ferry cuts planned by state House panel
Alaska’s ferry system is facing even more service cuts. A House panel on Thursday yanked money from the marine highway budget that the governor had restored. And, it made additional cuts.