The newly-formed House majority is working out who will fill its committee seats. Meanwhile, the majority coalition is still trying to add more Republican members who are currently in the minority.
"Lance Pruitt"
Updated budget requests would fund earthquake relief, cut school funds
One request includes cutting $20 million for public schools that lawmakers agreed to as part of the budget deal last spring.
House member named as next speaker lacks votes he needs to be elected
The representative identified Wednesday as the next speaker of the Alaska House currently lacks the 21 votes needed to be elected to the job, according to an interview with one of his colleagues.
Campaign filings show focus on Fairbanks Senate, House races
The Senate race in Fairbanks between Republican Sen. Pete Kelly and Democratic Rep. Scott Kawasaki has seen the most spending of any legislative race. By a wide margin.
Lawmakers add funding for public defenders
Anchorage Republican Rep. Lance Pruitt opposed the added money. He proposed firing higher paid lawyers and replacing them with lower cost, less experienced lawyers.
House committee scales back draw from permanent fund earnings
Homer Republican Rep. Paul Seaton said the smaller draw is more sustainable. He chairs the House Finance Committee, which voted for it 6 to 4.
As Alaska’s gasline corporation pushes for Asia deal, legislators push for more information
Heading into a busy year for the state corporation, questions linger about financing and project structure.
Permanent Fund Corp. headquarters to undergo $4 million renovation
The renovation will open up space. Some internal walls will be torn down. And the new space will let the corporation hire more workers, so more of fund is managed by corporation employees.
Legislature passes capital budget in one-day special session
The vote allows road projects and other construction to move forward. It was the only piece of business for the six-hour special session.
Legislature passes budget compromise to avert shutdown
It sets permanent fund dividends at $1,100. The Legislature didn’t pass a plan to balance budgets in the future.