Even though Alaska figures in discussion of climate change nationally, it’s rarely a major topic of conversation in Juneau.
"Lesil McGuire"
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.
With focus on budget, social issues may be left behind
Lawmakers expect bills on social issues, like abortion, to get less attention than last cycle.
In first batch of early bills, no big ticket items
In a little over a week, the 29th Legislature will gavel in. In preparation, lawmakers have released the first batch of bills they plan to consider.
Legislators prepare for marijuana regulation
With an initiative to treat marijuana like alcohol now certified, lawmakers are preparing for the issue to come up this legislative session.
Alaska becomes the second state to officially recognize indigenous languages
Dedicated supporters staged a 15 hour sit-in until the early this morning, when the measure passed the Alaska Senate on an 18-2 vote.
State suspends funding for new Anchorage tennis complex
The State is looking into the legality of using money earmarked for building repairs to construct a new tennis complex in Anchorage.
Amendment to restructure Judicial Council stalls before vote
A constitutional amendment that would reconfigure a commission tasked with vetting judges was pulled from a vote in the Alaska Senate on Monday.
Family planning services axed from abortion bill
After being shelved for nearly a year, a bill meant to limit Medicaid payouts for abortion is back – and it’s missing a component that made it more agreeable to the Legislature’s social moderates.
Legislators say no to energy break
Traditionally, the Legislature puts everything on hold for one week in March to attend a meeting of the Energy Council in Washington, DC. It’s been going on for so long that many lawmakers and staff don’t even know when it started.