"Lora Reinbold"

There was an underlying sense among protesters that essential civil liberties were being denied because of the city’s and state’s health directives.

Wasilla Republican Sen. Mike Shower proposed the payment as an amendment to the budget bill. Senators intend for the payments to be made immediately after the bill passes.

The first day of the legislative session brought a shake-up in the Senate.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy says he’s glad the capital budget funding passed. But he called the veto reversals and lower PFD “a disappointment.”

Alaskans are approaching their legislators in person. They’re holding rallies and sleepovers. And they’re barraging lawmakers with phone calls, text messages and emails by the hundreds.

It’s not clear how deeply Gov. Mike Dunleavy will cut using the line-item veto. Medicaid, the university and school bond debt reimbursement are the areas with the biggest increases over what he proposed.

The Senate could reconsider the bill as soon as Friday. The bill would require an additional $1.3 billion in combined cuts to state spending and savings.

The bill now goes to the Senate. It includes $45 million for Medicaid, $24 million for the ferry system and $18 million for the Department of Corrections.

The House version looks to be pretty similar to the $4.5 billion that Walker proposed.

Rep. Chuck Kopp has proven to be a key vote, largely sticking to Alaska Criminal Justice Commission recommendations.