NEWS: New House Majority Caucus Announces Committee Chairs for the 30th Alaska Legislature
Anchorage – The 22 members of the new House Majority Caucus in the Alaska House of Representatives have selected a bipartisan group of lawmakers to chair the committees that will addresses needed legislation during the upcoming 30th Alaska Legislature, which begins in January.
Read More →
NEWS: Lawmakers Put Aside Party Labels to Form a New House Majority
The Goal is to Solve Alaska’s Fiscal Crisis and End the Partisan Dysfunction in Juneau FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 9, 2016 Anchorage – In the wake of an historic election, a new majority caucus has formed in the Alaska House of Representatives. The new House Majority is made up of 22 Republicans, Democrats, and Independents …
Read More →
NEWS: Democrats in Senate and House Call for Veterans Administration to Send Appeal Panel to Alaska
JUNEAU — Today, members of the Alaska Senate Democrats and the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition sent a letter to Laura Eskenazi, the Vice Chairman and Executive in Charge of the Board of Veterans Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, requesting immediate in-person proceedings in Alaska by the Board of Veterans Appeals.
Read More →
NEWS: Budget Compromise Prevents Threat of Government Shutdown and Protects the Alaska Economy
Juneau – Today, the Alaska Legislature passed fully funded budgets for the next fiscal year that removes the threat of the first ever government shutdown in Alaska. The operating and capital budgets were passed with significant support from members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition (AIDC) after weeks of bipartisan negotiations between the Minority and Majority Caucuses in both the House of Representatives and Senate.
Read More →
NEWS: Democrats in the Alaska House of Representatives Will Quickly Consider Governor Walker’s Choice for House District 16 State Representative
Juneau – The Democrats in the Alaska House of Representatives will meet as soon as possible to deliberate on Governor Walker’s choice of Ivy Spohnholz to replace the late Representative Max Gruenberg as the Representative for House District 16.
Read More →
NEWS: Life-Saving Legislation Passed to Help Respond to Epidemic of Heroin Use in Alaska
Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 23 by a vote of 36-0. The bill, sponsored by Senator Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage), passed the Alaska Senate last year by a vote of 19-1.
Read More →
NEWS: Lawmakers Applaud Today’s Superior Court Decision to Dismiss Ill-Advised Lawsuit Over Medicaid Expansion in Alaska
Juneau - Today, Superior Court Judge Frank Pfiffner issued a ruling in the case brought by the Alaska Legislative Council against Alaska Governor Bill Walker over his decision last year to expand Medicaid without legislative approval. Judge Pfiffner found that the Social Security Act requires Medicaid expansion, and that existing state law required Governor Walker to provide Medicaid to the group of Alaskans eligible for expansion. In his 26-page ruling, Judge Pfiffner granted the Governor’s motion for summary judgement and dismissed the case brought by the Alaska Legislative Council, which is made up of ten members of the Alaska Legislature.
Read More →
NEWS: House and Senate Minorities Propose Creating a Caucus of the Whole in the Alaska Legislature
Juneau – Last Friday was the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Constitution. The convention in Fairbanks featured 55 Alaskans, elected from all regions and walks of life. These far-thinking delegates came together as one and crafted a document that has guided not only the state government, but also Alaska’s institutions and people. The constitutional example is being followed today by the Alaska Senate Democrats and the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition as they propose a new structure for the 29th Alaska Legislature.
Read More →
NEWS: Alaska House of Representatives Unanimously Approves Code of Military Justice for the Alaska National Guard
JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska State House of Representatives passed legislation that reforms the Alaska National Guard by creating a Code of Military Justice. House Bill 126 provides a framework of processes and consequences for members of the Alaska National Guard who violate military rules and orders.
Read More →
NEWS: Democrats Introduce Permanent Committee to Review State Spending & Revenue
JUNEAU – Today, Rep. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks), Rep. Sam Kito (D-Juneau), and Rep. Matt Claman (D-Anchorage) introduced HCR 16 to establish the House Standing Committee on Ways & Means to consider methods to control state spending, identify ways to make government programs more efficient, and review measures that raise state revenue.
Read More →