Beth Verge

1 week ago | alaskasnewssource.com | Beth Verge

JUNEAU, Alaska (KTUU) - House Bill 69 advanced from the Senate Friday afternoon in what lawmakers have repeatedly called a “stripped-down” form, with most policy changes eliminated but a $1,000 Base Student Allocation boost still intact. The bill has been a major point of contention as it relates to statewide education funding but moved to the Senate floor on Friday, where lawmakers proposed multiple amendments, in part in an attempt to return pieces of the bill to their prior forms.

1 week ago | alaskasnewssource.com | Beth Verge

JUNEAU, Alaska (KTUU) - Have you ever wondered what it might be like to live in the governor’s mansion in Juneau? You could soon find out for yourself — at least through short-term stays. The Alaska State Legislature is considering House Bill 139, proposed by Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks, which would open the mansion up for rentals throughout the year, outside of the regular session.

2 weeks ago | alaskasnewssource.com | Beth Verge

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - State lawmakers grappling with an already-massive budget deficit for both the current and upcoming budget years are now facing another layer to that huge challenge in plummeting oil prices, which have fallen about 15% overall since the Trump Administration’s announcement of sweeping tariffs last week. As it stands now, oil and gas revenues — including related taxes, royalties, and the like — currently comprise more than 30% of the state’s budget.

2 weeks ago | alaskasnewssource.com | Beth Verge

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Can the House’s budget possibly make it to the Senate next week? And if so, what might it look like? That depends on whom you ask. House lawmakers on Tuesday shared conflicting opinions on the condition of the budget — which currently includes a full statutory dividend at around $3,900, and a deficit of approximately $1.9 billion — and what next steps could look like as the Senate awaits the legislation’s arrival to its chambers.

2 weeks ago | alaskasnewssource.com | Beth Verge

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Oil prices sank again to start the week, with U.S. crude now below $60 a barrel and Alaska North Slope falling to under $68 a barrel at close. Alaska’s dependence on oil revenue is extremely high, with that revenue — and related projections — making up more than a third of the state budget.