James Brooks

2 weeks ago | juneauempire.com | James Brooks

Before adjourning their regular session for the year, Alaska legislators passed 33 bills through both the House and Senate. Two were vetoed before lawmakers left the Capitol. One of those became the subject of the first successful veto override since 2009. Here’s a look at what’s passed and is headed to Gov. Mike Dunleavy for final approval or rejection. Education took top billingExcept for the budget, no subject took more of the Legislature’s attention than education.

2 weeks ago | juneauempire.com | James Brooks

After 22 years in the Alaska Senate, Senate President Gary Stevens is retiring. Stevens’ decision has been discussed in the Alaska Capitol for more than a year, but on Tuesday, it became official as Kodiak Republican Rep. Louise Stutes became the first person to announce that she will run for Stevens’ seat. “I certainly will endorse Louise any way I can to help her out,” Stevens said on Wednesday. “She should be a really fine senator.

2 weeks ago | juneauempire.com | James Brooks

The Alaska Legislature adjourned its regular session on Tuesday without finishing work on a major elections bill or a bill reimposing limits on cash donations to election candidates. House Bill 16, the campaign finance bill, and Senate Bill 64, the elections reform legislation, are expected to return when the Legislature resumes work in January, and they could be part of a wave of major legislation that advances through the Capitol early next year.

2 weeks ago | frontiersman.com | James Brooks

There will be no extra money for the University of Alaska’s sports teams, its effort to become a top-tier research university or its attempts to hire and keep staff. On Friday, the legislative committee assigned to write the final version of Alaska’s state operating budget axed all of those items — and many more — from its in-progress draft.

2 weeks ago | alaskapublic.org | James Brooks |Corinne Smith

There will be no extra money for the University of Alaska’s sports teams, its effort to become a top-tier research university or its attempts to hire and keep staff. On Friday, the legislative committee assigned to write the final version of Alaska’s state operating budget axed all of those items — and many more — from its in-progress draft.