Proposal would prevent price hikes, service cuts resulting from privatization JUNEAU – The Department of Administration is currently advancing a plan to privatize Division of Motor Vehicles offices in Eagle River, Homer, Tok, Valdez, Delta Junction, and Haines, which would result in steep price hikes on Alaskans. In response, legislators will be introducing a bill […]
JUNEAU – The House Health and Social Services Committee today passed a resolution that would reject the governor’s Executive Order 119, which proposes splitting the Department of Health and Social Services into two distinct agencies. Members of the committee expressed appreciation at collaborative efforts with the administration to find improvements in the services that the […]
‘I am tremendously honored to receive the support of my colleagues and ready to get work building new opportunities for Alaskans and confronting the difficult issues our state faces’ JUNEAU – Rep. Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak) today was elected Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives for the 32nd Legislature. Exact details of the governing organization […]
JUNEAU – Alaska’s tourism industry was dealt a blow last week as the government of Canada announced the prohibition of all cruise vessels in Canadian waters through February 2022. Many cruise ships that visit the Inside Passage are based in foreign countries, and federal law (The Passenger Service Vessel Act of 1886) requires foreign-flagged ships […]
FAIRBANKS – Alaska is just one of twelve states in the country lacking a requirement that citizens help fight the COVID-19 pandemic by wearing a face mask indoors in public places where social distancing is impossible. Vaccines, pioneered and produced in record time, promise hope of an end to the pandemic. The limited availability of […]
NOME – This year’s commercial salmon fisheries were devastating for Norton Sound and Yukon River fishermen, processors, local vendors, and municipalities. Harvests in Norton Sound decreased by 87 percent, a loss of $1.7 million, and Yukon River harvests were down by 97 percent for a loss of $1.9 million. Sen. Donny Olson (D-Golovin) and Rep. […]
Committee chairs call for immediate response from State to protect lives and health of Alaskans ANCHORAGE – The State of Alaska is experiencing incredibly high rates of COVID-19 transmission, with daily records for new cases set multiple times last week and the availability of adult ICU beds now dangerously low. Public health officials have […]
ANCHORAGE – The Legislature’s non-partisan attorneys have confirmed that Gov. Mike Dunleavy could legally answer important factual questions related to the instances of harassment that forced former Attorney General Kevin Clarkson to resign. Rep. Zack Fields (D-Anchorage), co-chair of the House State Affairs Committee, asked Legislative Legal Services if the governor could legally speak […]
Public health, economic leaders testify to joint legislative hearing ANCHORAGE – Economists at a joint hearing of the Health and Social Services and House State Affairs committees urged the state to implement public health measures that will contain the COVID-19 virus and enable economic recovery. “By successfully fighting the virus, we’re more likely for […]