JUNEAU – Last week, the legislature passed Senate Bill 45, sponsored by Senator David Wilson (R-Wasilla), which seeks to reduce barriers and costs for healthcare services through direct health care agreements, typically paid through a monthly fee. Direct health care agreements, as outlined in Senate Bill 45, establish a direct contractual relationship between healthcare providers […]
JUNEAU—Friday, the Alaska Senate passed Senate Bill 187, otherwise known as the capital budget. The budget totals $450 million of general fund dollars and is carefully crafted to promote infrastructure projects throughout the state, address the state’s backlog of deferred maintenance, support statewide weatherization, and increase resources for food security, among other priorities. “For many […]
JUNEAU – Thursday, Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed Senate Bill 140, the legislature’s omnibus education compromise. Senate Bill 140 was the largest increase in school funding in state history, with a $680 increase to the Base Student Allocation. Senate Bill 140 significantly improved internet connectivity in rural Alaska, provided $10 million in additional funding for the […]
JUNEAU – Wednesday, the Alaska State Senate took a significant step forward in addressing critical shortcomings in Alaska’s Workers’ Compensation System by unanimously passing Senate Bill 147, sponsored by Senator James Kaufman, R-Anchorage. This bill improves the efficiency, fairness, and predictability of Alaska’s reemployment system, enhancing support for injured workers and fostering a more resilient […]