ANCHORAGE – Governor Bill Walker signed an Arctic policy bill into law Monday, taking a major step forward in defining Alaska’s involvement in Arctic development. Sponsored by Representative Bob Herron of Bethel, HB 1 outlines the state’s priorities for Arctic policy and spells out ways in which the state will attain those priorities. “As the […]
Like many Alaskans, I remember the excitement in the air when Alaska became the 49th state in the Union in 1959. We had achieved our long-held dream of self-governance. Since that time, we have worked to become increasingly self-reliant, and to steward our resources for the long-term benefit of our people. The Alaska Statehood Compact […]
Imagine your family’s biggest source of income plummeting by 80 percent in one year. At today’s oil prices, that’s Alaska’s situation. The state’s oil and gas production tax is expected to bring the state $524 million in the current fiscal year, a shocking drop from the $2.6 billion collected last year. But that’s only part […]
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has appointed veteran commercial fisherman Sam Cotten as acting Commissioner of Fish and Game. The governor said Cotton is among those under consideration for a permanent commissioner appointment. Cotten served two terms on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and has fished for salmon in Kachemak Bay for many years. He […]