Bruce’s Law would help combat fentanyl epidemic
Legislation introduced in Congress on Wednesday, June 8, would boost federal prevention and educational efforts on the dangers of drugs laced with the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which has caused many deaths nationwide.
House, Senate Finance Committees release their capital budgets
The Finance Committees in the Alaska House and Senate have released their capital budget, neither of which has moved out of committee, although there...
House passes budget championing education
Alaska’s House of Representatives has passed an operating budget investing heavily in the state’s education system, plus funds for essential services and to help residents recover from inflation and high energy prices.
Alaska Legislature stands with Ukraine
Alaska legislators are taking a strong stand in demanding Russia immediately cease all hostilities against Ukraine and urging that at a national level the...
Ferry system still short of hiring target for summer schedule
Alaska ferry system and Department of Transportation officials plan to gather this week in Ketchikan to consider options for fulfilling the advertised summer schedule amid a continuing shortage of onboard crew.
USACE urged to improve partnership with tribal communities
Two members of Congress serving on House committees dealing with water resources are urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve its relationship with tribal communities as they work to resolve local water resources issues.
House speaker questions ferry system’s hiring expectations
State Transportation Department officials last week told legislators the ferry system needed to quickly hire at least 166 new crew in order to meet minimum staffing levels for this summer’s schedule starting in May.
State will provide financial aid for homeowners hurt by pandemic
Alaska’s state housing agency has distributed more than $243 million in financial aid the past year to help renters hurt economically by the pandemic and will soon embark on a $50 million federally funded program to help homeowners, too.
State has money left over to help businesses hurt by pandemic
The state is working through a couple of challenges in its plan to distribute tens of millions of dollars of federal relief funds to municipalities and businesses. Applications for grants to local governments far exceeded the available funds, while grant applications from eligible tourism-related businesses and others fell far short.
Legislators cautious of overreliance on high oil prices
In a break from past practice, the Alaska Department of Revenue this year will provide monthly updates to legislators whenever projected oil prices — and state revenues — move up or down more than 10%.
