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%.
Legislative Update: Our fiscal reality remains fundamentally unchanged
Rep. Louise Stutes: With an influx of billions of federal dollars and the price of oil at over $80 per barrel, the next few legislative sessions represent a generational opportunity for Alaska.