Legislature

by Ted Land Friday, March 19, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- Both sides of the Pebble Mine debate were at the state Capitol Friday evening to testify on whether or not the state needs a third-party review of its permitting standards and environmental safeguards. The state Board of Fisheries asked the Legislature to look into the matter and take any steps it deems necessary to protect fish and game in the region. Specifically, the Legislature wants to know the biggest risks of the mine, and how they compare to other mines throughout the U.S. and Canada.

by Ted Land Monday, February 8, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- A gasoline price gouging bill probably won't move in the legislature. Lawmakers drafted the bill last year in response to 2008's record high gas prices. Republican Rep. Kurt Olson, a committee chair, says he's been talking with Assistant Attorney General Ed Sniffen and says refineries are not illegally setting prices or gouging customers. Olson says the bill is pretty much dead unless it comes back in a different version.

by Christine Kim Saturday, February 6, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Alaska Board of Fisheries sent a letter this week to the Legislature asking it to evaluate the permitting protections and standards in Bristol Bay. In addition, it asked for additional safeguards to protect the fish and game habitat. The letter comes after public testimony before the board in December on Proposal 13, to create a fish refuge in some river drainages. Many who were against more protection say it creates additional restrictions and will affect economic development.

by Ted Land Wednesday, June 9, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Gov. Sean Parnell will soon have some help combating sexual assault and domestic violence. The state legislature created a position for a response coordinator whose job it is to deal with the ongoing problem. The governor says he's conducted interviews and will name his pick next week. The coordinator is supposed to improve victim services, work with the Department of Law and help ensure funding for sexual assault and domestic violence prevention.

The state Legislature is facing a busy weekend with its 90-day session scheduled to end on Sunday. As of Friday evening, some big issues are still waiting for a vote. Lawmakers have been working 12-hour days and sometimes even longer, but with several important bills still on the table there will be little to no rest this weekend. With just two full days left in session, the Legislature can hardly afford any distractions. Fortunately, a Friday morning fire evacuation was a false alarm.

by Rhonda McBride Sunday, April 12, 2009 JUNEAU, Alaska -- With only one week left in the 90-day legislative session state lawmakers are gearing up for the final sprint to the finish. Out of more than 400 bills introduced this session, only nine have passed. A majority of the bills will be held over to next year -- including most of Gov. Sarah Palin's energy legislation, such as a bill to create a cooperative for Railbelt utilities. A few more bills may clear both houses this week, but the main priority remains the operating and capital budgets along with appropriations for the federal stimulus program.

by The Associated Press Thursday, January 28, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- Supporters of a decades-old attempt to recognize Alaska Natives in the official state song expect the third time will be the charm. Legislation to officially add a 23-year-old verse to the song "Alaska's Flag" is working through committees. The verse references Benny Benson, the Native boy who designed the territory, and eventual state, flag in 1927. Previous attempts to add the verse, in 1987 and 2002, failed, though the verse is widely known, taught and sung around the state.

More than four years after returning home from Iraq, and later being killed when his car hit a moose, Spc. Steven "Max" Cavanaugh now has a permanent memorial in Alaska. The Dowling Road overpass at milepost 123.7 on the New Seward Highway is now the Spc. Stephen "Max" Cavanaugh Overpass.  In March, Sen. Lesil McGuire passed a bill through the Legislature dedicating the bridge to Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh's parents and the Alaska Moose Federation were lobbying the Legislature for money to expand the state moose salvage program and orphan calf relocation programs to avoid accidents like the one that killed Cavanaugh.

by Ted Land Monday, February 8, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- House Speaker Mike Chenault, R- Nikiski, says he still would like to see a death penalty bill pass the legislature. But he doesn't think there's enough support this session. Chenault's bill would allow the attorney general to pursue capital punishment in certain cases. Most of the public testimony last session was in opposition to the death penalty. "Yeah we're having discussions right now. Certainly I would like to see it pass, I don't think that there's enough votes," Chenault said.

In Juneau, police confirmed that a member of the capitol security team forcibly moved a pro-life demonstrator in front of the capitol building a few days ago.   Right-to-Life protesters were holding a demonstration outside the capitol on Tuesday and Wednesday when they complained to police that government vans parked in front of them in a loading zone while they were not loading or unloading, according to Juneau Police. On Friday, the Office of Governor Sean Parnell confirmed that employees of the Legislature blocked the demonstrators protest by parking in front of the capitol building.