Legislative Journal

Friday, April 24, 2009

Alaska legislative session sparked discord, ended peacefully
A legislative session sparked by discord between lawmakers and Gov. Sarah Palin over appointments and spending rolled to a peaceful close.

Legislators held purse strings tight during 2009 session
State lawmakers closed their 2009 legislative session early on April 19, a few hours before the required midnight adjournment. The ending was quiet and businesslike, with the House and Senate moving quickly through a number of bills that were agreed should be passed and not held over until the 2010 session.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Budget, confirmation highlights as legislative session ends

J Last days of a legislative session usually means little sleep and a flurry of bills passed before the final ticks of the clock. State Senate leaders say that's not likely this year.

Railbelt utility plan on hold until at least next session

Gov. Sarah Palin's legislation to bring Railbelt power utilities under one umbrella corporation is on hold until next year.

Alaska’s revenue picture brightens a bit

Alaska's revenue situation has brightened a bit, though not by much. The state Department of Revenue's spring revenue forecast, released April 10, predicts Alaska will get $335 million more in the state's current fiscal year, fiscal year 2009, than was predicted in the most previous forecast in January. Fiscal year 2009 ends June 30.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Activity heightens as Legislature enters its final week
The pace has quickened in the state Legislature with days remaining before lawmakers' required April 19 adjournment.

Lawmakers blame revenue chief for drop in reserve account
Alaska's Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund is down about $1.5 billion and some state senators claim they are surprised to learn the amount of state money put into high-risk investments.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Fuel tax war between Alaska and Washington is just saber rattling
A bill imposing a nearly $16 a barrel surcharge on North Slope crude destined for Washington state was introduced in the Alaska House on March 30.

Tensions persist in Juneau over federal stimulus money
There's still tension between Gov. Sarah Palin and state legislators over accepting all of the $930.5 million of federal stimulus money available to the state of Alaska.

Monday, April 20, 2009

April 20, 2009 - Week in review
After a tumultuous last few days, the 2009 legislation session ended quietly and a few hours earlier than the required midnight, April 19 adjournment deadline. Gov. Sarah Palin made peace with Democrats in the state Senate by agreeing to appoint Dennis Egan, a respected Juneau businessman and former mayor, to fill the senate seat vacated by Sen. Kim Elton's resignation.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

April 14, 2009 - Week in review
The 2009 session has just days to go - midnight on Sunday, April 19 is the required deadline for adjournment. It's likely that not many bills will pass, as we've said before. At this point we don't see anything likely to cause a big blowup, although it's still possible this may happened over the federal stimulus money (the governor and the Legislature disagree on using it).

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Countdown begins to adjournment of 2009 session: Days to go
It's the next-to-last week of the 2009 legislative session, with just days left before the April 19 adjournment. Lawmakers in Juneau are focused on what has to pass this year and what can wait until 2010. Bills introduced in the first session of a two-year Legislature remain alive through the second session if they are not passed in the first year, but anything not approved by the end of the second year dies.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Legislature in review, March 30

Legislature on a fast track with 20 days left. Blowup with Palin still possible over stimulus funds

Monday, March 23, 2009
Legislature in review, week of March 23

Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Legislative week in review, March 16, 2009

Monday, March 2, 2009
Legislative review, week of Feb. 27

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
February 17, 2009 - Week in review

Sunday, February 1, 2009
Week in review, Jan. 31

State of Alaska || Alaska Legislature || Legislative Info Offices Directory || Alaska Constitution
Office of the Governor || BASIS (Details on Bills) || Alaska Statutes || Gavel to Gavel