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NEWS: Senate Continues Bipartisan Coalition and Announces Leadership Positions

Giessel-Press, Press, Stevens, Wielechowski-Press /

ANCHORAGE, AK – Today, Senate President Gary Stevens announced the continuation of the Alaska State Senate Bipartisan Coalition for the 34th Alaska State Legislature. The coalition was originally established in November of 2022 with eight Republicans and nine Democrats. As many races have outstanding ballots and still need to go through the ranked-choice voting tabulation, […]

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NEWS: Legislation Becomes Law to Expand Access to SNAP Benefits

Giessel-Press, Press, Tobin-Press /

Anchorage—On August 30, House Bill 344 became law without the Governor’s signature. Governor Dunleavy sponsored the bill, which allows the Alaska Department of Health to apply for a waiver from the federal government to establish a demonstration project that uses Medicaid funding in unique ways, including supporting workforce development and food security. 

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NEWS: Sen. Löki Gale Tobin and Sen. Cathy Giessel Organize a Legislative Caucus Focused on the Health and Wellbeing of Alaska’s Children

Giessel-Press, Press, Tobin-Press /

Juneau, AK – On Thursday, the Alaska State Legislature will convene a new legislative caucus with the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of Alaska’s children. The Senate co-chairs Sen. Löki Gale Tobin (D-Anchorage) and Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) and the House co-chairs Rep. Mike Cronk (R-Tok) and Rep. Maxine Dibert (D-Fairbanks) welcome all

NEWS: Sen. Löki Gale Tobin and Sen. Cathy Giessel Organize a Legislative Caucus Focused on the Health and Wellbeing of Alaska’s Children Read More »

NEWS: Senate Passes Legislation Establishing a Defined Benefits Retirement System for Public Employees and Teachers

Bishop, Giessel-Press, Press /

JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska State Senate passed Senate Bill 88, sponsored by Senator Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage), to create a newly defined benefit system for public employees and teachers and provide an option for current Tier IV employees to convert their defined contribution plan to the new pension retirement system. The legislation gained broad bipartisan

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NEWS: Senate Leadership Emphasize Priorities After Governor Dunleavy Releases FY25 Budget Proposal

Giessel-Press, Press, Stedman-Press, Stevens, Wielechowski-Press /

Anchorage, AK – Earlier this afternoon, Governor Mike Dunleavy released his proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which must be submitted to the legislature by December 15 each year. The legislature will convene on January 16, 2024, to consider the proposed budget and other legislative priorities. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and members of Senate leadership

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NEWS: Senate Leaders Mourn the Loss of Former Colleague Representative Kurt Olson

Bjorkman-Press, Giessel-Press, Press, Stevens, Wielechowski-Press /

NIKISKI, AK – Today, members of the Alaska State Senate learned that former Representative Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna, passed away from a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Representative Kurt Olson served the Central Kenai Peninsula in the Alaska House of Representatives from 2005 through 2016. Members of the Alaska Senate Majority issued the following statements:

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NEWS: Bipartisan Group of Alaska Lawmakers Urge Federal Trade Commission to Block Kroger-Albertsons Merger

Giessel-Press, Press, Wielechowski-Press /

ANCHORAGE – On Monday, twenty-four members of the Alaska State Legislature wrote to Lina Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission, urging the federal government to block the Kroger-Albertsons grocery store merger.

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NEWS: Senate Majority Members Introduce New Retirement Package for Public Employees and Teachers

Bishop, Giessel-Press, Press, Stevens /

JUNEAU – Today, Senator Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) introduced Senate Bill 88to establish a new retirement system for public employees and teachers. Upon introduction, the bill received 9 co-sponsors. The legislation would create a new defined benefit system for public employees and teachers and provide an option for current Tier IV employees to convert their defined

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NEWS: Senate Unanimously Passes Resolution Supporting the Willow Project

Bishop, Giessel-Press, Olson-Press, Press, Wielechowski-Press /

JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska Senate unanimously passed House Joint Resolution 6, sponsored by Representative Josiah Patkotak (I-Utqiaġvik), urging President Biden and the United States Department of the Interior to approve the Willow Project by selecting the preferred Alternative E plan. This plan allows for three drilling sites, which helps the project remain profitable.

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NEWS: Senate Majority Announces Committee Chairs and Priorities for the 33rd Alaska State Legislature

Bishop, Bjorkman-Press, Claman-Press, Dunbar-Press, Giessel-Press, Gray-Jackson-Press, Hoffman, Kaufman-Press, Kawasaki-Press, Kiehl-Press, Merrick-Press, Olson-Press, Press, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin-Press, Wielechowski-Press, Wilson-Press /

ANCHORAGE – Today, the Alaska Senate Majority finalized committee chairs and announced their initial legislative priorities for the 33rd Alaska State Legislature. In November, the Senate Majority announced their leadership structure with Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) as Senate President, Sen.-elect Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) as Majority Leader, Sen. Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) as Rules Chair, Sen. Click

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