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NEWS: Alaska Senate Gavels in the 34th Alaska State Legislature

Bjorkman-Press, Giessel-Press, Gray-Jackson-Press, Hoffman-Press, Merrick-Press, Olson-Press, Press, Stedman-Press, Stevens, Wielechowski-Press /

JUNEAU – Today at 1:00 p.m., the Alaska Senate gaveled in the 34th Alaska State Legislature. Senator Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, was officially elected as Senate President by his colleagues. Senator Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, will serve as Majority Leader, and Senator Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, will serve as Rules Chair. To complete the Majority’s leadership team, Senator […]

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NEWS: Alaska’s Seafood Industry Task Force Continues Discussion with Stakeholders on Industry Challenges and Opportunities During Fourth Round of Meetings

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

ANCHORAGE, AK – Last week, the Joint Legislative Task Force on Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry held its fourth round of meetings to continue discussing issues affecting the state’s seafood industry. The task force was created through Senate Concurrent Resolution 10 during the prior legislative session and has previously met over two-day sessions in September, October,

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NEWS: Senate President Gary Stevens Issues Statement on Governor Dunleavy’s Proposed FY2026 Budget

2025, Bjorkman-Press, Claman-Press, Dunbar-Press, Giessel-Press, Gray-Jackson-Press, Hoffman-Press, Kawasaki-Press, Kiehl-Press, Merrick-Press, Olson-Press, Press, Stedman-Press, Stevens, Tobin-Press, Wielechowski-Press /

Anchorage, AK – Earlier this afternoon, Governor Mike Dunleavy released his proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which must be submitted to the legislature by December 15 each year. The legislature will convene on January 21, 2025, to consider the proposed budget and other legislative priorities. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, issued the following statement:

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NEWS: Senate Majority Announces Committee Chairs and Priorities for the 34th Alaska State Legislature

2025, Bjorkman-Press, Claman-Press, Dunbar-Press, Giessel-Press, Gray-Jackson-Press, Hoffman-Press, Kawasaki-Press, Kiehl-Press, Merrick-Press, Olson-Press, Press, Stedman-Press, Stevens, Tobin-Press, Wielechowski-Press /

ANCHORAGE – Today, the Alaska Senate Majority announced committee chairs for the 34th Alaska State Legislature. In November, the Senate Majority announced their leadership structure with Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) as Senate President, Senator Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) as Majority Leader, Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) as Rules Chair, Senator Kelly Merrick (R-Eagle River) as Majority Whip,

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NEWS: Senate Continues Bipartisan Coalition and Announces Leadership Positions

2025, 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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