Hoffman-Press

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

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

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

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 Passes Balanced Capital Budget Based on Size and Scope of Finance Co-Chairs’ Agreement

JUNEAU—Today, the Alaska Senate passed Senate Bill 187, otherwise known as the capital budget. The budget totals $450 million of general fund dollars and is carefully crafted to promote infrastructure projects throughout the state, address the state’s backlog of deferred maintenance, support statewide weatherization, and increase resources for food security, among other priorities. 

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NEWS: Senate Concurs with Comprehensive Education Package

JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska State Senate concurred with the House changes to Senate Bill 140, effectively passing the largest increase to school funding in state history with a $680 increase to the Base Student Allocation. Senate Bill 140 will also significantly improve internet connectivity in rural Alaska, provide $10 million in additional funding for

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NEWS: Senate Finance Introduces Operating and Capital Budget Substitutes

JUNEAU – The Senate Finance Committee introduced a committee substitute for the state’s operating budget this afternoon. The new committee substitute provides a permanent fund dividend consistent with a 75/25 percent of market value (POMV) split of the annual earnings, translating to an approximate $1,304 dividend. The committee substitute also increases the funds going to

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