Hoffman-Press Archives - Alaska Senate Majority

NEWS: Alaska Senate Passes a Balanced Transitional FY 2026 Operating Budget

Hoffman-Press, Press, Stedman-Press / jenn.gifford

JUNEAU, AK— Today, the Alaska Senate approved a balanced and transitional operating budget for FY 2026. This budget secures essential services, prevents unsustainable draws from savings, and establishes a $150 million buffer to help the legislature weather the coming fiscal headwinds of $300–$600 million in FY 2027. The operating budget demonstrates a commitment to long-term […]

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NEWS: Alaska Senate Majority Unveils New Education Funding and Policy Legislation

Giessel-Press, Hoffman-Press, Press, Stevens, Tobin-Press / jenn.gifford

Juneau, AK – Today, the Senate Finance Committee advanced a new version of House Bill 57 to increase education funding and pupil transportation. Increasing the BSA improves every form of public education in Alaska, including correspondence programs, which serve Alaska’s growing homeschool student population. The bill would also incorporate policy initiatives to support Alaska’s charter

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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 / jenn.gifford

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 / jenn.gifford

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 / jenn.gifford

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

Hoffman-Press, Press, Stevens / jenn.gifford

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

Hoffman-Press, Press, Stevens, Tobin-Press, Wielechowski-Press / jenn.gifford

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

Hoffman-Press, Press, Stedman-Press / jenn.gifford

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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