JUNEAU – On Wednesday, April 3, the Senate Education Committee will hold an emergency hearing at 3:30 p.m. to hear from the Department of Education and Early Development on its actions leading up to a designation of a “high-risk” grantee by the U.S. Department of Education and its plan forward to remove the designation.
JUNEAU – Senate Bill 161, which supports Alaska farmers by improving their municipal property tax breaks, unanimously passed the Senate on Monday. Sponsored by Senator Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, the bill expands the tax breaks to include structures on farmlands and updates the financial qualifications and application requirements.
NEWS: Bill to Support Alaska Farmers Passes the Senate Read More »
JUNEAU – Yesterday, Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed Senate Bill 140, the legislature’s omnibus education compromise. Senate Bill 140 was the largest increase in school funding in state history, with a $680 increase to the Base Student Allocation. Senate Bill 140 significantly improved internet connectivity in rural Alaska, provided $10 million in additional funding for the
JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska State Senate took a significant step forward in addressing critical shortcomings in Alaska’s Workers’ Compensation System by unanimously passing Senate Bill 147, sponsored by Senator James Kaufman, R-Anchorage. This bill improves the efficiency, fairness, and predictability of Alaska’s reemployment system, enhancing support for injured workers and fostering a more resilient
NEWS: Senate Passes Bill Focused on Getting Alaskans Back to Work Read More »
JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska Senate passed Senate Bill 24, which seeks to include mental health education in the existing K-12 health curriculum to inform students of vital information about mental health symptoms, resources, and treatment. Sponsored by Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, the legislation requires the Department of Education and Early Development and Department of
NEWS: Mental Health Curriculum for K-12 Education Passes Senate Read More »
JUNEAU – Earlier this year, Senator Scott Kawasaki, D – Fairbanks, introduced Senate Bill 189, to extend the Alaska Commission on Aging (ACoA), which is currently set to expire later this year. A House Companion Bill, HB 283, was introduced by Representative Maxine Dibert, D – Fairbanks. Senate Bill 189 is scheduled to be heard
NEWS: Legislation Extending the Alaska Commission on Aging to be Heard by Senate Finance Read More »
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
NEWS: Senate Concurs with Comprehensive Education Package Read More »
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
JUNEAU – Yesterday afternoon, the Alaska legislature became aware of the passing of former Representative Tom Anderson. Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), who served with Representative Anderson in the Alaska State House, issued the following statement:
NEWS: Senate President Mourns the Passing of Former Representative Tom Anderson Read More »
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
