Stedman-Press Archives - Alaska Senate Majority

NEWS: Senate Passes FY26 Capital Budget Prioritizes Deferred Maintenance, Safety Upgrades, and Essential Infrastructure Through Strategic Spending

Juneau, AK — Today, the Alaska Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Budget, Senate Bill 57, advancing a $2.9 billion plan emphasizing statewide infrastructure maintenance, public safety upgrades, and essential infrastructure investments. The capital budget includes $162 million in UGF spending—$119 million less than the Governor’s proposal—achieved through targeted reductions, fund reappropriations, and a […]

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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: Joint Legislative Task Force on Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry Completes Its Third Round of Meetings

Bjorkman-Press, Kiehl-Press, Press, Stedman-Press, Stevens / jenn.gifford

Anchorage, AK – This week, the Joint Legislative Task Force on Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry completed its third round of meetings discussing solutions the legislature can undertake to bolster Alaska’s seafood industry. Task force members include Senator Gary Stevens, Chair, R-Kodiak, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, Senator Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, Senator Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, Representative Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, Representative George

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NEWS: Alaska’s Seafood Industry Task Force Discusses Key Industry Challenges and Opportunities with Stakeholders During Second Round of Meetings

Bjorkman-Press, Kiehl-Press, Press, Stedman-Press, Stevens / jenn.gifford

ANCHORAGE, AK – This week, the Joint Legislative Task Force on Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry held its second round of meetings to continue discussing issues affecting the state’s seafood industry. Task force members include Senator Gary Stevens, Chair, R-Kodiak, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, Senator Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, Senator Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, Representative Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham,

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NEWS: Joint Legislative Task Force on Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry Holds First Meeting

Bjorkman-Press, Kiehl-Press, Press, Stedman-Press, Stevens / jenn.gifford

Anchorage, AK – On Wednesday, September 18, and Thursday, September 19, the Joint Task Force on Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry held its first round of meetings in Anchorage to begin understanding the impacts on Alaska’s seafood industry and what tools the state has in its toolbox to strengthen it. The task force was created through

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NEWS: Senate Passes Balanced Operating Budget That Meets the Diverse Needs of Alaskans

Press, Stedman-Press, Stevens / jenn.gifford

JUNEAU – This afternoon, the Senate passed its version of the state’s operating budget, House Bill 268, on a vote of 17-3. The $6.25 billion operating budget leaves $196 million in surplus revenue available for pending legislation, including the state’s capital budget. The operating budget, crafted by Senate Finance Co-Chair Senator Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, demonstrates

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

Giessel-Press, Press, Stedman-Press, Stevens, Wielechowski-Press / jenn.gifford

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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