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, Governor Mike Dunleavy provided his annual State of the State speech to a joint session of the Alaska legislature. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, provided the following response:
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
KODIAK, AK – Earlier this week, Father Michael Oleksa of the village of Nanwalek passed away from a stroke at the age of 75. Father Oleksa was part of the Russian Orthodox church and a well-known, respected, and beloved figure throughout the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak Island. He was a cultural ambassador who fostered community
NEWS: Senate President Stevens Mourns the Loss of Father Michael Oleksa Read More »
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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ANCHORAGE – Yesterday, Alaska was shocked by the news of the tragic death of Eugene Peltola, Jr., husband of Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola. Senate President Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) and Senate Rules Chair Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) issued the following condolences:
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JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska Senate passed House Bill 39, Fiscal Year 2024 operating and capital budgets. The Senate’s version of the budget increases education funding outside the formula by $174.9 million – the single largest increase in state history, provides Alaskans with a $1,300 permanent fund dividend, and leaves the state with a $84.2
NEWS: Senate Passes a Balanced Budget with an $84.2 Million Surplus Read More »
Juneau – Today, the Alaska State Senate passed Senate Bill 52 to increase education funding by $175 million for Alaska’s public schools and correspondence programs. This significant increase provides school districts with a $680 addition to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) calculation, which the Senate Education Committee determined is the simplest, fairest, and most effective
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JUNEAU – On Wednesday, Senate President Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) introduced Senate Bill 89, which seeks to increase the minimum age to buy, sell, and possess tobacco and E-cigarettes from 19 to 21 years old, and also places a point-of-sale (retail sales) tax on electronic smoking products (ESPs). The tax would apply to closed-system ESPs when
JUNEAU – Today, Senator Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) introduced Senate Bill 88to establish a new retirement system for public employees and teachers. Upon introduction, the bill received 9 co-sponsors. The legislation would create a new defined benefit system for public employees and teachers and provide an option for current Tier IV employees to convert their defined
