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:
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,
Anchorage—On August 30, House Bill 344 became law without the Governor’s signature. Governor Dunleavy sponsored the bill, which allows the Alaska Department of Health to apply for a waiver from the federal government to establish a demonstration project that uses Medicaid funding in unique ways, including supporting workforce development and food security.
NEWS: Legislation Becomes Law to Expand Access to SNAP Benefits Read More »
ANCHORAGE, AK – On July 12, during The Council of State Governments West (CSG West) 77th Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, Senator Löki Gale Tobin was unanimously elected to serve as the CSG West vice chair in 2025.
NEWS: Senator Löki Gale Tobin Elected Next CSG West Vice Chair 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, AK — Earlier this week, the Future Caucus announced a nationwide fellowship for Gen Z and millennial state legislators. State Senator David Wilson, R-Wasilla, and Senator Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, were chosen as Alaska’s participants. The Innovation Fellowship is rooted in the understanding that political polarization presents new and unique obstacles to modern policymaking. The
NEWS: Senator Wilson and Senator Tobin Selected for the National Innovation Fellowship 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
NEWS: Alaska Senate Passes Increase to Public Education Read More »
(Juneau) – Today, Senator Löki Gale Tobin (D-Anchorage) introduced Senate Bill 109 – The Employee Free Speech Act. The bill clarifies the right of employees in Alaska to opt out of employer speech restrictions.
NEWS: Legislation Introduced to Protect Workers Free Speech Rights Read More »
ANCHORAGE – Today, the Alaska Senate Majority finalized committee chairs and announced their initial legislative priorities for the 33rd Alaska State Legislature. In November, the Senate Majority announced their leadership structure with Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) as Senate President, Sen.-elect Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) as Majority Leader, Sen. Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) as Rules Chair, Sen. Click
