Wielechowski-Press

NEWS: Legislature Passes Bipartisan Bill to Improve Election Integrity, Increase Transparency, and Expand Access Across Alaska

Juneau, Alaska — Today, the Alaska State Legislature passed Senate Bill 64, comprehensive bipartisan legislation to improve election integrity, increase transparency, and expand access to voting for Alaskans across the state. The Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senator Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, sponsored the legislation. SB 64 makes targeted updates to Alaska’s election system to ensure […]

NEWS: Legislature Passes Bipartisan Bill to Improve Election Integrity, Increase Transparency, and Expand Access Across Alaska Read More »

NEWS: Governor Vetoes Legislation That Would Fund Reading Incentive Grants and Career and Technical Programs

Anchorage, AK– Today, Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed Senate Bill 113, which sought to modernize Alaska’s corporate income tax law to include online sales from outside corporations. Senate Bill 113 was a bipartisan compromise that would fund educational opportunities in career and technical education and reading incentive grants. Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage), who sponsored the legislation

NEWS: Governor Vetoes Legislation That Would Fund Reading Incentive Grants and Career and Technical Programs Read More »

NEWS: Governor Dunleavy Cuts Historic BSA Funding with Budget Line-Item Vetoes

ANCHORAGE, AK – This evening, Governor Mike Dunleavy announced his line-item vetoes to the FY 2026 Operating Budget, which included a $200 targeted reduction per student to the Base Student Allocation (BSA), an action no other Alaska Governor has done in state history. Earlier this year, through bipartisanship of both the House and the Senate,

NEWS: Governor Dunleavy Cuts Historic BSA Funding with Budget Line-Item Vetoes Read More »

NEWS: Senate Rules Committee Introduces Two Revenue Bills

(Juneau, AK) – Today, the Senate Rules Committee introduced two pieces of legislation aiming to address the state’s revenue shortfalls while also not raising taxes on Alaskans. Senate Bill 113 seeks to modernize Alaska’s corporate income tax law to include online sales from outside corporations, just as if they were brick-and-mortar businesses. Senate Bill 112 reforms Alaska’s per-barrel oil tax

NEWS: Senate Rules Committee Introduces Two Revenue Bills Read More »

NEWS: Senate Rules Committee Introduces Comprehensive Legislation to Modernize and Strengthen Alaska’s Election System

Juneau, AK – Today, the Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senator Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, introduced Senate Bill 64 to modernize and strengthen Alaska’s election system. The proposal addresses the concern that there are more registered voters in Alaska than the Alaskan adult population and the bill seeks to update state statutes to ensure that all

NEWS: Senate Rules Committee Introduces Comprehensive Legislation to Modernize and Strengthen Alaska’s Election System Read More »

NEWS: Alaska Senate Gavels in the 34th Alaska State Legislature

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

NEWS: Alaska Senate Gavels in the 34th Alaska State Legislature Read More »

NEWS: Alaska’s Seafood Industry Task Force Continues Discussion with Stakeholders on Industry Challenges and Opportunities During Fourth Round of Meetings

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,

NEWS: Alaska’s Seafood Industry Task Force Continues Discussion with Stakeholders on Industry Challenges and Opportunities During Fourth Round of Meetings Read More »

NEWS: Senate President Gary Stevens Issues Statement on Governor Dunleavy’s Proposed FY2026 Budget

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:

NEWS: Senate President Gary Stevens Issues Statement on Governor Dunleavy’s Proposed FY2026 Budget Read More »

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,

NEWS: Senate Majority Announces Committee Chairs and Priorities for the 34th Alaska State Legislature Read More »