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Current Topics
Legislature passes resolution on defense of Southeast Alaska troll fishery. The Cordova Times
Alaska legislators on Monday passed the Defense of Alaska Fisheries Resolution, urging federal and state officials to continue to defend the state's fisheries, including the Southeast Alaska troll fishery, and to do everything within their power to keep that fishery open.
Katmai National Park and Preserve seeks public input on the Brooks River Corridor permit system. Radio Kenai
Katmai National Park and Preserve is seeking public comment on the seasonal Brooks River Corridor permit system, first piloted in 2022. Public comments will be accepted from March 27 through April 28, 2023.
February jobs up 2.5% from February 2022. Labor Alaska Press Release
Alaska's ferry system expands hiring efforts after identifying problems with recruiting and retention. KRBD
The Alaska Marine Highway System doesn't have enough crew to man all of its ferries this summer. The system needs about 150 more workers- both on water and on land. More than 200 workers have applied for ferry jobs in the last year, but the state has only managed to hire a few.
Assembly campaigns align around a single issue: Anchorage voters are tired of drama. ADN
In the lead-up to Anchorage's April 4 election, Assembly candidates across the political spectrum, say voters in their districts are hungry for leaders who will move the city beyond the political toxicity of recent years.
Unprecedented closures threaten setnet way of life. Peninsula Clarion
Unprecedented preseason closure of the fishery by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game earlier this month: 11 emergency orders handed down by the department completely closed the east side setnet fishery this season, as well as the Kenai River and Cook Inlet to sport fishing for king salmon.
The legacy of Sen. Ted Stevens lives on at UAA. ADN
Catherine Stevens and the Ted Stevens Foundation have gifted the papers of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens to UAA. Our university is very excited to become the new home for this invaluable collection of Alaska history.
Politics
Alaska House advances budget bill to address food stamps backlog, public defender shortage. ADN
Alaska Legislature votes to oppose National Park Service hunting rule that forbids bear baiting. Alaska Beacon
Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, spoke in favor of the resolution on the Senate floor, saying the new rule "nullifies Alaska's wildlife management" and is "counter to the Alaska Statehood Act." The National Park Service rule does nothing to ban bear baiting. It does, however, prevent Alaska Natives from hunting on their ancestral lands if they don't also reside on those lands; in other words, if they live and work in Anchorage for example, they can't return to Ahtna Corporation lands to hunt because they are now called "urban hunters" by the NPS.
Economy News
Cut to the chase: What's going on with deposit insurance. Axios
Walk into any bank branch in America, and you will likely see a sign that says, in big letters, "FDIC"-- that would be the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation- and "each depositor insured to at least $250,000."
Federal Reserve raises key interest rate by quarter-point despite bank turmoil. ADN
The Federal Reserve extended its year-long fight against high inflation Wednesday by raising its key interest rate by a quarter-point despite concerns that higher borrowing rates could worsen the turmoil that has gripped the banking system.
One Big thing: Powell says deposits are "safe". Axios
Depositors should feel secure keeping cash at banks after the government backstopped all deposits- even those exceeding limits on FDIC insurance- at two banks that recently collapsed, Fed chair Jerome Powell said.
Ripple effects and Silicon Valley Bank's collapse. Axios
The U.S. banking system appears to be stabilized for now after Silicon Valley Bank's failure, but Wall Street and the Federal Reserve increasingly expect fallout from that collapse to linger as regional and community banks ease up on lending activity.
How "too big to fail" became a symbol of safety. Axios
Once upon a time, "too big to fail" was shorthand to villainize big banks- these days, it's a way to say, "your money is safe".
Opinion: A solution to Alaska's PFD and budget struggle- less is more. ADN
We've been playing out the "Permanent Fund dividend v. adequate funding" battle for many, many years, and we have seen the consequences.
Alaska House Republican introduces 2% sales tax bill as part of fiscal plan. ADN
The conservative Tax Foundation estimated in 2020 that a 2% state sales tax could collect roughly $741 million per year.
Alaska banks on solid ground as concerns about banking crisis spread, regulators and execs say. ADN
Alaska's banks are on solid footing and lack the problems that have caused other banks to fail in recent weeks, industry observers say.
2023 Spring revenue forecast final press conference. Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy
Looming $600M deficit casts shadow over PFD, state budget calculations for legislators. Alaska's News Source
"It appears that we're going to be somewhere between five and six hundred million underwater."
Alaska legislators prepare to talk taxes after grim new oil revenue forecast. Alaska Beacon
The Alaska legislature is preparing to examine two new tax proposals after a state revenue forecast showed significant long-term budget deficits even with a sharply reduced Permanent Fund dividend.
Healthcare News
Alaska's occupational licensing division staggers under its workload. Alaska Beacon
After waiting six months for a license to operate, and Anchorage psychologist asked Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel for help.
Energy News
ANS off $8.58 for the week as bank runs panic U.S. and E.U. financial markets. Petroleum News
Alaska North Slope crude plunged $3.55 March 15 to close at $71.70, while West Texas Intermediate plummeted $3.72 to close at $67.61 and Brent plummeted $3.76 to close at $73.69.
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