Senator Tobin welcomes Representative Andrew Gray from Anchorage back to the podcast to talk about the Veterans Justice Act and the challenges of chairing the House Judiciary Committee.
The Empty Office Podcast – Season 4, Episode 17 Read More »
Dear friends and neighbors, , especially those in Stuckagain Heights neighborhood. I’ve just been made aware of a proposal from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson that could significantly impact East Anchorage neighborhoods, particularly the Muldoon area and Stuckagain Heights neighborhood, as well as all recreational users of those East Anchorage areas.
Special Alert re: JBER Fence Read More »
With less than two weeks left of the regular session, the House and Senate are moving bills and budgets swiftly. It has been helpful to hear from many of you directly about bills of interest to you. Please feel free to continue reaching out with your comments, questions, and concerns. Below is a quick update
Senate Passes Budget Read More »
Juneau, AK – Today, the Alaska State Senate passed, by a vote of 17-3, a fiscally responsible operating budget. House Bill 263 is balanced on an average oil price of $73 per barrel, $2 below the Department of Revenue’s spring forecast. The budget plan leaves $46 million unspent for supplemental needs in the next legislative
Dear friends and neighbors, Senate Bill 64 – Voice of Alaskans in Elections The Senate and House members are very disappointed that this bill – bipartisan, over 10 years of work – went down to defeat. See section below with details.
Elections, Schools, Op Bud, Gas Pipeline, Mining Day, and lots more! Read More »
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Last week, Governor Dunleavy vetoed Senate Bill 64, a bipartisan elections bill that made our voting system in Alaska more accessible to all eligible voters and more secure against voting fraud. On Monday, the Legislature met in joint session and failed to override that veto.
Legislature Fails to Override Veto of Elections Bill Read More »
The Legislature has begun the official springtime in the Capitol with the onslaught of cruise ship visitors sailing up the Inside Passage. In fact, Alaska is going to receive a record number of passengers in 2026 because of an extended season that starts early and ends late and a high demand to visit this place of beauty. As I have said, Alaskans are lucky because we literally live in a postcard!
Should the Gas line Lower Energy Prices For Fairbanks Residents? Read More »
This week the State Senate is considering SB 200, a bill to expand the mandatory agricultural exemption on property taxes beyond goods for human and animal consumption. This bill would extend property tax subsidies to horse farms, peony farms, and commercial greenhouses producing things other than food, and is supported primarily by senators from Kenai and the Matsu Borough.
Should the Legislature raise property taxes in Anchorage to subsidize horse farms? Read More »
Veteran Alaska State Senator Bill Wielechowski returns to The Empty Office Podcast to discuss the high priority bill to reinstate a defined benefit pension plan for Alaska’s public employees.
The Empty Office Podcast – Season 4, Episode 16 Read More »
Dear Friends and Neighbors, This week, the Legislature passed House Bill 78 to establish a pension retirement plan for public employees. The Senate Judiciary Committee also passed a consolidated crime bill that includes legislative priorities to improve public safety. Yesterday, the Governor vetoed the elections bill.
House and Senate Approve Pension Retirement Plan Read More »
