Some legislators have raised the option of closing the state’s budget deficit by spending Permanent Fund earnings.
Andrew Kitchenman
State Government Reporter, Alaska Public Media & KTOO
State government plays an outsized role in the life of Alaskans. As the state continues to go through the painful process of deciding what its priorities are, I bring Alaskans to the scene of a government in transition.
House passes oil and gas tax bill after rewrite on the floor
The House passed the amendment that rewrote the bill with the minimum votes required, 21-16.
Walker wants approval over incentives for oil and gas projects
Walker also pushed back against a different legislative proposal to draw money from Permanent Fund earnings to cover the state’s $4 billion deficit.
Senate sends crime bill to Gov. Walker’s desk
Senate Bill 91 would allow some low-risk nonviolent offenders to avoid jail time.
Legislators turn down $7M request for rural school
State budget director Pat Pitney warned that shorting the Kivalina school project could reopen lawsuits about inequalities in rural school funding.
Floor debate set to begin on oil and gas tax bill
The House Rules Committee released its version of House Bill 247, which scales back tax credits for oil and gas industry, on Thursday.