Gov. Walker wants to permanently resolve the budget shortfall this year with the Permanent Fund. Two lawmakers have offered their own bills for closing the budget gap with the fund.
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.
Retired state workers sue over dental, other optional benefits
The lawsuit seeks to reinstate benefits similar to those before 2014, when Moda Health began operating the dental plan.
Bill would provide immunity for giving heroin antidote
Thirty-three Alaskans died from heroin overdoses last year, a dramatic increase from just five years ago, when only four died.
Walker taps corrections critic to be new corrections chief
Last year, Dean Williams found many problems in the state Department of Corrections that contributed to the deaths of dozens in Alaska’s prisons and jails. Now he will be in position to do something about it.
New Medicaid reform committee strives for savings
As lawmakers look to trim the state’s budget shortfall, their attention is focused on one of the biggest areas of the budget.
Public Integrity Unit would aim to improve trust in government
The unit would focus on shootings and other cases in which law enforcement officers used force, as well as deaths in jails and prisons and allegations of corruption.