The Alaska Legislature will resume meeting Monday, after failing to complete its work by the Sunday’s statutory deadline.
Here are some highlights of the weekend’s actions:
- A conference committee negotiating budget differences increased Alaska Marine Highway funding, but kept significant cuts in place. Exact impacts are uncertain, but officials predict substantial reductions in service.
- The Alaska Legislature passed legislation to repeal the state’s film tax credit program. The program had already been on track to be idled as part of budget cuts.
- All of Gov. Bill Walker’s new cabinet-level department heads won confirmation. Attorney General Craig Richards, Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Myers, Revenue Commissioner Randall Hoffbeck and Commissioner of Military and Veterans Affairs Laurie Hummel faced opposition. But ultimately, all cabinet members were confirmed.
- State lawmakers confirmed two of Gov. Bill Walker’s three appointees to the Alaska Gasline Development Corp. board, splitting on two former legislators. The Legislature in joint session confirmed Rick Halford but rejected Joe Paskvan after debating their qualifications. Another appointee, Hugh Short, won confirmation without objection.
- Legislators also voted down one of the governor’s appointees to the state fisheries board. Robert Ruffner was rejected on a close vote. They also failed to confirm one of the governor’s nominees to the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission. Verne Rupright’s appointment was rejected 2-1.
- Lawmakers approved using $25 million in federal funds for the Juneau Access Project, linking the capital city to Haines and Skagway via a new road and ferries. It can only be used if Gov. Walker unfreezes the stalled project.
Sunday was significant because Alaskans narrowly voted in a 2006 ballot initiative to create a statute to limit the annual legislative session to 90 days. However, the state constitution permits up to 120 days and supersedes the statute.
Monday is day 91 of the 2015 legislative session.
