2006 Survival Guide to the Alaska Legislature

2004 Hitchhiker's Guide to the Alaska Legislature

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Legislators plan to address road, bridge spending at start of session

Two House Republicans don't plan to waste any time before diving into debate over the state's two controversial bridge projects.

House Transportation Committee co-chairmen Jim Elkins and Carl Gatto have scheduled a legislative hearing on the Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges on the second day of the 2006 legislative session, Jan. 10.

Their idea is to get more public testimony and explanation about the Anchorage and Ketchikan bridge projects - as well as the state's priority list for transportation spending - early in the session, legislative staffers said Friday.

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Constituent Fares are back! Alaska Airlines and the Alaska Committee have teamed up once again to offer discounted roundtrip airfares to the capital city. The fares are available to Alaska Airlines' mileage plan members within Alaska. If you aren't a mileage plan member, it's easy to join...call 1-800-654-5669 or online at alaskaair.com. Find out more at the Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau website.

Session Recaps

2002: Lawmakers finally call halt to special session
2002: Legislature finally adjourns
2002: Last-minute change in school bill killed it, lawmakers say
2002: Republicans ponder exit strategies
2001: Legislature passes cruise ship bill in special session
2001: Ship bill battle left unsettled
2000: Gov. Knowles downplays differences with legislators
1999: Session begins with urban/rural split
1998: Budget praised, panned
1997: State employees get raise, youth center planned
1996: Lawmakers pass more than 200 measures

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Reference Links

• The Alaska State Constitution

• Current Alaska Statutes - 2003

• State of Alaska

• Alaska Legislature

• Legislative Majority

• Legislative Minority

• U.S. Rep. Don Young

• U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens

• U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski

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Gas pipeline negotiations extended until January

Several points of contention have stalled a natural gas pipeline contract the governor expected to be completed last fall.

In a December speech, the governor said the negotiations over the construction contract would be resolved after the holidays but did not give a specific time frame.

"We are at what I call a defining moment," Murkowski said.

The CEOs of ConocoPhillips, BP and Exxon Mobil will meet in Juneau early this year to work on the contract at the governor's invitation. Murkowski said he has a commitment from the companies to resolve the negotiations expeditiously.

Plans to help cash-starved cities are headed to the Legislature

Dozens of Alaska towns fighting for their existence will watch closely as the state Legislature allocates its oil wealth in 2006.

A recent estimate shows the state could net a jaw-dropping $1.2 billion budget surplus because of a spike in oil prices.

Meanwhile, some cities are so bereft of funds that they can't even afford to officially dissolve their governments.

"(Cities) definitely need to see some sort of relief from the state," Hoonah Mayor Dennis Gray said.

Some legislators, such as Sens. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, and Albert Kookesh, D-Angoon, are eyeing the state's projected surplus as a way to help Alaska residents with their skyrocketing fuel bills this year.

Lawmakers set to argue proposed $90 million budget increase

Gov. Murkowski proposes spending an additional $90 million on Alaska public schools; NEA-Alaska says this is inadequate and will ask for $140 million

Administration seeks to overturn court decision on marijuana use

The Murkowski administration will "hit the ground running" next session on a bill proposed last year to overturn a court decision on marijuana use, Alaska Department of Law spokesman Mark Morones said.

Alaskans are allowed to possess up to 4 ounces of marijuana in their homes for personal use but the bill could lower that amount to zero if it passes.