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Funding was also included in the budget to keep the state’s gas line corporation open for another year.
Supporters say providing contraceptives for 12 months at a time would be particularly impactful for women in rural Alaska.
Around $500 million in state general funds was approved for spending on infrastructure and maintenance in a 39-1 House vote.
The provision to increase taxes on the operator of Prudhoe Bay was removed after a fierce lobbying campaign.
The bills before the Legislature are intended to facilitate the delivery of lower-cost power between Homer and Fairbanks, and integrate more renewable energy into the Railbelt’s electric grid.
Bob Griffin was removed from the state board of education and Mike Porcaro was removed from a paid position with a commercial fishery commission.
The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority did not identify specific projects or a timeline for spending
The House Finance Committee approved the most school maintenance funding since 2011.
The Texas-based company warned utilities that a tax hike “would likely mean significantly shifting our capital investment.” But supporters say it would provide much-needed state revenue.
The Legislature did not have an oil and gas consultant under contract until April, which could stall some energy bills.
A House committee will hear a bill that could reinstate a guaranteed pension for public employees for the first time in nearly 20 years.
A multipart elections overhaul is running into obstacles as the end of the legislative session approaches.
The governor previously said lawmakers should avoid passing legislation prior to an appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court.
The judge also said the state is unlikely to overturn the decision through the Alaska Supreme Court, writing in the order that the state “has not shown a likelihood of prevailing on the merits on appeal.”
The mostly balanced budget is similar to the House’s spending plan. The bigger fights between lawmakers are expected to be on policy differences.
A recent court ruling could be a potential “disaster” and “emergency” for more than 20,000 students, Gov. Dunleavy said.
The request comes as lawmakers raise concerns about the struggling $44 billion project, including the high salaries of the executives in charge.
The omnibus bill also closes a loophole for out-of-state sex offenders and involuntary commitments.
Bob Griffin told lawmakers he supported Gov. Dunleavy’s veto of an education funding bill earlier this year.
New bills have been introduced in the wake of a judge’s ruling that state statutes allowing public funds to be spent for private and religious schooling are unconstitutional.
The bill moves on to the Senate, but detractors said it could be subject to legal challenges even if it becomes law.
A budget draft approved by the Senate Finance Committee includes cash payments of around $1,600 — including the Permanent Fund dividend and an energy relief payment — per eligible Alaskan.
A vote on the proposal could take place as soon as Friday, and if it succeeds, the idea would go to the state Senate.