Monthly Archives: March 2010

By Dave Donaldson

U-S Senator Mark Begich today gave a wide-ranging speech on issues that have been seen as divisive in the nation’s capitol.   Talking to a majority Republican joint session of the state House and Senate,  the Senator didn’t back off from discussing his role in the recently enacted Health Care plan,  the $13-Trillion national debt, and the effects of the Recovery Act – or stimulus money – that have helped to the state.

However,  the biggest response came when he talked about resource development – such as the state’s role in the nation’s energy needs.   Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

Legislators are still looking for money to pay for the scholarship program proposed by Governor Parnell last fall.  Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

House members last night defeated a bill re-asserting the state’s role in guarding against illegal immigrants by taking away their drivers’ licenses and state ID cards.

The divisive measure failed with only seventeen members voting for it.     Continue reading →

By Libby Casey

President Obama may have signed major health care legislation into law two days ago, but debate – and hostility –continues in the nation’s capital.  Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

Communities and residents around Cook Inlet are already making and practicing contingency plans for a possible shortage of natural gas reserves – beginning with sudden, prolonged cold weather beginning soon – and stifling utilities if the shortage continues.   Continue reading →

By Libby Casey

When President Obama signed the health care bill into law today, he reauthorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act – something that hadn’t been done in two decades.    Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

A bill setting up a new management structure to oversee the development of a plan to get gas from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska and the railbelt – and giving those managers a deadline to finish their work – has gotten through House committees and is ready for floor action tomorrow.    Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

House Speaker Mike Chenault  has made some changes to his bill that would accelerate an in-state gas line project – putting it in front of the House Finance Committee Monday afternoon.   Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

In its opening hearing on a bill setting up a university-level scholarship program the governor is sponsoring this year,  the House Finance Committee today spent much of its time focusing on the costs – and shortfalls – of providing the required four-year curriculum that will fall on local school districts.  Not the money that would go to students who earn the scholarship.   Continue reading →

By Libby Casey

In a historic vote last night, the U-S House of Representatives passed legislation that will overhaul the nation’s health care system.   Continue reading →