Politics

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, on Monday announced his final decisions regarding the current fiscal year’s budget in a 10 minute address to Alaskans. Below are some key items of interest from a press release from the governor’s office along with links to various materials, including a video of Dunleavy’s address. More in-depth coverage as well as reaction from opponents, legislators, …

The nominating period for soon-to-be available city and borough positions closed on Thursday. Here’s an overview of who’s in the running for the October 1 election.   The City of Kodiak sign at the Kodiak Island Borough Building. (Photo by Kavitha George/KMXT) City of Kodiak On the city side, the mayor’s seat, as well as two city council positions will …

The Inlandboatmen Union’s strike hit the one-week mark on Wednesday, and the effects of going without ferry service are rippling throughout coastal Alaska. For Alaskans living in remote villages, the impact is especially heavy, since ferries are often the only way to transport vehicles and other goods too big for a charter plane. The M/V Tustumena remains docked in Kodiak …

About a dozen members of the Inlandboatmen’s Union formed a picket line Thursday afternoon outside the ferry dock where the M/V Tustumena is still moored. They carried signs with messages like “IBU fair contract now,” and “IBU on strike for fair contract.” This marks one full day since the union declared a strike, effectively shutting down all state ferry service …

The largest union representing Alaska Marine Highway System workers voted to go on strike yesterday afternoon, effectively shutting down all state ferry service until further notice. Across the state, members of the Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific walked off their vessels yesterday, including in Kodiak, where the M/V Tustumena is still docked. The Tusty was scheduled to leave Wednesday evening …

  The Alaska House Finance Committee is meeting today and tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday, to take public comments on bill that sets the rate of this year’s Permanent Fund Dividend. The meeting will be live-remoted at the Kodiak Legislative Information Office beginning today at 2:00.  Residents can listen in or testify and let legislators know how they feel about the …

More than 50 Kodiak residents gathered outside the Legislative Information Office on Thursday evening to protest Governor Mike Dunleavy’s budget line item vetoes. Some carried signs that read “save our state,” “45 override,” or “fund our future.” Both City Mayor Pat Branson and Borough Mayor Dan Rohrer were present to explain how the budget cuts would affect Kodiak and field …

The Kodiak Chamber of Commerce took the unprecedented move of sending a letter to Alaska Legislators urging a vote to override Governor Mike Dunleavy’s sweeping line-item vetoes. The Chamber, which works to develop an economically strong and diverse business community, seldom takes a stand on political issues. The letter was mailed early yesterday afternoon according to Chamber Executive Director Sarah …

  Alaska’s legislators did not have the votes needed on Wednesday to overturn the governor’s line-item vetoes. The largest cut was to the University of Alaska, which could devastate the university system, and have trickle down effects on Kodiak College. Kodiak Senator Gary Stevens spoke passionately in defense of university funding during Wednesday’s joint session of the House and Senate …

  Deadline to override the governor’s vetoes is Friday, but first effort failed for lack of votes.   Story by Andrew Kitchenman at KTOO in Juneau who also reports for AlaskaPublic. Alaska lawmakers failed Wednesday to override some $400 million in budget vetoes by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, as fewer legislators were present in Juneau than the 45 votes needed to …