Alan Austerman

A bill aimed at advancing an in-state natural gas pipeline project has passed the Alaska Legislature. The House on Saturday voted 34-4 to agree to Senate changes. Minority Leader Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, was among four lawmakers who voted no....

The state House spent nearly five hours deliberating over amendments before it passed a $9 billion operating budget Thursday afternoon, voting 29-8 to move the budget to the Senate Finance Committee. Eight amendments introduced by the House’s...

The election is Tuesday, but there are some Alaska legislative seats that are essentially clinched. Democratic Sen. Lyman Hoffman of Bethel faces no opposition after Thursday's deadline for write-in candidates. Republicans Mike Dunleavy of Wasilla and...

State office candidates rushed to file for this year’s primary elections Friday, producing several surprises before a 5 p.m. filing deadline. Fifty-nine of the state Legislature’s 60 seats -- all 40 House seats and 19 of 20 Senate seats...

An attempt to increase school funding approved by the state Senate last week likely faces an uphill battle in the House. During a press conference Monday, House majority leader Alan Austerman (R-Kodiak) said the House majority will hold a meeting next...

School district officials from across the state are on a field trip to Juneau, trying to explain to lawmakers how extra help from the state would help avoid some painful cuts -- but some legislators think they've already done enough. Although most...

A budget battle may be brewing between lawmakers and Gov. Sean Parnell. Senate President Gary Stevens says he's a "little disconcerted" about where things stand. He says Parnell, a fellow Republican, left lawmakers "no room" to add projects. He also says...

The state Legislature adjourned for 2010 early Monday, after the House approved a $3.1 billion capital budget in the waning hours of the session. In what could be big news for Anchorage, the budget includes $76 million in general funds to build a new...