The Alaska Legislature is still at work trying to pass a budget bill to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit.

Alaska faces a government shutdown if a budget is not adopted by July 1, and the governor’s administration already sent 30-day layoff warnings to state employees.

Because the legislative session is extending into the month of June, an additional monthly expenditure report for registered legislative lobbyists will be due on July 31, 2017.

Gov. Bill Walker ordered Alaska legislators into a special session just minutes after the regular session adjourned.

Lawmakers have been unable to agree on how to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit. Majority House Democrats proposed a state income tax as well as cuts to oil and gas subsidies, while Republicans in the Senate Majority favored budget cuts and spending from the Permanent Fund’s investment earnings.

Alaska’s fiscal year begins July 1, giving lawmakers just over a month to make a deal.

The Alaska Legislature will remain in session despite its April 17 deadline, with lawmakers still working to pass a budget bill and other deficit reduction measures.

A voter initiative passed in 2006 limits the legislative session to 90 days, but legislators often continue after the deadline and follow the constitutional deadline of 121 days.

If more time is needed after the constitutional deadline, a special session would need to be convened.

House Bill 91 was introduced yesterday to require Alaska’s legislative lobbyists to pay a 2.5 percent tax on income earned from lobbying activities.

As introduced, the proceeds from the tax would be appropriated to the Alaska Public Offices Commission, which is the state agency tasked with regulating lobbyists. If passed, House Bill 91 would take effect January 1, 2018.

Last week, a federal judge upheld Alaska’s strict limits on several types of state-level campaign contributions, ruling that they don’t violate the free speech or equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution.

The suit was brought by three individuals and District 18 of the Alaska Republican Party against the Alaska Public Offices Commission. The lawsuit challenged state law that prohibits an individual from donating more than $500 annually to a candidate. The lawsuit also sought to overturn state law that sets limits on the amount a candidate can accept from nonresidents and the amount a political party may contribute to a candidate.

All of the challenged provisions of Alaska’s campaign finance laws were upheld as constitutional.

The head of the Alaska Public Offices Commission, Paul Dauphinais, has resigned. Dauphinais did not give a reason for the departure.

Heather Hebdon, campaign disclosure coordinator, will act as the interim executive director until a permanent replacement is selected.

On July 18, the Alaska Legislature adjourned its fifth special session.

The Legislature failed to pass any deficit reduction measures the special session was called to address.

Following the unsuccessful eight day session, it is expected that further work towards budget reforms will wait until after the November election.

Photo of the Alaska State Capitol by Jay Galvin on Wikimedia Commons.

Alaskan lawmakers have been busy strategizing how to continue campaign fundraising ahead of the July 11 special session.

State statute bans lawmakers from soliciting or accepting contributions in the capital city or any municipality where the Legislature is convened.

Despite calls by some lawmakers to hold the session in Anchorage due to a lodging shortage in Juneau, the formal legislative session will remain in Juneau allowing political fundraising to continue in Anchorage.

Photo of the chamber of the Alaska House of Representatives by L’Aquatique on Wikimedia Commons.

On June 19, the Alaska Legislature adjourned its fourth special session.

The Legislature failed to pass revenue measures the special session was called to address. Gov. Bill Walker immediately issued a proclamation calling another special session to convene on July 11.

The Alaska Legislature reached a bipartisan budget deal Tuesday, May 31.

The bill was approved nine days into the special session that was called when lawmakers could not produce a budget during the 121-day regular extended session.

It is unclear whether Gov. Bill Walker will sign the bill. Alaska faces a government shutdown if a budget is not adopted by July 1, and lawmakers were feeling the pressure to approve a budget before June 1 to stop the governor’s administration from sending 30-day layoff warnings to state employees.

On May 18, the Alaska Legislature hit the constitutional limit on session length of 121 days in session without reaching a budget deal. Gov. Bill Walker immediately called a special session scheduled to begin May 23.

In addition to the budget, the issue of oil and gas tax credits will also be addressed in the special session.

With scheduled renovations to begin May 1 at the Alaska Capitol, lawmakers are moving to a new location before continuing to work to fix the state’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit. Constitutionally, the legislature can remain in session for up to 121 days, despite a 90-day limit written into state law after voters passed a ballot initiative in 2008.

Senate President Kevin Meyer wants to remain in Juneau as long as the legislature remains in regular session. Last year, lawmakers moved to Anchorage following Gov. Bill Walker’s call for a special session.

On Wednesday, Walker announced he is prepared to call a special session in Juneau if the budget issue, including his plan for a broad-based tax, cannot be addressed before the 121-day deadline.

The Alaska Legislature remains in session despite its Sunday deadline, with lawmakers set to work on a budget deficit-reduction package. Other issues still outstanding include Gov. Walker’s legislation to reform Alaska’s oil tax credit subsidy program and the institution of a personal income tax.

A voter initiative passed in 2006 limits the legislative session to 90 days, but legislators often continue after the deadline and adhere, instead, to a constitutional deadline of 121 days.

Photo of the Alaska State Capitol by Jay Galvin on Wikimedia Commons.

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker is willing to call a special legislative session if lawmakers do not pass his tax or revenue proposals to address the growing budget deficit. The state Department of Revenue forecasts a dramatic drop in overall funding and predicts low oil prices will continue for several more years.

To help shrink the multi-billion dollar deficit, Walker proposed tax increases, including the reinstitution of a personal income tax. He also suggested restructuring the use of the Alaska Permanent Fund earnings to change how the annual dividends most Alaskans receive are calculated.

The regular legislative session is set to adjourn April 17.

Photo of Gov. Bill Walker by James Brooks on Wikimedia Commons.