Alaska
The Sunday Minefield – May 19, 2024
The second session of the 33rd Alaska Legislature adjourned sine die on Wednesday night. Well at least the Senate did. The House was another story. They did not adjourn until early Thursday morning, which was a clear violation of the Alaska Constitution. With the budget passing, a last minute deal for a temporary fix to the correspondence program, and two energy bills passing, there was no need for an immediate special session. With more than 71,000 ballots counted, Suzanne LaFrance is beating Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson by more than seven points. And the June 1 deadline to file to fun for the Legislature is less than two weeks away.
A friendly message and reminder to all our readers. The Landmine is made possible by myself and a team of awesome Alaskans. I just got back from Juneau for my sixth session in a row reporting on the Legislature. And we will again be providing in-depth coverage for both the primary and general elections. If you enjoy the content we provide, please consider making a one time or recurring monthly donation. You can click here to donate. We have a donation system that makes it super easy. We would really appreciate it. And thanks to everyone who has been supportive!
Legislature passes operating budget, energy bills, and correspondence fix before adjourning sine die
The following is an excerpt from this week’s edition of the Alaska Political Report. You can click here for more information about the Political Report. A subscription is $1,299/year per organization. Discounted pricing is available for non-profits and government entities. Our coverage of the budget starts with the governor’s proposed budget, and we track everything in detail through the entire process. If you have any questions or would like to subscribe, please email jeff@akpoliticalreport.com.
On the final day of the legislative session, the House and Senate each adopted the conference committee report for the operating budget (see our special edition from Tuesday that details the changes made by the conference committee).
The Senate voted 17-3 to pass the budget just before 11 pm. The House voted 22-18 to pass the budget mere minutes before the midnight constitutional session limit. Because the budget did not require a savings draw from the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR), a three-fourths vote was not required for the budget to pass.
The House concurred with the Senate’s changes to House Bill 50. HB 50 was originally a bill about carbon storage from GOP Gov. Mike Dunleavy, but was amended by the Legislature to include another bill from Dunleavy about geothermal resources, as well as several Cook Inlet provisions dealing with natural gas storage regulation, the releasing of seismic and geophysical data, and reserve-based lending – which Bluecrest says is important for further development of their Cosmopolitan field.
The House also concurred with the Senate’s changes to House Bill 307. HB 307 is a Dunleavy bill about utility transmission in the Railbelt, but ended up becoming a broader energy bill. Wasilla Republican Rep. Jesse Sumner had inserted language that said utilities could not pass on the costs of an LNG import facility to ratepayers, but the Senate removed that provision. The bill also exempts new power generation from state and local taxes.
In a clever move, House leadership worked with the Senate to insert the provisions of House Bill 400 – a House Education Committee bill to address the legal issues with the correspondence program – into House Bill 202. HB 202 is a bill from Palmer Republican Rep. DeLena Johnson dealing with opioid overdoses. Because the correspondence language was added to a House bill that was in the Senate, the House was forced to take a concurrence vote. If they had failed to concur, there would not have been enough time for a conference committee to work out the differences. The House voted 40-0 to concur with the Senate’s amendments.
Others in the House had wanted to put the correspondence language in a Senate bill before sending it back, but that would have resulted in a myriad of education amendments on the House floor, like raising the Base Student Allocation (BSA). There was not enough time for that. By passing the correspondence language, the Legislature is likely to avoid a special session later this year to address the issue. The correspondence language is only good until July 1, 2025, meaning the next Legislature will have to deal with this. But this buys them time in an election year and allows them to see what the final Supreme Court ruling is.
The one other reason for a possible special session later this year is Cook Inlet royalty relief. The House majority and Gov. Dunleavy both want to lower the royalty rate for Cook Inlet gas to incentivize more production. The House sent House Bill 223 – a royalty relief bill from Sutton Republican Rep. George Rauscher – to the Senate on Tuesday, but it failed to get a hearing.
Royalty relief is something Furie, owned by John Hendrix, has been aggressively pursuing. Furie holds leases in the Kitchen Lights Unit, where there is believed to be significant natural gas reserves. Furie says that current royalty rates are preventing them from developing more gas. But the Senate, namely Sitka Republican Sen. Bert Stedman, does not want to lower royalty rates without getting proper input from the Legislature’s consultant, GaffneyCline. This is something to possibly watch for in late summer or early fall.
Legislators and staff are already packing up and heading home. The June 1 filing deadline to run for the Legislature is just over two weeks away. We will be providing ongoing coverage and analysis throughout the August and November elections.
Other Happenings
One of the biggest frustrations this session was the sheer number of bills stuffed into other bills at the end of session. This isn’t uncommon but this year it was a lot more than normal. It makes it hard for even close observers to track what is happening and nearly impossible for the public. One example is Senate Bill 189. This was a bill to stop the sunset of several boards including the Marijuana Control Board and the Board of Game. But at the last minute the House loaded it up with a bill from Representative Julie Coulombe (R – Anchorage) dealing with childcare tax credits and a bill from Representative Mike Cronk (R – Tok) dealing with hunting guides. How all of that fits into the constitutional single subject rule is beyond me. The truth is it probably doesn’t. Check out the new title for SB 189!
The latest election count shows Suzanne LaFrance well ahead of Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson. The election is scheduled to be certified on May 31. LaFrance will be sworn in as Anchorage’s next mayor on July 1. Anchorage mayoral terms are three years, with a limit of two consecutive terms.
The June 1 filing deadline to run for the Legislature is fast approaching. Stay tuned for a Landmine article detailing all of the races to watch. One thing is certain, there will be much less turnover this cycle than the last one. A big factor for the high turnover in 2022 was it was a redistricting year – something that happens every ten years. Two House incumbents aren’t seeking re-election, Representatives Jennie Armstrong (D – Anchorage) and Laddie Shaw (R – Anchorage). And Representative Ben Carpenter (R – Nikiski) is challenging Senator Jesse Bjorkman (R – Nikiski). There will be four or five other House races to watch that will determine who controls that chamber next year.
Representative David Eastman (R – Wasilla) filed a letter of intent for re-election two days ago. There was speculation he might run for the Senate seat, but he filed for his House seat. He faces Republican Jubilee Underwood. That will be a race to watch.
Republican Doyle Holmes filed a letter of intent today to challenge Representative Kevin McCabe (R – Big Lake) again. McCabe beat him by 10 points in 2022 after votes were retabulated using ranked choice voting.
I have to give a big shout out to my girl Katie McCall for her win in our 100 meter dash on Wednesday. During the debate of the transgender sports bill last weekend I joked with her that I could beat her in a 100 meter dash. It quickly became obvious that everyone thought I stood no chance! So we decided to race. It came together on the evening of the last day of session during the dinner break. The race took place behind the Capitol. I could not believe how many people came to watch! You can watch the race here. Someone sent me that hilarious video. Even though I lost the race I kind of feel like I won for three reasons: I did not get hurt, I did not fall, and I did not get smoked! Looking forward to our rematch next year!
This Week’s Loose Unit
On rare occasions we get a back-to-back Loose Unit. This is one of those occasions. This week’s Loose Unit is again the entire 40-member Alaska House of Representatives. It would take too much space to highlight just how loose the House got on the last day of session. So I am going to leave it to three things.
One, the House did not pass the operating budget until eight minutes before the constitutional deadline. And if that was not loose enough, the vote almost failed. When the vote total was 22-18, Representative Andy Josephson (D – Anchorage) switched his vote from yes to no. This promoted Representative Jesse Sumner (R – Wasilla) to also switch from yes to no, making the vote 20-20, one short. Sumner likely did this to get Representative McCabe (fellow Valley rep and majority member) to switch from no to yes, which he did. Then, Sumner went back to yes. The whole thing was super loose. You can even hear the chief clerk say, “This is not a game.” You can watch the crazy vote here. Representative Carpenter was the only majority member to vote no.
Two, the House passed five bills after the constitutional deadline of midnight. You can read this Landmine article that details just how loose that was.
Three, after all of that the House failed multiple times to get the 21 votes needed to adjourn sine die. Honestly House Speaker Cathy Tilton (R – Wasilla) should have just gaveled out and said they were well past the clear constitutional deadline. But she chose to wait to get to 21. It was further complicated by someone placing a call on the house, which prevented any member from leaving the chamber without an escort. All of it was over trying to get the elections bill out of the limbo file. Some majority members wanted to vote on it but many, including the original sponsor, hated the changes the Senate made. This is what caused the deadlock. In addition to being super loose, the whole thing was also really embarrassing.
If you have a nomination for this week’s Loose Unit, or if you have any political news, stories or gossip (or any old pics of politicians or public officials) please email me at jeff@alaskalandmine.com.
WHEREAS, on June 3, 1942, six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, World War II arrived in Alaska when Dutch Harbor on Amaknak Island was bombed by Japanese – the first aerial attack by an enemy on the continental United States; and
WHEREAS, the Japanese pilots expected little resistance; but because of an intercepted message three weeks earlier, the installation was on high alert, and Navy and Marine personnel were prepared with anti-aircraft defenses; and
WHEREAS, encountering unexpected resistance at Dutch Harbor, installation, Japanese forces shifted their focus to the Margaret Bay Naval Barracks, where the attack claimed the lives of 25 servicemen; and
WHEREAS, following the initial attack on Dutch Harbor, Japanese forces launched additional assaults on Dutch Harbor, Adak, Kiska, and Attu, resulting in the Aleut people being evacuated and held in internment camps in Southeast Alaska for three years, through which many did not survive; and
WHEREAS, the brave soldiers of the United States Armed Forces and allied Canadian Forces fought valiantly for more than a year to reclaim the remaining Aleutian Islands. The battle of Attu stands as one of the most costly American assaults in the Pacific, with hundreds of servicemen making the ultimate sacrifice to liberate Alaska; and
WHEREAS, on the 84th anniversary of the bombing of Dutch Harbor, we remember and honor all who were affected by the attack, paying tribute both to the military personnel who served and died to defend our Nation and to the Aleut people who died while imprisoned.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim June 3, 2026, as:
Dutch Harbor Remembrance Day
in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to join with the people of Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, and the Aleutian Islands to honor all who were lost in Alaska during World War II, and I order the Alaska State Flag to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of those who perished.
Dated: June 3, 2026
A plane belonging to the Alaska National Guard appears to have been damaged during operations connected to Operation Epic Fury as part of American military efforts against Iran, according to online reports. Defense officials have so far declined to confirm whether Alaska National Guard personnel or equipment are taking part in the campaign.
Last week, defense industry news outlet The War Zone published photos of a KC-135 Stratotanker transiting through a British airbase. In the pictures, made by photographer Andrew McKelvey, the rear bottom of the fuselage and wing stabilizers are “peppered with temporary shrapnel damage repairs‚“ according to The War Zone’s article. The plane also appears to be missing its refueling boom, the proboscis extending from under the tail to pump off fuel to other aircraft.
In the photographs, the Stratotanker’s tail number is visible, identifying the refueling plane as belonging to the Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing, based at Eielson Air Force Base outside of Fairbanks. The wing’s mission includes aerial refueling. That’s the tactic of large planes unloading vast quantities of fuel to aircraft, ranging from fighter jets to rescue helicopters, in midair.
Pictures from a different photographer published last week by another blog, The Aviationist, show the same plane. The tail includes the letters “AK” painted above a white polar bear.
In addition to the photographs, the reporting from The War Zone is based on publicly available flight data and social media posts scraped from a variety of sources.
According to information from Flight Radar 24, the Stratotanker left Eielson on March 5, just days after the U.S. and Israeli militaries began bombing Iranian targets on Feb. 28. Through March, according to public flight records, the plane was based at Ben Gurion Airport southeast of Tel Aviv, where, according to The War Zone, dozens of American refueling aircraft were staged as part of Operation Epic Fury.
There are no public flight records connected to the Stratotanker through April and most of May, until it appeared to fly through England on the way to the United States at the end of last month.
It is not clear how many Alaska Air National Guard planes, personnel or units are currently deployed in connection to the war effort against Iran.
A spokesperson for the Alaska National Guard referred all questions about Operation Epic Fury to the U.S. Central Command.
A spokesperson for CENTCOM, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, declined to answer questions on the record or provide any specific information about Alaska National Guard units deployed as part of ongoing military operations, citing the need to protect service members and operational security.
The Alaska National Guard has posted no informational releases or pictures connected to an overseas deployment during the last few months.
Much of Operation Epic Fury has been waged by military aircraft, and aerial refueling is critical to keeping planes supplied during long flights. A May 12 report from the Congressional Research Service composed of public damage reports to U.S. military aircraft noted that among the 42 records of damage or losses were seven KC-135 Stratotankers, though the findings were published before photos emerged of the Alaska-based plane. The report noted that the Defense Department “has not published a comprehensive assessment of combat losses” from Operation Epic Fury.
The tail number is associated with a Stratotanker manufactured in 1964, the year before Boeing ceased making them. All of the nearly 400 KC-135s currently in operation within the American military date back to that era of the Cold War.
The aircraft has the word “Tetlin” painted on the top of its tail. The name is an homage to the Interior Alaska village, one of several selected to honor longstanding bonds between military aviators and Alaska Native communities, according to photographs of a dedication ceremony posted by the Alaska National Guard last summer.
The 168th Wing currently has 12 Stratotankers attached to the unit. That number bumped up in April after a long campaign by Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan to allocate more tankers to the state’s portfolio given its vast geography and high number of advanced fighter jets.
- Alaska Airlines is opening its newest Lounge at Portland International Airport, featuring thoughtfully designed spaces with twice the square footage and seating of the current space
- The new Lounge reflects the airline’s appreciation for its loyal guests and comes as Alaska continues to expand its service in Portland, offering more flights and more options for guests
- The investment to modernize the Portland Lounge is part of Alaska’s growing portfolio to elevate its global guest experience and expand its Lounge footprint, including new spaces in Seattle, San Diego and Honolulu
PORTLAND, Ore., June 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alaska Airlines is set to welcome guests to its newest Lounge at Portland International Airport (PDX) when it officially opens on June 4, underscoring its continued investment in premium travel and one of the carrier’s key West Coast hubs.
After more than two years of construction, the approximately 14,000-square-foot Lounge will welcome guests with a warm, thoughtfully designed Pacific Northwest aesthetic, featuring an inviting fireplace and a striking wooden Mt. Hood mural by artist Ben Butler. At twice the size of the current Portland Lounge, it offers more than 230 seats, including Alaska’s Signature Loungers, along with high, open ceilings that bring in natural light and views of PDX’s new terminal. Guests can relax, enjoy fresh, regionally inspired food, sip barista-crafted beverages or cocktails from West Coast partners, or take advantage of ample power plugs and privacy booths for calls and meetings.
“Portland guests have chosen Alaska for years and played an important role in our growth in the Pacific Northwest,” said Shane Jones, senior vice president of fleet, products and guest experience. “This new Lounge is our way of thanking them and a reflection of our growing portfolio of premium guest experiences. We look forward to opening our doors this week and welcoming guests with the signature hospitality and thoughtful touches Alaska is known for.”
Alaska is the largest carrier serving Portland, operating more flights than any other airline, including more than 100 daily departures. Portland is a critical hub in Alaska and Hawaiian’s network with expanding service to over 60 destinations across North America and beyond. This summer, Alaska will launch year-round service to Everett/Paine Field and Pasco–Tri-Cities, along with seasonal service to Jackson Hole. Last month, new service began to Baltimore, Bellingham, Idaho Falls, Philadelphia and St. Louis. By this fall, Alaska will offer 50% more seats in Portland than just two years ago, reflecting strong demand for travel and the airline’s continued investment in the market.
“Our strong partnership with Alaska has helped to elevate the new PDX as a world-class destination that showcases the Pacific Northwest and makes everyone feel at home,” said Chris Czarnecki, PDX business and properties director. “We’re thrilled their new PDX Lounge is here for the long-haul, offering travelers a stunning spot to relax, recharge, and experience a taste of our region.”
The nearly $18 million investment in the Portland Lounge is part of Alaska’s growing Lounge footprint and broader commitment to enhancing the guest experience as it expands globally. Building on this investment, Alaska just announced its plans to open a landmark, more than 41,000-square-foot Lounge in 2027. The Lounge, which will be located in Seattle – home to the airline’s main hub – will be the largest in its network and among the largest airline lounges in the country. The airline is also designing its first Lounge in San Diego along with a new, expanded Lounge in Honolulu, both slated for early 2028.
Alaska Airlines Lounge members can access eight premium Lounges across the Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines network, including its largest Lounge in Seattle and additional locations at its hubs in Anchorage, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Alaska Lounge+ membership unlocks access to all Alaska Lounges, plus nearly 90 partner Lounges worldwide, including select oneworld and partner Lounges. To learn more or sign up to become an Alaska Lounge member, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Alaska Airlines opening at Portland International Airport?
A: Alaska Airlines is opening a newly redesigned Lounge at Portland International Airport (PDX) on June 4, 2026, offering a larger, more modern space with premium amenities, regional food and beverage options, and enhanced comfort for guests.
How big is the new Alaska Lounge in Portland?
A: The new Lounge is approximately 14,000 square feet—about twice the size of the previous Portland Lounge—and features more than 230 seats.
What amenities are available in the new Alaska Lounge at PDX?
A: Guests can enjoy:
- Barista-crafted coffee and specialty beverages
- West Coast-inspired cocktails
- Fresh, locally inspired food
- Signature Lounge seating and private booths
- Ample power outlets and workspaces
- Relaxation areas with premium finishes
Who can access Alaska Airlines Lounges?
A: Access is available to:
- Alaska Lounge members
- Alaska Lounge+ members
- Eligible First Class guests
- Eligible oneworld and partner airline passengers
What is the difference between Alaska Lounge and Lounge+ membership?
A: Alaska Lounge+ membership includes access to all Alaska Lounges plus nearly 90 partner Lounges worldwide, while standard Alaska Lounge membership provides access to all eight Alaska-operated Lounges.
Why is Portland important to Alaska Airlines?
A: Portland is one of Alaska Airlines’ key West Coast hubs, with more than 100 daily departures and nonstop service to over 60 destinations across North America. By this fall, Alaska will offer 50% more seats in Portland than just two years ago, reflecting strong demand for travel and the airline’s continued investment in the market.
How is Alaska Airlines expanding its Lounge network?
A: Alaska Airlines is investing in multiple new and expanded Lounges, including:
- A 41,000+ square feet landmark Lounge in Seattle opening in 2027
- A new Lounge in San Diego
- An expanded Lounge in Honolulu
How much did Alaska Airlines invest in the new Portland Lounge?
A: Alaska Airlines invested nearly $18 million in the new Portland Lounge as part of its broader investment in premium travel as the airline continues to grow globally.
About Alaska, Hawaiian and Horizon
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, and McGee Air Services is a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. We are a global airline with hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. We deliver remarkable care as we fly our guests to more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, the Pacific and Europe. Guests can book travel at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com. Alaska and Hawaiian are members of the oneworld alliance. Members of our Atmos Rewards loyalty program can earn and redeem points with oneworld airlines and our additional global partners that serve over 1,000 worldwide destinations. Learn more about what’s happening at Alaska and Hawaiian at news.alaskaair.com. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as “ALK.”
SOURCE Alaska Airlines
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