Lawmakers weigh Alaska gov’s gas pipeline plan

CNNMoney: Alaska Legislature to begin special legislative session on governor’s gas pipeline proposal

The clock starts ticking for Gov. Sarah Palin on Tuesday. She’ll have 60 days to convince the Legislature that TransCanada Corp. deserves a license to build a pipeline that would ship North Slope natural gas to power homes and businesses in U.S. markets. Read more

Palin Will Not Allow Abortion Bills In Special Session

KIMO:

Two abortion bills that failed to pass during the regular legislative session will not be added to the agenda of a special session on a natural gas pipeline, said Governor Sarah Palin. Read more

Initiative to repeal hospital Certificate of Need rules stymied

Gov. Sarah Palin frightened Alaska hospitals when she proposed repealing Certificate of Need regulations that many say help them stay in business. Palin’s legislative allies, however, were unable to get floor votes in either the House or Senate this year. Read more

$3M earmarked in capital budget for local projects

Alaska Star:

State legislators wrapped up the legislative session amidst a flurry of amendments to the state capital budget, which includes nearly $3 million in funding for several local projects. After all the debate and discussion the Legislature passed a $2.7 billion budget, just minutes before adjourning the first 90-day legislative session in Alaska since 1973. Some $39.75 million in state money was set aside for local projects.

However, after Gov. Sarah Palin vetoed $231 million from last year’s capital budget, nothing is guaranteed.

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Legislature confirms Palin appointments

The Alaska Legislature met in joint session Saturday evening to confirm Gov. Sarah Palin’s appointments to boards and commissions in the past year.Juneau residents appointed or re-appointed included Max E. Mertz, Alaska State Board of Accountancy; Frank M. Homan, Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission; William S. Brown, Board of Fisheries; Thomas G. Nave, Board on Judicial Conduct; Dr. Jill Matheson, Board of Examiners in Optometry; Kathleen Frederick, Alaska Public Offices Commission; Michael J. Notar, Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board.

Length of terms runs from 2010 to 2013.

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