The “Cruise Ship Limits” petition in Juneau, restricting the number of daily cruise ship passengers and shortening the cruise season, did not collect enough signatures to appear on the fall 2025 municipal election ballot.
Karla Hart, the petition’s sponsor, needed at least 2,720 valid signatures from registered voters by the May 19 deadline, but the petition fell short.
Hart was able to get enough signatures for last year’s “Ship-Free Saturday” petition, but that measure ended up failing during the October municipal election, with 59% of voters disapproving it.
The petition that has now failed would have created a similar citizen-mandated ordinance that would limit cruise ship passengers disembarking in Juneau to 12,000 per day, except for ships with fewer than 200 passengers. It would shorten the cruise ship season to May 1 through Sept. 30, prohibiting ships from visiting for seven months out of the year. Now, ships typically arrive in mid-April and end their season in mid-October, but the “shoulder seasons” have minimal impact on the city due to lower numbers. There was no language in this petition to ban ships on Saturdays.
In Sitka, a special election is under way to determine if there should be limits on cruise ships. That election is in the early voting phase and ends on May 28. It seeks to limit cruise ships that have over 250 passengers, as well as restrict cruise ships from the port before May 1 and after Sept. 30. Ships would be limited to six days a week. The initiative would cap daily cruise ship passengers at 4,500 and annual passengers at 300,000 per cruise season. There are other provisions involving scheduling, permitting, reporting, and enforcement.
In a quick joint session on Tuesday, the Alaska Legislature has overridden a veto by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on House Bill 57, an education spending bill that fell short of the policy expectations of the governor.
The vote was 46 to 14, with several Republicans joining the Democrats to oppose the governor’s veto of giving $200+ million to the NEA with no strings attached.
Republican House Minority Leader Rep. Mia Costello voted to override Dunleavy, along with Anchorage Republicans David Nelson and Julie Coulombe, Ketchikan Republican Jeremy Bynum, Kenai Republicans Bill Elam and Justin Ruffridge, Fairbanks Republican Will Stapp, and Eagle River Republican Dan Saddler. The issue appears to have fractured the House Republican minority.
In the Senate, Republicans Rob Yundt, Jesse Bjorkman, Mike Cronk, and James Kaufman joined the Democrat-led majority to vote for the override.
Republican women’s clubs around the state had issued a warning that they would withdraw all support for those incumbent Republicans who voted to override the governor.
The joint session only needed 40 votes. Getting above 45 was a message to the governor that certain Republicans will oppose him on other vetoes as well, if he line-items specific spending to make up for the Legislature’s decision on HB 57.
Four prominent Republican women’s organizations in Alaska have announced they are withdrawing support from legislators who vote to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 57, a bill related to education funding.
The announcement was made in a joint statement by the Anchorage Republican Women’s Club, the Valley Republican Women of Alaska, Republican Women of Kenai, and the Kenai Peninsula Republican Women. These groups have long been active in conservative grassroots efforts across the state, playing key roles in mobilizing voters and supporting Republican candidates.
In the statement, the organizations accuse lawmakers who support overriding the veto of aligning with union-backed politics and preserving a broken education status quo.
They assert that overriding the veto would be a “failure of both principle and leadership,” and the women vow to withdraw all forms of political support — including endorsements, fundraising, volunteering, and campaigning — from any legislator who votes to override.
“Today, the women’s conservative leadership across Alaska is making one thing clear to members of the Alaska Legislature: If you vote to override Governor Dunleavy’s veto of HB57 it is a failure of both principle and leadership. And we will not stand behind it, or behind you,” the statement says.
“The women’s conservative clubs and grassroots leaders who have fueled Republican victories in this state, who’ve knocked the doors, made the calls, and rallied the support, you have officially lost us. “We are the moms, grandmothers, and community leaders who have powered Republican victories for years. We’ve knocked on doors, made phone calls, raised money, and rallied voters. But today, we say: Enough.
“What the Governor is fighting for does matter to your family: • Stronger early interventions, so every child has the foundation to succeed in school. • Expanded school choice, to bring transparency, accountability, and open enrollment options to every parent. • Greater accountability for how education dollars are spent and the results they produce. “These are the kinds of changes that put your child’s future first,” the statement continues.
“Let us be perfectly clear: “We will not endorse. “We will not volunteer. “We will not fundraise. “We will not campaign. Not for any legislator who sides with union-backed politics and the broken education status quo over real solutions for our kids.”
Gov. Dunleavy vetoed HB 57 on Monday, citing concerns that the bill increased public education funding without tying the funding to structural reforms that would improve learning in Alaska’s failing schools.
The governor has pushed for changes such as stronger early interventions, expanded school choice, and greater accountability in how education dollars are spent — proposals supported by many Alaskans, but not reflected strongly enough in HB 57.
The Republican women’s clubs echo the governor’s priorities, arguing that reforms must accompany any funding increases to ensure educational outcomes improve for Alaska’s students.
“Bottom line: The Governor is demanding more than just funding — he’s demanding a system that works. If your legislator chooses more money with no change, they are choosing failure. And we will not stand beside failure. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN,” the statement says.
HB 57 had passed in the Legislature, but overriding a gubernatorial veto requires a two-thirds majority vote. With several conservative organizations publicly opposing the override, political pressure on undecided lawmakers has increased sharply.
The fallout from this rift could have implications for the 2026 election cycle, particularly in Republican primaries where conservative grassroots support is often decisive. Legislators who support the override may now face backlash from within their own party at the district and state level.
A new report by personal finance website WalletHub ranks Alaska as the sixth-best state in the nation for military retirees, while neighboring Washington and Oregon placed at the very bottom, ranking 50th and 51st respectively, in WalletHub’s 2025 list of “Best & Worst States for Military Retirees.”
Alaska has not been in the top 10 for this annual ranking since 2022, when it was fifth in the nation.
The annual study compares all 50 states and the District of Columbia using 28 metrics across three major categories: economic environment, quality of life, and health care. Alaska’s strong showing reflects a supportive economic climate for veterans and a high quality of life, despite a lower ranking in health care (28th).
South Carolina topped the list overall, with strong scores in both economic environment and quality of life. Maryland and New Hampshire followed, each offering veterans distinct advantages such as access to health care facilities, retirement-friendly tax policies, and veteran employment opportunities.
In contrast, Washington and Oregon performed poorly across multiple categories, pushing them to the bottom of the list. While specifics of their low scores were not detailed in the report summary, subcategories included factors such as housing affordability, state tax treatment of military pensions, availability of VA services, and veteran job markets.
As thousands of service members transition into retirement each year, the decision of where to live can significantly impact their quality of life. Retirees often face unique challenges, including adjusting to civilian life, coping with mental and physical health conditions like PTSD and disability, and managing financial constraints during a time of rising living costs.
WalletHub’s report underscores the importance of state-level policies and support systems in shaping outcomes for retired military personnel. According to the study, the states that performed best tend to have robust support infrastructures, accessible health care, and favorable tax climates for veterans.
Here are the top 10 best states for military retirees, according to WalletHub:
South Carolina
Maryland
New Hampshire
North Dakota
Virginia
Alaska
Florida
Massachusetts
Wyoming
South Dakota
This compares to 2024’s rankings, in which Alaska was not in the top 10:
According to WalletHub’s 2024 rankings, the top 10 states for military retirees are:
South Carolina
Florida
Virginia
Maryland
North Dakota
Connecticut
Minnesota
South Dakota
Wyoming
New Hampshire
According to WalletHub’s 2023 rankings, the top 10 states for military retirees were:
Florida
South Carolina
Virginia
Minnesota
Connecticut
Maryland
North Dakota
New Hampshire
South Dakota
Wyoming
WalletHub’s full methodology included factors such as the number of VA health facilities per veteran, job opportunities for veterans, and the percentage of homeless veterans in each state.
As military retirees weigh their options, the report offers a comprehensive snapshot of where they are most likely to thrive, and where they may face additional hurdles.
A bipartisan resolution that passed the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously is now facing an unexpected roadblock in the state Senate. House Joint Resolution 14, which supports the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail Extension, has stalled in the Senate Rules Committee under the direction of Chairman Bill Wielechowski.
The resolution garnered support from every Democrat and Republican in the House, reflecting a rare moment of complete bipartisan consensus. It has strong support in the Senate — enough to pass the Democrat-controlled body.
The resolution emphasizes the strategic importance of improving Alaska’s transportation infrastructure, particularly for enhancing national defense capabilities at Fort Greely and boosting economic activity in the Delta Junction region.
The Port Mackenzie Rail Extension would add 32 miles of additional rail line from Port MacKenzie to the Alaska Railroad’s main line south of Houston. Following the Environmental Policy Act review, the Surface Transportation Board authorized ARRC to build the new rail line in December 2011. Construction on the first of six construction segments began in 2012, but Alaska cannot seem to complete a project because of political struggles.
The approved-but-not-built rail line is an extension of the ARRC system, which already connects ports in Seward, Whittier, and Anchorage with Interior Alaska, including Denali National Park, Fairbanks, and North Pole. The Matanuska Susitna Borough is the operator of Port MacKenzie, project sponsor, and co-manager of the project. Wielechowski is apparently being protectionist for the Port of Alaska at Anchorage, seeing the Mat-Su port as competition and thus killing progress in the state.
HJR 14 outlines several key priorities: Completing the long-stalled rail projects at Port MacKenzie and north to Delta Junction, enhancing military logistics, supporting Alaska’s agriculture and mining industries, and reducing energy costs while setting up the railroad for future critical expansions to the Lower 48, which is a priority of Congressman Nick Begich, who as vice chair of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, is positioned to advance this goal. Begich has specifically highlighted the potential of rail infrastructure to unlock production in energy, minerals, and timber, which he sees as key to lowering costs and fostering long-term growth in Alaska.
The House resolution also stresses the urgency of Arctic infrastructure development, citing growing international interest in the region and logistical challenges. It encourages Alaska’s congressional delegation to advocate for these initiatives in Washington, D.C., as a matter of both economic resilience and national security.
Despite this broad-based support, the resolution has not advanced in the Senate due to inaction by the Rules Committee, which controls the flow of legislation to the Senate floor. Chairman Wielechowski has not publicly explained the decision to withhold the measure.
Completing these rail projects would provide essential redundancy for supply chains, lower transportation costs, and position Alaska more competitively in the evolving Arctic landscape. They also note that the Northern Rail Extension, which includes rebuilding the bridge across the Tanana River, is crucial for long-term military logistics and operations at Fort Greely, a key missile defense installation.
The resolution itself is not merely symbolic, but is a key aspect to being able to obtain the federal grants needed to support the project, such as the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Gram from the national Railroad Administration. Such grants typically require legislative support.
Wielechowski, a Democrat, refuses to give the Republicans in the House any win, especially after his bill to create more election fraud was killed over the weekend.
With the legislative session winding down Tuesday, the resolution supporting critical infrastructure now appears dead.
The Alaska House and Senate will meet on Tuesday at 9 am to hold a vote that could override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 57, the education spending bill.
Some Republican lawmakers have said on social media that they will vote to override Dunleavy, and presumably most of the Democrats will. They will need 40 votes of the 60 to effect an override and add $180 million in spending to the budget, which will then be an annual addition.
Republicans across the state have supported the governor, but Sen. Rob Yundt of Wasilla has taken a contrary view and said he will override Dunleavy.
Earlier this year, Dunleavy vetoed House Bill 69, which aimed to increase the Base Student Allocation for schools. The Democrat-controlled Legislature then failed to override the veto, with a vote of 33-27.
HB 57 became the vehicle for the funding in HB 69, only now it’s a $700 permanent increase to the Base Student Allocation.
Making the argument that it’s impossible to find people to work for the State of Alaska, House Democrats (and their allies) passed a bill on Monday that gives special privileges to State workers and public school teachers — privileges that other Alaskans will not get.
House Bill 28 would offer up to $24,000 in student loan forgiveness to former Alaskan students who return to the state to work in government jobs. It passed the Alaska House in spite of arguments made about fairness to other Alaskans — police officers, health care workers, veterans, or people in the trades.
HB 28, sponsored by Rep. Andi Story of Juneau, establishes a three-year pilot program to reimburse student loan payments for individuals who work as teachers or state employees. The program would grant up to $8,000 per year in student loan repayment for qualifying Alaskans who left the state for education or were out of state for at least a year after earning their degree.
The pilot program would be funded through the Higher Education Investment Fund — a state resource originally intended to support broad access to higher education, not a specific segment of workers.
Higher Education Investment Fund already supports the Alaska Performance Scholarship, a merit- and need-based aid program for Alaska students pursuing postsecondary education in-state. Redirecting money from the HEIF to support a narrowly tailored forgiveness program has raised concerns about eroding existing, more inclusive programs like the APS, and sucking dry the fund.
Rep. Story argued that one of the areas that the State needs help in filling jobs is for workers who help with social service entitlement benefits for Alaskans.
“That is really, really important,” she argued, adding that it will help Alaska get more out of school performance because it will create better teachers, as they won’t leave the state so soon.
Over the weekend the legislature’s budget Conference Committee set the Higher Education Investment Fund as a backstop for the budget, should other procedural votes fail.
While the bill’s intent is to combat Alaska’s persistent out-migration, especially among young, educated residents, opponents on the conservative side of the house, such as Rep. Dan Saddler and Rep. Kevin McCabe, argued it unfairly prioritizes government employment over private-sector jobs and ignores those who do not attend college at all.
Alaska’s private sector is also experiencing significant out-migration and labor shortages, but no equivalent loan forgiveness or incentive program exists for that portion of the workforce. Opponents of HB 28 see the Legislature is favoring the growth and retention of government employment over building a balanced economy.
Rep. Story represents Juneau and northern Southeast Alaska, a region with one of the highest concentrations of State employees in Alaska, which means she is bringing home the bacon for her constituents.
The pilot program does little for the broader population of residents struggling with economic and educational barriers, particularly those who enter the workforce straight out of high school or attend vocational training without amassing significant debt.
Editor’s note: Updated to reflect Judge Morgan Christen was not on the panel that made the appeals court decision.
The Supreme Court on Monday granted a win to the Trump Administration, allowing the termination of Temporary Protected Status for more than 300,000 Venezuelan nationals living in the United States, which means they can now be deported. The court ended the lower court ruling that blocked the Trump Administration from deporting the Venezuelans, some of whom are criminal gang members.
In an unsigned order, the justices lifted an injunction issued by Senior US District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco, who had last week halted the Department of Homeland Security from ending the TPS designation for Venezuela. The high court’s decision allows DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to move forward with the termination of TPS benefits for Venezuelans, even while lawsuits over the decision continue.
The TPS program was created by Congress in 1990; it allows the executive branch to grant temporary refuge and work authorization to nationals of countries facing extraordinary conditions such as armed conflict or natural disasters.
Venezuela was granted TPS designation in 2021 under President Joe Biden and then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Then, millions of illegal foreign nationals were released into the country through other Biden programs, with more than one million granted TPS status, including people from countries that have strong ties to terrorism.
Earlier this year, Noem announced the end Venezuela’s TPS status, citing changed conditions in the country. The move triggered a legal challenge by affected individuals and advocacy groups, who sought an emergency order blocking the termination. Judge Chen granted that request, describing Noem’s actions as “unprecedented” and raising concerns that the decision may have been based in part on discriminatory stereotypes.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco declined to stay Chen’s injunction pending appeal, prompting the Trump administration to seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court.
Judge Morgan Christen of Alaska, who was part of this Ninth Circuit panel, was not part of the unanimous appeals court decision to deny Noem’s stay request, a decision that has now been overturned.
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the high court’s decision.
While the Supreme Court’s order allows the termination of TPS for Venezuelans to proceed for now, it leaves open the door for individual challenges to outright removal or loss of work authorization.
The controversial education funding package House Bill 57 got the veto pen treatment on Monday, the last day the governor had to axe the $183 million annual expenditure.
The bill would have increased the Base Student Allocation funding by $700 per student and had other provisions. But the funding was the main aspect of the bill that was transmitted to Gov. Mike Dunleavy on May 1.
“Today I vetoed the education funding bill HB 57 because it lacked sufficient education policy reform necessary to improve student outcomes,” Dunleavy said in a video that he released in the early afternoon.
The Legislature is likely to go into an hastily-called joint session to attempt to override the bill before the May 21 constitutional deadline for adjournment.
Today I vetoed the education funding bill HB 57 because it lacked sufficient education policy reform necessary to improve student outcomes. #aklegpic.twitter.com/6VMPLYbcak
— Governor Mike Dunleavy (@GovDunleavy) May 19, 2025
Earlier this session, Dunleavy vetoed another education package, House Bill 69, for similar reasons, and the House and Senate failed to override his veto.
The liberal members running the Legislature then took parts of HB 69 and shoved it into a different education bill, HB 57, to try to permanently boost education spending.
