Entries in Capital Focus for July, 2008
Moving on
On another note, that’s it for me. After two and a half years at the News-Miner, I’m moving on to new things. Sorry to leave you hanging on the AGIA license -- others will fill in, I’m sure. Thanks for reading!
The delay, maybe, Part 2
If you're anxious for a vote on AGIA, take a deep breath and have a seat. A Senate vote probably won't happen till late next week.
House throws wrench
The House may have just thrown a wrench in the spokes of AGIA, but no one really knows.
AGIA comes to the House, again
If you thought the House was done with AGIA, you were wrong.
AGIA, AGPA, money, and more
House members are about to head onto the floor for a vote some are describing as the most important of their careers.
Cowdery steps down as committee chair
Sen. John Cowdery has resigned as chair of the Legislative Council.
AGIA comes to the House
The House Rules Committee took up AGIA this afternoon after a long weekend away. The big question -- and the one likely to be at the fore over the next week -- is whether or not lawmakers should amend the bill, and whether or not they can.
The delay, maybe
If you were in the Capitol today, you might have caught a little cat-and-mouse between lawmakers and the media.
Tensions over timelines
Frustration over what some are calling a “filibuster” on the TransCanada vote was the context Sunday for an accusation from Rep. Les Gara that Rep. Jay Ramras was part of the problem.
Legal issues
TransCanada might be a little optimistic with its timeline, but is probably ahead of anyone else on pipeline permitting issues, legal experts working for the Legislature and administration testified Sunday.
The real crisis
A few hours before today’s gas line hearings, Interior lawmakers gathered in the Capitol to take on another big issue -- the energy crisis that threatens to cripple the region’s economy.
The round table
Lawmakers today wrapped up a two-day, 10-person round table discussion on TransCanada’s gas line plan, covering -- among other things -- fiscal stability, a potentially relevant episode of Seinfeld, and why the discussion was like playing strip poker with the major producers.
Hickel not giving in
As lawmakers consider backing TransCanada’s gas line plan, former Gov. Wally Hickel is fiercely fighting for an “all-Alaska” line like the port authority's.
Exxon blows in, makes demands
Exxon Mobil might have sounded like a willing pipeline partner in recent months, publicly committing to ship its North Slope gas down a TransCanada or producer-owned pipeline.
Hardball with Denali
Denali’s Bud Fackrell was in Juneau today pitching his pipeline project, and lawmakers didn’t let him off easy. It took 45 minutes to get through the first slide of his PowerPoint.
Back in Juneau
State lawmakers are back in Juneau today after about a month on the road and a long July 4 weekend. The schedule for the next week is intense.