[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359043,"mediaKeyId","2208640-8d3ce171faa3ceb992c52bb11c5ee804","parentId",2208640,"title","Competing pension proposals prefiled: Kiehl offers choice model, Giessel advances defined-benefit plan","audioSeconds",56,"startMs",980000,"endMs",1036000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2208640-8d3ce171faa3ceb992c52bb11c5ee804&start=980&end=1036","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2208640-8d3ce171faa3ceb992c52bb11c5ee804/thumbnail_980000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359043/Alaska/Competing-pension-proposals-prefiled-Kiehl-offers-choice-model-Giessel-advances-defined-benefit-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359043-787ac2900a215e27cf565855c6d5fd6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773598293&Signature=e0cH6ahTYSun3X9qClFRcLsa5-OgX2NWGNRn9Su-LwzKkOJ~yBaMGHiczI1A4xxR04mdEwVT7sxFQ-DJvrx-L57noxJ16kMF4qct4ZJxL4cvIULnbH1hCB340v0irM56UCuRnsuySJ8R1t~TPdC25H4mqz8~5cQtcI0mbywDVkmQUmMAcayV4PGktEigvRdkxV18y6rGDV24WfFnnzy-u0deyDZ0JKK6D5Aj-e7iikWucSOX9slOEecMJFzKA4ot2YV3fOXRA~XPpHWX~8-vIp8Is1FBax~7GHMGMLkWdGxUGAR4mIy3H5SzHPgNMIUv1GZ8xwKX8wAv7Alo5LdMnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska State Legislature","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Two differing pension proposals were among prefiled bills discussed before Gov. Dunleavy’s speech: one from Sen. Jesse Kiehl and another from Sen. Kathy Giessel.

Sen. Jesse Kiehl of Juneau filed a proposal that would allow public employees to choose between a defined-contribution (401(k)-style) plan and a defined-benefit pension system. Kiehl’s approach was described on-air as a means to give workers choice in retirement structure.

Sen. Kathy Giessel, identified in coverage as an Anchorage Republican, filed a bill that closely resembles a defined-benefit pension revival that passed the Senate in a prior year but stalled in the House because of cost concerns. Commentators noted pension revival had support in parts of the Legislature but failed previously over affordability.

Why it matters: Changes to retirement plans for state employees affect long-term liabilities for the state and retirement security for public workers. Debate commonly turns on actuarial costs, contribution rates and the state’s willingness to assume pension liabilities versus shifting costs to individual workers.

The broadcast did not provide bill numbers or full fiscal notes. Reporters expected pension legislation to be a priority for the new bipartisan legislative majorities but cautioned that prior cost concerns could limit enactment this session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Governor's State of the State Address - January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Jesse Kiehl filed a bill to let state workers choose between a 401(k)-style plan and a pension; Sen. Kathy Giessel filed a bill resembling last session’s defined-benefit pension revival. Both proposals face cost and legislative hurdles.","taxTitle","State of the State Speeches, Gubernatorial, Alaska","taxId",7034,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359047,"Sen. Bert Stedman prefiles bill to create Alaska flood authority; seed funding and costs unclear",174,1088000,1262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2208640-8d3ce171faa3ceb992c52bb11c5ee804&start=1088&end=1262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2208640-8d3ce171faa3ceb992c52bb11c5ee804/thumbnail_1088000.jpg","/articles/6359047/Alaska/Sen-Bert-Stedman-prefiles-bill-to-create-Alaska-flood-authority-seed-funding-and-costs-unclear","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359047-3fa13f9368ca0c931759e5a9d13e5103/orig.mp4?Expires=1773598293&Signature=c01AsC~jtVF6YFxhktCzaE9adWRZi65YM7GX5VcUcKtBwp9uoSs7loAiFhG-nWQ0fopD6OeMgL~gJfhiZIWQlHU7OD77U6dBPYanGr~vjmr4ey68TZYibuSKksFfDXqY4~r-4451rtFPSNLNup4ItyGX~c-1u-aGFvsylJmQ8-RWD0i3-wFlGoSSh3wDNpDqnCJPS8GZ0qZFfg23I3uuQu4q6GNeF7OSp0Cqbsy6cyOgmEyfogTH~jQr0iwhlUowMojHTFgSgYEKZ-gWrMFJOMGtA2duUOHzk3CLuI7Oz5R2enkC9BVMKG98aWrove87FuFjpWlBd0YWKMChpWUApg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alaska state Sen. Bert Stedman prefiled legislation to create an Alaska Flood Authority and a state flood insurance fund tailored to the state’s flood risks, KTOO reported in pre-speech coverage.

The bill, described by Stedman in on-air reporting, would allow a state-managed authority to provide flood insurance calibrated to Alaska conditions. Stedman told reporters that federal flood insurance rates are “excessive” for many Alaskans and said a state option could offer more affordable coverage. The bill’s language explicitly includes mudflow as a form of flooding, which could broaden coverage to certain landslide events in Southeast Alaska.

KTOO reported that the bill at introduction had no fiscal note; Stedman estimated seed money could be several million dollars but the broadcast noted that the program’s long-term viability would likely require subsidies similar to those the National Flood Insurance Program receives. An insurance agent on the broadcast cautioned that the NFIP receives federal subsidies and that a state program would need a similar subsidy structure to match rates.

Why it matters: Alaska communities face increasing flood and landslide risks linked to changing climate patterns, glacier outburst floods and river breakup events. A state flood insurance authority could change how homeowners, lenders and local governments manage flood risk and recovery costs, but it would alter fiscal exposure for the state and may require ongoing subsidies.

The transcript and coverage did not record further procedural steps for the bill; lawmakers will determine whether to introduce, fund or amend the proposal in committee.","Sen. Bert Stedman filed a bill to form an Alaska Flood Authority to provide state-managed flood insurance; the proposal would add mudflow/landslide coverage but has no fiscal note and could require seed funding.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359052,"Dunleavy lauds federal executive orders, urges faster permitting to unlock North Slope investment",1929,733000,2662000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2208640-8d3ce171faa3ceb992c52bb11c5ee804&start=733&end=2662","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2208640-8d3ce171faa3ceb992c52bb11c5ee804/thumbnail_733000.jpg","/articles/6359052/Alaska/Dunleavy-lauds-federal-executive-orders-urges-faster-permitting-to-unlock-North-Slope-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359052-0392e7da83174766428f46828bf747ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1773598293&Signature=bSOi7cCqHHYgEpBOy253ySLRSN53ElLnEJrGOP8RfBPKgx~-8~3YWcDiVyytIHuBXZ-Eo6T5SJNdQOkwMMt3IHB-T37JQc2JWUIhxtlDu3ppgNkTzaBWq62zLMI7COttki5QeOezr1QUMKD-F3u~2ftDrsmViwfA~Jz8XWt8H6RbFmaD~sXgEWxXNif1msshI2UHLPavnMQJuh-cs4h4MW7eJZ73TxQ7gUvbSYktiEJDjHxGMHNVJmMYkJ-8DfzStcOiKusgnNSDYN-mkrhzn4da-KYaXmOmOHBpnjuaOvww6p-7Q8rg~~OxzDEyTkCybaWKmsOlPiB9J7RzCxBr8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","In his State of the State address Gov. Mike Dunleavy celebrated federal executive actions he said will “unleash Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential” and urged state and federal agencies to move quickly on permitting to attract private investment.

Dunleavy praised a series of executive orders reviewed earlier in the broadcast and said they open opportunities on federal lands such as ANWR and the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska. He named specific projects that he said would increase production: Pika (first oil from a Repsol/Santos phase), Nuna, and ConocoPhillips’ Willow project, which he said is anticipated to reach peak production and create thousands of jobs during development.

The governor argued Alaska must be “open for business” and streamline licensing and permitting to be competitive. He said the executive branch will keep reviewing rules and regulations for efficiencies and announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at accelerating licensing processes and unlocking state lands for local residents and businesses.

Why it matters: Large oil, gas and mining projects require complex federal and state permitting, environmental reviews and often face litigation. Moves to accelerate permitting and to revisit prior environmental decisions could prompt lawsuits and long lead times; they also have potential to reshape long-term state revenues and local economies.

Commentators in the broadcast cautioned that executive orders do not automatically remove statutory or regulatory limits and that environmental impact statements and litigation are likely to follow any major policy changes. Tim Bradner said the orders are advisory to agencies and that federal environmental impact processes and existing statutes would still govern many outcomes. He warned litigation is probable and will take time to resolve.

The governor described the Alaska LNG project as a potentially transformative development and listed other infrastructure projects—transmission upgrades, Bradley Lake expansion and submarine HVDC lines—that he said would create thousands of construction jobs and enhance energy reliability.

Speakers on the broadcast noted uncertainty about whether industry will invest quickly enough to realize the projected billions in benefits, and they emphasized the differing incentives for federal administrations and private companies when assessing long-term projects.","Gov. Mike Dunleavy praised recent federal executive orders and urged changes in state permitting to accelerate development of oil, gas and mineral projects including Willow, Pika, Nuna and Alaska LNG.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359056,"Analysis: Dunleavy’s budget proposes large PFD while commentators say deficit would drain savings",180,497000,677000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2208640-8d3ce171faa3ceb992c52bb11c5ee804&start=497&end=677","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2208640-8d3ce171faa3ceb992c52bb11c5ee804/thumbnail_497000.jpg","/articles/6359056/Alaska/Analysis-Dunleavys-budget-proposes-large-PFD-while-commentators-say-deficit-would-drain-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359056-5b838fa6493968d7efce426ca7bff782/orig.mp4?Expires=1773598293&Signature=ny9tmDfD6pOMRUlT49c--1JUC47yQgfQ6uoXAocPlgUfE3uyAkXQGmpGIN6PFx3mLeL3mgxp6X5FGp6eVfTgaosx8cVBsI~RDpGnoUIiQGRIpm9vhZxj6esjD8qadKVH83NypOknxkV73cWtyB2zSxPudE1e9dw~TdKILKZgDYNRG8RY6VTh2~GlB8sIWQC2xWsD8EeKJ3-2bkqczZ3ncZypvh9vCQe5G~VguixxSxaail9Adf-PhZWyCIK2M9IY05muW-Us2Whgb4xjI9o-plF8-3~yYfozATNQeocQukZ~60CNYk2wOt7noAA0vQc8QeF~DNIAuiKc7Y67JvA9JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s 2025 budget, previewed in his State of the State address, includes a high Permanent Fund dividend figure and other spending priorities; outside reporters warned the proposal would create a sizable deficit.

The governor’s speech reiterated support for a $38,100 Permanent Fund dividend included in his budget proposal and listed investments in education, public safety and energy. In pre-speech commentary on KTOO, Andrew Kitchenman of the Alaska Beacon and other reporters placed that dividend figure in fiscal context: they said the governor’s plan would produce a roughly $1,500,000,000 shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year and that paying such a PFD would draw heavily on state savings.

Andrew Kitchenman said the $1.5 billion deficit would use most of the Constitutional Budget Reserve, which he described as currently holding about $2,800,000,000. He also noted that while the Permanent Fund’s market value is much larger, only a portion of it—the earnings reserve—is generally spendable for dividends and budgets.

Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media state government reporter, said on-air: “I would not expect the $38,100 PFDs he put in his budget to become a reality.” Stone and other reporters highlighted that the Legislature will consider alternative PFD formulas and budget adjustments to avoid large draws from savings.

Why it matters: The size of a PFD has direct effects on Alaskans’ household finances and on the state’s fiscal sustainability. Any large dividend proposal will be a central bargaining item in the legislative budget process and could require reductions elsewhere or large withdrawals from savings accounts.

Key fiscal numbers cited in commentary and the governor’s remarks include a $1,500,000,000 deficit in the proposed budget, a Constitutional Budget Reserve balance of about $2,800,000,000, and a Permanent Fund market value described in the discussion as roughly $80,000,000,000 (with a smaller earnings reserve that is spendable). Reporters noted the POMV draw scheduled for 2025 at about $3,650,000,000 and that annual state revenues alone are on the order of $6,000,000,000, making a $1.5 billion deficit a substantial fraction of receipts.

The transcript and on-air analysis did not record legislative action on the budget; lawmakers will consider the governor’s proposal during the legislative session.","Governor Mike Dunleavy proposed a large Permanent Fund dividend in his 2025 budget; Alaska reporters said the proposal creates a roughly $1.5 billion deficit that would draw heavily on state savings balances.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359061,"Dunleavy uses State of the State to push resource development, education choice and public safety",2684,2132000,4816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2208640-8d3ce171faa3ceb992c52bb11c5ee804&start=2132&end=4816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2208640-8d3ce171faa3ceb992c52bb11c5ee804/thumbnail_2132000.jpg","/articles/6359061/Alaska/Dunleavy-uses-State-of-the-State-to-push-resource-development-education-choice-and-public-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359061-39a9942bbbd14951d7eb3855ac40e240/orig.mp4?Expires=1773598293&Signature=fja-IbXqqtkpHrMQqlnBbxTxw~tNZFfWJbu-SUdWI7oTiQtrkLv0Av-fqicssvmjVEmFVkCnF7BpsF7xqCGSAZtoOcj47HIEjE9wxG8lZK14mXmM7aBbSCp2xf1WZ40rM4AolBQniG81L~wcD6gmfpS2EIX7qT-PsKXK5JdCnMpd8z2CXdSTWx75FB1XxUZc4BhR4lkUikae7XLLMT1G4BcS6WQQ6XLQcNsvo8iy9Y8XDoVoCxzw1C2iVHPv-FJZ~0J4TolycU2tvz--YHPf9Mgb~wlMf1h2Qa0SUZALsgdhL~fceYx9E8c0DORXLwKvfpxX3z0CitQQigzPFpWTtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gov. Mike Dunleavy told a joint session of the Alaska Legislature that the state’s “state of the state is heading in the right direction,” framing his 2025 agenda around resource development, education choice and public safety.

Dunleavy, speaking in Juneau, said Alaska can grow jobs and population by unlocking oil, gas and mineral projects and by modernizing permitting and licensing. He praised a series of federal executive orders he said would open federal lands and regulatory paths for development and described ambitious energy projects including the Alaska LNG project, the Dixon Diversion expansion of Bradley Lake, and transmission upgrades for the Railbelt.

The governor said his proposed budget includes a Permanent Fund dividend figure and investments in education, public safety, energy, housing and child care. He repeated support for charter schools and other school choice measures, citing improved early literacy results since the Alaska Reads Act passed. He also credited state troopers and the MATSU Narcotics Enforcement Team for expanded drug seizures and announced requests for additional public safety positions.

Why it matters: Dunleavy’s speech knit together economic development plans with education and public safety priorities, seeking legislative buy-in for projects that would require state or federal permitting and, in some cases, substantial public and private investment. The address sets the governor’s priorities early in a session where both legislative chambers are controlled by bipartisan majorities not uniformly aligned with the governor’s agenda.

Dunleavy cited specific energy and mining projects as evidence of momentum: production at the Nuna field and first oil from the Pika project, continued investment by Hillcorp, and projected peak outputs from Willow and other North Slope projects. He called for a faster permitting regime and said the executive branch would review rules to remove regulatory barriers.

On education, Dunleavy highlighted the Alaska Reads Act and cited assessment data showing growth in early literacy at kindergarten through second grade; he also defended charter schools as “public schools” and advocated expanding options and funding. On public safety, he said the state added trooper and village public safety officer positions and highlighted large drug seizures attributed to state law enforcement.

The speech mixed policy announcements, promotional language for resource development, and appeals to bipartisan cooperation. Dunleavy closed with executive actions he will pursue, including introducing legislation on land access and timber, and an executive order to establish an Alaska Department of Agriculture to support in-state food production.

Dunleavy also recognized Alaska State Trooper Sgt. Jared Knoll and rugby Olympian Aleph (Alyce) Kelter as guests in the chamber.","In his 2025 State of the State address Gov. Mike Dunleavy emphasized resource development, education choice, energy projects and public safety, while praising recent federal executive orders and outlining budget priorities including a large Permanent Fund dividend proposal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Competing pension proposals prefiled: Kiehl offers choice model, Giessel advances defined-benefit plan

Sen. Bert Stedman prefiles bill to create Alaska flood authority; seed funding and costs unclear

Dunleavy lauds federal executive orders, urges faster permitting to unlock North Slope investment

Analysis: Dunleavy’s budget proposes large PFD while commentators say deficit would drain savings

Dunleavy uses State of the State to push resource development, education choice and public safety