Kenai Peninsula News

Alaska law says someone may vote in a state election if, among other things, they’re a U.S. citizen. Proponents say the word “may” leaves too much ambiguity.

The move would keep city and Kenai Peninsula Borough elections aligned, saving some money.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough wants to limit how much property assessments increase each year in response to recent, significant year-over-year surges.

Kenai City Council members last Wednesday agreed to spend $200,000 on access to Wildwood Drive’s underlying right-of-way from the Kenai Native Association. The move comes after years of disagreements over who should be responsible for upkeep.

The district attributes the anticipated shortfall to a decrease in state and local funding next year caused in part by a forecast net drop in student enrollment and a rise in the taxable value of borough property.

School board members generally supported the plan, but said they want more information about each scenario before signing off.

Ruffridge says he’ll be tasked with managing the inner workings of an ideologically diverse caucus.

Alaska State Troopers say 45-year-old Aaron “Scott” Merritt was found unresponsive in his Anchorage cell on Nov. 21 and was pronounced dead five days later. A Kenai Grand Jury indicted Merritt on 20 felony counts of sexual assault and abuse of a minor in late October.

The consultants say property taxes, production royalties and permitting are all areas state lawmakers may need to address.

The needs are in industries you might expect: 1,900 engineers, 1,600 pipefitters and welders, 450 ironworkers, 400 electricians and 3,500 logistics professionals.