House Speaker Louise Stutes says there are 26 active cases among people who work in the Capitol — including four or five legislators.
State Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, leaves the House floor after being sworn in on Jan. 19, 2021, in Juneau. On Wednesday, Stutes said she reinstituted a mask mandate on the House floor in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Twenty-six people who work in the Capitol are active cases.
Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, has imposed a requirement that House members wear masks during floor sessions. But three members — Republican Reps. Ben Carpenter of Niksiki, David Eastman of Wasilla and Christopher Kurka of Wasilla — have refused to do that, and as a result, Stutes hasn’t allowed the House to hold a full session all week.
“Masking may not be the end-all to everything,” she said. “But it certainly is helpful. It’s one of the many things you can do.” “We’re stymied because a few people have determined that we’re violating their civil and personal rights by asking them to wear a mask,” she said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Speaker: Alaska House dealing with COVID-19 outbreakAlaska House Speaker Louise Stutes says masks will be required in the House chambers until further notice, citing COVID-19 cases.
Read more »
Proposal to split Maricopa County appears dead, with House speaker opposedFor subscribers: A legislative proposal to split Maricopa County into four appears dead after failing to make it to a vote and opposition from Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers.
Read more »
Trump shoots down House speaker ideaFormer President Donald Trump says he has no interest in being speaker of the House despite staunch allies in the Republican Party promoting the idea.
Read more »
White House Unveils 2023 Federal Budget, Including New Tax on BillionairesThe Biden administration on Monday unveiled the president's budget proposal for 2023, totaling more than $5.7 trillion in spending and including a new tax on billionaires as the president looks to lower the deficit moving forward.
Read more »
Short Stop: 61 Years of Budget Beef at Columbine Steak House & LoungeHungry for steak tonight? Here's where to get good food for a very good price.
Read more »
Budget work at Alaska House delayed as COVID cases surge, caucuses differ on masks - Alaska Public MediaHouse Speaker Louise Stutes to legislators who refuse to wear a face mask: “This is the policy, and if you think you’re going to come in here and totally ignore the policy, we simply aren’t going to have session.'
Read more »