The statue of William Henry Seward in front of the Alaska State Capitol is seen covered in snow on Monday, Jan. 21, 2024. Juneau received almost six feet of snow in January. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The number of legal conflicts between the state of Alaska and America’s federal government has risen significantly over the past decade, according to a review of annual reports filed by the Alaska Department of Law.
Since 2013, the department has been required to inform the Alaska Legislature annually about legal disputes between the state and the federal government. This year’s report, delivered last week, includes 53 such conflicts, the largest number since reporting began.
“There absolutely is a trend there,” said Attorney General Treg Taylor.
Since 2021 , Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s annual budget request to the Alaska Legislature has included money for “statehood defense,” a line item that generally funds lawsuits against the federal government. This year’s budget request includes $2 million for the Department of Law and an additional $2 million for other state agencies as part of the effort.