Alaska Government

Natural History of Alaska

• Native Peoples of Alaska
• Alaska Land Mammals
• Alaska Birds
• Close Encounters with Wildlife
• Denali National Park and Preserve
• Geologic History of Denali National Park
• Alaska Geology
• Major Vegetation Types of Alaska
• Trees of Alaska
• National Petroleum Reserve

• Alaska Government

• Legislation that Shaped Alaska's History

Two senators and one representative represent Alaska in the U.S. Congress.

A governor and lieutenant governor are elected by popular vote for four-year terms on the same ticket. The governor is given extensive powers under the constitution, overseeing 15 major departments: Administration, Commerce and Economic Development, Community and Regional Affairs, Corrections, Education, Environmental Conservation, Fish and Game, Health and Social Services, Labor, law, Military and Veterans Affairs, Natural Resources, Public Safety, Revenue, and Transportation and Public Facilities.

The Legislature is bicameral, with 20 senators elected from 14 senate districts for four-year terms, and 40 representatives from 27 election districts for 2-year terms. Under the state constitution, redistricting is accomplished every 10 years, after the reporting of the federal census. The newest redistricting occurred in 2001. The judiciary consists of a state Supreme Court, court of appeals, superior court, district court and magistrates.

Alaska is unique among the 50 states in that most of its land mass has not been organized into political subdivisions equivalent to the county form of government. Local government is by a system of organized boroughs, much like counties in other states. Several areas of the state are not included in any borough because of sparse population. Boroughs generally provide a more limited number of services than cities. There are two classes. First- and second-class boroughs have three mandatory powers: education, land use planning, and tax assessment and collection. The major differences between the two classes are in how they may acquire other powers. Both classes have separately elected assemblies and school boards. All boroughs may assess, levy and collect real and personal property taxed. They may also levy sales taxes.

Incorporate cities are small units of local government, serving one community. There are two classes. First-class cities, generally urban areas, have six-member councils and a separately elected major. Taxing authority is somewhat broader than for second-class cities and responsibilities are broader. A first-class city that has adopted a home rule charter is called a home rule city, adoption allows the city to revise its ordinances, to the extent that the power it assumes are those not prohibited by law or charter. A seven-member council, one of whom serves as major, governs second-class cities, generally places with fewer than 400 people. Taxing authority is limited. A borough and all cities located within it may unite in a single unit of government called a unified municipality.

There are 246 federally recognized tribal governments in Alaska and one community (Metlakatla, originally an Indian reservation) organized under federal law. In 1995, there were 16 organized boroughs and unified home rule municipalities, 3 unified home rule municipalities, 5 home rule boroughs, and 7 second-class boroughs. Alaska’s 149 incorporated cities include 1 home rule cities, 12 first-class cities, and 116 second-class cities.