The first day always involves more pomp and circumstance than legislating, and this time was no exception — but senators offered some clues about the road ahead.

House and Senate leaders say a bill that increases education funding is likely to be a first priority for the Legislature this year.

Future 49, with proponents from civilian pilots to Gov. Mike Dunleavy, is primed to launch to promote Alaskan issues and its energy, economic and national security benefits to the U.S.

The Alaska Legislature will take up election reform proposals this session, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy introducing a bill through the House, and the Senate majority caucus planning to introduce its own reforms later this week.

They include teachers, fishermen, pilots, a hunting guide, realtors, engineers, attorneys, veterans, a pharmacist, a medical doctor, a physician assistant, a nurse, a shopkeeper, an insurance broker and a professor.

With the usual ceremony and an unusual lack of leadership battles the 34th Alaska Legislature gaveled in on Tuesday for the start of a two-year session expected to be lean in terms of revenue available,

With aligned majorities in the House and Senate, priorities are set to include education funding, public pensions and election reform.

Money’s going to be tight, but a permanent education funding increase rather than another one-time increase is among the essential achievements needed this session, state Senate leaders said as the 34th Alaska State Legislature gaveled in Tuesday.

Questions about whether Native Americans born in the United States have birthright citizenship if they aren’t “subject to the jurisdiction” of the U.S. — such as if they live on sovereign tribal land — were raised in a U.S. Justice Department filing this week defending President Donald Trump’s executive order suspending such citizenship.

Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski on Thursday announced on social media that she would vote against confirming Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department of Defense.