Gov. Sean Parnell is proposing putting $3 billion from savings toward addressing Alaska's $12-billion unfunded pension liability.

State officials are looking at ways to lower the growth of Alaska's health care costs, including an alternate retiree plan and developing an employee wellness program.

The right to confidentiality exists for communications between unions and their members in labor disputes and grievances, the Alaska Supreme Court has ruled.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says she's eager to work with the state to find ways to ease the financial strain of rising Medicaid costs.