Alaska House Majority Coalition

Wednesday was the constitutional limit to a regular legislative session, the Legislature adjourned, and a special session in Juneau was called. In the days ahead, we will finalize the operating and capital budgets, vote on crime legislation, and address the permanent fund dividend. The work on each of these issues was nearly complete by the 121st day, but another inning is needed to cross the finish line and do it thoughtfully and thoroughly. The issues are simply too important to rush.

The First Regular Session concluded Wednesday evening. The Governor immediately called the legislature into special session to continue work on the budget, education forward funding, and legislation to improve public safety.

Things have moved quickly here in Juneau and yesterday a compromise bill on public safety was passed by the joint Conference Committee of three members from the House and three members from the Senate. We literally have a few day break while the staff at the Legislative Legal Department drafts the bill. When HB 49 was passed quickly out of the Senate there were some errors in the bill and now that we are in the final version of the bill it is critical that many eyes approve this almost 100 page document.

Now that we are at day 122 in the state Legislature, I wanted to take this time to give you a quick update with where we are at and what to expect in the halls of the capitol during this special session. The committees that I served on have all shutdown for the year. This includes Labor & Commerce, Resources, Community & Regional Affairs, and Arctic Policy, Economic Development & Tourism.