ALASKA HOUSE MAJORITY

Standing Together for Alaska

The Alaska House Majority is the organization that controls the House of Representatives. The group is composed of 23 members. Our mission is to provide quality representation to all Alaskans through integrity, engagement, and informed leadership so that every citizen’s quality of life will improve for generations to come.

The Alaska Legislature’s COVID-19 Response

The House Majority is working to protect the health of Alaskans, the financial health of workers, and our state’s economy as we grapple with COVID-19. Click here for more information on how the Alaska Legislature is responding to the new coronavirus

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ALASKA HOUSE MAJORITY
Accomplishments of the 31st Legislature, 2019-20

Meet Our Leadership Team

The Alaska House Majority leadership team includes Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham), Majority Leader Steve Thompson (R-Fairbanks), Finance Committee Co-Chairs Neal Foster (D-Nome) and Jennifer Johnston (R-Anchorage), Rules Chair Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage) and Majority Whip Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak).

Speaker of the House

Bryce Edgmon
(I-Dillingham)

Majority Leader

Steve Thompson
(R-Fairbanks)

Rules Chair

Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage)

Majority Whip

Louise Stutes
(R-Kodiak)

Finance Co-Chair

Neal Foster
(D-Nome)

Finance Co-Chair

Jennifer Johnston
(R-Anchorage)

House Majority Members

LATEST press

Experts tell lawmakers public health measures are essential to Alaska’s economic recovery

Press

Experts tell lawmakers public health measures are essential to Alaska’s economic recovery

ANCHORAGE – Economists at a joint hearing of the Health and Social Services and House State Affairs committees urged the state to implement public health measures that will contain the COVID-19 virus and enable economic recovery.

National group selects Juneau legislator to research international education systems

Press, Rep. Andi Story

National group selects Juneau legislator to research international education systems

JUNEAU – The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) recently selected Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau) to be part of the Legislative International Education Study Group.

Bering Strait villages identify quarantine facilities through collaboration with Alaska DMVA

Press, Rep. Neal Foster

Bering Strait villages identify quarantine facilities through collaboration with Alaska DMVA

NOME – Many rural communities across Alaska continue to experience the spread of COVID-19, yet a significant number of villages lack the resources and facilities necessary to enact protective measures if a positive case occurs.

Lawmakers look for alternatives to help Alaskans in need following closure of Carrs, Northway Mall

Press, Rep. Geran Tarr

Lawmakers look for alternatives to help Alaskans in need following closure of Carrs, Northway Mall

ANCHORAGE – Officials announced this week that Northway Mall will close next month. Rep. Geran Tarr and Sen. Tom Begich recently co-signed a letter to Carrs, the anchor tenant of Northway Mall, asking about the company’s plans to address the needs of Alaskans living nearby without vehicles or reasonable access to other grocery outlets.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security CARES Act on the desk.

Lawmakers vote to expand eligibility for small businesses to receive CARES funds

Press, Rep. Andy Josephson, Rep. Chris Tuck

Lawmakers vote to expand eligibility for small businesses to receive CARES funds

ANCHORAGE – The Legislative Budget and Audit Committee (LB&A) voted this afternoon to make it so more Alaskans will have access federal pandemic relief money made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Today’s vote amends the eligibility requirements of the small business relief program originally approved on May 11 through the Revised Program Legislative proposal.

Alexei Painter chosen to lead nonpartisan Division of Legislative Finance

Press, Rep. Chris Tuck

Alexei Painter chosen to lead nonpartisan Division of Legislative Finance

ANCHORAGE – Today, the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee (LB&A) hired Alexei Painter of Juneau as Director of the Alaska Division of Legislative Finance. Painter takes over for Pat Pitney, who was recently hired as interim president for the University of Alaska.

Speaker Edgmon requests extension of 2020 Census

Press, Rep. Bryce Edgmon

Speaker Edgmon requests extension of 2020 Census

I am grateful for your commitment to making sure Alaskans are aware of the importance of responding to the 2020 Census. From your co-sponsorship of Senate Concurrent Resolution 31, to your highlighting of the issue on social media, it’s clear that the census remains a high priority for both of you.

Colleagues remember Rep. Gary Knopp as a one-of-a-kind leader

Press, Rep. Bryce Edgmon, Rep. Louise Stutes, Steve Thompson

Colleagues remember Rep. Gary Knopp as a one-of-a-kind leader

ANCHORAGE – Rep. Gary Knopp died today in a plane crash above the Sterling Highway in his hometown of Soldotna.

Speaker Edgmon makes appointment to the Alaska Redistricting Board

Press, Rep. Bryce Edgmon

Speaker Edgmon makes appointment to the Alaska Redistricting Board

ANCHORAGE – House Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham) today announced the appointment of Nicole Borromeo to serve on the Alaska Redistricting Board.

Workplace safety experts caution that Alaska workers need better protections against COVID-19

Press, Rep. Zack Fields

Workplace safety experts caution that Alaska workers need better protections against COVID-19

ANCHORAGE – The House State Affairs Committee heard testimony today from workplace safety experts and labor leaders on the steps needed to protect workers from COVID-19. Members of the Dunleavy Administration were invited to participate but declined to attend.

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Alaska health experts urge swift statewide action as COVID-19 cases surge

Press, Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky

Alaska health experts urge swift statewide action as COVID-19 cases surge

BETHEL – Healthcare providers from across Alaska testified today to the House Health and Social Services Committee that they are bracing for a wave of COVID-19 infections as the state continues to experience a rapid increase in the number of positive cases.

Lawmaker commemorates 30th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

Press, Rep. Geran Tarr

Lawmaker commemorates 30th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

ANCHORAGE – This week marks the 30th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act, landmark civil rights legislation that guaranteed the rights of Americans with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination based on a disability, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, and ensuring accessibility options for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations.

School officials describe challenges to a safe reopening this fall

Press, Rep. Andi Story, Rep. Grier Hopkins, Rep. Harriet Drummond, Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky

School officials describe challenges to a safe reopening this fall

ANCHORAGE – The House Education Committee today heard testimony from Alaska education leaders and state officials on the challenges ahead for schools preparing to safely teach 130,000 students amid a global pandemic.

Workers tell lawmakers best practices for COVID-19 not being followed at high-risk facilities

Press, Rep. Zack Fields, Steve Thompson

Workers tell lawmakers best practices for COVID-19 not being followed at high-risk facilities

ANCHORAGE – The House Health and Social Services and State Affairs committees today heard testimony from workers and employee representatives from some of the Alaskan facilities that are at the highest risk of a COVID-19 outbreak.

Legislators hear more public testimony from small businesses regarding AK CARES Grant program

Press, Rep. Ivy Spohnholz

Legislators hear more public testimony from small businesses regarding AK CARES Grant program

ANCHORAGE – More than a month after the State of Alaska received hundreds of millions of federal dollars to launch a pandemic relief program for small businesses and nonprofits, only 11 percent of organizations to apply for funds have been approved and only $8.9 million of the $290 million available is out the door.