ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
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JOINT PRESS RELEASE
REPRESENTATIVE
CHRIS TUCK
Chair, Legislative Budget & Audit Committee
Rep.Chris.Tuck@akleg.gov
907-465-2095
SENATOR
CLICK BISHOP
Vice-Chair, Legislative Budget & Audit Committee
Sen.Click.Bishop@akleg.gov
907-465-2327
Painter’s knowledge and experience will be an invaluable asset to the Alaska Legislature
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.
“The members of the Alaska Legislature rely on the Legislative Finance Director to give us accurate information so we can make sound decisions. From David Teal to Pat Pitney and now Alexei Painter, the Alaska Legislature has found people that will give it to us straight without politics and without spin,” said Rep. Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage), Chair of the LB&A Committee. “Experience and talent are two things you look for when hiring someone for a position as important as this, and in Alexei, we got a wealth of experience and talent to spare. I’m excited to work with Alexei and I anticipate his sound counsel will be needed in the coming months as we deal with the fallout from a pandemic that threatens the health and prosperity of every Alaskan.”
Painter returns to the Legislative Finance Division after briefly serving as a Policy Analyst with the Alaska Office of Management and Budget. During Painter’s more than five years with the Legislative Finance Division, he served as a Fiscal Analyst, Senior Fiscal Analyst, and Capital Budget Coordinator. In addition to his work for the State of Alaska, Painter co-owns a small bookstore in Juneau. Painter’s previous work experience includes serving as an economist at the Alaska Department of Revenue and a legislative aide. Painter holds a bachelor’s degree in history from George Washington University and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of California Berkeley.
“I like it when someone steps into the fire to serve the people of Alaska. Make no mistake about it, Alexei Painter is stepping into the fire as we face down a pandemic and another recession. The position of Legislative Finance Director is much like an umpire calling balls and strikes. I want to thank Alexei for stepping forward to help Alaska State Legislature craft responsible budgets and meaningful legislation that will solve problems and help people,” said Sen. Click Bishop (R-Fairbanks), Vice-Chair of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee.
“The fiscal challenges during the next couple of years are going to be epic,” said House Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham). “Among a field of very capable candidates, Alexei Painter is an excellent choice to assume the position of the Director of the Legislative Finance Division.
Painter is scheduled to take over as Director of the Alaska Division of Legislative Finance on Monday, August 31.
Questions can be directed to Austin Baird, Communications Director for the Alaska House Majority, who can be reached at 907-465-6791 or Austin.Baird@akleg.gov.
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