Alaska House names leadership

The Alaska House majority and minority have organized for the upcoming 28th Legislature.

The largely Republican majority has named Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, to a third term as speaker. Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, is the new majority leader and Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, returns as Rules chair.

The House Finance Committee will be co-chaired by Reps. Bill Stoltze, R-Mat-Su/Chugiak and Alan Austerman, R-Kodiak.

Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, returns for a second term as majority whip.

In addition to Stoltze and Austerman, House Finance majority members are: Reps. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake; Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham; Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau; Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, Mia Costello, R-Anchorage; and Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks.

Chairs of resource-related committees include: Reps. Eric Feige, R-Chickaloon and Dan Saddler, R-JBER/Eagle River, co-chairs of House Resources; and Reps. Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, and Doug Isaacson, R-North Pole, co-chairs Energy.

On the minority side, Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, returns as House Democratic leader; Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, will be the House Democratic whip; and Rep. Max Gruenberg, D-Anchorage, remains House Democratic floor leader.

House Democratic caucus assignments to House Finance are Reps. Les Gara, D-Anchorage; David Guttenberg, D-Fairbanks; and Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks.

—Petroleum News