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Senate majority set at 14, team announced
Democrat Lyman Hoffman of Bethel joins Republican Senate Majority; Finance Committee expanded from 7 to 9, with 7 majority members Kristen Nelson Petroleum News
The Alaska Senate Majority said Nov. 26 that Senate Finance has been increased by two members, from seven to nine, and that Democrat Lyman Hoffman of Bethel has joined the majority as its 14th member.
The majority said it had identified passing a responsible budget on time as its single most important task, and to that end had added two members to Senate Finance, giving nearly half of Alaska’s senators hands-on roles in the budget process.
The majority also said it had amended its caucus agreement.
“The amended caucus agreement recognizes the rights and responsibilities of each majority member,” they said. “Members will have more opportunities than ever to actively participate in budget deliberations, and therefore have more ownership of the majority budget. However, members who find themselves unable to vote for the majority budget will not face automatic removal from the caucus. Consequences for such a vote will be determined by the caucus and consider the importance of representing constituents.”
“We are committed to a productive session, delivering solid results for Alaska families and businesses,” said Sen. Cathy Giessel, the in-coming Senate president. “This modified caucus agreement strikes the balance of putting the budget front and center without an automatic penalty that aversely impacts members’ constituents.”
Gov.-elect, then-Sen. Mike Dunleavy lost his membership in the Senate Majority caucus and his seat on the Finance Committee when he refused to vote for the majority budget, citing constituent concerns. He later resigned from the Senate to focus on running for governor.
Finance The Finance Committee will now have nine members.
Co-chairs Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, and Sen. Natasha Von Imhof, R-Anchorage, were previously announced. Stedman will direct the operating budget and Von Imhof will manage the capital budget and legislation before the committee.
Majority members include Sens. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, and Hoffman, a long-time Finance Committee member and previous co-chair.
The Senate Democrats will select the two remaining Finance Committee members.
“The state is facing a very significant structural budget deficit,” Stedman said. “To help fix the problem, the Senate Finance Committee is adding two members. These additional members broaden the geographic representation and bring valuable experience to the Senate Finance table.”
Majority leadership In addition to Giessel, previously announced Senate Majority leadership includes Sens. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, as majority leader, and John Coghill, R-North Pole/Fairbanks, as Senate Rules chair.
Chairs of standing committees, announced Nov. 26, include:
Sens. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, Judiciary and Transportation committees; Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, Education and Legislative Council; Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, State Affairs; Sen.-elect Chris Birch, R-Anchorage, Resources; Sen.-elect Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, Labor and Commerce; David Wilson, R-Wasilla, Health and Social Services; and Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, Community and Regional Affairs.
New leadership in Resources Senate Resources and Finance are the committees which hear the majority of oil and gas related bills.
Giessel, who will take over as Senate president in January, has been chair of Senate Resources since 2013. Birch, while a newcomer to the Senate, has been a member of the House Resources Committee in the 30th Legislature; the 31st Legislature gavels in in January.
Democratic leadership Senate Democrats announced earlier in November the election of Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage as Senate Democratic leader. In addition to Begich, Democratic caucus members include: Sens. Donny Olson, D-Golovin, and Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, and Sens.-elect Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks, Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, and Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau.
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