House, Senate organize for new session

Chenault chosen House speaker for fourth time, Meyer will lead Senate; Gardner, Tuck chosen as minority leaders in Senate, House

Kristen Nelson

Petroleum News

While results from the Nov. 4 general election have not been certified, the Alaska House and Senate have announced organization plans for the 2015 session.

Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, was chosen speaker of the House for a record fourth term, the House majority said in a Nov. 6 statement.

As reported in the Nov. 9 issue of Petroleum News, the Senate majority announced its organization Nov. 5, with Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, as Senate president and John Coghill, R-North Pole, as majority leader.

The House chose Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, as majority leader. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, returns as Rules chair.

Mark Neuman, R-Su-Valley, and Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, will co-chair House Finance, with Neuman in charge of the operating budget and Thompson the capital budget.

Bob Herron, D-Bethel, will serve as majority whip.

Chenault said it was an honor to be chosen and “a humbling feeling to get the backing of so many good people. We can continue to build a family atmosphere, honor the institution of the legislature, and the votes Alaskans entrusted us with.” He said the caucus would be “focused and ready to take on the operating budget, gasline updates, implementing the ballot initiatives and all the rest.”

In a Nov. 5 statement Meyer said the Senate majority would “focus on the priorities of Alaskans and our communities - affordable energy, reducing the size and scope of our government budgets to live within our revenue means, arctic policy and education.”

Finance, committee chairs

Standing committee chairs in the House are: Resources, Ben Nageak, D-Barrow, and Dave Talerico, R-Interior Alaska; Judiciary, Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage; Labor and Commerce, Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna/Kenai; State Affairs, Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage; Community and Regional Affairs, Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla; Education, Wes Keller, R-Wasilla; Health and Social Services, Paul Seaton, R-Homer; Transportation, Neal Foster, D-Nome, and Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer.

Joint committee chairs are: Legislative Budget and Audit, Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, chair (House control); Legislative Council, Herron, vice chair (Senate control); Select Committee on Ethics, Millett; Armed Services, Lora Reinhold, R-Eagle River, co-chair; Administrative Regulation Review, Jim Colver, R-Mat-Su, vice chair (Senate control).

House special committee chairs are: Energy, Liz Vasquez, R-Anchorage and Colver; Fisheries, Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak; Military and Veterans Affairs, Herron.

House, Senate minorities organize

Senate minority committee assignments are: Gardner- Education, Rules; Dennis Egan of Juneau - Transportation, Legislative Council; Johnny Ellis of Anchorage - Health and Social Services, Labor and Commerce; Donny Olson of Golovin - Finance, Community and Regional Affairs; Bill Wielechowski of Anchorage - Judiciary, Resources, State Affairs.

“Addressing the urgent fiscal crisis while maintaining state infrastructure and continuing to provide essential state services such as public education and public safety will be our top priority,” Gardner said.

House Democrats announced their organization Nov. 7, with Chris Tuck of Anchorage returning as minority leader, and Max Gruenberg of Anchorage returning as the House Democratic whip.

Geran Tarr, also of Anchorage, will serve as House Democratic floor leader.

Democrats who will serve on House Finance are Les Gara of Anchorage, David Guttenberg of Fairbanks and Scott Kawasaki of Fairbanks.

Tarr and Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, will serve on House Resources.

“The historic results of Tuesday’s General Election show the desire of the people of Alaska for change,” Tuck said.

“We look forward to working with the Senate and the Governor to set a new course for the State of Alaska,” said Gruenberg.