It’s been a rocky week in State leadership relations…
Gov. Walker: “I’m shocked that it got this many sponsors. I really question who these people work for. They’re certainly not reading the same constitution I’m reading. This is an outrage. The only thing that gives me pleasure today is I’m Governor.”
Speaker Chenault (R-Nikiski): “Every administration the Legislature’s had different relationships with. I can think of others, that may not have been this strained, but certainly there were things with the Parnell Administration that a number of Legislators didn’t agree with.”
Nikiski’s Speaker of the State House Mike Chenault said he and Governor Bill Walker are trying to “mend fences.” He says their relationship is getting better, or at least that it can’t get any worse.
He and the Governor shared breakfast at the Governor’s mansion yesterday…
Speaker Chenault(R-Nikiski): “And I asked him to not ever do that again. I think that he’s agreed that we need to have conversations instead of name-calling or arguing in the paper. My breakfast with the governor this morning was very cordial. We spoke about numerous issues that we agreed on, some that we didn’t agree on. That’s how it should be. We should be able to have those conversations, regardless of whether we agree or disagree, and then we’ll have the fight either in the committee hearings or in his office or mine or somewhere else, but we shouldn’t be fighting those issues out in public.”
Walker reacted strongly to a bill from Chenault that would limit participation of a state-backed corporation in an alternate gas project proposed by Walker. Walker called it “the most un-Alaskan thing” he’s seen put together.
The bill is still set for a hearing today and Chenault said it will continue through the legislative process.
