The Alaska House of Representatives continue to struggle to arrange leadership for the body, slowing legislative work to a halt at least till Monday. At that time, lawmakers will attempt to meet again to appoint leadership.
The House met for a floor session on Thursday that lasted just 4 minutes. Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, who is presiding currently till a speaker will be chosen, asked for Speaker Pro Tempore to be appointed. Ten seconds went by till Meyer said, “Not everyone stand at once here. Okay. Seeing no nominations for Speaker Pro Tempore of the House.” (Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.)
Because no decision was made, Anchorage Rep. Chris Tuck asked that Meyer adjourns till Monday January 25, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.
In a related story on Thursday, the Alaska House Coalition released a statement reaffirming its commitment to protect the Permanent Fund by spending a sustainable amount of the Fund’s earnings reserve.
In a press release, they said, “Our coalition’s founding principle is that the Permanent Fund belongs as much to future generations as it does to Alaskans today. The only way to achieve this goal is by adhering to a fiscally conservative management approach to the use of the Fund’s earnings. This approach is critical to ensure that the Legislature does not spend beyond our means, endangering essential services and future Dividends.”
