The Alaska Senate Majority announced leadership structure and committee chairs for the 34th Alaska State Legislature on Tuesday. Among those in leadership positions, from Senate District D Jesse Bjorkman has been named the chairman of two committees: Labor and Commerce and Transportation. The announcement came as part of the designation of the majority’s leadership structure.
Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) will once again serve as Senate President, and Senator Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) as Majority Leader. Other leadership positions include Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) was named as Rules Chair; Senator Kelly Merrick (R-Eagle River) as Majority Whip; Sen. Bert Stedman (R-Sitka); Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel); Sen. Donny Olson (D-Golovin) as chairs of the Finance Committee; and Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson (D-Anchorage) as Legislative Budget & Audit Chair.
The Senate Majority said in a press release that their priorities will include finding long-term solutions to lower Alaska’s high energy and healthcare costs, providing adequate funding for public education and election reform, and addressing teacher and public employee recruitment and retention.
“Alaskans expect us to roll up our sleeves, work together, and focus on what really matters – tackling challenges in affordable and reliable energy, high healthcare costs, quality, and dependable public education resources, and keeping the best teachers and public employees in our state,” said Senate President Gary Stevens. “This Senate Majority is built on bipartisanship, with an equal number of Republican and Democrat chairs, and is committed to crafting practical, balanced budgets that serve all Alaskans. At the end of the day, it’s about finding common ground and doing what’s right for our communities.”
Sen. Bjorkman won reelection in the November general elections, staving off challenger Ben Carpenter in a race that was officially decided by Ranked Choice Voting on Nov. 20.
All committee chairs for the 34th Alaska State Legislature include:
- Community & Regional Affairs: Sen. Kelly Merrick (R-Eagle River)
- Education: Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage)
- Health & Social Services: Sen. Forrest Dunbar (D-Anchorage)
- Judiciary: Sen. Matt Claman (D-Anchorage)
- Labor & Commerce: Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski)
- Resources: Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
- State Affairs: Sen. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)
- Transportation: Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski)
- Legislative Budget & Audit: Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson (D-Anchorage)
- Legislative Council: Vice-Chair, Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak)
- Joint Armed Services: Co-Chair – Sen. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)
- Special Committee on World Trade: Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
- Special Committee on Arctic Affairs: Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
Full committee membership will be released on the first day of the legislative session once the Committee on Committees finalizes the committee report.