The Alaska Senate Majority finalized committee chairs and announced their initial legislative priorities for the 33rd Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday.
In November, the Senate Majority announced their leadership structure with Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) as Senate President, Sen.-elect Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) as Majority Leader, Sen. Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) as Rules Chair, Sen. Click Bishop (R-Fairbanks) as Majority Whip, Sen. Bert Stedman (R-Sitka), Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel), and Sen. Donny Olson (D-Golovin) as chairs of the Finance Committee, and Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson (D-Anchorage) as Legislative Council Chair.
The 17-member Senate Majority’s initial priorities will focus on finding long-term solutions to lower Alaska’s high energy and healthcare costs, providing adequate funding for public education while accessing accountability and performance, and identifying and seeking solutions for teachers and public employee recruitment and retention.
“We have an opportunity in front of us to advance Alaska to a place where generations of families are proud to call home. That starts with a strong public education system where resources are available for our youngest Alaskans, accessible job training for new industries, and finding solutions to reduce the high costs of energy and healthcare,” said incoming Senate President Gary Stevens. “We have a lot of work in front of us this upcoming session, and I know all members of the Majority are eager to get to work and provide these opportunities for Alaskans to prosper.”
Committee chairs for the 33rd Alaska State legislature are:
Community & Regional Affairs: Sen.-elect Forrest Dunbar (D-Anchorage)
Education: Sen.-elect Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage)
Health & Social Services: Sen. David Wilson (R-Wasilla)
Judiciary: Sen.-elect Matt Claman (D-Anchorage)
Labor & Commerce: Sen.-elect Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski)
Resources: Co-Chairs – Sen. Click Bishop (R-Fairbanks) and Sen.-elect Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
State Affairs: Sen. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)
Transportation: Sen.-elect James Kaufman (R-Anchorage)
Legislative Budget & Audit: Vice Chair – Sen. Bert Stedman (R-Sitka)
Joint Armed Services: Co-Chair – Sen. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)
Finance committee members include Sen. Click Bishop (R-Fairbanks), Sen.-elect Kelly Merrick (R-Eagle River) Sen. Jesse Kiehl (D-Juneau), and Sen. David Wilson (R-Wasilla).
Full committee membership will be released on the first day of the legislative session once the Committee on Committees finalizes the committee report.