However, assigned one Committee Seat January 18, 2011
Johansen and Millett, who voluntarily walked out of caucus in a huff last fall, did not garner enough support from members to gain re-admission for the upcoming legislative session. Leadership said in a prepared statement that there will be not further comments on this issue. The Alaska State House Majority Caucus leadership today announced committee assignments for the first session of the 27th Alaska Legislature. Assignments were accepted and passed by the Committee on Committees, which met following Swearing-in ceremonies this afternoon at the Capitol. Although Representatives Johansen and Millett remain out in the cold, the caucus apparently decided not to completely relegate the pair to an unimportant or a powerless position. House Speaker Mike Chenault, who had earlier said he didn’t expect to allow them seats on any committees, today gave them one seat each. Ketchikan Representative Kyle Johansen, who had been the majority leader before his blowup and walkout, today was assigned a seat on the state affairs committee according to the Committee Assignments made by the Alaska State House Majority Caucus leadership. Regarding Sunday's decision, no prepared statement or comment was issued by Johansen regarding by the House Majority Caucus members's decision. Millett, however released a prepared statement regarding Sunday's decision. She said, "While I am disappointed in last night’s decision I also respect the decision made by the House Majority Caucus. Leadership indicated to me that the door is not closed to rejoining the majority sometime in the future." Millett said, "Throughout the session I will continue to build a good working relationship with members of the House Majority Caucus and all other legislators." "Although I am not in the majority caucus and that may present some challenges, I will continue to push for the issues that are most important to my district such as public safety, road improvements, better schools and other important statewide issues such as resource development and oil and gas taxes," said Anchorage Representative Millett. Millett said, "There are many legislators, Republicans and Democrats, who have served their districts well from outside the majority, currently and in the past. I am committed to doing the same until which time I can rejoin the majority." Millett said, "I will follow leadership’s decision to not comment any further on this issue. I intend to focus all my attention and energy on the work ahead for the next 90 days."
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