(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - Yesterday, Representative Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski) was chosen by his fellow incoming House Majority Caucus members to serve as Speaker of the House for a record fourth term, during a meeting in Anchorage today. Caucus members also selected other key leadership positions, with all principle standing committee chairmanships announced.

“What an honor,” said Chenault. “The Speaker’s desk is a hallowed one, and I’ve enjoyed my time there. It’s a humbling feeling to get the backing of so many good people. We can continue to build a family atmosphere, honor the institution of the legislature, and the votes Alaskans entrusted us with Tuesday. Come January, Alaskans will see another solid group of legislators team-building and focused and ready to take on the operating budget, gasline updates, implementing the ballot initiatives and all the rest.”

House Majority Leadership members chosen Thursday are:

Speaker – Chenault, R-Nikiski
Majority Leader – Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage
Rules Chair – Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage
Finance Co-Chair – Mark Neuman, R-Su-Valley (Operating Budget)
Finance Co-Chair – Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks (Capital Budget)
Majority Whip – Bob Herron, D-Bethel

“We are a diverse caucus of leaders from across the state,” said Millett. This is an opportunity to move Alaska forward on issues that unite our people. I am humbled by the support from my caucus and I am dedicated to a better Alaska.”

“I am really pleased with today’s outcome; let’s roll up our sleeves,” said Johnson, who served in the same position during the past legislature. “I look forward to working with our talented and diverse caucus, representing Alaskans from all areas and backgrounds, as we continue to advance a pro-development, pro-family and pro-jobs agenda that will lay a solid foundation for Alaska's future."

Finance members are: Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, Dan Saddler, R-JBER/Eagle River, Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla, and, Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage.

“I look forward to working with this Majority and putting forward an economically sustainable budget,” said Neuman. “I’ll continue to focus on our major cost drivers, and securing responsible future development.”

“I very much feel honored to be able to represent Fairbanks and the people of Alaska as a Co-Chair of the House Finance Committee,” said Thompson. “I look forward to the gavel falling on the 29th Legislature. I know we’ll have less revenue, so it’ll take hard work and fiscal restraint on the capital budget, and I look forward to the challenge.”

House Majority Standing Committee chairs are:

Resources – Ben Nageak, D-Barrow & Dave Talerico, R-Interior Alaska
Judiciary – Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage
Labor & Commerce – Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna/Kenai
State Affairs – Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage
Community & Regional Affairs – Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla
Education – Wes Keller, R-Wasilla
Health & Social Services – Paul Seaton, R-Homer
Transportation – Neal Foster, D-Nome & Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer

House Majority Joint Committee chairs are:

Legislative Budget & Audit – Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, Chair (House control)
Legislative Council – Bob Herron, Vice-Chair (Senate control)
Select Committee on Ethics – Millett
Armed Services – Reinbold, Co-Chair
Administrative Regulation Review – Colver, Vice-Chair (Senate Control)

House Majority Special Committee chairs are:

Energy – Liz Vazquez, R-Anchorage & Jim Colver, R-Mat-Su
Fisheries – Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak
Military & Veterans Affairs - Herron

Further seats will be announced as filled, depending on the outcome of the general election, and full committee assignments will occur at a later time, during the Majority retreat in Juneau prior to Opening Day of the 29th Alaska Legislature.

Wednesday, the Alaska Senate Majority also met to establish the leadership structure of the Senate after Tuesday night’s election results. Current members congratulated Senators Anna Fairclough, Cathy Giessel, Mike Dunleavy, Pete Kelly, Click Bishop, Peter Micciche, Gary Stevens, and Kevin Meyer on being re-elected to the Alaska State Senate. The Senate Majority would also like to welcome incoming Senators Bill Stoltze and Mia Costello. Altogether, 14-members make up the new Senate Majority.

“I am honored to be chosen by my colleagues to lead the Alaska Senate. We will focus on the priorities of Alaskans and our communities – affordable energy, reducing the size and scope of our government budgets to live within our revenue means, arctic policy and education,” said Senator Meyer. “We have shown, and will continue to prove, that we are working hard to improve the future for all Alaskans and that we are committed to protecting the future of our state.”

“I am proud to hand over the gavel to Senator Meyer,” said current Senate President Huggins. “Kevin has done an outstanding job reducing our budgets by more than a billion dollars and passing other key legislation. As Rules Chair, I will continue to be a key part of leadership and look forward to working with these fine ladies and gentlemen.”

The new leadership positions are as follows:

Senate President: Senator Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage)
Senate Majority Leader: Senator John Coghill (R-North Pole)
Senate Rules Chair: Senator Charlie Huggins (R-Wasilla)
Senate Finance Co-Chair- Senator Pete Kelly (R-Fairbanks)
Senate Finance Co-Chair - Senator Anna Fairclough (R-Eagle River/East Anchorage)

Committee chairs and committee membership will be announced in Mid-December.

Source of News: 

Alaska Senate Majority
www.akleg.gov

Alaska House Majority
www.akleg.gov

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