Alaska governor prepares for first State of State speech

  • By BECKY BOHRER, Associated Press
  • Tuesday, January 22, 2019 1:30am
  • News

JUNEAU — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy was preparing for his first State of the State speech even though the House had yet to formally accept his request to deliver the address Tuesday before a joint session.

The House lacks an organized majority, which means it is limited in what business it can take up until a permanent speaker is elected. Suddenly something as simple as taking up a governor’s request to deliver the speech — typically done without a hitch — is more complicated.

Rep. Dave Talerico, a Republican leader, said there have been discussions on the proper procedure for accepting Dunleavy’s request to give the speech Tuesday night.

Republican Rep. Tammie Wilson said she expects those issues will be sorted out and looks forward to hearing from Dunleavy then.

Leaders of the predominantly Democratic coalition that controlled the House the last two years planned to hold a press conference after the speech.

Coalition press secretary Mike Mason said he was confident the speech would take place Tuesday but wasn’t sure what procedural steps would be taken to clear the way for that.

The Senate has already accepted Dunleavy’s request, and Senate President Cathy Giessel said she expected the House would be there.

“The governor is planning as if he will be giving his State of the State speech tomorrow,” Dunleavy spokesman Matt Shuckerow said Monday.

Monday’s House floor session was canceled.

Dunleavy, a Republican former state senator, campaigned on reducing state spending, repealing a sprawling criminal justice overhaul and paying residents a full dividend from the state’s oil wealth fund after three years of reduced payouts.

Dunleavy has said he would work to ensure that spending matches revenues, which he said have been calculated at $3.2 billion. Legislators are eager for details.

“We have heard that there’s going to be some transformational new approaches on delivery of state services. We’re all anxious to see what that looks like,” said Republican Rep. Chuck Kopp, adding that a fiscally sustainable, responsible budget is important.


• By BECKY BOHRER, Associated Press


More in News

The Kenai Peninsula College main entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Chiappone and Dunstan to speak at the KPC Showcase

Kenai Peninsula College continues its showcase with two new speakers this week and next

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, talks about issues of concern regarding the proposed merger of supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons during a floor speech in the House chamber on Wednesday. (Screenshot from official U.S. House of Representatives video feed)
Begich leads in early results, but Alaska’s U.S. House race won’t be immediately decided

About 245,000 ballots had been counted by 11:32 p.m., and Peltola trailed by about 5 percentage points

The Alaska governor’s mansion on Wednesday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is considered a contender for a post in Donald Trump’s second presidential administration. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Election summary: Trump wins, GOP takes over U.S. Senate, Alaska may get new governor

Begich and repeal of ranked choice voting narrowly lead; GOP may lose control of state House.

Nesbett Courthouse in downtown Anchorage on Oct. 7, 2024. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Voters line up at the polling site at Anchorage City Hall on Nov. 4, 2024. City Hall was one of the designated early voting sites in Alaska’s largest city. It is not a designated site for Election Day voting. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Republicans lose two seats in state House, increasing odds of leadership switch

Rural Alaska precincts had reported few results by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

Donald Trump won or was leading as of Wednesday morning in all seven swing states in the 2024 presidential election. (Doug Mills / The New York Times)
Donald Trump returns to power, ushering in new era of uncertainty

He played on fears of immigrants and economic worries to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris.

A voter is handed as ballot at Woodworth School in Dearborn, Mich., on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. One of the most consequential presidential elections in the nation’s modern history is well underway, as voters flocked to churches, schools and community centers to shape the future of American democracy. (Nick Hagen/The New York Times)
Trump verges on victory, picking up Pennsylvania

Donald Trump has captured Pennsylvania, the biggest prize of the seven battleground… Continue reading

Signs and supporters line the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Unofficial results for the 2024 general election

Preliminary, unofficial election results as of 9:55 p.m.

Poll worker Carol Louthan helps voters submit ballots at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Bjorkman, Ruffridge, Elam and Vance lead in election night results

Several residents said that they came out to vote because they knew this election was “a big one.”

Most Read