25th Alaska State Legislature explained

The 25th Alaska State Legislature served for a term lasting from January 16, 2007, to January 19, 2009. All forty representatives and one-half of the senate (ten members) were elected to their terms on November 7, 2006. The remaining ten senators were elected to their terms on November 2, 2004.

Sessions

In the 2006 elections, a voter initiative championed by freshman Fairbanks representative Jay Ramras was passed by voters, which reduced the statutory length of the session from the existing length of 120 days to 90 days. The changes to the law made by the initiative took effect with the second session of this legislature. Current legislation would make changes to accommodate a 90 session.

Although the second session adjourned on time, some members of the legislature claimed that legislation was rushed and public input was jeopardized.[1]

Senate

Composition

Affiliation! Members
 Republican Party11
 Democratic Party9
 Total
20
 Majority
2

Bipartisan coalition

Shortly after the 2006 November election, a bipartisan coalition was announced between all nine Democratic senators and six of the eleven Republican senators.[2] Democrats will chair the Judiciary, Health, Education, & Social Services, Labor and Commerce, Community and Regional Affairs, and Transportation Committees, as well as co-chair the powerful Finance Committee. The Senate Republicans in the coalition will also had a co-chair for the Finance Committee (the minority Republicans were given one seat on the committee), and chair the State Affairs, Resources, and Rules Committees.[3]

Because of the Republican split, the Democrats controlled a majority of committee chairmanships while Republicans in the governing coalition chair the others. The majority leader was the same legislator as it was in the last session, a Republican, who joined the bi-partisan coalition. Because of this, the minority leader was head of the five-member Republican organization. Hence, all three listed officers of the body were Republicans, as different aspects were in the majority (with the chamber-wide minority Democrats) while others are in the official minority.

The split was largely viewed as being over the Senate presidency. The minority leader was the Republicans' suspected, initial choice for Senate President.[3] The coalition commanded three-quarters of the body.

A similar move was made in the 24th Legislature, on the House side. The coalition was later disbanded.

Leadership

The President of the Senate is Republican Lyda Green of District G (Matanuska-Susitna Valley). The Majority Leader is Republican Gary Stevens of District R (Kodiak). The Minority Leader is Republican Gene Therriault of District F (North Pole).

Position Name Party Residence District
District G
Johnny EllisDemocrat District L
Republican District F

Membership

Alaska State Senate
25th Alaska Legislature, 2007-2008[4] [5] ! District !! Name !! Party !! Location !! Term Up
A 2008
B 2010
C Dem-Coalition 2008
D Dem-Coalition 2010
E Gary Wilken Republican Fairbanks 2008
F Republican 2010
G Rep-Coalition 2008
H Rep-Coalition 2010
I Fred Dyson Republican 2008
J Dem-Coalition 2010
K Dem-Coalition Anchorage 2008
L Dem-Coalition Anchorage 2010
M Dem-Coalition Anchorage 2008
N Rep-Coalition Anchorage 2010
O Kevin Meyer Rep-Coalition Anchorage 2008
P Con Bunde Republican Anchorage 2010
Q Thomas Wagoner Republican 2008
R Rep-Coalition 2010
S Dem-Coalition 2010
T Donald OlsonDem-Coalition 2008

Alaska House of Representatives

Composition

Affiliation! Members
 Republican Party23
 Democratic Party17
 Total40
 Majority6

Leadership

Position Name Party Residence District
District 12
Ralph SamuelsRepublican District 29
District 3

Members

Alaska State House of Representatives
25th Alaska Legislature, 2007-2008
District Name Party Location
1 Kyle JohansenKetchikan
2 Republican Wrangell
3 Juneau
4 Democratic Juneau
5 Republican Haines
6 Democratic Beaver
7 Republican Fairbanks
8 Democratic Fairbanks
9 Democratic Fairbanks
10 Republican Fairbanks
11 Republican North Pole
12 Republican Valdez
13 Republican Palmer
14 Republican Wasilla
15 Republican Wasilla
16 Republican Chugiak/Mat-Su
17 Anna I. FaircloughRepublican Eagle River
18 RepublicanAnchorage
19 Republican Anchorage
20 Democratic Anchorage
21 Democratic Anchorage
22 Democratic Anchorage
23 Democratic Anchorage
24 Democratic Anchorage
25 Democratic Anchorage
26 Democratic Anchorage
27 Democratic Anchorage
28 Republican Anchorage
29 Republican Anchorage
30 Kevin Meyer Republican Anchorage
31 Republican Anchorage
32 Republican Anchorage
33 Republican Kenai
34 Republican Nikiski
35 Republican Homer
36 Republican Kodiak
37 Democratic Unalaska
38 Democratic Bethel
39 Democratic Nome
40 Democratic Kotzebue

See also

External links

All links listed below point to current pages related to the Alaska Legislature, not archives pertaining to this particular legislature

Notes and References

  1. News: Legislature adjourns on time . Wesley . Loy . . April 13, 2008 . April 16, 2008 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110103164650/http://www.adn.com/2008/04/13/374722/legislature-adjourns-on-time.html . January 3, 2011 .
  2. News: McGuire joins bipartisan coalition.. Hopkins. Kyle. December 20, 2006. Anchorage Daily News. https://archive.today/20081003123919/http://www.adn.com/news/politics/story/8506646p-8399832c.html. October 3, 2008. dead. April 4, 2007.
  3. News: Bipartisan gang takes over Alaska state Senate - Committees: As other six watch, 14 senators divvy up leadership jobs for next year.. Demer. Lisa. November 29, 2006. Anchorage Daily News. https://archive.today/20081003123906/http://www.adn.com/front/story/8451289p-8345508c.html. October 3, 2008. April 4, 2007.
  4. Alaska Division of Elections. (November 7, 2006). "State of Alaska - 2006 General Election: November 7, 2006, Official Results." Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
  5. Alaska State Legislature. (2007). 25th "Alaska State Legislature by District." Retrieved on April 4, 2007.