Alaska Legislative Session: Lawmakers Settle in Juneau Offices

January 16, 2012|By Jason Lamb | Channel 2 News

JUNEAU, Alaska — It’s a relatively quiet Monday in the state Capitol. It’s the day before the Legislature gavels in for the first time this year, and it’s a holiday to boot.

Much of the commotion from the Capitol hallways is coming from people tearing down boxes used to move supplies into lawmakers’ offices -- part of the last-minute preparation for the 90-day session ahead.

Even though the state's 60 lawmakers haven't begun their work in Juneau yet, some big debates loom ahead:

Lawmakers have already filed 58 new proposed laws and resolutions. Among them is a bill that would affect every driver in the state who texts and drives. Some lawmakers are looking to fix what they call a loophole in the law that was passed in 2008, because a judge in Kenai said the current law does not actually ban texting while driving.

Lawmakers will also have to approve the state's budget for next year -- something that kept them deadlocked during a special session last time around.

The 2013 budget that Gov. Sean Parnell sent forward contains some items that have proved controversial in the past, like $29 million to help fund the Goose Creek Correctional Center, and a proposal to put a $350 million bond for the Port of Anchorage in front of Alaska voters.

And then there's the issue that's been getting perhaps the most attention for the upcoming legislative session: the proposal to reform Alaska's oil tax structure, known as Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share. The plan proposed by Parnell passed in the House last year, but likely faces a tougher battle in the Senate -- where the bill stalled.

On Tuesday, the House Republican Caucus will hold a press briefing prior to gaveling in later in the afternoon. On Wednesday evening, Parnell is set to deliver his State of the State address.

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