Juneau, Alaska – Members of the Alaska House Majority Caucus debuted the guiding principles they’ll use during the 29th Alaska Legislature. Caucus leaders followed the template used for the 27th and 28th Legislatures, organizing discussions on a range of topics ahead of the beginning of the First Session. Members met in focused discussions before session to discuss their ideas and district priorities, and shared their thoughts on ways to help lead Alaskans forward. The key principles identified were:
- Top priority: Develop Responsible Budgets that Protect Alaska’s Economy and Allow Us to Live Within Our Means
- Build a Gas Pipeline and Bring Affordable Energy to Alaskans
- Put Alaska First by Asserting and Defending Alaska’s Sovereignty
- Diversify Alaska’s Economy by Empowering the Private Sector
- Ensure Quality Schools, Educational Opportunities and Safe Communities
- Protect the Permanent Fund
“This caucus will continue to put Alaskans first by setting goals for addressing the important issues facing the state,” Majority Leader Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, said. “Our caucus is dedicated to generating the best possible results with the resources we have available. Following our collective Guiding Principles will help us in achieving this end.”
Work toward agreeing on the new guiding principles began following the November elections, when the Majority Caucus members began incorporating their new peers into planning discussions. Leadership invited facilitators from the National Conference of State Legislatures, or NCSL, to come to Juneau before Session for two days of conversations with caucus members.
“We will continue moving Alaska forward and press to ensure the gas pipeline projects continue their historic progress,” Alaska Speaker of the House Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, said. “The fiscal times are changing, and I am confident we will adjust. Alaskans sent a strong Majority back to Juneau, and we thank them for their trust during these tough times. We’ll position ourselves to make those tough decisions, listening to Alaskans’ input along the way.”
“The Majority Caucus team will assert and defend Alaska’s sovereignty as others outside of Alaska are always trying to make decisions for us before consulting Alaskans,” Majority Whip Bob Herron, D-Bethel, said. “Our input will be key to a U.S. Arctic that provides and protects the Alaska future.”
“It’s key that we focus on core needs and services,” House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, said. “It’s just common sense – like fixing your house’s leaky roof instead of planning a family vacation. We need to make tough decisions now so we don’t have to make tougher ones down the road. Alaskans are looking for us to lead and we are ready to do what it takes to protect Alaska’s future.”
