JUNEAU – Alaska Governor Bill Walker presented his first State of the Budget address Thursday night. Governor Walker outlined both short and long-term plans to deal with a daunting fiscal crisis brought on by declining oil production and prices. The House Minority, made up of Democrats and an Independent, appreciates the care Governor Walker took in suggesting ideas for the Alaska Legislature to consider in the coming months.
Anchorage – Earlier today Bill Walker was sworn in as the Governor of Alaska during a ceremony in Juneau. During that same ceremony Byron Mallott was sworn in as Alaska’s Lieutenant Governor. The 13 members of the House Democratic Caucus send congratulations to the new Governor and Lt. Governor and pledge to work with the Administration to solve the pressing problems facing Alaska.
Anchorage- Newly elected District 36 State Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) was welcomed Wednesday as the newest member of the House Democratic Caucus. Ortiz ran as an independent candidate without party affiliation but he chose to join the House Democratic Caucus in part because of the freedom the caucus gives its members to vote their conscience.