Although we are just completing our tenth day of session, the House has been off to a quick start.  Committees are meeting and conducting overviews and hearing legislation and Finance subcommittees have been busy reviewing agency budgets.

I have had two meetings with the Governor.  Tuesday was a one on one meeting and Wednesday morning was with leadership from the House and Senate.  The main topics in our conversations with the Governor were the economic stimulus package, the operating budget, issues of importance to the peninsula and Alaska.  We discussed education al opportunities and road and infrastructure projects on the Kenai as well.  I emphasized the need to work together so that we can achieve goals that will prove beneficial to Alaskans and our state. The Governor has hired former ConcocoPhillips legislative director Jerry Gallagher as her legislative liaison.  I applaud this choice.  Jerry is very resource development oriented but more importantly, he has already established a presence in the hallways that we haven’t seen in the last year.  Having a conduit to the governor is important, especially when that person understands the political process.

Last Thursday evening, the Governor presented her State of the State address before a joint session of the Legislature.

The highlights of her speech focused on:
• Recognizing a potential shortfall in revenues.
• Implementing a hiring freeze.
• Education funding.
• Renewable energy.
• An in-state gasline.

This is the first entry of what I hope are many as we progress through the 26th Alaska State Legislature’s session.

As most of you are probably aware, I have been selected by my colleagues to be Speaker of the House.  It is indeed an honor and a privilege to be chosen as Speaker for the upcoming sessions.  I have expectations of our members to help instill pride, integrity and respect to our institution.