enced legislator and former House Speaker. While the House leadership is controlled by veterans, several important House committees will be controlled by new legislators or lawmakers who were in the Minority in the last Legislature. Reps. Maxine Dilbert, D-Fairbanks, and newly-elected Rep. Robyn Burke, D-Utqiagvik, will cochair the House Resources Committee. Both are Alaska Natives, which means a strong influence for rural Alaska in the committee. Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anchorage, and newly-elected Rep. Ky Holland, I-Anchorage, will co-chair the House Energy Committee. Mears is an environmental engineer and is known for diligent research and tough questions in committee hearings. Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, and newly-elected Rep. Carolyn Hall, D-Anchorage, will co-chair the House Labor and Commerce Committee. Fields is an experienced legislator with a background in labor and workforce issues and is also known for tough questions in committee hearings. The House and Senate will have Minority organizations, too. These are the traditional, mostly conservative Republicans who did not want to join coalitions led mainly by Democrats and independents. The Minority serves as a kind of “loyal opposition,” speaking during floor sessions and in committees to voice opposing points of view. Six out of the 20 senators are in the Senate Minority, which is enough to be formally recognized with seats reserved on committees. Sen. Mike Shower, R-MatSu, is Senate Minority Leader. Shower is joined by Sens. Shelley Hughes and newly-elected Sen. Rob Yundt, both Mat-Su Republicans, along with Sen. Robert Myers, R-North Pole, Sen. James Kaufman, R-Anchorage, and newly-elected Sen. Mike Cronk, R-Tok. The House Minority will include the 19 Republicans not in the House coalition. — Tim Bradner www.AlaskaAlliance.com 37 Photo Courtesy Pogo Mine Critical minerals development will continue to be at the forefront of the Alaska legislative session.
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