Governor’s appointees approved; Last-minute law change paves way for Outsiders

JUNEAU — Lawmakers took a break from debating bills in committee and on the floor to put a final stamp on Gov. Sean Parnell’s boards and commissions appointments Thursday. It comes at a time when lawmakers are hoping to adjourn by Sunday, the last day of the statutorily mandated 90-day session.

As usual, a few nominees generated lengthy debate. Discussion ensued for nearly 30 minutes over Richard Rabinow’s appointment to the Alaska Gasline Development Corp.

Rabinow’s appointment became a hot issue when it was learned that he lives in Texas, not Alaska.

Opponents also were concerned that he worked for Exxon Mobil Corp., and that his allegiance might lie with this former employer, not Alaskans, at crunch time.

It was easily the most divisive of the dozens of confirmations, though Rabinow was ultimately confirmed on a 43-17 vote.

The most vocal opposition came from Sen. Bill Wielechowski, an Anchorage Democrat.

“The question in my mind is ‘do we want outsiders, people living outside of Alaska, making major policy decisions for the state of Alaska, or do we want Alaskans filling boards and commissions?’” Wielechowski said. “We answered that in the affirmative because we just voted on 88 other people — every single one of whom is Alaskan. When we set policy in this state, we want it done by Alaskans.”

Rep. Shelley Hughes, a Palmer Republican, says the arguments against Rabinow fall flat.

“I’m confused these same people are recommending he’d be a great consultant and that as a consultant he can be objective and that he would have Alaska’s best interest at heart,” she said. “I think those that put together our Constitution knew that we would need some expertise from out of state.”

The debate over whether Rabinow was qualified at times overtook discussions on higher profile topics, such as budgets, energy and education.

To quell the controversy, House leaders decided to introduce a bill giving Parnell the authority to appoint someone who is not a resident with a written explanation to accompany the appointment. The legislation — House Bill 383 — was fast-tracked through the House and Senate before being signed into law by Gov. Parnell on Wednesday.

The introduction of the bill prompted criticism from Sen. Hollis French, an Anchorage Democrat.

“(I)s an admission of guilt that the governor broke the law by appointing a non-Alaskan to the board,” French said. “He bent it, he stretched it twice this year on behalf of out-of-state oil executives.”

Rep. Mike Hawker, an Anchorage Republican, said the bill simply corrects an ambiguity from last year’s legislation that created the Alaska Gasline Development Corp.

“I want to assure the members of this body and the public that it was our intent when we crafted that legislation that the governor be unrestricted in his ability to seek and find and procure the very best, most talented people in the country to help guide our state forward on AGDC,” Hawker said.

“We are going into the pipeline business. We need people working for us, the Legislature, the people of Alaska, who know that business. Making those best decisions begins with the decisions that we make right here, and that is picking the best board of directors for AGDC. Mr. Rabinow exemplifies that kind of person.”

Other high-profile approvals were to Parnell’s Cabinet, where four agency heads have been advancing the governor’s priorities as designees, while awaiting legislative approval.

Commissioners approved were:

Curtis Thayer, Department of Administration; Joe Balash, Department of Natural Resources (57-2); Gary Folger, Department of Public Safety; Angela Rodell, Department of Revenue.

Thayer, Folger and Rodell received unanimous approval, but Balash’s appointment received some discussion after Rep. David Guttenberg, a Fairbanks Democrat objected.

Balash, however, prevailed, 57-2, with strong backing from Bill Stoltze, a Chugiak Republican who co-chairs the House Finance Committee currently hearing SB138, Gov. Sean Parnell’s gas line bill.

Stoltze linked Balash’s ability to advocate for the state with the kind of tenacity that made Balash a state champion wrestler in high school.

“That tells something about Joe,” Stoltze said. “You don’t get through that sport without incredible work ethic, a lot of tenacity, and a fierce competitiveness. He takes that fierce competitiveness on behalf of the people of Alaska.

“My constituents don’t interface with me on DNR about the gas line. It’s about land issues. It’s about shooting ranges. It’s about access issues. I have never seen a commissioner that is so hands-on attentive to the things important to my constituents.”

Freelance reporter Steve Quinn is a veteran Alaska journalist who formerly covered state government for the Associated Press.