Valley Senators receive key committee assignments for 32nd Legislature

JUNEAU — When the Alaska State Senate announced a 13-member Republican Majority on Tuesday, Seat F Senator Shelley Hughes was named as Majority Leader.

Soldotna Senator Peter Micciche was named Senate President and other Valley Senators received important committee chairmanships and assignments. The press release from the Alaska Senate Majority on Tuesday noted that the caucus was not binding and would be a “caucus of equals.” Hughes was happy to announce the formation of the Senate organization on Tuesday to her constituents. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, the Senate held floor sessions while the house has yet to organize.

“We did it. We formed a Senate Majority with 13 Republicans and one Democrat. Our diversity is actually going to be a strength for us. Our decisions will actually, ultimately better reflect Alaskans across the state,” said Hughes. “Our caucus understanding is different than in years past. There is no binding caucus rule, so each Senator will have the freedom to vote according to their district and according to their conscience.”

Since 2018, the Mat-Su Valley has been represented by the same three people in the Senate. Senator David Wilson represents District D, Senator Mike Shower represents District E and Senator Shelley Hughes has served as the Senator in Seat F for one term after being a member of the House. Hughes looks forward to her new role.

“As the Majority Leader, I have an opportunity at the leadership table to represent not only all the members of the caucus but to represent those senators too who consider themselves more conservative. I can help bridge the gap as well with the Minority Caucus. I have good relationships with all my colleagues in the Capitol and am skilled at finding points of consensus. It requires a give and take. In fact, that’s exactly what occurred with the formation of the Senate Majority Caucus,” said Hughes. “Recognizing and respecting the dignity of my colleagues in this building is something that I bring to the table.”

Hughes will chair the Community and Regional Affairs Committee and serve as Vice Chair on the House and Social Services Committee. Wilson will chair the HSS Committee and Shower will chair the State Affairs Committee. Hughes also serves on the Education Committee and on the World Trade committee that seeks to increase revenue opportunities and strengthen Alaska’s role in the world economy.

Hughes said that the decentralized power due to the non-binding “caucus of equals” will result in more consensus from caucus-wide discussion. Hughes believes that this will provide a better outcome in the end, a better product for Alaskans overall.

“Coming together was truly a big accomplishment. It was indeed a great feat because in some instances, we were coming from opposing views. We recognized, however, that we had more in common than we didn't. Working through the differences and coming to an understanding of how we could effectively function - it was challenging,” said Hughes. “But we did it. We expect to have more robust discussions and debate, but ultimately the consensus we eventually will reach will be more reflective of the diverse areas of the state. I think it’s a very positive thing.”

With experienced legislators serving in the Senate, the Mat-Su Valley delegation in the House has two newcomers in House District 7 Representative Christopher Kurka and District 8 Representative Kevin McCabe. Hughes was happy to welcome newly elected officials serving in the Mat-Su Delegation.

“I am very proud of our MatSu delegation. We’ve got an excellent team. Kevin McCabe and Christopher Kurka have joined us. They are going to bring new ideas and energy to our group. Fresh perspectives added to seasoned perspectives - can’t get much better than that,” said Hughes.

Along with the legislation that has already been filed concerning the budget and the Permanent Fund Dividend, Hughes and other Valley legislators have filed pandemic related bills, such as Rauscher’s HB 1 to audit CARES funds and Johnson’s HB 3 to redefine “disasters.”

One of the first issues that could be passed in the legislature, according to Hughes, is a change to the uniform rules which currently prohibit floor sessions and voting form being conducted virtually. Hughes hopes that legislators will act to amend the rules so that business can continue of a COVID-19 outbreak were to occur at the Capitol building.

One of the first issues that could be passed in the Legislature, according to Hughes, is a change to the uniform rules which currently prohibit floor sessions and voting form being conducted virtually. Hughes hopes that legislators will act to amend the rules so that business can continue of a COVID-19 outbreak were to occur at the Capitol building.

Hughes also noted the immense executive authority in Alaska statutes, similar to other states that saw widespread mitigation measures enacted throughout the pandemic. Hughes believes that there is an interest in amending Alaska’s disaster statutes to provide greater checks and balances by the legislative branch in regard to executive orders, and to ensure the government is not picking winners and losers during a pandemic or other emergency disaster.

“People in the Mat-Su and Anchorage and across Alaska, many are very concerned about how things played out. They’d like us to revisit our disaster laws. Of course, we’re all hoping another pandemic cycle hit repeat next fall - a different strain. But if that were to happen, it would be best if these statutes were addressed beforehand,” said Hughes.

Hughes indicated her hope is that the non-binding Senate Majority Caucus in the 32nd Legislature would be an example for the future. Senator Shower filed Senate Joint Resolution 3, a constitutional amendment prohibiting binding caucuses and SB 31, a statutory change prohibiting binding caucuses.

Other legislation inspired by events around the United States since the 31st Alaska Legislature gaveled out last spring includes bills on election reform. Senator Shower filed SB 39 (relating to ballot custody, tampering and voter registration) and SB 14 (concerning the selection and review of judges.)

“Certain other states prohibit ballot harvesting. We need to ensure our laws in Alaska don’t allow that activity here. I think you’ll see some tightening of our laws,” said Hughes. “Because we have a duty as a legislature, an obligation to ensure our American form of government. Election integrity is foundational to our constitutional republic.”

Another change to expect this year in the Senate will be separate votes on the PFD and on the state budget. In recent years, the PFD has been an item listed in the budget bill.

Hughes noted that a high priority for the Senate Majority will be to identify and pass cost saving reforms to help close the more than $2 billion fiscal gap, while examining other available options, including revenue measures. Hughes said that Senate Finance committee Co-Chairs Bert Stedman and Click Bishop would be instrumental in using their years of expertise to help craft the budget, but that the policy committees will play an elevated and incredibly important role in the 32nd legislature in regard to this year’s budget and future budgets, as they work on necessary cost-saving reform legislation.

** Editor's note: This article was edited on Jan. 24 after original publication on Jan. 22 to include greater detail on Senate budget priorities and quotes from Sen. Hughes.