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Should Alaska Revert to 120-Day Session?In 2006, voters passed an initiative limiting the legislative session to 90 days - down from the 120 days given in the state constitution.Related Content
As soon as the Alaska Legislature adjourned late Sunday night, talk turned to lengthening the time lawmakers have to get their work done in Juneau. In 2006, voters passed an initiative limiting the legislative session to 90 days - down from the 120 days given in the state constitution. Former state Representative, Jay Ramras, a Fairbanks Republican, was a key player in the move to make the 90-day session. He claims the issues that contributed to the deadlock, like the Capital budget and oil tax changes, were identified very early on in the session. Ramras goes on to say that more time would have made little difference. But Sitka Republican Senator Bert Stedman says the Legislature needs more time to get its work done. Stedman supports a bill that extends the session back to 120 days. The bill passed the state Senate but failed in the House, and according to Sen. Stedman, is unlikely to pass next year as well. As the Legislature goes into special session to finish its work, it is difficult to say for certain that extra time would have made a difference in the deadlock. Ramras claims we would have had a special legislative session regardless of the length of the regular session. Since 2001, only twice has the Legislature gone a year without a special session.
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Jerry said on Thursday, Apr 28 at 3:13 PM
@ viewer1; Read 'The Alaska State Constitution - Article 1,Section 1.2' - Section 1.2 - Source of Government.All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole.
66014487PodKiDo said on Tuesday, Apr 19 at 9:15 PM
90 days is enough time. If they don't get it done in time, start deducting each day over from their pay.
65321044AkMininalist said on Tuesday, Apr 19 at 2:22 AM
No, cut the session to 60 days or even 30 days. All the work gets done at the end of a session with lots of posturing before that, so the sooner the end of the session comes along the better. All the committee work should be done online anyways. Since online is the only way most Alaskans can take part in process, the legislators ought to have to work the very same way. And to encourage the process, no legislators or aids should get paid until after the budget is passed.
65239424viewer1 said on Monday, Apr 18 at 9:20 PM
why is it , every time we vote on something in this state, it is dismissed as just something some people thought might be nice. we voted for this, it should superceed any other law. this is the "will" of the people....
65233987343LG said on Monday, Apr 18 at 8:46 PM
Extra time for self serving senators who will not pay attention to the will of the voters...I think NOT!
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