I am writing this week’s column from my office in Juneau. Yesterday, 59 of Alaska’s 60 legislators (one was a bit late) were in the Capitol on a gorgeous August day for the special session called by Governor Mike Dunleavy (R – Alaska). Senator Mike Shower (R – Wasilla) was not able to attend because he was working his job as a pilot for FedEx. While things went more or less as expected, there were definitely some curve balls! It felt like the end of session due to the sheer amount of activity in the Capitol. The Legislature did override Dunleavy’s veto of Senate Bill 183 and his veto of $200 ($50 million) from the Base Student Allocation (BSA). Then they adjourned to August 19, held a strange press conference, and mostly bailed from Juneau. Dunleavy also held a press conference after, which got a bit weird. 

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One day special session, kind of

It was kind of odd seeing so many legislators on a Friday afternoon flight from Anchorage to Juneau in early August. There were nearly a dozen on the flight I took the day before the start of the special session. Some were already in Juneau. And some showed up on Saturday morning (with the exception of one, which you can read more about in this week’s Loose Unit section). 

It was mostly thought that they would gavel in, vote on the two veto overrides, and then gavel out. There was some speculation that they would take up veto overrides of other bills and appropriations vetoed by Dunleavy, but that did not happen. 

The House and Senate were supposed to gavel in at 10:00 am and the hold the joint session at 10:15 am. But Representative Robyn Burke (D – Utqiagvik), a member of the House majority, missed the morning flight from Anchorage. So the House and Senate did not gavel in until after 11 am. They tried to excuse Burke in the House until 1 pm, but the majority objected because Representative Chuck Kopp (R – Anchorage) had sent out an email saying no excused absences would not be approved unless there was an emergency.   

Once both bodies gaveled in, the joint session did not convene until 1:30 pm – when Burke arrived. They needed her vote for the education veto override, so they could not start without her. 

It was unbelievable how quick and smooth the joint session went. There was no debate on either of the two override votes. None. I was expecting an hour plus of members’ saying why they were or were not voting to override Dunleavy’s vetoes. I assumed some kind of deal was struck between the majorities and minorities about not debating in exchange for not taking up additional veto overrides. But after conversations with both majority and minority members, it became clear there was no deal. 

Everyone knew how they were going to vote and I guess they all figured talking was a waste of time. They had also debated these items many times during session. And many of them were scheduled on one of the two night flights out of Juneau. 

SB 183, the bill to compel the Department of Revenue to cooperate with the legislative auditor on oil tax and other tax matters, was overridden 43-16. It only needed 40 votes for a veto override. Eight Republicans from the minorities voted for the override of SB 183. 

The veto of the $50 million from the BSA was overridden 45-14. It got exactly the 45 votes required for a veto override. Ten Republicans from the minorities voted for the override of the education money. 

After the joint session, there was cheering and clapping in the hallway from several education funding advocates. I also saw several legislators hugging and high fiving Matt Moser, the lobbyist for the NEA-Alaska. Imagine legislators high fiving and hugging oil or mining lobbyists right after a vote they won.    

The other issue was Dunleavy’s executive order for the creating of a Department of Agriculture, something the Legislature rejected during last session. There is currently a bill to create one but Dunleavy tried to do another executive order. This one got a bit loose. 

First, the two presiding officers told Dunleavy they were rejecting his executive order for two reasons. One, they say he can’t do one during a special session. Two, they already rejected it.  

So Dunleavy responded by telling them if they do not reject his executive order in a joint session, he will consider it to have become law! This is a pretty wild statement. I think it’s safe to say it’s likely this matter is headed to the courts. 

The House and Senate both adjourned until August 19. Normally, they are required to meet every three days during session per the Alaska Constitution. But that can be waived if they both agree to a concurrent resolution to not meet. The Senate passed it 19-0, but there was a big fight in the House about it.

Many House Republicans said they wanted to stay in Juneau and work on education reforms. But Representative Kevin McCabe (R – Big Lake) had the most honest comment. He explained it’s really about preventing Dunleavy from immediately calling them back into another special session if they ended the special session, something he is technically allowed to do. McCabe told Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I – Dillingham), “It’s a maneuver, I get it. And it’s something that I would probably do, maybe, if I was sitting in your seat, Mr. Speaker.” Many laughed in response to that comment. The House ultimately passed the resolution 21-19 on caucus lines. 

Calling them back into another special session is something Dunleavy is definitely considering doing. But that would erode away what little relationship he has left with them. September 2 is the day after Labor Day. Imagine if he did that! 

After they both adjourned, they held a joint press conference. It was kind of weird. Only a few senators were there, but every member of the House majority was there! They just kept walking up to be on the camera. You can watch the press conference here. In response to a question I asked about the veto override of SB 183, and if this was going to be an issue for the next Revenue commissioner (who needs to be confirmed by the Legislature), Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson (D – Anchorage), the chair of the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee, said they are prepared to issue subpoenas on the matter. That could get very interesting, especially if they subpoena Adam Crum.  

Governor Dunleavy held his own press conference after. He was pretty animated. He started out by talking about how the mark on his forehead was due to some cancer treatment he had from not wearing sunscreen as a child. He talked about how he is still going to pursue education reforms in spite of his veto overridden by the Legislature. Education Commissioner Deena Bishop also had some strong words about the state of education in Alaska.  

I think the big takeaway was the veto overrides were ultimately made in a special session called by Dunleavy. That’s the ultimate backfire. But one thing it did do was put many Republicans on the record for opposing Dunleavy. Many of them will be targeted next year by conservative forces in their re-election bids. Some of those races could get crazy. 

A bunch of legislators flew out of Juneau Saturday night. Some are headed to Boston for a National Council of State Legislatures meeting. My bet is when the House and Senate reconvene on August 19, both will be quick technical sessions.    

This Week’s Loose Unit 

This week’s designee is short and sweet. This week’s Loose Unit is Representative Robyn Burke. It’s not easy to have 58 legislators mad at you. But that is exactly what happened on Saturday when she missed her flight. That is maximum loose. Her tardiness delayed the whole show by three hours. Classic Loose Unit behavior. 

If you have a nomination for this week’s Loose Unit, or if you have any political news, stories or gossip (or any old pics of politicians or public officials) please email me at jeff@alaskalandmine.com.