The halfway point of the legislative session is approaching, and the tension is really starting to build. Today one was one of the wildest days of this session and, as usual, it was mostly on the House side. 

First, the Republican House minority tried to censure Representative Zack Fields (D – Anchorage) for displaying a piece of paper reading “no ICE” during Representative Nick Begich’s (R – Alaska) speech to the Legislature yesterday. I did not see it and several people I asked did not either. But it definitely triggered some of the Republicans.

Representative Louise Stutes (R – Kodiak), the rules chair, said she spoke to Fields about his use of a prop on the floor and reiterated the rules to everyone.

Fields spoke next. He said a prop was not the right way to push back against ICE, who he said “murdered multiple American citizens, including shooting a nurse in the back!” He was then interrupted by several Republicans who called a point of order, saying he needed to speak to the censure motion and not his political ideology. It got really loose after that. You can watch here. 

Representative Dan Saddler (R – Eagle River) then spoke to the censure motion. In his speech, Saddler decried Fields and his sign and spoke against political theater while engaging in political theater. At one point Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I – Dillingham) corrected Saddler, telling him he could not see the sign and did not appreciate Saddler insinuating that he allowed it. 

Representative Chuck Kopp (R – Anchorage), the majority leader, made a motion to table the censure, saying Fields has already been admonished by his majority colleagues and had apologized (Fields definitely did not apologize when he spoke). The motion to table was approved 21-19 on caucus lines. 

Several hours later, after extensive debate about extending the disaster declaration for Typhoon Halong, the Republicans attempted to take the censure motion from the table. That vote failed 15-25, but it kicked off some loose activity on the House floor.

Representative Louise Stutes (R – Kodiak), the rules chair, gave a special order about decorum and debate and reminded everyone about what the rules say about what can and can’t be said and done on the floor. She said she was very concerned about a member using profanity earlier during an at ease.  

I was not in the room for that, but I learned about what happened after the floor session. Reporter James Brooks asked Representative Jamie Allard (R – Eagle River) who she cursed at. At first Allard said she did not recall, but after walking down the hall she turned around and said, “Oh, I yelled bullshit when Zack Fields called ICE a bunch of murderers!” 

After a few more special orders, Representative Alyse Galvin (I – Anchorage) attempted to introduce a guest (a ninth grader) that was not present earlier in the day during introduction of guests. Representative DeLena Johnson (R – Palmer), the minority leader, objected, saying the calendar needed to be moved up to allow for that. Speaker Edgmon reminded Johnson it was a long standing practice to introduce guests during special orders if needed. The ninth grader looked befuddled. 

After a few more special orders, Fields made a motion to adjourn to 2:30 pm tomorrow. Representative Kevin McCabe (R – Big Lake) objected. After a long at ease, things went off the rails. McCabe tried to amend the motion to return at 8 am instead of 2:30 pm. No idea why McCabe wanted to come back at 8 am. That failed 19-21 on caucus lines.

When they got back to the original motion to adjourn to 2:30 pm, some other Republicans objected. Johnson said it was clear the motion to adjourn was to take up the supplemental budget (more on that below). She said she was against that because the updated revenue forecast will not come out until Friday. 

Saddler then spoke, asking why it was 2:30 pm the next day, calling it an unusual time. Edgmon said it was to fulfill the 24-hour rule for the supplemental budget. Edgmon then got really mad at Saddler. He slammed the gavel, called an at ease, and said, “Dan, I’ve told you before!” And then told Saddler he needed to look at him when he was speaking to him. It was wild. 

Finally, they voted 21-19 to return tomorrow at 2:30 pm.

Getting back to the supplemental budget. Earlier in the day the Senate passed the $500 million supplemental budget 20-0 after an amendment reduced it to $373 million. This was due to a deal the majority made with the Republican minority, who were concerned about the size of the supplemental. They also voted 20-0 to draw from the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR). They immediately sent it back to the House. 

The House previously passed the supplemental budget, but fell six votes short of the 30 needed to access the CBR. With a 20-0 vote in the Senate, it seemed a deal may have also been reached with the House Republican minority. But it soon became clear that was not the case. 

Many contractors are concerned with the $70 million needed to get a 9-1 federal match for highway projects this summer. That, along with fire suppression and disaster relief, are some of the big items in the supplemental budget – mostly at the request of Governor Mike Dunleavy (R – Alaska). 

But House Republicans are not happy about the $129 million going to pay back money borrowed last year from the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF). They see it as giving up leverage. 

The House could have taken up a concurrence vote on the supplemental budget today if they had 27 votes to suspend the 24-hour rule. But the Republicans did not want to do that. That is why it is now scheduled for tomorrow. 

At this point it appears the 30 votes needed to fund the supplemental budget are not there in the House. Nine minority Republicans are needed. They only had three when it was first passed. A lot of pressure will be put on them by industry people to fund the supplemental budget for the upcoming construction season. So it’s anyone’s guess how the vote will go. 

But if today was any indication of how things will go, look for tomorrow’s House floor session to be maximum loose!