As soon as Friday, the Alaska House will vote on a bill that would block planned raises for state legislators and top members of the executive branch — but leading members of the Alaska Senate say the idea is dead on arrival. (From alaskabeacon)
Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, is seen on the floor of the Alaska Senate on Wednesday, March 29, 2023.
While it takes 11 senators to pass a bill, it doesn’t take many to kill one — if they hold the right position.Stevens and other top senators have said they believe the raises are necessary to help the executive branch hire competent officials and to make it possible for poor Alaskans to afford to serve in the Legislature.
“I expect it to be referred to finance, to where my bill is, and it won’t be taken up,” said Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer and an advocate of the bill blocking the raises.Before the full House or Senate vote on a bill, Capitol rules require the bill be considered by one or more committees. If a bill doesn’t get scheduled by a committee, it can’t advance without special action. Legislative rules put that scheduling in the hands of the committee chair.
In 2009 or 2010 — staffers and former legislators say they aren’t sure of the timing — then-Sen. Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage, combined Stedman’s name with the name of the movie “The Hurt Locker” to show his frustration with the Sitka senator, going so far as to create a mockup movie poster with Stedman as the star. The term was also used in the year’s legislative skits, the annual pantomime show poking fun at Capitol business, and it’s stuck around since then.Stedman said he doesn’t mind the term.
But the compensation issue is different — under state law, the raises will take place unless the Legislature passes a bill rejecting them within 60 days.
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