Alaska State Legislature
News from the Senate and House Majorities

Wendy Lindskoog (907) 465-4582
Jerry Ritter (907) 465-3804
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality Line: 1-800-478-6540

Legislature Upholds Voters’ Choice – Overrides Knowles’ Veto

For Immediate Release: May 8, 1998 Contact: Senator Rick Halford at (907) 465-4958.

Juneau – On Friday, the Alaska State Legislature met in joint session to override Governor Tony Knowles’ veto of Senate Bill 307. In the event a U.S. Senate seat becomes vacant, SB 307 requires Alaska’s governor to appoint a new Senator who is from the same political party as the person originally elected for the position. Senator Rick Halford (R-Chugiak) sponsored this measure to protect the will of the people.

"When people vote for a candidate to represent them, they are also voting for a political philosophy. When a governor appoints someone from a different party, he’s voting for his own philosophy, not the voters’," Halford said.

Under current law, when a United State Senate seat becomes vacant before the term is served, there is no requirement that the vacancy be filled by a person of the same political party as the previous occupant. SB 307 amends state law to bring the conditions for filling a vacancy for the United State Senate seat in line with the requirements for filling vacancies for the offices of the state representative and state senator. Congressional vacancies, as established in federal law, are filled through a special election.

"Because SB 307 received bi-partisan support, the governor’s veto came as quite a surprise," said Senate President Mike Miller. "I’m sure most people had no idea the governor could just draw a name out of a hat and completely disregard direction from the voters. Senate Bill 307 creates good public policy. The will of the voters should be considered – not tossed aside for political gain."

"Alaskans vote for their U.S. Senators for a number of reasons, party affiliation being one of them," said Rep. Pete Kott (R-Eagle River), who carried the measure in the House. "The override vote was consistent with what most Alaskans want to see," Kott said.

Other states including Hawaii, Arizona and Utah have already changed state law to ensure this fundamental right to their residents.

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Broadcast Note: Radio Actualities are available at 800/478-6540 from Senator Rick Halford, Senate President Mike Miller, and Representative Pete Kott.
= Rick Halford, 25 K = Mike Miller, 44 K = Pete Kott, 20 K