Anchorage -- Rep. Brian Porter announced today he will return as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Twenty-Second Alaska State Legislature, heading a Republican-Led Majority Caucus that includes a slate of experienced legislators from around the state.

Following statewide elections Tuesday that saw Alaska's voters elect a majority of Republicans to the state Legislature, Porter unveiled an organization of experienced legislators and freshman that will continue a tradition of energy, integrity and public service for all of Alaska.

At a press conference at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office, Porter said the leaders of the House Majority Caucus will also include:

• Finance Committee Co-Chairmen Reps. Eldon Mulder (District 23, Anchorage) and Bill Williams (District 1, Saxman)
• Majority Leader Rep. Jeannette James (District 34, North Pole)
• Rules Committee Chairman Rep. Pete Kott (District 24, Eagle River)

"I am pleased to have organized such an outstanding group of men and women who have agreed to work together to serve the people of Alaska for the next two years," Porter said. "That we were able to come together so quickly demonstrates an encouraging consensus on the issues demanding our attention, and on the kinds of solutions we'll be exploring in Juneau."

Porter said he looks forward to convening the House in Juneau on January 8, 2001, when the Majority will begin implementing its legislative program to address critical state issues. The House Majority's legislative priorities include:

• Long-Range Financial Planning. The Majority will work with the Senate Majority, the Knowles administration and the public to craft a budget plan balancing sustainable state revenues with responsible state expenditures into the foreseeable future.
• Funding Essential State Services. The Majority will provide the resources necessary to give Alaska the quality education, transportation and public safety services they need and deserve.
• Fighting Drunk Driving. The Majority will propose solutions to the crisis of drunk and impaired drivers on Alaska's highways. It will evaluate the recommendations of the Drunk Driving Task Force, and consider implementing appropriate, effective strategies to keep our roads safe.
• Fine-Tuning Education Reform. The Majority will build on its education funding reform efforts of previous years by considering ways to adjust their effects, especially in rural areas. The Majority will review the Department of Education's evaluation of SB 36's impacts as required by the original legislation.
• Encouraging Resource Development. The Majority will continue to work to strengthen all elements of Alaska's natural resources industry. This includes: construction of a pipeline to bring North Slope natural gas to market; continued exploration for and production of oil deposits in the North Slope, including the Coastal Plain of ANWR; protection of Alaska's unparalleled seafood industry; encouragement of hard rock and placer mining; maintenance of a healthy timber industry; and expansion of the Alaska Railroad to the Lower 48.
• Expanding Rural Education Options. The Majority will consider the recommendations from Rep. Gail Phillips's task force on rural education, which is evaluating the potential for expanding the state's rural boarding school system to improve educational opportunities for Alaskan youth living in the Bush.
• Preparing Young Alaskans for New Jobs. With major industries anticipating shortages of qualified Alaskans to join the workforce in the 21st century, the Majority will consider avenues to better utilize our educational, training and business resources to equip young Alaskans for productive, satisfying careers in their home state.

Attachments: House Majority Caucus Standing and Special Committee Memberships (subject to election certification)

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