Juneau -- The Senate State Affairs Committee today approved a measure that would allow Alaskans to vote for the State's Attorney General. Currently the AG is appointed by the governor. If approved by the Legislature, Senate Joint Resolution 14 would amend the State Constitution to make the Attorney General an elected position.

"We need an Attorney General who will work for the Alaska people," said Senator Jerry Ward (R-Kenai/Anchorage), sponsor of SJR 14. "We need someone who is accountable to the citizens of Alaska, not someone who works as a lawyer to the Governor."

Senator Ward notes that, because it is good public policy, most states elect their Attorneys General.

"It's important that the Attorney General represent all Alaskans, and not just the governor who hired the AG," said Ward. "It's the people's state, it's the people's constitution, it should be the people's Attorney General. This constitutional amendment will return this issue back to the people of Alaska to decide."