The incoming Republican-led Senate majority announced Friday that Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, is joining the group.
Egan was the first Democrat to declare he will caucus with the majority, after Republicans broke the 10-10 tie between Democrats and Republicans in the Alaska State Legislature’s upper chamber by picking up multiple Democrat-held seats last Tuesday.
“I’m not too enthused about it, but I did (join),” said Egan Friday night. “It was gut-wrenching for me, you know. I’m a Democrat. I’ll always be a Democrat.”
As part of the conditions of joining the new majority, Egan said, he will vote with the Republicans to organize the body, but otherwise, “I can vote as I want to vote.”
Egan added, “And they all understand that, you know, I’m a lifelong Democrat and that I’m trying to look out for the people of Southeast Alaska. I mean, we lost a senator. There are only two of us, and neither of us are in a leadership position.”
Sen. Albert Kookesh, D-Angoon, lost his reelection bid last week in a incumbent-versus-incumbent matchup created by redistricting. Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, who has also announced he will caucus with the Republican-led majority, defeated him.
As a member of the new majority, Egan will be chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. He is currently chairman of the Labor and Commerce Committee.
“Senator Egan has a very diverse background and a long family legacy that will enhance our ability to represent the interests of all Alaskans,” said Sen. Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, in a statement released by the majority. “Senator Egan, as Transportation Chair, will be able to use his expertise to improve transportation in all corners of the state including the Alaska Marine Highway System.”
Egan’s chairmanship of the Transportation Committee means that leadership of both the House and Senate Transportation Committees will remain with Southeast Alaska lawmakers. Kookesh is the outgoing Senate Transportation Committee chairman.
Egan has been a member of the Alaska Senate Bipartisan Working Group, which includes all 10 Democratic senators and six Republican senators. He said he expects to get “a lot of flak” for crossing the aisle to join the new majority, but said he has spoken with community leaders and fellow capital city legislators Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, and Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, and they supported his decision.
“I’ve had personal emails saying, ‘Right on,’ but I also have emails saying, ‘What the hell have you done?’ But those emails are coming from Anchorage. But I don’t represent Anchorage. I represent Juneau,” said Egan. “In my own heart, I think it’s best for Juneau. And I know people are going to be upset, but in the long run, hopefully they’ll see, you know, the wisdom of my ways. Maybe they won’t,” he added ruefully.
Muñoz said Friday that she is “very happy” Egan has joined the new majority. Their combined positions should secure Juneau’s position as capital city in the 28th Legislature, she said.
“With Senator Egan in the Senate and my position in the House, I think we’re fine,” said Muñoz.
Muñoz is part of the newly organized House majority, which has wasted no time in organizing, with Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, still holding the speaker’s gavel.
But two Southeast Alaska legislators will not be returning to their committee chairmanships, with the chair of the Community and Regional Affairs Committee passing from Muñoz to a bipartisan duo of representatives, and Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, being replaced as co-chairman of the House Finance Committee.
Muñoz will be a member of the powerful Finance Committee, though, which she said precludes her from the chairwomanship of Community and Regional Affairs.
“If you serve on the Finance Committee, you can’t serve on any of the other committees because the Finance Committee is by far the busiest committee,” Muñoz said.
Muñoz sought to take a seat on the Finance Committee, she said, because with Thomas’ reelection in doubt — he narrowly trails Sitka Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in a race that will likely be decided by absentee and questioned ballots — and him off the committee, Southeast Alaska merits representation.
“We could not leave Southeast Alaskans out of position on Finance,” said Muñoz, adding, “We try to look for regional balance, and if I had not pursued that position on Finance, we probably would have lost that seat in the long run, and I didn’t want to do that. I didn’t want to put us in that position.”
Egan noted with displeasure that no member of the incoming Senate majority from Southeast Alaska will have a seat on the Senate Finance Committee.
“That’s my main issue, you know, is funding for Juneau and the region,” Egan added. “Not only just Juneau, but all of Southeast.”
Only one House committee, the Transportation Committee, will be chaired by a Southeast Alaska representative in the 28th Legislature. Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, will remain as committee chairwoman.
• Contact reporter Mark D. Miller at 523-2279 or at mark.d.miller@juneauempire.com.
Comments (28)
Add commentIf you can't beat them join
If you can't beat them join them huh?
makes you wonder.....
how will Jesse's DB pension plan spin in the Republican majority? good luck!
I'm glad...
...Senator Egan was able to look past party politics. He's there to represent Juneau, not the democrats.
So I wonder how all of this will affect the Big Giveaway? Rubber stamp, I assume.
-< -< -< -< -<
He gave up being a Democrat then also gave up being the chairman of the Labor and Commerce Committee, or did he gain a committee chairmanship with his move?
Who specifically lobbies the Finance Committee and what makes it sooo busy? How much legislation does the committee read during session? Where do they get the most comments from?
Chicken going cross-eyed with this information.
Are there any prefiled bills to look at from any politician? Logic - If the average taxpayer can't read a bill, it needs to be rewritten. Taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for a special session because of arguing.
Bother.
Dennis;
I'm a lifelong Southeast resident. I am also a lifelong Conservative voter who has opposed you on some occasions and yet have been willing to cross the right / left boundry to support you on more than one occasion.
It's really nice to see my faith in your good sense is well founded.
Fight the good fight.
Oh great, another Parnel
Oh great, another Parnel loving rubber stamping right win... oh wait.
Sen Egan
Well, heck, maybe he ain't as dumb as he looks!
Guess what?
Birchwood---He is!!!
Go Bill (in spirit)!
Like many of the "old-time" democrats, Dennis Egan has conservative values (like his Dad) with fiscal responsibility and support for business development. His chairmanship of the Transportation Committee, as well as strong voice within the majority, will definitely help Juneau and Southeast Alaska. I am glad he is strictly "his own man" in voting.
Too bad our Senator in DC is evidently so beholden to the party that his vote is whatever Harry Reid directs.
Oil Tax Cut
The $2 Billion a year tax give back to the oil companies will be the first bill passed the our all Republican state government. The result will be devastating for the economy of Alaska. Juneau will be hit hardest of all. At the same time the feds will be forced to cut almost everything because of the huge and growing debt. Juneau's economic outlook is very bleak. In another ten years half the population will be forced to move. This is what putting Republicans in charge does.
Redistrict
The real issue should be the communities that were cut out of the process and no doubt be cut out of the funding formula by the redistricting forced down the throat of the smaller communities.
Taxation without representation all over again.
Larger communities that already have established tax bases feel the ever-present need of all governments for more funding.
The tea party began as a movement with roots in the past. Tax,tax, and when your done tax some more. People made a political statement. Unfortunate they the party perverted itself into a representation of the extreme right.
The only difference in Republican or Democrat spending formulas can be seen by a blind man that bothers to pay attention. Republicans give away to their rich contributors with virtually no strings attached while the Democrats at least make a misguided effort to help the"people".
People complain of entitlement spending. Most of us would rather work than accept a handout. "We the people" lost it's place to we the special interest. Redistrict to win what cannot be won by popular vote.
Good move
Thank You Senator Egan.
Guess what?
It doesn't seem like the Republicans really need Dennis and he's told the Democrats he doesn't need them. A third party of one begging for money without values-- onward for Juneau!!
Snagger and others
I don't think our Senator is a "third party of one begging for money without value." That's your opinion, and it may not be accurate nor factually correct.
What I did see in the last legislative session was a bipartisan coalition of both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate that searched for the best information and recommendations and ideas they could get regarding the price we get for the oil we sell. They were careful not to agree to any reduction in the price of our oil when the oil companies would not agree that they would do anything if the price were lowered.
The bipartisan Senate, did come up with changes, so that the "effective tax" ( real, down to earth amount they pay for our resource after deductions and credits are figured in) was adjusted to recognized that getting "heavy oil" on the market, or "frakking" would cost more.
Senator Egan, Stedman and Stevens, members of that former bipartisan Senate have joined the majority. We will have to see if other Democrats wish to, and are allowed to, join the majority.
As Senator Egan explained, he joined so the Senate could organize, but he is allowed to vote for whatever he considers best for all Alaska, as Senators Stedman, Stevens and others who may join the majority can do.
Politics is not always stark black or white, either/or, Republican/Democrat it is a world of comprise where one can, with honesty and integrity compromise, when it comes to what it best for all Alaskans and not just a political party or special interests.
I am very comfortable with Senator Egan.
***
The Majority
Hey Dennis what do those Republicans think about Planned Parenthood and abortion? With a little money for Juneau do you think the same?
Once a moochercrat, alway's a
Once a moochercrat, alway's a moochercrat !
Good job Egan in putting Juneau first
I think the bi-partisanship is refreshing. This will be, I think, the third year in a row that the Senate majority has been bi-partisan. Good job Egan.
Oh and Let's build the road.
I have disagreements with
I have disagreements with Egan on some things, but this is obviously a case of hold your nose and try to do what is best for the region. Who knows if the reptards will let him do anything. Anyway, for those that love the republican agenda for alaska, it's all on you now. No excuses for whining if things turn out less than spectacularly the next few years. For myself I expect to see a three ring circus from our governor and legislature. Certainly the lawyers will be busy.
Madison: do I detect a little post election depression? 4 more years.
Dennis realizes
Dennis realizes if we don't get more oil flowing then Juneau's paycheck threatened. Simple really .....oil flowing pays for Juneau
Cheers to Dennis!
Get it?
Comments
This move by Sen. Egan makes the Senate Majority bi-partisan. Nothing wrong with that. However too much is made of these bi-partisan senate coalitions in that the House Majority has long been bi-partisan and it will once again be bi-partisan in the 28th Alaska Legislature. I wonder why that isn't recognized for what it is by the media?
Now that election rhetoric has subsided for a while everyone can see and voice that the oil tax process in the 27th legislature was different than portrayed by Democrats running for office, and it will be yet another process next year. Note that the co-chair of House Finance is a Republican who voted against HB110. Having him take the co-chair role certainly refutes what detractors said about HB110 and that process.
The oil tax change efforts were directed at stopping the high rate of North Slope oil production decline - nothing more and nothing less. That job will need to begin again and it will need to be successful. Otherwise we will very soon be fighting over how and how fast to spend the Permanent Fund on state and local government. I'm glad that Senator Egan has chosen to be part of that process. I am even more grateful that Juneau and Southeast has a representative - a strong representative to boot - on House Finance.
There is absolutely nothing to prevent Representative Kerttula from joining the House Majority and therefore being part of the same process (at least 4 Democrats already have). With only two House members from SE in the Majority it would help the region greatly to have Representative K sharing the workload.
wise
It's wise of DE to join. I trust that he has southeast in his best interest. This really is an example of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.
wise
It's wise of DE to join. I trust that he has southeast in his best interest. This really is an example of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.
Oil tax
Well, if they're going to cut taxes, let's hope it's not a complete giveaway this time like Parnell's bill was last year.
Let's see the increased production BEFORE the tax cuts go into effect. They could even make the cuts retroactive - we'll reduce your taxes this year, but you won't receive any of those reductions until actual production increases go into effect. In the meantime we'll hold your tax cuts in an escrow account.
Two big thumbs UP!
Way to go Dennis, your Pop would be button busten proud of Ya, and unless I miss my guess, so are all of your friends that know you put "Juneau over politics" Thank You.
R U having spasams Lat?
I suggest that you dial 911 for immediate care! Does 911 respond to mental break downs?
Thank You
Thank you for supporting and now representing our community so well Dennis. I hope and pray that you continue to do so and continue to listen to those of us that phone and express our concerns to you in order to better our community. Thanks for your service, keep up the good work.