From the Desk of Senator Johnny Ellis

Representing the neighborhoods of Airport Heights, Campbell Park, College Village, Downtown, Fairview,
Geneva Woods, Government Hill, Green Acres, Midtown, Rogers Park, Spenard, South Addition, Tudor and Waldron

Working hard • Solving problems • Getting things done

November 7, 2008

Senator
Johnny Ellis

716 W 4th Suite 440
Anchorage, AK 99501
907.269.0169
fax 269.0172
sen.johnny.ellis@
legis.state.ak.us

• UNSUBSCRIBE •

November 7th, 2008

SENATE ORGANIZATION COMES TOGETHER

Friends and Neighbors,

While there are still many ballots from Tuesday’s election to be counted from around the state, the Senate moved yesterday to put in place its leadership team for the next legislative session. I am pleased to report that I will once again serve as Senate Majority Leader, a position which I feel has allowed me to effectively advocate for the needs and interests of my constituents.

Yesterday I joined members of the Bipartisan Working Group for a press conference to announce the Senate leadership for the upcoming 26th Alaska Legislature.

With 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans in the Senate a bipartisan sharing of power was necessary as we organized. There are currently 13 members of the Bipartisan Working Group, 12 of whom were members of last session’s Majority, plus Senator-elect Joe Paskvan of Fairbanks. Senator Gary Stevens of Kodiak will serve as Senate President. At this time, only the leadership positions have been decided. Specific committee chairmanships and memberships are still being worked out, and I will update you on my other responsibilities as decisions are made.

By working in a bipartisan manner the past two years we accomplished many good things: forward funding education, investment in renewable energy projects, and saving more than $5 billion of the surplus, among others. The upcoming legislature has many big issues to tackle like a comprehensive energy plan, workforce development to prepare for the pipeline, and responsible budgets in the face of falling oil prices. I am honored to have the opportunity to once again be in a position to guide work on these important issues.

Until next week,

[signed]

Senator Johnny Ellis

P.S.	Talk Radio – every Friday from 4:30 to 5:30 a different legislator is a guest on Newstalk 1080 KUDO Radio, Alaska’s Progressive Voice. They give a report on the legislature and answer questions from callers. Please tune in. You can also listen online at http://www.kudo1080.com.

http://ellis.aksenate.org