Casey Kelly, KTOO – Juneau
The legislature would have an extra month every two years to do the people’s business under a bill passed by the state Senate Wednesday.
The bill, sponsored by Senate President Gary Stevens of Kodiak, would go back to the 120 day limit proscribed in the state constitution during even numbered years. The 90 day session would still be in effect in odd years.
During debate on the Senate floor, Angoon Senator Albert Kookesh said he’d prefer 120 days every year, but thinks the bill strikes a good balance.
But bill opponents, like Wasilla Senator Charlie Huggins, say not enough has been done to make the 90 day session work.
The bill now goes to the state House, where a bill to do away with the 90-day limit entirely has cleared the State Affairs Committee and is awaiting a hearing in the Finance Committee.
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