Editor's note: Rep. Mike Doogan sent this e-newsletter to his constituents Friday.
It's Citizen Palin - At Least For Now
Sarah Palin officially resigned as governor on Sunday. I say this in case you just got back from a long trip to the 8th dimension and Buckaroo Banzai had forgotten to mention it to you.
Having Palin out of state government is going to take some getting used to. Legislators have adjusted to what many privately -- and some not-so-privately -- had been calling "an empty wheelhouse." If Sean Parnell actually tries to run the state now, it'll mean another adjustment. On the plus side, having an engaged governor mean there's someplace to go to get a yes-or-no answer and, if the answer is yes, some help. On the minus side, it means all the agreements legislators have reached with commissioners and/or career bureaucrats could be knocked into a cocked hat.
Strictly as a spectator, I'll also be interested to see when, if ever, the media's preoccupation with Palin fades. She's been a solid headline for two-and-a-half years now, not to mention the woman the blogs love -- or love to hate. Say what you want about our new governor, I don't think even he would claim to have the same whatever it is Palin has that generates such strong feelings.
Counting Down To The - Hopefully - One Day Session
We're set to meet in about 10 days -- on Aug. 10, to be exact -- in Anchorage for what has been billed as a one-day special session. Let's hope that's all it is, because we are poorly equipped to do much more without the entire legislative infrastructure that exists in Juneau.
What we've agreed to is to consider two things: an override of the Palin veto -- which Parnell supports -- of more than $28 million in energy efficient stimulus funds the federal government is dying to give us; confirmation of Craig Campbell as lieutenant governor. I haven't heard a convincing argument to vote against either the money or Campbell.
On the second point: I'm told that even if he is confirmed, Campbell can't automatically become governor, since he wasn't elected to either post. If something should happen and we don't have a governor, Campbell would be acting governor until a real governor was chosen in a special election.
I'll Check In Again After The Session
I'll be out of touch for the next week. (We'll pause here so everyone can at least think, and perhaps say, the gag about me always being out of touch.) The daughter of one of my oldest friends is getting married and the woman who lets me live with her and I are off to attend the nuptials and related soirees. I'll be back in time to resume my duties as a powerful member of the powerful House of Representatives, but don't expect another e-news until after the special session.
As always, if you need anything between now and then, you can reach me through email or at my Anchorage office, if you understand that by me I mean my aide, the indispensable Priya Keane, who is the brains of the outfit anyway.
Mike Doogan is an Alaska State House Representative, author and former newspaper columist. This column appeared in his email newsletter.
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