Empire Editorial: The Valley gambled, and Juneau won

  • Sunday, November 13, 2016 1:01am
  • Opinion

Mendenhall Valley voters gambled big on Tuesday — and come Wednesday all of Juneau hit the jackpot.

Juneau now has two members in the House majority after a stunning announcement Wednesday that three Republicans and two Independents would caucus with House Democrats to form a new 22-member bipartisan majority.

We at the Empire, when deciding our endorsement, hedged our bets on Cathy Muñoz. We played it safe (and smart) — or so we thought. Our editorial board felt it crucial to ensure Juneau had at least one lawmaker in the majority once votes were counted. For the last several legislative sessions we’ve witnessed minority members in both chambers placed at the kiddie table while members of the majority made, or avoided making, every key decision.

Newly-elected House District 34 Rep. Justin Parish wrote in a recent Empire “My Turn” that voters shouldn’t worry about who is or isn’t in the majority, and that caucuses could change. He obviously was right considering Thursday’s committee assignments.

We’ll admit it: We were wrong.

District 33 Rep. Sam Kito III is the new chairman of the Legislative Council, the group that blundered its way through a failed $34 million deal to purchase an office building in Anchorage that’s now the subject of a lawsuit. Kito was opposed to that deal. Now he’ll be the one setting the Council’s agenda.

Parish will be co-chairman of the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee alongside Rep. Zach Fansler, D-Bethel. He also has a seat on Education and Resources, and is an alternate for the Ethics Committee.

After being forced to sit and watch as the previous majority fought amongst themselves over how much, or how little, to cut from the budget, the new majority gets its turn at the wheel. But the bipartisan caucus will have just two years to stabilize Alaska’s budget before the next election, when the target will undoubtedly be placed on their backs.

We wish the new House majority nothing but good luck in the legislative sessions ahead. It’s every bit as daunting a task now as it was three years ago when oil prices first plummeted. We also hope they’ve learned some valuable lessons from how the previous majority treated them.

It’s understandable if many of these returning lawmakers enter 2017 with a chip on their shoulder. They’ve been largely ignored for too long, but common ground must be found with the Republican minority for all Alaskans to prosper. The new majority should treat the minority like they wish they had been treated. We’ve seen the result of marginalizing the minority, and few have prospered as a result.

With a Republican Senate, bipartisan House and Independent governor, the 2017 session is sure to be interesting if nothing else. Here’s to hoping it’s productive as well.

More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

A preliminary design of Huna Totem’s Aak’w Landing shows an idea for how the project’s Seawalk could connect with the city’s Seawalk at Gold Creek (left). (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: To make Juneau affordable, grow our economy

Based on the deluge of comments on social media, recent proposals by… Continue reading

The White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2025. A federal judge said on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, that she intended to temporarily block the Trump administration from imposing a sweeping freeze on trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans, adding to the pushback against an effort by the White House’s Office and Management and Budget. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
My Turn: A plea for Alaska’s delegation to actively oppose political coup occurring in D.C.

An open letter to Alaska’s Congressional delegation: I am a 40-year resident… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) questions Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
Opinion: Sen. Sullivan doesn’t know the meaning of leadership

Last Wednesday, Sen. Dan Sullivan should have been prepared for questions about… Continue reading

Current facilities operated by the private nonprofit Gastineau Human Services Corp., which is seeking to add to its transitional housing in Juneau. (Gastineau Human Services Corp. photo)
Opinion: Housing shouldn’t be a political issue — it’s a human right

Alaska is facing a crisis — one that shouldn’t be up for… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: In the spirit of McKinley, a new name for Juneau

Here is a modest proposal for making Juneau great again. As we… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Protect the balance of democracy

We are a couple in our 70s with 45-plus years as residents… Continue reading

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, following his inauguration as the 47th president. Legal experts said the president was testing the boundaries of executive power with aggressive orders designed to stop the country from transitioning to renewable energy. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Opinion: Sen. McConnell, not God, made Trump’s retribution presidency possible

I’m not at all impressed by President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed… Continue reading

Juneau Assembly members confer with city administrative leaders during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Nov 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Community affordability takes a back seat to Assembly spending

Less than four months ago, Juneau voters approved a $10 million bond… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Informing the Public?

The recent Los Angeles area firestorms have created their own media circus… Continue reading

Bins of old PFAS-containing firefighting foams are seen on Oct. 24, 2024, at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport fire department headquarters. The PFAS foams are due to be removed and sent to a treatment facility. The airport, like all other state-operated airports, is to switch to non-PFAS firefighting foams by the start of 2025, under a new state law. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Opinion: A change for safer attire: PFAS Alternatives Act 2023

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are man-made synthetic chemicals… Continue reading

Attendees are seated during former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, on Jan. 9, 2025. Pictures shared on social media by the vice president and by the Carter Center prominently showed other past presidents in attendance. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)
Opinion: Karen Pence’s silent act of conscience

Last week at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, President-elect Donald Trump and former President… Continue reading