{"id":46474,"date":"2019-04-16T05:30:00","date_gmt":"2019-04-16T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.juneauempire.com\/news\/capitol-live-afternoon-meetings-could-yield-some-excitement\/"},"modified":"2019-04-16T15:03:10","modified_gmt":"2019-04-16T23:03:10","slug":"capitol-live-afternoon-meetings-could-yield-some-excitement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.juneauempire.com\/news\/capitol-live-afternoon-meetings-could-yield-some-excitement\/","title":{"rendered":"Capitol Live: Commissioner designee speaks amid criticism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t

2:38 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Price calls herself an unconventional pick, not having a law enforcement background. She says the men sitting alongside her were skeptical at first, but they all said she’s won them over.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Duxbury in particular has been vocal and passionate. He says criticisms of her have been “misogynistic” and that a man wouldn’t get some of the comments and criticisms that she’s gotten.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

— Alex McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

2:35 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Price says the perception of her has become “incredibly distorted,” and that she believes Scott Kendall (former chief of staff for Gov. Bill Walker) asked her to resign in part because she had expressed concerns about Senate Bill 91. She said she was never given a reason, but that’s what she inferred.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Kendall, of course, is the main person who has expressed concerns about Price.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

— Alex McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Amanda<\/a>

Amanda Price, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, speaks during a press conference on her confirmation to the position at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t

2:18 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Duxbury goes on for a while longer. He praises Price’s attention to providing mental health resources for employees. Duxbury talks about suicide rates in the state and specifically references Toksook Bay teen Ethan Therchik, who lost three friends to suicide within 18 months. Therchik spoke at a suicide awareness rally last month at the Capitol<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

— Alex McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

2:13 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Her staff members, as expected, are speaking glowingly of her. Alaska State Troopers Colonel Douglas Massie says he’s been impressed with the speed at which Price has gotten results.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Deputy Commissioner Michael Duxbury says he’s never had to worry about not working as hard as his boss until now. He says he can’t get to the office earlier than she does and can’t stay later than her, and said he was shocked to hear a former supervisor describe Price as having a poor work ethic.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

— Alex McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

2:10 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Department<\/a>

Department of Public Safety Commissioner designee Amanda Price (center) appears with her staff at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t

Price is here, with a posse. Alongside her are: Deputy Commissioner Michael Duxbury, AST Colonel Doug Massie, AST Colonel Barry Wilson, State Fire Marshall Richard Boothby, Public Safety Employees Association DPS Chapter Secretary\/Treasurer Scott Carson, Kelly Howell Special Assistant to the Commissioner.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

— Alex McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

1:50 p.m<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

As we await a press conference from DPS commissioner appointee Amanda Price, check out Ben’s story here<\/a> about the Senate Education Committee’s meeting and what the future of pre-K education might be in the state.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

— Alex McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

10:45 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore Finn Morley did the invocation on the House floor today, and played the Alaska Flag Song on cello instead of saying a prayer. The representatives seemed to like it, as they gave him a round of applause. Morley’s grandmother Judy was in attendance in the gallery.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

— Alex McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Finn<\/a>

Finn Morley, a sophomore at Juneau-Douglas High School, plays the Alaska Flag Song on his cello for the invocation during the opening of the House floor session on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t

10:18 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

The House Finance Committee adjourned right around 10, and will reconvene tomorrow morning. No decisions or anything at today’s meeting. It was more of an informational hearing about the Village Safe Water program. The meeting was originally supposed to include a presentation from Legislative Finance Director David Teal, but his talk was canceled at the last minute.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

— Alex McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

9:52 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Meanwhile, Empire reporter Ben Hohenstatt is at a meeting of the Senate Education Committee, which is hearing a bill about expanding pre-k funding. The Alaska chapter of the National Educational Association is tweeting out some statistics about early education.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Happening now in the Senate Education Committee, Senator Tom Begich\u2018s proposal to expand access to pre-k to Alaska\u2019s students. #akleg<\/a> Watch here: https:\/\/t.co\/FqcSGApbJ5<\/a><\/p>— NEA-Alaska (@NEAAlaska) April 16, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n