<\/a>Juneau Democratic state Reps. Sara Hannan, center left, and Andi Story, center right, chat with fellow lawmakers minutes before the House was called to order at 2:05 p.m. Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini \/ Juneau Empire)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
A nomination for Rep. Justin Ruffridge, a Soldotna Republican who Democratic leaders said they supported, resulted in an objection and 10-minute at ease, disrupting what some lawmakers said was an apparent bipartisan agreement. Another nomination was then made by Rep. Laddie Shaw, an Anchorage Republican on behalf of Josiah Patkotak, an independent from Utqiagvik who Republicans are hoping will join a majority coalition.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
A vote on Patkotak took place first, which Democrats joined in passing unanimously once he had 21 votes to ensure his nomination.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Patkotak, who was also elected speaker pro tem during the stalemate when the 2020 session opened, said in an interview after Tuesday’s vote “I don’t think there was much orchestrated or anything” after he told acting House leaders he’d be willing to serve in the temporary role again.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“What I’m pursuing is if we can relieve the lieutenant governor of presiding over the House,” he said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
<\/a>Josiah Patkotak, I-Utqiaġvik, walks toward the dais in the Alaska House of Representatives Chamber to preside over the body as the speaker pro tem. (Jonson Kuhn \/ Juneau Empire)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Patkotak presided over one more bit of contentious business during the floor session, as a motion to adjourn immediately followed his nomination. Members were divided about meeting again Wednesday or Thursday, with the former ultimately prevailing despite some lawmakers later stating there’s little chance the majority standoff will be resolved by then<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“I think what it does is make us accountable to the House,” Patkotak said, explaining why he favored the earlier meeting date.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
As for how long the current stalemate in forming a majority might last, “if I had a crystal ball I’d tell you,” he said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Both of Juneau’s Democratic representatives — Sara Hannan and Andi Story — opposed the earlier date, which Story said for her part was out of consideration lawmakers who had plans for tomorrow with families and other out.of-town visitors.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The selection of a speaker pro tem made the coming days easier for Dahlstrom, who would have presided over the chamber until one was elected. She said during a news conference before the session started her staff prepared a script and she staged a few practice sessions with them involving different scenarios.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“I don’t know what’s going to happen when we get down the hall there,” she said. “I’m just going to roll with the punches.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Dahlstrom said she altered her calendar to factor in time for a long standoff including, regrettably, skipping Arctic Winter Games in the Canadian town of Wood Buffalo, Alberta.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“If it takes 20 days or it takes 40 days that’s going to be the priority,” she said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t