25th Alaska State Legislature


The 25th Alaska State Legislature served for a term lasting from January 16, 2007, to January 19, 2009. All forty representatives and one-half of the senate were elected to their terms on November 7, 2006. The remaining ten senators were elected to their terms on November 2, 2004.

Sessions

First session: January 16, 2007 – May 16, 2007Second session: January 15, 2008 – April 13, 2008Special session: June 3, 2008 – August 7, 2008
In the 2006 elections, a voter initiative championed by freshman Fairbanks representative Jay Ramras was passed by voters, which reduced the statutory length of the session from the existing length of 120 days to 90 days. The changes to the law made by the initiative took effect with the second session of this legislature. Current legislation would make changes to accommodate a 90 session.
Although the second session adjourned on time, some members of the legislature claimed that legislation was rushed and public input was jeopardized.

Senate

Composition

Bipartisan coalition

Shortly after the 2006 November election, a bipartisan coalition was announced between all nine Democratic senators and six of the eleven Republican senators. Democrats will chair the Judiciary, Health, Education, & Social Services, Labor and Commerce, Community and Regional Affairs, and Transportation Committees, as well as co-chair the powerful Finance Committee. The Senate Republicans in the coalition will also had a co-chair for the Finance Committee, and chair the State Affairs, Resources, and Rules Committees.
Because of the Republican split, the Democrats controlled a majority of committee chairmanships while Republicans in the governing coalition chair the others. The majority leader was the same legislator as it was in the last session, a Republican, who joined the bi-partisan coalition. Because of this, the minority leader was head of the five-member Republican organization. Hence, all three listed officers of the body were Republicans, as different aspects were in the majority while others are in the official minority.
The split was largely viewed as being over the Senate presidency. The minority leader was the Republicans' suspected, initial choice for Senate President. The coalition commanded three-quarters of the body.
A similar move was made in the 24th Legislature, on the House side. The coalition was later disbanded.

Leadership

The President of the Senate is Republican Lyda Green of District G. The Majority Leader is Republican Gary Stevens of District R. The Minority Leader is Republican Gene Therriault of District F.
PositionNamePartyResidenceDistrict
President of the SenateLyda GreenRepublicanMatanuska-Susitna ValleyDistrict G
Majority LeaderJohnny EllisDemocratAnchorageDistrict L
Minority LeaderGene TherriaultRepublicanNorth PoleDistrict F