Legislature rejects Dunleavy appointees to state school board and commercial fishing agency

Members of nan Alaska House and Senate ballot connected nan confirmation of authorities Board of Education and Early Development personnel Bob Griffin connected May 5, 2024. (Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)

The Alaska Legislature changeable down 1 of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s nominees to nan authorities Board of Education and Early Development connected Tuesday. Members of nan House and Senate objected to what they said were morals violations by Bob Griffin, who has sat connected nan authorities committee for 5 years. 

The 21-39 bipartisan ballot came during a associated convention group speech for votes connected Dunleavy’s appointees to his furniture and various boards and commissions. Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage and nan chair of nan Senate Education Committee, accused Griffin of many times overstepping his authority and pushing for nan usage of nationalist costs for backstage schooling.

Tobin pointed successful peculiar to Griffin’s meetings pinch lawmakers urging them not to override Dunleavy’s veto of an acquisition backing and betterment measure earlier this year. Griffin confirmed successful a Senate Education Committee proceeding that he had urged lawmakers not to override nan veto.

“It is clear he did not workout sound judgment, and he should person known better,” Tobin said. “He’s been connected nan authorities committee for 5 years. “

Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, was 1 of respective Republicans who stood up to support Griffin’s nomination.

“We each make mistakes, arsenic he made mistakes successful nan measurement he presented himself aliases nan things he said,” McCabe said. “I mean, erstwhile personification says they’re coming to lobby me, does that mean they person to beryllium a lobbyist? Or does it mean they’re conscionable coming to person me? “

Some lawmakers besides objected to different authorities Board of Education nominee, Barbara Tyndall. Tobin said Tyndall’s agelong history school astatine a North Pole Christian schoolhouse made her amended suited for nan committee of a backstage schoolhouse than nan authorities committee overseeing nationalist schools. Rep. CJ McCormick, D-Bethel, said he was concerned astir Tyndall’s opposition to a 2021 bill that would person expanded intelligence wellness attraction successful nationalist schools.

But others, including Rep. Mike Prax, R-North Pole, said Tyndall was a dedicated coach who has devoted her life to helping students, and her information was confirmed 34-26.

The authorities acquisition section did not respond to emails seeking remark from committee members.

Lawmakers besides rejected Dunleavy’s assignment of advertisement advisor and talk show big Mike Porcaro to nan Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission successful a 30-30 necktie vote.

Porcaro testified successful a Senate Resources Committee proceeding past period that he had nary acquisition successful commercialized sportfishing but had extended expertise successful connection and management. Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, said that while she initially opposed Porcaro’s appointment, she’d been impressed pinch his activity successful nan domiciled truthful far. Opponents of nan appointment, including nan House number conjugation and overmuch of nan bipartisan Senate majority, did not speak to their reasoning.

Lawmakers besides rejected a nominee to nan Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board, Mark Sayampanathan, by a 16-44 vote.

McCabe said Sayampanathan had falsely claimed that McCabe supported a business connection of his connected nationalist land. And Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, provided emails successful which he said Sayampanathan made “intemperate” comments astir members of nan Anchorage Assembly. Sayampanathan referred questions sent via email to nan Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which did not instantly respond.

Lawmakers besides narrowly approved nan information of lawyer Emily Jackson-Hall to nan committee of nan Alaska Labor Relations Agency, successful a 35-25 vote. Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, said Jackson-Hall’s history arsenic a labour negotiator connected nan broadside of guidance made her a mediocre fresh for a nationalist spot connected nan board.

Most of Dunleavy’s different nominees, including Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Catherine Muñoz and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Emma Pokon, were confirmed by wide margins.