Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

I would like to correct some recent negative comments about being a member of a Republican majority in Juneau.

First, the positives. The house majority writes the budgets through a committee process. Republican principals of spend carefully so you can tax Alaskans less are built into the budget in a committee process.

When the budget comes to the floor, any legislator can offer and vote on any amendments they want. Majority members can also take their issues up in caucus. Majority members vote together for the final passage of the Budget. The other required vote is related to rule of order or parliamentary procedures on the floor and the ruling of the chair. You are required to vote with the chairs or speaker to resolve the issue.

As a candidate running for office one should not apologize for voting with legislators or caucus that have similar beliefs or positions. That is what our current district’s seated legislators are doing and defines who they are.

Bob Sivertsen