Juneau lawmakers: Commissioners should live in capital city

Dennis Egan, Cathy Munoz, Sam Kito
Juneau’s Legislative delegation, Sen. Dennis Egan and Reps. Cathy Muñoz and Sam Kito III. (Photo by Casey Kelly/KTOO)

Juneau legislators want more of Gov. Bill Walker’s cabinet members to live in the capital city.

In a letter sent to Walker on Monday, Sen. Dennis Egan and Reps. Cathy Muñoz and Sam Kito III say they’re concerned that only two state commissioners have committed to living in Juneau. Education Commissioner Mike Hanley is a year-round resident. Fish and Game Commissioner Sam Cotten has said he will relocate for legislative sessions, but owns two houses elsewhere in Alaska where he plans to spend at least part of his time.

Egan says state government works better when high-level officials are in the same place.

“With all state agencies, most of them headquartered here in Juneau, it makes sense to the delegation,” says Egan. “You know, teleconferencing is fine, but a one-on-one, face-to-face with their commissioners works a heck of a lot better.”

The delegation says commissioners who aren’t close to the action in Juneau “risk weakening the management of, and political support for” their agencies, which is especially concerning given the state’s recent budget shortfalls.

The letter also brings up a long-running concern of Juneau lawmakers: Capital creep, or the slow migration of state jobs away from the city.

Gov. Walker does live in Juneau full time. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott is a longtime resident and, like Egan, a former mayor of the city and borough.

Walker’s spokeswoman Grace Jang says the governor’s office will respond to the delegation’s letter today (Wednesday).

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