Update | 4:08 p.m.
Gov. Bill Walker says he’s disappointed in the legislature, but won’t take any more action to preclude the its departure.
Original post | 2:55 p.m.
Alaska lawmakers voted today to leave Juneau, for now.
The House and Senate each passed a resolution to let legislators recess until May 12. The vote in each house followed caucus lines, with minority Democrats in opposition.
Proponents with the Republican-led majority caucuses said the break would offer a cooling off period amid the budget impasse that led to the special session. Opponents said the break means leaving Juneau with an incomplete budget and a duty unfulfilled.
Imminent renovations would effectively put legislators out of the Capitol building. Proponents of the recess alluded to holding committee hearings on the special session’s unresolved legislative business — Medicaid expansion, the budget and a bill to implement sexual abuse prevention education in schools — during the recess on the road system.
Juneau Sen. Dennis Egan said the capital city will be ready for legislative business to resume May 12.
