Summary: Edgmon says that these cuts are too deep and too devastating to be ignored. Legislators will have to come together one way or another.
3:09
Should Alaskan hope two divisions will come back together?
Edgmon: Everyday that’s gone on there’s been more conversation between the two factions. We haven’t been making too much progress with the governor but at some point we have to come together.
Petitions to recall?
Edgmon: There’s been a lot of talk around “can I stay in Alaska?” A lot of anger. “People are galvanized in Alaska.”
I don’t think (minority legislators) can turn their back on what these cuts are doing.
If you look at the totality of these cuts, particularly in small communities, those city functions just stop.
2:56 p.m.
Edgmon: Legislature intending to push forward. Meetings in Anchorage with other hearings in other locations around the state to consider House Bill 2001.
Governor’s strategy to put emphasis on 3k PFD first.
Committees will be working with each other as well as general public.
There’s an engaged public in Alaska like nobody’s ever seen before. Alaskan are coming out like we’ve never seen.
Technically five day period is still in play but at some point it became inevitable that we we’re going to get others to come to Juneau.
Wouldn’t it have been better to go to Wasilla?
Edgmon: Majority of legislators said no, with no disrespect to legislators in Wasilla but the facilities there are insufficient.
Because of the lack of access in Wasilla, and it would’ve taken three days to transport all the staff and equipment.
The vote count wasn’t going to change, we might have been able to pick up a few votes but we we’re going to get to 45.
We couldn’t spent all that money to go up north and still not get the votes.
