Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, left, and Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, relay a message to Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy in his Capitol office that the Senate is open and ready for business on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy to give first State of State address

It’s in less than a week.

Juneau Empire
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 7:44pm
News Alaska Legislature Gov. Mike Dunleavy State & Legislature State & Legislature

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is ready for his close-up.

The new governor will likely deliver his State of the State address at 7 p.m. Jan. 22, it was announced on the Alaska Senate floor Wednesday. The House of Representatives has to make a formal request as well, House Majority Press Secretary Mike Mason said Wednesday. With the House in disarray without a majority at the moment, that request has not come yet.

Mason said the 7 p.m. Jan. 22 time and date will likely stand, though, as these formal requests are more of a formality than anything else.

Dunleavy’s address will take place at the Alaska Capitol, and will be in front of a joint session of the House and Senate.

[Tensions rise in discombobulated Alaska House]

For those looking to plan their evenings around the speech: Last year’s address from Gov. Bill Walker lasted 49 minutes and his address the previous year lasted 46 minutes.