Walker downsizes state’s Washington office

ANCHORAGE — There will be fewer people staffing the state of Alaska office in Washington, D.C.

The Alaska Dispatch News reported the lobbying office for the state will be reduced to two positions.

Gov. Bill Walker says he and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, along with cabinet members, will fill the void in lobbying efforts and outreach to federal officials. Walker anticipates the downsizing of the office will save about $400,000 a year.

There were initially five people who staffed the liaison and lobbying office. Of those, two were fired last month, and the job of another was not filled when the person took another job U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan’s office.

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