The Alaska Legislature met in joint session today to debate a resolution that would have denied Gov. Mike Dunleavy the ability to create a Department of Agriculture.
The vote was 32-28.
It takes 31 votes in a joint session of the Alaska Legislature to disapprove or stop a governor’s executive order from becoming effective. The vote must occur within 60 days of the start of a regular legislative session, after which the order takes effect unless it has been disapproved.
A yes vote during the joint session meant the resolution was approved to deny the new department.
A no vote majority would have meant approval of the new department.
Debate was extensive, and the final vote was mainly along Democrat-Republican caucus lines.
