www.juneauempire.com/stories/052009/loc_442004876.shtml -
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Published on: 5/20/2009
Last Visited: 5/21/2009
Dennis Egan learns the ropes while awaiting his committee posts
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Dennis Egan.
And it's going to get tougher, after behind-the-scenes negotiations come to a conclusion and Egan gets his committee appointments.
"It's taken a lot more time than I thought," Egan said, but that's not a problem.
"I'm semi-retired and I'm committed to doing what's best for Juneau and the region, or I wouldn't have accepted it," he said.
Egan, a Democrat, was appointed on the final day of the 2009 Legislative session, following a bruising battle between Gov.
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After years in city politics with service as Assembly member and mayor of Juneau, Egan had broad local support.
Egan is now the most junior member of the Alaska Legislature, and quickly found out what that means.
Elton had been a member of the coalition that controls the Senate, as Egan expects to be, but Elton's years of service won him a prized corner office.
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Sen. Joe Thomas, D-Fairbanks, claimed Olson's office, and Egan took Thomas'.
Now Egan and his staff are trying to get the office furnished.
"I've got a really old couch, but they said they're going to replace it," he said.
Yet to be decided is the key issue of which committee Egan will serve on.
"I'm hoping that will be decided sooner, rather than later," he said.
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Egan said if he can't get on the Finance Committee, he hopes the position goes to Sen.
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"I'm hoping that the Finance Seat will be held for Southeast, at least," Egan said.
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Without committee assignments, Egan has been mostly working local and constituent issues.
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The members of the Juneau delegation are long-time friends, though Egan described himself as the "old goat of the group."
"We're personal friends, and we all work very well together," he said.
Muñoz was a member of the Assembly when Egan was mayor, while Kerttula's husband, Jim Powell, also served on the Assembly with Egan.
Muñoz was a member of the Assembly when Egan was mayor, while Kerttula's husband, Jim Powell, also served on the Assembly with Egan.