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Palin changes players at halftime

by Bill McAllister
Thursday, May 1, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The top staffer in the Palin administration has left his job, and several other personnel changes are being made as the governor heads into what she calls the halftime of her term.

Palin's chief of staff, Mike Tibbles, is out the door. We're told it's a matter of not enough time with his family. The search is on for Tibbles' successor. But in the meantime, there are new faces in the administration, as well as familiar faces in new positions.

Palin says major changes in her staff are coming at a good time and she says the administration is recommitting to the principles it has tried to follow all along.

"We'd like to be able to communicate even better with Alaskans, letting them know where we are on legislation, letting them know our priorities in working with Alaskans," Palin said. "We're getting input all the time. We've been living open, honest, transparent government, but we want to really manifest to even a greater degree, Alaskans deserve that."

Tibbles, the governor's chief of staff since she was sworn in, is leaving between the end of the regular legislative session and before the special session Palin has called on the gas line.

Tibbles declined an interview.

While Palin looks for a new top staffer, she already has welcomed other new people on-board.

Rosanne Hughes, a former congressional aide, has filled the long vacant position of communications director and press secretary.

"It's a wonderful opportunity, a wonderful and blessing and a privilege to be able to work in this administration," Hughes said. "To advance the governor's priorities, and to get to work, we've got a lot to do, as we're getting ready to into special session on AGIA, working to get a gas pipeline for Alaska."

Meanwhile, longtime legislative aide Kelly Goode started Wednesday as Palin's legislative liaison, trying to build bridges between the administration and lawmakers.

"There's differences of opinions, and I think that's healthy in the political debate," Goode said. "We have different branches of government, so there are always going to be those challenges. I look at them as positive."

Goode is going to be Palin's third legislative liaison in just a year and a half, but she says her predecessors, Kelly and John Bitney, did a good job, and she says she will still be able to consult with Kelly.

It's a challenging role, though, as relationships between the governor and some lawmakers, particularly Senate President Lyda Green, have been increasingly rocky.

The governor is changing her line-up, even as she says her team's game plan remains the same.

Russ Kelly, who was legislative liaison during the last regular session, is going to Washington, D.C., as associate director of the governor's office there. He's replacing Larry Persily, who is returning to Alaska. Palin says she hopes to find a position for Persily in state government here.

Contact Bill McAllister at bmcallister@ktuu.com