By Adam Pinsker Channel 2 News KTUU

10:19 p.m. AKST, January 15, 2013
JUNEAU, Alaska—

Tuesday, January 15th marked swearing-in day for the Alaska Legislature.

House and Senate members took the oath of office as the 28th session of the state of Alaska legislature officially got underway.

Both the House majority and minority leaders rolled out their agendas for this session before everyone was sworn into office:

Within hours after session began - the work of the legislature began - at least on paper.

For the Democratic minority, education funding and energy were top priorities.

Party leaders say Governor Parnell’s funding for schools is not enough to keep up with inflation.

They will also introduce a bill requiring oil companies to reinvest any money they make off tax breaks - back into Alaska.

For the GOP majority - constructing a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to the ocean is a top priority.

The Republican majority got even larger this cycle, but speaker Mike Chennault has pledged bi-partisan ship whenever possible.

"I know the minority leader and myself get along, and sometimes we don't sometimes we have disagreements," House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, said.

“They may have us outnumbered, but they don't have us surrounded, and there's just a lot of truth to that," House Minority Leader Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, said.

There are 14 Democrats and 26 Republican house members, but four of those Democrats caucus with the GOP majority.

Also Tuesday, 19 of 20 senators up for re-election were sworn in following the House and Charlie Huggins, R-Wasilla was named Senate president.



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