Walker vetoes bill to put lawmakers on Alaska gas line board

JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker has vetoed legislation that would have put lawmakers on the board of the state-sanctioned Alaska Gasline Development Corp., citing constitutional concerns.

The bill, from Sen. Mia Costello, would have put three lawmakers on the board in non-voting, unpaid roles. The idea was to give lawmakers a better understanding of the board’s decisions and to bring lawmakers’ own experience to the board.

In issuing the veto, Walker cited a constitutional provision barring legislators from holding dual offices.

Walker said legislators, even in non-voting roles, would still be influencing board decisions while having the power legislatively to determine funding for the corporation and change its laws.

Read more: http://juneauempire.com/state/2016-07-22/walker-vetoes-bill-put-lawmakers-alaska-gas-line-board