Press Release: House Majority Leaders Clarify Media Muddle - Leaders Elucidate Reasons for Committee Assignments

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Released:	January 22, 2003
Contact:	Traci Jordan House Majority Communications Director, at (907) 465-5446.

(Juneau) - House Majority Leaders held a special meeting today in Speaker Kott's office to discuss erroneous information distributed through the press yesterday in regards to committee assignments of Rep. Cheryll Heinze (R-Anchorage).

The article was written in response to an e-mail campaign launched by Rep. Heinze's former opponents, which attempted to influence the Legislators in their committee choices. According to Rules Committee Chairman Rep. Norman Rokeberg (R-Anchorage), "This was, unfortunately for everyone involved, an untimely misunderstanding."

"The House Majority Leadership believed that a more experienced Legislator should be recommended to take the lead as the primary representative to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. Rep. Rokeberg, with his many years of legislative experience, was better prepared for this position," stated Speaker of the House Pete Kott. "Rep. Heinze was neither demoted nor removed from the committee," he continued. "In fact, as the alternate delegate, she can attend every meeting and vote when the primary member is not present."

Rep. Rokeberg further noted, "Rep. Heinze had previously requested a seat on a standing committee. When a position on the Transportation Committee became available, we offered her the seat and encouraged her to maintain a position as the alternate delegate on the Ethics Committee."

"As the Chairperson of the Economic Development, Trade, and Tourism Committee, I thought it was very important for me to accept the seat on the Transportation Committee; they are so closely intertwined and inter-dependent," said Rep. Heinze. "I think it shows a great amount of trust in my abilities. I am greatly honored by the decision of the Committee on Committees."

Speaker Kott (R-Eagle River) emphasized, "Leadership has a high level of regard for Rep. Heinze's steadfast character and strong principles, and the Caucus strongly supports her participation on the committees."

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