Kodiak Mirror

State Lawmakers Adjourn On 81st Day
L. Dischner. Holdsworth Appointed

JUNEAU (P)--The first session of the first Alaska State legislature adjourned Thursday night on its 81st day.

The Senate beat the House to adjournment by four minutes, closing shop until next January 25. at 9:50 p.m. (PST). Before adjournment, both Houses confirmed appointments of heads of four of 12 major departments in the reorganized Alaska government.

In a joint session minutes before adjournment, the 60 lawmakers confirmed the State Administration's appointment of Lewis Dischner of Fairbanks as Commissioner of Labor and Phil Holdsworth as Commissioner of Natural Resources.

Earlier in the evening. the Legislature approved the nominations of Rep. John Rader of Anchorage as Attorney-general and Richard A. Downing of Fairbanks as Commissioner of Public Works.

The Legislature also approved appointments to the Board of Fish and Game. Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Judicial Council, Board of Education. Employment Security Advisory Council and the Hospital Advisory Council

The lawmakers had waited most of the day to act on the appointments. They had completed virtually all their legislative work Wednesday, including final agreement on the controversial employment security measure and the $27½ million general fund appropriation.

The employment security measure finally agreed on by the legislators calls for a tax on total wages subject to the jobless insurance tax.

It also includes an experience rating system to vary the tax rate. according to the amount of seasonal activity in the various industries. and cuts out of State ESC payments to $20 from $25.

The record $27½ million budget was introduced Sunday after weeks of work by the finance committees of the two houses, headed by Sen. Al. Owen (D-Uganik Bay) and Earl Hillstrand (D-Anchorage). It cleared the House Monday with minor amendments. and was approved by the Senate Tuesday with other small changes.

On Wednesday, the House refused to concur in the Senate changes and the measure went to a conference committee where a $55,500 contingency item was included for Civil Defense at the request of Gov. William A. Egan.

Egan, who has never actually served since his inauguration. January 3. returned to the State Monday after nearly three months of recuperation. He designated Secretary of State Hugh J Wade to continue to serve as acting Governor, but played a key role in getting the list of appointments ready Thursday.