Alaska Gov, Lawmakers' Fights Mark Session End

ANNE SUTTON

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A legislative session sparked by discord between lawmakers and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin over appointments and spending rolled to a peaceful close Sunday evening.

Legislators approved operating and construction budgets but little else. The Senate adjourned shortly after 7:30 p.m. and the House followed 25 minutes later.

One contentious issue was resolved hours before adjournment when Palin appointed former Juneau Mayor Dennis Egan to a vacant Senate seat. Senate Democrats approved the appointment and joined Palin in front of the Capitol to introduce Egan.

"It took awhile but I'm just thankful we are where we are today with a very good senator that will do a great job of representing the diversity of the Juneau population," Palin said.

Another contentious appointment was resolved in a less amicable fashion on Thursday when lawmakers broke with historical precedent by failing to confirm a cabinet pick, Wayne Anthony Ross, for attorney general.

Legislative leaders in January said their focus in the 90-day session would be a spending plan in response to the dramatic drop in the price of crude oil, the source of roughly 90 percent of state income. Oil reached a high of $144.59 per barrel in July but dropped to the low $30s by year's end.