Update on this story 4:54 p.m. Tuesday:
Controversial Board of Game appointee Karen Linnell was approved by a joint session of the Alaska Legislature by a 39-20 vote, after lengthy debate on Linnell’s potential conflict of interest.
In discussing other Board of Game and Fish nominees, the legislators veered far off the appointees themselves to question current board actions ranging from preference for commercial fishing to predator control.
A number of outdoor recreation groups have opposed Karen Linnell’s appointment to the Board of Game, citing conflicts of interests from her role and previous activity with AHTNA Inc., pursuing preference for shareholders to the exclusion of other hunting and fishing user groups. Here’s more background from our previous story: http://alaskaoutdoordigest.com/hunting/board-of-game-appointee-linnell-drawing-opposition-over-potential-conflict-of-interest/
Several legislators had said privately that the Governor is not likely to get approvals with making concessions on other legislation pending including potetial taxes on oil and private income to help balance the state’s budget shortfall.
The joint session is voting on almost 100 board and commission appointees from Governor Bill Walker and is broadcast on Gavel-to-Gavel on public televisison.
