Late last week Governor Bill Walker’s office sent an email to legislators announcing staffing changes to both his own Legislative Office and to the coterie of legislative liaisons at state agencies.
Legislative liaisons act as information conduits between agencies, the Governor’s office, and legislators on public policy and budget issues.
The email’s author, Legislative Director Darwin Peterson, took the opportunity to reassure legislators he will be returning in that role for this legislative session, as well as introduce legislators to his retooled office staff.
Peterson wrote:
Honorable Legislators and Legislators-elect:
Now that the first session of the 30th Legislature is upon us, I wanted to take this opportunity to send you an updated legislative liaison list for departments (attached) and to notify everyone of staffing changes in the Governor’s Legislative Office since last session. I will continue in my role as the Governor’s Legislative Director. The Deputy Director is Emily Gaffney. Emily is an attorney who transferred over from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development where she was a regulations specialist. For those of you who may not know Emily, I will bring her by your office when session starts so you can meet her. Effective January 3rd, Nicole Gorle (current staff to Rep. Munoz) will be replacing Natasha McClanahan as the assistant director. Natasha has transferred to the Department of Corrections where she will serve as the legislative liaison. For Committee Chairs, Nicole will be your staff contact for fiscal notes. Victoria Schoenheit will staff the front desk and be your first point of contact. She replaces Liz Williams who transferred to the Governor’s Constituent Relations Office. Most recently, Victoria worked in the Department of Law where she was the office manager in the Attorney General’s Juneau office. I look forward to seeing you all in Juneau soon and may we all have a cordial and productive legislative session. I wish you, your family and your staff a very Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year. Safe travels.
Regards,
Darwin Peterson
Legislative Director
Office of Governor Bill Walker
Attached to the email was this list of State department legislative liaisons:
Casey,
Are these liaison positions full time?
Yes