Another group that's wrapping things up and moving on is the Alaska State Legislature. Regretfully, legislators have less to show for their work on the biggest issues facing the state. The House worked hard and did its part on forging through the political minefield of new taxes and revenue enhancements to close the fiscal gap, despite initial reluctance from its leadership. Rep. Drew Scalzi, a freshman member of the Republican majority, deserves credit for having the courage to do what is best for Alaska, in spite of political ramifications.

The Senate foundered in the morass of big issues facing the state. The Senate leadership never got the message from moderates like Sen. John Torgerson that it was time to get moving on the big issues confronting us. Unfortunately, Torgerson spent much of the session trying to breathe life into a natural gas pipeline that is too expensive to build without government assistance. His goal was admirable <> to create revenues through economic development that will eventually pay for running our state <> but the Senate came up short on addressing our fiscal dilemma.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the legislature was still in regular session, an indication that they recognize their failure to act. Hopefully, the last 24 hours will be fruitful.

Graduates will move on to the next step in their lives, our legislators will move on to the Legislature's special session on subsistence. Which will be more productive? It's up to each of them. Good luck in your endeavors.