Gov.-elect Sarah Palin has reversed state policy and will no longer require members of her Cabinet to live in the capital.
The shift in policy announced by Palin on Tuesday raised concerns about Juneau's hold on the Capitol and about the efficient operation of state government.
Win Gruening of the Alaska Committee, which opposes any capital move, called Palin's decision disappointing, while state Sen. Kim Elton, D-Juneau, said Palin risked weakening state government by not having the top management team working together.
"Management from a distance is difficult," he said. "Teams are more efficient if they are co-located."
At a press conference to announce new commissioner appointments in Anchorage's Atwood Building, Palin said commissioners in her administration will live where they prefer.
It is "not a requirement to live in Juneau," she said.
Palin said the three commissioners named Tuesday live in Chugiak, Wasilla and Anchorage.
"They'll be back and forth," she said. "They'll be where they need to be."
Palin's announcement was "disappointing and unfortunate," Gruening said.
Elton said he was concerned about the attrition of state jobs out of Juneau. If commissioners move, top staff are likely to move with them.
Legislators need to be able to deal with commissioners with decision-making authority, he said, not deputy commissioners and division managers. And deputies will be less confident about conveying commissioners' views if they are not in daily personal contact with them, he said.
Gruening noted that past commissioners have sometimes lived elsewhere.
"I think there have been a number of commissioners who haven't lived in Juneau in past administrations," he said.
Elton confirmed that. While Gov. Frank Murkowski had a policy of requiring Juneau residence, previous Gov. Tony Knowles and others sometimes allowed exceptions.
"I'm chagrined when exceptions are made," Elton said.
• Pat Forgey can be reached at patrick.forgey@juneauempire.com.
