Palin's priorities unlikely to advance

JUNEAU, Alaska, March 11 (UPI) -- Two of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's legislative priorities this year appear to have been rejected by the state Legislature, observers say.

The Anchorage Daily News reported Wednesday that the Republican governor's proposal dealing with an in-state natural gas pipeline and consolidating the six Railbelt utilities to pursue the Susitna River dam appear to be dead.

"They are very big issues. I personally do not believe we will complete those before the end of the session," said Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak.

Republicans and Democrats say part of the problem with the proposals is that Palin introduced the bills about halfway through the 90-day legislative session, the newspaper reported.

"Those bills were dropped in the last week and a half here -- and we believe the Legislature can move forward," Palin spokesman Bill McAllister was quoted as saying.

On Monday, Palin issued a statement saying "lawmakers should not delay consideration of the agenda before them on the mistaken belief that I will call a special session to handle whatever is left on the table."