Palin gives Democrats their appointment

JUNEAU, Alaska, April 20 (UPI) -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said she gave in to Democrats and gave them the state Senate appointment they wanted, capping an acrimonious legislative session.

The Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News reported Monday that the Alaska Legislature adjourned Sunday night, and Democrats got the appointee they wanted, former Juneau Mayor Dennis Egan, to fill a vacant state Senate seat.

"The Senate Democrats, the administration and the Juneau Democrats needed a conclusion -- closure -- to this issue. It made sense to put in Dennis Egan," Palin said.

The Daily News noted that little legislation passed this year, noting that all of Palin's major bills failed, including a measure to consolidate the six Railbelt utilities.

Democratic state Rep. Mike Doogan told the newspaper this was an "unexceptional" session, and not particularly productive.

"They had a pretty limited agenda, and they mostly got it done," Doogan said.

In all, the Legislature passed 59 of the 440 bills introduced this year, the newspaper reported.