Legislators decry Troopergate suit (Juneau Empire)

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Thursday, October 02, 2008
Story last updated at 10/2/2008 - 9:30 am

Legislators decry Troopergate suit
Sen. Elton's attorney responds to challenge against investigation
By Pat Forgey | JUNEAU EMPIRE

The Alaska Legislature is responding to a challenge to its authority to investigate Gov. Sarah Palin's administration, calling the effort "bizarre" ...

"This is surely one of the most bizarre challenges to Alaska's separation-of-powers doctrine in the history of the state," wrote Peter Maassen, attorney for Sen. Kim Elton, D-Juneau, the Legislative Council, which Elton chairs, and other defendants.

The suit was brought by several Republican legislators arguing that their own branch of government does not have the authority to investigate ...

"They are asking the court to shut down a duly authorized legislative investigation in the final weeks of its life, solely to forestall a negative impact on the fortunes of one political party," Maassen said ...

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/100208/sta_339454726.shtml