Much of the work of the Legislative process is not glamorous, and in fact is tedious, time-consuming and frustrating. Someone introduces a bill. Next, there are public hearings with all kinds of written and verbal testimony. As a legislator you realize, “The original bill is good idea, but it is a mess.” Enter, Don Clocksin, a miracle worker. I recall so many times all eyes turning to Don in his many roles around the Alaska Legislature. “Don….do you have some language?….an idea for an amendment?…..can you work with a group to develop a committee substitute”.
Don was one of the hallowed few you could turn to in Juneau to untangle those complex political knots, controversies and disputes. Don would fashion a solution and we would be one step closer to converting a rough good idea into a good law that Alaskans would benefit from.