From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage--

Kenai Republican Sen. Tom Wagoner’s request to join the bipartisan majority has been declined, Senate President Gary Stevens confirmed today.

“I’ve just spoken with Senator Wagoner and explained to him that, as much as some of us would have liked to have him aboard and in the majority, there was not support for that,” Stevens said.

Stevens, of Kodiak, was responding to a question asked during a press conference he called today to talk about new committee assignments.

“There was just some concern here at the last minute as we’re facing the end of this two year session, that it might cause some disruption to change the majority caucus, it might change things, it might unbalance some issues out there,” Stevens said.

Stevens would not say if it was the Republicans or the Democrats who didn’t want Wagoner on board.

The Senate majority is composed of 16 of the 20 members of the Senate, so does not need to add another vote in order to get accomplished what it wants.

Stevens also said that new Sen. John Coghill, who has chosen to join the all-Republican minority, will have a seat on the judiciary committee and the ethics committee.

He said Juneau Democratic Sen. Dennis Egan will take the seat on the legislative council (which spends money when the Legislature isn’t in session) previously held by Kim Elton, who Egan replaced.