Print article A panel of Alaska legislators voted 11-1 on Tuesday afternoon to sue Gov. Mike Dunleavy over his decision to bypass legislative confirmation for his picks for state boards and commissions. “He is assuming he has the authority to keep people who have not been confirmed in their duties, and legally, that’s just not true,” said Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole and one of the 11 legislators who voted in favor of the lawsuit. The deadline for confirmation was extended this year because of the coronavirus pandemic but expired earlier this month. Tuesday’s decision by the joint House-Senate Legislative Council authorizes council chairman Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, to direct a lawsuit against the governor. Each expect a suit to be filed as soon as Wednesday. The governor’s office did not immediately respond to questions about the lawsuit.