Governor Mike Dunleavy addresses the media about his line item vetoes to the budget during an online news conference on Thursday from Anchorage. Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Governor Mike Dunleavy announced in a press release his line item vetoes totaling $215 million to the budget passed by the legislature that he said restores fiscal discipline, protects essential state services, maximizes the use of federal funds (CARES, CRRSA, ARPA) while preserving general fund dollars available for future state spending.
In his press release, sent out just prior to an online news conference, the Governor also vetoed the $525 dividend decided by a legislative conference committee behind closed doors that he said Alaskans consider unacceptable when the permanent fund has swelled to a total value exceeding $81 billion.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced a series of vetoes Thursday that spanned $215 million in budget cuts, the âpaltryâ $525 Permanent Fund dividend and $2 million in per diem payments for lawmakersâ expenses in Juneau.
âLawmakers need to finish the work on protections for the Permanent Fund and the PFD before paying themselves,â Dunleavy said about the per diem veto.
The governor vetoed $17.5 million in Medicaid services and $10 million from the Alaska Travel Association. He eliminated $12.5 million for an upgrade to the Alaska Vocational Technical Center as well as funds to help pay for renovations at the University of Alaska.
âWe want to keep the budget tight,â Dunleavy said in a press conference Thursday afternoon. âThere is not going to be massive reductions, but there are reductions to drive the size of government down.ââ