Alaska’s first plan to spend $1 billion in federal aid is being scrapped Published 1 day ago
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Print article JUNEAU Members of the Alaska Legislature are preparing to scrap a plan to use hundreds of millions in federal economic aid after new guidelines released Monday by the U.S. Department of the Treasury made the idea unaffordable. The first-draft plan proposed by members of the state House would have spent about $700 million this year to boost the Permanent Fund dividend, on infrastructure, and aid for tourism, nonprofits and some businesses. Funding would come from $1 billion Alaska is expected to receive from the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress in March. The remaining $300 million would have been saved for next year.
Alaska House approves state operating budget with amendment to cut funding for abortion services Published 1 day ago
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Print article JUNEAU The Alaska House of Representatives has approved a multibillion-dollar state operating budget that keeps the state running past July 1, but before the final vote, lawmakers added an amendment intended to defund state-provided abortion services. Democratic lawmakers objected to the amendment, saying that it harms the rights of women, is unconstitutional and will provoke lawsuits. Republican lawmakers said it was important to them to speak up for the rights of unborn Alaskans. The amendment passed 21-18. About an hour later, the House voted 23-16 on Monday to approve $4.2 billion in services funded by tax revenue and transfers from the Alaska Permanent Fund. When federal money and fee-funded programs are included, the budget exceeds $10 billion.
No endgame in sight in Juneau
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No endgame in sight in Juneau
The 121-day constitutional session limit is less than two weeks away, and there is no end in sight. The House kicked the operating budget back to the rules committee on Sunday after it became clear they did not have the 21 votes to pass a budget. Tension between the mostly Democratic House Majority and Republican Minority came to a boiling point on Sunday when minority members complained that all of their amendments were being not heard. One of those members, Representative Steve Thompson (R – Fairbanks), stated that he had intended to vote yes, but changed his mind because of the process. But Thompson was the one who motioned to adjourn on Saturday night, meaning the budget would go into third reading the next day. When a bill is in third reading, amendments cannot be heard, only debate on the bill itself before a final vote. Thompson knew this. A
Print article JUNEAU The Alaska House of Representatives has postponed a key vote on Alaska’s state operating budget after Republican members objected to a schedule that would have cut off debate. The budget was removed from the desks of the 40-member House late Sunday and put in the House Rules Committee, causing the House to take a step backward in the process to approve the budget needed to keep state services operating past July 1. The delay is being caused by several factors, including organizational problems within the 21-member majority coalition. Debate isn’t expected to resume until at least Wednesday.