In the last few weeks, folks have called and emailed to ask about our budget and what’s happening in the Capitol. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and in this climate, where every Alaskan is worried about the future, it’s important to keep things in focus.
With budget numbers flying and hundreds of amendments under consideration, I’m going to pick out the most significant changes – those that will affect you and your family – to highlight. Keep in mind that this is the budget as of March 16th, 2018, 3:30 PM. With hours of debate and discussion ahead, changes will be made as the deliberative process will continue.
So what does our budget look like? As proposed by the House Majority Coalition, which I am a part of, the budget offers stability for public schools, continues trimming state agencies and programs, and maintains our resource development and fisheries management capacity. Overall, it reduces the budget by $81.7 million in General Fund (GF) dollars when compared to FY17 - the current year.
Over the last three years, Alaska’s operating budget has been reduced by $1.1 billion (GF), or 17%. During that time I voiced support and submitted legislation for over $2 billion in cuts, including cutting legislative per diem, cutting state spending beyond bare bones services, cutting funds for special sessions, and ending spending on megaprojects. Some of my proposals have been adopted, others not, and there is still a lot of work to do.
Once again, I recently co-sponsored and spoke on the Floor to cut per diem, which will reduce legislators’ allowances by 75% of the federal rate. The amendment passed.
This session, I did support several increases to the budget because we can’t afford to flat-fund our economy. I worked with my colleagues to restore $2.1 million to the Alaska Marine Highway System. Funding that had been cut in the Governor’s budget for school buses was reinstated, ensuring students’ safe travel to and from school and protecting schools from adverse impacts.
The House Majority coalition increased funding for permanent fund dividends by $98.1 million, bringing next year’s dividend to approximately $1,150.
Accounting changes were also made to bring truth to state budgeting. These changes make the budget easier to read, so Alaskans can see what they are paying for in an accurate and transparent manner. Is this an increase to the Governor’s budget? No. It is full disclosure of Alaska’s payments and liabilities.
As chair of the Finance Subcommittee for Department of Fish & Game and Department of Education & Early Development, I sifted through those budgets with a fine-toothed comb. I know that the fish and game cuts suggested by the minority caucus would have devastated SE Alaska’s fisheries, whether subsistence, sport, or commercial fishing.
My office is open long hours, and you can reach us at 465-3642 or rep.dan.ortiz@akleg.gov for any concerns, no matter the size. Let’s keep talking about the budget, and what it will mean to our families and jobs. I’m here and focused on my elected responsibilities.
Reader Comments(0)