Last week the United States Senate passed an omnibus bill to fund the government through the end of Fiscal Year 2017.
A member of the Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) announced a series of provisions within the bill that will provide resources to support programs with significant impacts in communities throughout the state.
“With our state in the midst of a fiscal crisis, this bill will provide a much-needed boost to our economy. The bill provides new investments for our military, increased funding for fighting wildfires, and it will help Alaskans who grapple with some of the highest heating costs in the nation,” she said in a release. “This bill empowers Alaskans to strengthen our economy and create safe and healthy communities at a time when we need it most.”
Highlights of the Fiscal Year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations Bill include:
• Polar Icebreaker and the Arctic Council:
Provides $150 million to the Navy procure materials needed for construction of a polar icebreaker. Directs $55 million to the Coast Guard for procurement of a heavy icebreaker. Also requires a report on polar icebreaker requirements, preferred design, overall acquisition strategy, and a breakout of funds necessary to support the acquisition within 90 days. The omnibus supports the Arctic Council and directs federal agencies to focus on economic opportunities in the region, as well as science and subsistence issues.
• Opioids and Substance Abuse Prevention: Provides “robust funding” to combat the opioid abuse epidemic in Alaska and throughout the nation. This includes funding for pilot programs to address treatment gaps for pregnant and postpartum women with substance abuse disorders.
• Wildfire Prevention and Suppression:
The bill funds our nation’s wildfire suppression efforts at the historic 10-year average and includes additional emergency funds that will be available in the event of a catastrophic fire season. Also included is increased funding for preventative measures that can be taken in advance of wildfire season, such as hazardous fuels reduction and mitigation.
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP):
Allocates robust funds for the LIHEAP program – which acts as a crucial supplement for many Alaskans who face the highest energy prices in the nation. Over 11,000 Alaskan households received LIHEAP assistance in 2014.
• GE Salmon:
Following the FDA’s decision in 2015 to approve genetically engineered (GE) salmon for human consumption, Murkowski successfully included a provision in the omnibus that blocks the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from introducing GE salmon into the market until it publishes labeling guidelines so consumers are aware of what is contained in the product they are purchasing.
• State Water Revolving Funds:
Provides funding to help local communities improve water infrastructure in both the wastewater and drinking water areas. Funding from this program can be used to address problems like lead content in water.
• Payment in Lieu of Taxes:
Fully funds the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program at $465 million, well above last year’s funding levels. The PILT program provides monetary compensation to local governments throughout Alaska that contain federal lands that are not subject to state or local taxation. The revenue helps local governments provide vital services, such as firefighting and police protection, construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations.
• Impact Aid:
Increases funds for Impact Aid – which reimburses school districts for the cost of educating students who live on properties that are tax-exempt due to federal law. This includes students who live on, or parents who work on, military installations, federally-designated low-income housing, and Native lands.
• Essential Air Service:
Funds Essential Air Service at $150 million, a program to maintain commercial air service in approximately 60 small communities throughout Alaska. It also secured additional funds to support the lifesaving work of Civil Air Patrol squadrons in Alaska and throughout the nation.
• Suicide Prevention: Allocates resources for suicide prevention efforts including the Suicide Lifeline, Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide prevention funds, and the American Indian and Alaska Native Suicide Prevention Initiative.
• Native American Housing Block Grants: Provides $654 million for the Native American Housing Block Grant, to provide a range of affordable housing activities on Indian reservations and Indian areas.
• Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund: Provides $7.2 million for the Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund, a home mortgage specifically designed for American Indian and Alaska Native families, Alaska Villages, Tribes, or Tribally Designated Housing Entities.
• Small Businesses: Allocates funding to the Small Business Administration to provide assistance to small businesses, expand the economy, and increase job growth for underemployed and unemployed Americans.
• USGS Earthquake and Volcano Hazards: Provides funding for earthquake and volcano monitoring, with specific funds allocated to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
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