Legislature finishes
budget, but more to do
The Alaska House of Representative was able to come together Monday for a final-passage vote of the state budget, averting a looming government shutdown. The budget totals $4.5 billion in state unrestricted general funds, which is very similar to previous year budgets, continuing the six-year trend of flat spending.
The budget forward funds the Alaska Marine Highway System for 18 months, providing more stability for future seasons’ schedules. The budget also includes an additional $2.5 million for prekindergarten programs, funds to reopen the Wrangell Fish and Game office, and money to partially fund an Office of Children’s Services caseworker in Wrangell.
Unique to this year, the budget includes one-time federal COVID-19 emergency funds that will be given directly to communities, money to provide relief for the tourism industry, and funds to offset lost revenues due to the pandemic at other small businesses and nonprofits.
The budget’s effective-date provision, which did not pass the House last month and was causing a holdup with the start of the fiscal year on Thursday, passed 28-10 on Monday. The
affirmative vote came after the House approved a Sense of the House statement agreeing to
form a working group that will work to
negotiate solutions to Alaska’s long-term fiscal issues.
Our work is not done. The working group will begin studying and negotiating as soon as possible, and the entire Legislature will be back in special session in August to try to achieve at a long-term fiscal plan for the state.
I hope our plan will resolve the long-standing goal of establishing a sustainable, predictable formula for the Permanent Fund dividend.
I look forward to hearing from you as I navigate difficult fiscal conversations and decisions. You can email me at Rep.Dan.Ortiz@AKLeg.gov or call my office at 907-247-4672.
— Rep. Dan Ortiz
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