Dear Neighbors,
Well, we’re on an uncomfortable downwards slide as the legislature builds a budget in the shadow of the Governor’s $1 - $2 billion oil giveaway.
As you heard, there are, in my mind, much more effective, less damaging ways to amend our oil tax rules. See my recent op-ed.
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Friends and Neighbors,
The Legislature is well over the half way mark and we are in a sprint to the finish. There is still a lot to do before we adjourn April 14th. Oil taxes, a gas line, LNG trucking and the capital budget will probably steal the show at the end.
The Operating Budget will be on the House Floor this next week and I am preparing amendments that focus on education and health and social services.
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The Budget is a Moral Document
For the first half of the 90-day session, the House has been working diligently in budget subcommittees to learn the needs, challenges and areas for reductions and investments in the state Operating Budget. This budget funds stuff like troopers, parks and recreation, schools and the general, daily operations for our state. We will tackle the issue of a capital budget for roads, rails, runways and energy projects at a later time. Education, protecting our oil wealth, and ensuring adequate health and human services were some of the critical operating budget issues we have been studying.
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On Tuesday, March 5th, 4:00 to 5:15pm, the House Finance Committee will take public testimony from Anchorage residents on the state’s operating budget for the coming year. This will be the main opportunity to give input on Alaska’s funding priorities.
Where: Anchorage Legislative Information Office, 716 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 200
When: Tuesday, March 5th, 4:00 to 5:15pm (come 15 minutes early to sign up)
Length of testimony: 2 minutes
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