Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Everyone in the Legislature understands that the budget is the most important issue that we will consider this year. We are now 44 days into the 90 day legislative session, and you now have the opportunity to exercise your right to be heard on the budget. The Legislature is in the process of making tough decisions about government programs and services, the level at which we will fund programs and changes, and how to continue a strong state economy. Hearing from you about your thoughts and suggestions about the budget is always helpful as we continue to discuss and make decisions about the budget.

Budget Process

In the life cycle of the budget, we are just about halfway through. The operating budget, which is where the Legislature funds things like public education and Medicaid, begins in the House. Members of the House review the Governor’s proposed budget through the subcommittee process. I was on the Judiciary, Department of Environmental Conservation, and Department of Public Safety budget subcommittees. In subcommittee, we review each department and look for efficiencies.

You can watch all the hearings related to the operating budget at 360north.org

Once subcommittees are done reviewing the budget and finish amendments, the budget goes to the House Finance Committee for a further review as a House committee. Once House Finance committee members evaluate the budget in its full form, it then goes to the House Floor to be voted on by the entire House of Representatives. Once the House votes on the budget, it goes to the Senate for review by the Senate Finance Committee and its various subcommittees. Eventually, all members of the Senate will vote on the budget on the Senate Floor.

Currently, the budget is in the House Finance committee where members of the committee are accepting public testimony (see below about how to testify). This year’s operating budget totaled $12.5 billion dollars. Governor Walker has proposed a budget for next year totaling $9.8 billion dollars, and the budget before the Finance Committee would cut an additional $113 million.

Some of the budget cuts proposed by House Finance Subcommittees are deeper cuts than proposed by the Walker-Mallott administration. These include:

• Public education cut by 19.8 percent
• Eliminating most Alaska State Trooper search and rescue operations in Anchorage and Fairbanks
• Highway and public facility maintenance cut by $14.5 million
• Low income Senior Benefits cut by 20 percent
• Public broadcasting cut by 50 percent
• Alaska Legal Services (providing legal help to low-income Alaskans) cut by 34 percent
• Retail food inspections cut by 20 percent
• Eliminating the Pre-Kindergarten pilot program
• Eliminating appropriation authority for Medicaid expansion

I am particularly concerned about the elimination of the authority to accept federal dollars to expand Medicaid, cuts to our early education programs, and cuts to public education. These are all investments that will save the state money in the long-term and produce healthy citizens.  We also heard a lot about these issues at Anchorage Caucus last weekend.

Rep. Ortiz and I listen during a meeting of the Independent-Democratic Caucus

Budget Public Testimony:

How to testify in person:

When: Thursday, March 5, 2015 from 1:00-4:30 pm

Where: Anchorage Legislative Information Office (716 W. 4th Ave., Suite 100)

How to testify telephonically:

When:  Thursday, March 5, 2015 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Call in Number:  844-586-9085

Public testimony is limited to 2min. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the end of the allotted time period, or else you may be unable to testify. If you are unable to make either of the times, email your testimony to lhscfin@akleg.gov and it will be distributed to members of the committee.

Anchorage Caucus Re-Cap:

Thank you to everyone who attended the Anchorage Caucus public hearing last weekend. We heard from people throughout Anchorage, including many West-siders. Topics included: Medicaid expansion, early childhood literacy, and public school funding. I was impressed and appreciative of all who testified. I will take your thoughts and comments to heart throughout the remainder of the session.

Rep. Vazquez and I co-chaired the Anchorage Caucus public hearing last weekend.

Many of the issues discussed at Anchorage Caucus are being addressed in the operating budget. I urge you to take advantage of the public testimony process and testify to the House Finance committee at the above listed times.

Online Survey:

Please take some time to fill out my online survey that you can access by clicking here.

As always, please let us know if you have any thoughts or suggestions.

Sincerely,

    Rep. Matt Claman

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