Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Budget negotiations continue to dominate the discussion as the Legislature works through its second Special Session of the year. Last Friday, the House Independent-Democratic Coalition and the House Republican Majority reached a compromise that passed the House by a 38-2 vote. Over the weekend, however, the Senate failed to agree with the House bipartisan budget, forcing further negotiations.

Budget Compromise

The Senate made deep cuts to the House’s original version of the budget. The House’s original version made deep cuts to the 5% overall cuts proposed by the Walker-Mallott administration.  The House Independent-Democratic Coalition did not support the severe budget cuts included in the partially-funded budget that the House and Senate majorities passed while the Legislature convened in Juneau. That budget made cuts to public education while protecting flawed mega-projects like the Susitna-Watana Dam and the Juneau Access Road.

Last Friday, the House Independent-Democratic Coalition and the House Republican Majority came to a budget compromise. The compromised budget contained several benefits for all Alaskans:

• $18 million restored for public education to the Base Student Allocation (BSA)
• $30 million to protect previously negotiated contracts and cost of living adjustments for State employees
• $2 million to support Pre-K and early education
• $2.5 million for front line social workers in the Office of Children Services
• $2.8 million for senior benefits and assistance programs for lowest income seniors
• $1.75 million for the Marine Highway System
• $5 million for the University of Alaska
• $250,000 for public broadcasting  

This budget funds programs that serve all Alaskans and are investments in the future of our state. On Sunday, the Senate failed to pass this compromise budget and, instead, removed funding for previously-negotiated contracts as well as funding for specific programs like early education. The Senate supported restoration of public education funding through a one-time funding increase instead of the Base Student Allocation increase in the compromise budget.

Ongoing Budget Negotiations

Yesterday, members of the House and Senate were appointed to a Conference Committee where further discussions on the budget will take place. Because the Senate failed to agree to the budget compromise, state workers across Alaska have begun to receive layoff notifications. Click this link for important information about this process. Please reach out to my office if you have additional suggestions or concerns relating to the budget.

Ice Cream in the Park

Thank you to everyone who attended Ice Cream in the Park last month. It was a little cold and windy, but we heard from many friends and neighbors! If you were unable to attend this event, please feel free to set up a time to meet with me at the Legislative Information Office (call 269-0130 or email rep.matt.claman@akleg.gov).

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

    Rep. Matt Claman

    P.S. follow me on Facebook and Twitter

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