April 13, 2012

Dear Neigbors,

With two days left of the 27th Legislative Session, there are a handful of items left to finish. By Constitution, the only obligation of the State Legislature is to pass the state budget. Every year the budget gets wrapped up in the ongoing debate on oil and gas taxes and this year is no different.

Over the next two days there are bound to be several changes to the budget and movement on several important bills. I will try to keep you posted if there are any significant changes that affect you as Fairbanks residents.

In the meantime, my office has fielded several calls from individuals wanting to know how the budget process works. I hope the information below is useful.

House Speaker Mike Chenault poses with this year’s UA Legislative Interns. Tyler Spaan (second on the left) has been an important member of Team Kawasaki this session. Thank you Tyler!

The Budget Process

In mid-December, the Governor submits the budgets to the Finance Committees in the House and Senate for review. Once the session begins in January, legislative subcommittees review the contents of the budgets with various state departments, public groups and citizens who defend their needs and wants.

The operating budget includes all of the basics of operating the state, like road maintenance, troopers, teachers and airports. This process starts in the House of Representatives. The bill proceeds through the House and crosses through to the Senate for consideration. Conversely, the capital budget, with the one-time funds for roads, rails, runways and schools, starts in the Senate and is passed to the House.

Usually – ok never – have the House and Senate agreed on the budgets coming from the other body. Both Houses create a “conference committee” consisting of three members from each body to negotiate the differences.

While the conference committee is in negotiations, there are several bargaining chips (so to speak) still on the table. The House will hold onto the capital budget and the Senate will hold onto the supplemental budget.

When all of this is worked out, the conference committee agrees on the final budget. The conference committee report is submitted to the Chief Clerk and the Senate Secretary. The bodies can vote on that conference committee report, thus adopting a budget.

The FY13 Capital Budget passed the Senate on Wednesday. This important document reflects a savings-before-spending approach, allocating $4 to our state’s savings account for every $1 spent on capital projects. The budget funds a number of my legislative priorities including:

· Funding for the building and renovation of UAF’s engineering facilities

· Road Improvement projects in the Fairbanks area

· Fairbanks North Star Borough school improvements and modernizations

· Funding for the State Library Archives and Museum project

Now your help is needed. As stated above, the capital budget is now in the House and then the Governor’s office for approval, which means if there are projects you care about, you need to let Representatives on the House Finance Committee and the Governor know you want to see them funded in the budget.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,

p.s. The Interior Alaska Green Star will hold it's monthly Electronics Recycling Collection Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21. ALL electronics will be accepted for recycling FREE OF CHARGE thanks to Fairbanks North Star Borough Recycling Commission.

WHAT: Electronics Recycling Collection

WHERE: Alaska Waste Recycling Center
3050 Phillips Field Road
Located WEST of Peger Road

WHEN: Friday, April 20
Saturday, April 21

HOURS: 10am to 4pm