Alaska Matters: The Budget is Moving Through the Legislature

Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

April 9, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Today marks the 85th day of session. This week, the House will hear the operating budget and proposed amendments on the House floor and the Senate will hear the capital budget.

This week, our office introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, which helps illuminate the constitutional process for overriding a governor's veto.

And finally, in this week's video, I discuss the results of our annual constituent survey.

West Anchorage Constituent Survey Results

Thank you to all who took our constituent survey!

The budget is moving through the Legislature

Every year, the Alaska Constitution requires the Legislature to pass a budget. It's our annual "must do." This week, the House will hear the operating budget and proposed amendments on the House floor. The budget process is similar to the legislative process for non-appropriations bills, with multiple opportunities for amendments. The operating budget usually starts in the House, and the capital budget starts in the Senate. The operating budget appropriates money for year-to-year operating expenses of running the state - this includes money for public safety, public education, public health, the dividend, and more. The capital budget sets the budget for more long-term expenses, such as construction, infrastructure, and road projects.

The House and Senate Finance committees have been hard at work amending their respective budgets. The House Finance Committee made the following changes to the budget:

Removal of $5 million for the Alyeska Reading Institute
$7.5 million added for childcare grants. The money, while half of the $15 million requested by advocates, matches the amount appropriated last year, and will subsidize wages in the childcare industry.
$4 million included for the low-barrier homeless shelter in the former Solid Waste Services building in Anchorage. The money would allow that shelter to operate through the summer months.
A $2,272 dividend, which is less than the statutory amount and more than the Legislature appropriated last year. That figure also includes the energy relief funds in the FY 2024 budget.
$4 million added for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence shelters.
$175 million in one-time school funding. This is the same amount that the Legislature appropriated last year before Governor Dunleavy vetoed half that amount.

The operating budget will now head to the House floor, where the representatives will consider more amendments. After the House passes the operating budget, it crosses over to the Senate. The Senate will review and potentially amend the budget in Senate Finance and on the Senate floor. The current operating budget is subject to many changes and is very much a work in progress.

To stay up-to-date on the budget and opportunities for public testimony, you can sign up for updates on the Bill Tracking and Management Facility, or visit akleg.gov.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 13

This legislative session, we've held two joint sessions to override the Governor's vetoes. The first joint session to reconsider vetoed legislation occurred in January: The Governor had vetoed $87.5 million in education funding last year - about half of the amount the Legislature had appropriated. That January vote to override failed. The second override vote, which occurred last month following the Governor's veto of Senate Bill 140, would have increased the base student allocation (BSA).

The Legislature has taken different approaches in the past about how to proceed following a Governor's veto. To override a veto, article II, section 16 of the Alaska Constitution requires the House and Senate to meet in a Joint Session to reconsider the legislation. In the early years of statehood, the legislature met promptly in joint session to reconsider vetoed legislation. In later years, however, each body would vote separately about whether to meet in a joint session. If either body voted against holding a joint session, they did not hold a joint session and the vote to override did not occur.

This year, both bodies have reviewed article II, section 16 of Alaska's Constitution. According to the Alaska Constitution, "Upon receipt of a veto message during a regular session of the legislature, the legislature shall meet immediately in joint session and reconsider passage of the vetoed bill or item." The Alaska Constitution does not mention a vote about whether to meet in a joint session; the Constitution says the Legislature "shall meet immediately."

In 1976, Alaska voters approved an amendment to article II, section 16 of the Alaska Constitution. That amendment added provisions about the Legislature holding a joint session when the veto occurs when the Legislature is not in session. If the veto occurs during the legislative session, the Joint Session will occur immediately. If the veto occurs when the Legislature is not in session, the joint session will occur within five days of the start of the next regular or special session.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, which the Senate Judiciary Committee introduced this week, clarifies the importance of following the "shall meet immediately" language in the Alaska Constitution. Alaskans deserve to have predictability and certainty regarding the process to override a veto.

You can read the full resolution here.

Community Information

Adopt a Garden!

Want to help make Anchorage BLOOM? Consider volunteering with the Adopt-A-Garden program, and caring for a flower bed managed by the Municipality.

Responsibilities: Picking up, planting, watering, and weeding your garden from May - September.

Where: We still have a handful of gardens seeking adopters. Visit the Adopt-A-Garden website to learn more!

Recreational Trail Plan Advisory Groups

Are you a trailblazer who wants to help shape the future of trails in Anchorage, Eagle River, and Chugiak? If so, consider applying to volunteer on one of the Recreational Trails Plan advisory groups! The Recreational Trails Plan will be an update to the 1997 Areawide Trails Plan and create a vision for the next 20 years of building, improving, and maintaining trails. Not only that, but the plan will help guide how public dollars are spent on trail improvements. Applications to participate in the advisory groups are due by April 17! Learn more here.

Community Events

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

Bayshore/Klatt Community Council

When: April 18th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Where: In person at the Bayshore Clubhouse (3131 Amber Bay Loop). Click here for details.

Sleep Out: Community Edition

When: April 19th from 6:00 PM

Where: Kincaid Park

Covenant House Alaska invites you and your friends and family to the Community Sleep Out at Kincaid Park and join the fight to achieve a world where every young person has access to safe housing, support, and opportunity.

Sleep Out is more than just a night without a bed - it's a chance to uplift vulnerable youth in our community. Throughout the evening, you'll hear inspiring stories from those with lived experience, learn from experts about advocacy efforts, and connect with other community members working to create change and then enjoy some music from band, Yachtly Crew. There will be food for purchase and games to play. This family-friendly event starts Friday at 6PM and concludes Saturday morning at 8AM after a night sleeping outdoors.

If you opt not to stay the night, you can still join us for our evening programming and contribute to fundraising efforts. There is a $25 registration fee for each participant (ages 6 and under are free) and a suggested fundraising goal of $125.

Join the movement to end youth homelessness at this year's Sleep Out!

Click on the ticket link for more information or to sign up!

Scoop the Poop

When: Saturday, April 20 from 10 am - 2 pm

Where: Stations with cleanup materials at University Lake and Connor's Bog

Join the Anchorage Waterways Council and Anchorage Parks and Recreation for some spring cleaning at our local dog parks! We provide all the necessary cleanup supplies. Learn more here.

Spenard Community Council

When: May 1st from 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Where: In person at Spenard Rec Center (2020 W 48th Ave, Anchorage AK 99517). Click here for details.

Turnagain Community Council

When: May 2nd from 6:30 - 9:00 PM

Where: Online via zoom. Click here for details.

Sand Lake Community Council

When: May 13th from 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Where: In person at the Sand Lake Elementary School Library (7500 Jewel Lake Rd). Click here for details.