Hello Neighbor,

I regret to inform you that Governor Mike Dunleavy has vetoed approximately $225 million worth of projects statewide, at least $3 million of which would have gone directly to Senate District J.

Governor Dunleavy also vetoed approximately $1.4 million of funds that would have gone to improving snow plowing in Anchorage. Given the significant deterioration of our snowplow infrastructure over the past two winters, it's difficult to imagine the rationale behind denying these funds to Anchorage.

Funding allocations for both the Southcentral Foundation and the Alaska Native Medical Center, both located in Senate District J, were also vetoed. Both organizations serve as vital health infrastructure and serve the entire state. 

House Majority Legislators posing with Gov. Dunleavy as he vetoes funds for Anchorage

The budget was signed this past Friday afternoon, with no prior explanation or warning to many legislators about what would make it through the governor’s opaque veto process. This action has stripped critical funding from several projects in East Anchorage right before the new fiscal year.

The following organizations were counting on these funds for economic development and community assistance projects in Senate District J, and now must delay or cancel their work:

· Airport Heights Traffic Calming - $200,000

· Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School - Stadium Safety Upgrades and Drainage Mitigation - $500,000

· Hmong Alaska Community, Inc. - Hmong Veterans Memorial - $50,000

· Airport Heights Elementary School Walkway Connector - $50,000

· Tikishla Park Spur Trail Repaving - $100,000

· Boys and Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska - Mt. View Community Center Boys & Girls Club Exterior Upgrades & Repairs - $82,500

· Davis Park Remediation and Improvement - $200,000

· Northern Lights Blvd at Bragaw St Pedestrian Crossing Improvements - $300,000

· Formal Development of Existing Informal Pathway Connecting Tarwater Ave to Meyer St - $25,000

· Anchorage Park Foundation - University Medical District Trail System - $50,000

· Anchorage Park Foundation - Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Park and Trail Enhancements - $48,425

· Anchorage Park Foundation - Outdoor Stage, Storage, and Event Management Equipment - $30,200

· Blood Bank of Alaska - Blood Donor Testing Laboratory - $500,000

If you have further questions about these vetoes, please reach out to me or to the Governor's office: 907-465-3500.

You or members of your organization may want to ask to meet with the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Tyson Gallagher, or his Legislative Director, Laura Stidolph.

Sincerely,

 

Office of Senator Dunbar | Anchorage Legislative Office Bldg 1500 W Benson Blvd, Ste 428 907-465-6944 | Anchorage, AK 99503 US