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Lights, camera, Budget... CUT
Governor Dunleavy signed the budget last weekend and released his list of vetoes. The Governor unveiled massive cuts directed primarily to education. Not only did he cut funding for improvements to the University of Alaska system, but he effectively reduced next year’s proposed increase to student funding in half. This means that instead of schools getting $680 under the per student formula, they will now be getting $340 per student. To cut it in half and only allot $340 of funding per student will lead to a struggle to pay for schools and
In addition to the BSA cuts, below are other eliminations and defunding from Dunleavy:
- UAF’s campus projects that were vetoed:
- Patty Pool Repair
- UA fire alarm replacement and safety projects
- Cutler student housing update
- Rural & Community campus renewal
- $1 million for Public Radio Broadcasting was vetoed
- $5 million for the Alaska Native Science and Education Program was vetoed
- Funding for the Head Start education was lowered by $3.5 million
A full list of the Governors Vetoes can be found here. These vetoes are a failure to invest in the future of Alaska and don’t address current issues facing Alaskans. The vetoes are incredibly disappointing, during session I and other legislators heard about many issues, some of which were affected by these vetoes.
I have gotten numerous emails condemning these vetoes and asking the legislature to come back to override the vetoes in a special session. A veto override by the legislature is only possible if there’s an affirmative vote consisting of 3/4ths of the legislature. The 3/4ths rule means that 45 out of 60 legislators would want to come back for a special session to override the governors vetoes. While it may seem unlikely to get enough support for education, please reach out to interior delegation members and other education supporters today!
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