Legislators introduced a funded operating budget today after gaveling out the Governor’s special session and into a second special session.
Senator Peter Micciche(R – Soldotna)…
Sen. Micciche: “The governor essentially accepted the FY 15 supplemental and redlined about 70% of the FY 16 budget, which means he passed about 30% of it and about 70% of it he didn’t. The new one includes all of the items that he red lined out and allows us to focus on the funding gap, which was the problem in the first place. Again we won’t have a problem in the Senate, we’re hoping to comprimise with the minority on the House side.”
Essentially the new bills are the original operating budget which was passed and funded by the Senate but only passed by the House of Representatives, not funded in the regular session .
Sen. Micciche said if they cannot reach a compromise they will again investigate “alternative sources” of funding.
He added that their reason for gaveling out of the Governor’s special session and into the second in Anchorage was not intended to be disrespectful.
Sen. Micciche: “We believe that we can get this special session done at a fraction of the cost, we have facilities to work in at the new LIO and a lot more availability for lodging. So it’s really a practical matter, a price savings matter and for my constituents I’m a lot more available.”
The funded budget bill will be heard by both Finance Committees tomorrow, the House Finance Committee will take public testimony at 10 am.
