Lawmakers could be leaving Juneau any day now… or the overtime session could stretch on as a scuffle over state spending holds up the budget package.
House Democrats continue to push for the $52 million one-time education funding passed last year. The Republican Majority yesterday voted down several Democratic amendments to the budget, but resisted a final vote.
Public budget work sessions were cancelled yesterday, but Minority Leader Chris Tuck said that doesn’t mean there’s nothing being done…
Rep. Tuck (D-Anchorage): We don’t know what’s going on internally with them, what conversations they’re having by the time they come out on the floor and they oppose our amendments and they vote as a block. So we don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors with their discussions.”
Education funding has been a sticking point as the Governor and Senate further proposed a 4% cut to the Base Student Allocation, saving the state $47 million.
At the center of the debate, Nikiski’s Speaker Mike Chenault says he needs to find a balance between the Senate’s deep cuts, the demands of House Democrats, and his own caucus’ principals. Chenault must rally 3/4 of the House in order to access the Constitutional Budget Reserve. That means winning over 7 of the state’s 16 Democrats and 1 independent. Tuck said his party wants some compromise on education and Medicaid.
