Governor Bill Walker again called for legislators to work on Medicaid reform and expansion while in the extended regular session and waiting for an agreement on the operating budget.
Five days after Alaska’s House and Senate were scheduled to conclude, Walker’s House Bill 148 and Senate Bill 78 which cover the Medicaid topics are still awaiting action from finance committees.
Earlier today lawmakers said they would work on bills addressing how municipalities regulate marijuana this summer and how Alaskan laws relay deal with recreationally legal marijuana.
Several pot-related measures were introduced this session, but only one has passed: A plan to create a new marijuana board.
According to the Governor’s press release, “The governor’s legislation would bring back a projected $146 million of Alaskans’ federal tax dollars in fiscal year 2016. Every day the state fails to act, the state loses out on $400,000 in federal money. Additionally, it would reduce state spending by $6.6 million in the first year and by more than $100 million over the next six years.”
Governor Walker has previously indicated that he will call a special session if Medicaid is not addressed.