Alaska’s House of Representatives have advanced a $5.1 billion budget which now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Early this morning(Saturday) the House voted 32-8 for the budget and then voted 39-1 to access Alaska’s Constitutional Budget Reserve which will cover the estimated $4 billion state deficit.
Representative Lora Reinbold (R-Eagle River) was the only member to vote against tapping into the CBR.
After House minority and majority members met at 8 pm last night, they agreed to an arrangement that adds $15 million to the original budget proposed earlier this week.
Those funds added will be divvied out amongst Pre-K and early education grants, senior benefits, the Alaska Marine Highway System, Office of Children’s Services, and public radio.
If the Senate changes the budget at all, it will have to be sent back to be heard by the House and gain support again.
