The Legislature is set to discuss options for a cheaper place to convene in Anchorage this week.
Senate Finance Committee Chair Peter Micciche said if the State of Alaska is asking residents to understand cuts to public services, the legislature should lead by example.
Sen. Micciche(R-District 0): “I’ve got half the staff I’m authorized to have. We shouldn’t be spending anything that doesn’t need to be spent and in my opinion the Anchorage LIO should be no exception.”
The Anchorage LIO costs about $4 million annually to lease.
The legislative council has determined an obscure clause in the lease may let the state out of the current contract in order to save money.
Sen. Micciche said getting out won’t be as easy as simply not including it into this year’s budget, legislators will need to discuss the decision with the building owner who has been renovating.
Sen. Micciche(R-District 0): “That owner is not going to believe that the state can just walk away from the agreement but at very worst it will bring people to the table to discuss lower cost options.”
An executive session will be held this week to discuss the options available.