Leaders in the Alaska Legislature asked Governor Mike Dunleavy to delay the upcoming special session scheduled for August 2nd to August 16th. State lawmakers are scheduled to gather for another special session on Monday at the State Capitol to go over issues with the Permanent Fund Dividend and to create a long-term fiscal plan. A majority prefered the special session begin on August 16th.
Senate President Peter Micciche addressed the request on Thursday’s episode of “Sound Off” saying that he’s been meeting with the governor before this letter was sent:
“We’ve been all kind of meeting with the governor. How do we make this special session the most effective? How do we make sure that we have a product ready from the working group that we can start evaluating and processing through the legislature? We’ve decided to give them a little bit more time and requested a two-week delay. They’re having some pretty healthy progress right now. It started slow, but I think they are actually providing some pretty good stuff. I think it could be a really good basis for us going back to Juneau. So we’re giving them a little more time. We’re also making it so that our professional staff and everyone can be ready to hit the road running.
Sen. Micciche also said:
“August 2nd was a terrible day to start a special session in Juneau, Alaska where it’s already hundreds of dollars a day for lodging. The price increases dramatically in August. A couple more weeks, their season will dropping off, easier to et lodging and we’ll have a better product to start processing when we get to Juneau. I have been really appreciative of the work of the working group.
Governor Mike Dunleavy, after receiving the request has announced that the August special session will begin on August 16. His decision, in consultation with the Alaska Department of Law, comes after yesterday’s written request from the four caucus leaders in the Alaska Legislature to convene the start of the August special session on August 9 or 16. The Governor also modified the call to include the proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 6, HJR 7) to constitutionalize the PFD and the power cost equalization program.
Governor Dunleavy:
“While Alaskans are out enjoying summer, they are also paying close attention to the legislature because they rightfully expect them to move forward on a plan that protects both the PFD and the Permanent Fund in the constitution and that can be put before voters in the 2022 general election. We can’t wait any longer. The fund is sitting at 81 billion dollars, more than enough to pay sizable PFDs to Alaskans recovering from the pandemic. The members of the House and Senate Comprehensive Fiscal Plan Working Group are reportedly making progress on recommendations that can be presented to the legislature at the start of the upcoming special session.”
The Alaska Department of Revenue has requested an opportunity to present its latest revenue and spending projections to the working group before its finalizes its recommendations.
The working group has announced it will be taking public testimony over the next several days. Click here for more information.
A copy of the amended proclamation can be found here.
