Governor Bill Walker yesterday red-lined the budget produced by Legislators during the regular session, saying there’s no point signing a bill which can’t be funded.
Kenai Peninsula Senator Peter Micciche says lawmakers will likely turn to alternate sources to keep the government running…
Sen. Micciche (R-K Pen.): “So what we’ll do is take those items he red-lined, put it into his new supplemental budget, if you will, pass that with a funding mechanism, and then pass that onto the House. I would like to see this reach a conclusion by the end of the week, but I’ve been wanting to see that for several weeks now. It may take longer than that.”
The budget bill was stalled in the State House when the Democratic-led minority refused to consent to a withdrawal from the Constitutional Budget Reserve. The Governor then called a special session, demanding a new budget with adequate funding.
Sen. Micciche (R-K Pen.): “We’ve prioritized the various departments with education being the smallest cut at just over 4%. I believe commerce was 34%, a pretty significant cut. We believe those are the right numbers until the fiscal outlook improves. We would like to continue having the support of our district and Alaskans and hopefully we can agree with the minority on a way forward.”
Walker was asked what he would do if there’s still no budget by the end of this special session on May 27…
Gov. Walker: “I don’t know what they’re going to do. Right now they’re in for three days, they recess for another three days. If that do that all the way to the 27th, then I’ll call another special session.”