|
SB 140 and HB 193
It’s unlikely anyone missed it, but as a reminder the Governor chose to veto SB 140, the bill that held such promise for our schools, on March 14. The House and Senate met in joint session on March 18 to consider overriding the veto, but we fell short by one vote of overturning the veto. The sting of this is still with me, as so many schools, and collaterally, communities in HD 2 are in such dire straits. There are other ways we may be able to get some funding to school districts, but it will be in bits and pieces, and it is likely to come at the last minute. While my legislative career is still young, this defeat is the greatest disappointment I’ve experienced in the Legislature. Holding up our schools is holding up our communities, and with the veto and the failed override vote the Governor and Legislature have failed Alaskans.
On a positive note, the House was in session until after midnight Wednesday evening and managed to pass HB 193, INTERNET FOR SCHOOLS, known as the Broadband Assistance Grant (BAG) bill. The BAG bill provides a match of eight federal dollars for each state dollar invested in internet for schools in underserved areas. These funds will be very helpful in most of the 11 school districts in HD 2, and I hope the Senate will quickly pass the bill and the Governor will sign it into law prior to the March 27th deadline.
Operating Budget Update
The House Finance Committee released a new version of HB 268, the Operating Budget last week. This version of the budget incorporates some, but not all, of the Budget Subcommittee recommendations and other House Majority priorities. The committee will be taking up amendments from Finance Committee members later this week before moving the bill from the committee. It should be noted that the budget is far from final and if there are items in the budget you support or do not support, please let me know and continue to follow the budget process.
Some items in the budget I am watching include:
-
A $2,272 Permanent Fund Dividend including a $444 bonus energy relief payment. Last year there was an agreement that a budget surplus from high oil prices would be split between an energy relief payment and deposit to the budget reserve. However, instead of splitting the surplus the House Finance Committee is proposing to direct all the surplus to the energy relief payment. I am sure this dividend amount will be scrutinized and I do not think it will be the final amount in the budget. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to pay this large of a dividend and pay for other essential state services.
- A $680 one time increase to the BSA. While this is the same amount that was in SB 140, it would be a one-time increase and even if it makes it through the legislative process there is no guarantee that the Governor will not reduce the amount of funding. In addition, there is language in the budget that would remove this increase if a bill passes to increase the BSA. In other words, if we pass a bill to raise the BSA by $300, that will be the extent of the funding increase for school districts.
- $5 million in funding for the Alyeska Reading Academy and Institute. With support from my colleagues, my amendment that cut this funding and moved it to Head Start passed. I have serious concerns about the Academy and believe this money could be better used elsewhere to support education. Thankfully the Head Start funds are still intact.
- An increase of $3.7 million for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault which supports the work of partner agencies around the state to reduce the rates of domestic violence and sexual assault and care for the victims. I offered an amendment in the Department of Public Safety Budget Subcommittee to add this funding, but it was voted down. I am glad it is in the latest version of the budget.
- While the Finance Committee Co-Chairs claim this budget has a $152 million surplus assuming the price of oil stays at the predicted level, there are a number of other items that still need to be added to the budget. I have heard the ferry system may need additional funds which I would support. In addition, it is likely that $40 million will need to be added to the budget to support the BAG program in the bill that just passed and $24 million will need to be added to the budget to continue a low income senior benefits program. We will also need funds for a Capital Budget and there are other bills working through the process as well as expenses that have not yet been accounted for with this budget.
Bills that Passed the House Last Week
HB 17, CONTRACEPTIVES COVERAGE:INSURE;MED ASSIST. "An Act relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and related services; and relating to medical assistance coverage for contraceptives and related services."
HB 97, SELF-STORAGE UNITS: LIENS; SALES. “An Act relating to self-storage facilities for personal property, including vehicles and watercraft; distinguishing self-storage facility liens from another type of storage lien; and excluding self-storage liens from the treatment of certain unclaimed property."
HB 146, REGULATION OF FIREWORKS. "An Act relating to fireworks; repealing restrictions on the sale of fireworks; directing the Department of Public Safety to adopt fireworks regulations; and providing for an effective date."
HB 316, EMERG WIRELESS DEVICE LOCATION DISCLOSURE. "An Act relating to law enforcement requests for wireless device location information in emergencies; and providing for an effective date."
HB 238, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 3RD DEGREE. "An Act relating to criminal mischief in the third degree; and providing for an effective date."
HB 193, INTERNET FOR SCHOOLS. "An Act relating to funding for Internet services for school districts; and providing for an effective date."
| 
