Alaska House Passes Budget, Skips Savings Draw

0:00Alaska's house just pushed through their draft operating budget for next year, passing House Bill 263 by a 21-19 vote, along party lines. It sets a $1,500 permanent fund dividend for eligible folks, skips drawing from state savings, and packs and boosts, like nearly $158 million, one time for public schools plus tens of millions for disaster relief, transportation, and public assistance. Earlier this week, after four days of heated floor debates on amendments, the bill cleared the House. Lawmakers wrestled over priorities amid surging oil prices from the war in Iran, which could add $500 million to state revenues, but fuel. Costs are hitting everyday Alaskan's hard. The budget tweaks Governor Dunlevy's original proposal dodging his proposed $1.8 billion savings draw. Reps from the majority coalition cheered the focus on services, with folks like Andy Josephson feeling relieved, but noting the tough balance.

1:02Minority Republicans slammed it as a betrayal, pushing hard for a bigger statutory dividend, around $3,800 and blasting. The roughly $180 million deficit as unfunded. They floated nearly 50 amendments, most shot down. Key wins include $33.3 million for Medicaid hikes, $55 million for fire suppression, $38 million for disasters. $17.5 million for heating aid, and extras for corrections, childcare, seniors, and more. They rejected the higher dividend to save nearly $2.5 billion, opting for services over cash payouts. Now it heads to the Senate for tweaks, with session wrapping May 21st. Meanwhile, Senate Finance dropped a $247 million capital budget draft from maintenance and projects heading House way soon. Eyes on how they blended all. Watch your update from Anchorage News today, powered by AI.