Alaska Senate Boosts School, University Budgets

0:00It's April 17th. This is Anchorage News Today, driven by AI. Alaska Senate Finance Committee just pushed forward a draft capital budget, packing nearly $250 million for state facilities, and maintenance projects next year. That's an $88 million boost over Governor Mike Dunlevy's original $159 million proposal with the biggest. Chunks aimed at fixing of K-12 schools and university buildings. They layered in $57 million $800,000 extra for K-12 maintenance via the Department of Education plus $17 million for the University of Alaska. Other ads include $5,700,000 for core facilities and $8 million for community infrastructure and workforce programs. Lawmakers heard from students and school officials earlier this year about a crisis from decades of skip repairs, especially in rural spots, with crumbling water systems and low morale.

1:01Co-chair Senator Bert Stedman called this a heavy focus on education facilities, though it's just a slice of the over $400 million. Needed to stay wide, the plan hits the top 15 school projects on the priority list, like roofs, boilers, and safety upgrades from Fairbanks to the illusions, plus. Emergency fixes and a $17 million rebuild for Steven's school after its 2024 fire. They trimmed a big Galeena renovation from $35 million down to $5 million to spread funds wider and pumped nearly 14 million dollars into Mt. Edge Compie School for dorms and dining hall work amid enrollment drops. $17 million goes to top University of Alaska projects across its main campuses, while Senator Jesse Keel noted it's barely a dent in, 40 years of deferred needs. They nixed the $25 million port amendment to prioritize schools, and now the house takes it up soon, where more cash could flow to keep.

2:02These facilities from falling apart.