Alaska Senate Passes School Funding Amendment

0:00Alaska's Senate just took a big step for schools, passing a constitutional amendment on a 17-3 vote to create a dedicated fund for public education. This would let lawmakers set up a new revenue stream locked in just for classrooms by passing the usual rules against earmark money in the state. Constitution. That ban on dedicated funds was meant to keep budgeting flexible, but supporters argue it's time for a change with schools hurting bad. This year, the legislature pump historic cash into education, overriding two vetoes from Governor Mike Dunlevy, yet districts still face huge. Shortfalls in years of ignored repairs. Senators from both sides spoke of strong. Bethel Democrat Lyman Hoffman, who co-chairs the Finance Committee, called it his top priority and a game changer for kids. Sitka Republican Bert Stedman pointed to leaky roofs at the state run, M-T-N-A, edge-come high school, saying Alaska's too rich to let facilities embarrass us like this.

1:00The bipartisan majority backed it fully, plus three minority Republicans, while three others worried it'd lock up the budget and short other needs. Like health care, no veto power for the Governor here, this head straight to the House. If the House gets 27 of 40 votes, it hits the November 3rd ballot, where a simple majority of voters can make it law, the first. Amendment since 2004, this could steady school funding for good. That's the story for today. Anchorage News Today, Driven by AI, I'm Cory with the Story.