Lawmakers Finalize $373M Budget Bill

0:00You're listening to Anchorage News today, powered by the Daily News Now. Lawmakers in Juneau formed a conference committee this week to finalize a $373 million supplemental budget bill. The measure funds hundreds of millions in construction projects statewide, plus tens of millions for disaster relief and wildfire suppression. It would also restore a scholarship fund lawmakers, tapped last year to balance the budget. Many groups pushed for the bill early this year, saying it lets them hire workers and stock materials ahead of summer builds. But the plans stalled in the House last week, when minority Republicans blocked a proposed draw from state savings, which needs a three quarters. Super majority vote. Democrats in the bipartisan House majority called it too risky to skip the savings back up amid shaky oil prices. Republicans countered that war-driven oil gains, meaning the state can cover costs without dipping into reserves. Now the committee, with members from both sides, plans to revise the bill so savings are

1:00used only if needed. They might even add back some agency expenses cut from an earlier draft. Expect a House and Senate floor vote Monday or Tuesday, and the bill could still pass with a simple majority, even without the savings provision.