This week the House Finance Committee will hear operating budget testimony. Now, more than ever, it is important that people speak out. The House Finance budget subcommittees made some drastic cuts, not unexpected given our fiscal climate, but many of the cuts are lopsided. They cut programs that have a proven track record of saving the state money and bringing in federal funds.
ACTION ALERT! This week the House Finance Committee will take public testimony on the operating budget. Please come speak out at the Budget Public Testimony on Thursday, March 5 from 1-4:30pm at the Anchorage LIO (716 W.4th Ave) in downtown Anchorage. Testimony is limited to 2 minutes per speaker.
Last week I wrote on the Walker Administration’s proposal to accept $145 million in Federal Funding for Medicaid Expansion in Alaska this year. That Op-Ed follows and explains how accepting Medicaid Expansion, as many Republican and Democratic Governors have, will save state money, cut our state budget by $6.6 million (in just this coming year), create 4,000 needed jobs, and grant medical care and insurance payment help to thousands of Alaskans.
