May 17th, marked day 121, the last constitutional day of session. The House adjourned at 9:02 pm, and at 9:10 pm the Governor issued an executive proclamation calling us into our first (and hopefully only) special session.
Immediately after the House and Senate adjourned on Wednesday night, Governor Walker issued a proclamation for a 30-day special session that began at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. Because the Legislature has not yet passed the Operating and Mental Health Budgets, and with no agreement reached on a fiscal plan to address our deficit of between $2.5 and $3 billion, and because there was not the three-quarters vote necessary for the Legislature itself to extend the session, the governor had no choice.
The extended legislative session is over and the House and Senate failed to agree on a fiscal plan. The Senate majority thinks the state should close most of the $2.5 billion deficit this year with a combination of spending cuts to education and using the Permanent Fund’s investment earnings. To close the remaining deficit of about $500 million, the Senate is putting faith in a “drain and pray” plan: drain state savings and pray for higher oil prices or a large production increase. I think this is a very dangerous and irresponsible bet to make.
Video of the Alaska House Majority Coalition’s May 18th, 2017 press availability with Reps. Seaton, Tuck, Edgmon and LeDoux.
The budget and how solve our fiscal gap are first and foremost on the minds of many concerned Alaskans. As you would expect, the Legislature’s top priority is getting Alaska back on a path of fiscal sustainability and long-term economic prosperity.
Thank you for your support and your participation during this historic 2017 legislative session. A lot of important decisions were made on behalf of our state. Some of these decisions I can take pride in because I cast a vote, or helped push the bill that I knew would have a positive impact for my constituents – and all Alaskans.
Juneau – The Alaska House Majority Coalition will hold a press availability this morning to answer questions from reporters covering the 30th Alaska State Legislature. Participants will include Speaker of the House Rep. Bryce Edgmon (D-Dillingham), House Majority Leader Rep. Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage), House Rules Committee Chair Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux (R-Anchorage), and House Finance Committee Co-chair Rep. Paul Seaton (R-Homer).
