Large supplemental budget underscores the need for thoughtful budget process
Supplemental also underscores the need to protect savings in case Alaska faces natural disasters
JUNEAU – Today, the governor introduced a $262.5 million supplemental budget request to address shortfalls in the current fiscal year.
The spending request is necessary largely due to last year’s difficult wildfire season and to the administration’s decision to underfund the budget that pays doctors and hospitals that provide healthcare for Medicaid patients.
Speaker Bryce Edgmon released the following statement in reaction:
“Hopefully, the lesson has been learned that deep cuts carry significant consequences and require careful analysis.
We are pleased that the supplemental budget gives coastal communities hope that the Alaska Marine Highway System will soon get back on track, and that other essential services like Medicaid and public radio are likely to get back some of the funding they badly need. However, it is unfortunate that many Alaskans unnecessarily faced a year of uncertainty.”
– House Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham)
CONTACT
Austin Baird
Communications Director
Alaska House Majority
(907) 465-6791
Austin.Baird@akleg.gov
