The first month of session is coming to a close, and the House has been racing to create a budget that works for all Alaskans within 90 days. Finance subcommittees have been meeting to examine the budgets for particular state agencies. I sat on six finance subcommittees this year:
All House finance subcommittees have finished examining their department's budgets, and now the full finance committee will work on the operating budget.
The House Finance Committee will compile subcommittee drafts into what is called a "Committee Substitute" in the next day or so. That's the version of the budget that public testimony will be on and that the House Finance Committee will amend before it goes to the House floor for a vote.
It is essential that we have a budget that funds strong public education, a functioning transportation system, and effective public safety, among other priorities. To that end, I hope you will consider either writing or calling in, to tell the House Finance Committee what you want our state budget to look like.
