Senate Finance co-chairs Pete Kelly and Anna MacKinnon said these are tough times. Low oil prices have exacerbated a budget deficit projected to be in the billions of dollars, and state leaders are trying to preserve Alaska’s reserves for as long as possible.
Kelly, R-Fairbanks, said a key point to keep in mind when discussing the budget is “we’ve got a big problem.” It is seen as virtually impossible for the state to cut its way out of the predicament, and a number of lawmakers have said everything has to be on the table when looking at cuts. Education and Medicaid are major components of the state’s budget.
MacKinnon, R-Eagle River, said what the committee did was responsible, wasn’t easy and represents a starting point for negotiations with the House. Kelly said the proposal also provides some leeway in case prices drop again.
“We did what was in the best interests of the state of Alaska,” Kelly said.
Wielechowski, in a fiery speech, said he didn’t think the people were treated with much respect by the process, taking issue in particular with the education cuts and pay-raise rejections approved by Senate Finance after public comment on the budget closed. He said he questioned the priorities the budget reflected.
“Here we are on Good Friday, cutting the poor, cutting the sick, cutting (benefits to) seniors,” he said. “But not a dime from the huge, outside multinational corporations.” Among other things, Wielechowski unsuccessfully sought to eliminate credits for three legacy oil fields.
Via newsminer.com
image credit APEonline
