House Democrats are exerting their negotiating power, when their so-called opponent is in the end zone with the ball and the buzzer has sounded. They say the cuts should not go “too deep” and are requesting the legislative body approve a little larger budget. Since they have the deciding votes in the House to authorize the State’s reserves, negotiations are under way.
Members of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday defended the budget the Senate passed, including proposed cuts to education, as responsible. A co-chair of the committee, Sen. Anna MacKinnon, said there is room for compromise. But she said she will “not be held hostage to spend more money that we don’t have. Period.”
Tuck said Tuesday that the process so far has been respectful. “It’s nice to be working side by side where in the past we’ve always been working underneath everyone,” he said. “We are not interested in blowing up a budget. We know cuts need to be made,” said Tuck, D-Anchorage. “We’re just worried about going too deep and going in some areas unnecessarily just because we’re trying to meet a number.”
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