Alaska Legislature Opens Next Week With New Leaders, Laser Focus on Budget
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by Peggy Parker - January 12, 2017
The first regular session of Alaska’s 30th Legislature opens Tuesday, January 17 with new leaders, a new majority coalition in the house, and fresh resolve to address the $3 billion annual deficit after years of lackluster progress.
Setting the stage three weeks ago was Governor Walker FY2018 budget, showing cuts of $1.7 billion, or a 23% decrease from two years ago, when Walker took office. He also announced a personal paycut “to lead by example” of one-third of his salary.
The governorr faces a new Legislature this year which may change the grid-lock dynamic of earlier sessions. Democrats and a small group of Republicans will lead the Alaska House in a coalition for the first time in two decades...
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