Post by Logan on Feb 29, 2016 3:33:27 GMT -6
Still plenty unresolved as Legislature nears session's halfway point
JUNEAU -- Legislators this coming week will reach the halfway point of the scheduled 90-day session, with the House working toward finalizing its version of the state operating budget and a Senate committee working on a measure geared toward curbing and containing state Medicaid costs.
Bills that would keep Planned Parenthood from providing sex education in schools and restrict how the Board of Regents regulates concealed handguns on university campuses have garnered recent attention. But the Senate remains on schedule with its review of the budget and hasn't lost sight of the focus on addressing the state's deficit, Senate President Kevin Meyer said. The House earlier this month passed a resolution narrowing its attention to budget- and revenue-related bills until it sends the operating budget to the Senate.
Nearly halfway through the session, though, it remains unclear what pieces the Legislature will pull together to tackle a multibillion-dollar state budget deficit exacerbated by low oil prices. In addition to budget cuts, current proposals include taxes, the use of Alaska Permanent Fund earnings, changes to the state's oil and gas tax credit system and changes to Medicaid and the criminal justice system.
Legislative leaders have chosen to focus on the budget before deciding on bills that would provide new or additional revenue, saying their constituents expect them to cut first.
Read more: www.adn.com/article/20160228/still-plenty-unresolved-legislature-nears-sessions-halfway-point
JUNEAU -- Legislators this coming week will reach the halfway point of the scheduled 90-day session, with the House working toward finalizing its version of the state operating budget and a Senate committee working on a measure geared toward curbing and containing state Medicaid costs.
Bills that would keep Planned Parenthood from providing sex education in schools and restrict how the Board of Regents regulates concealed handguns on university campuses have garnered recent attention. But the Senate remains on schedule with its review of the budget and hasn't lost sight of the focus on addressing the state's deficit, Senate President Kevin Meyer said. The House earlier this month passed a resolution narrowing its attention to budget- and revenue-related bills until it sends the operating budget to the Senate.
Nearly halfway through the session, though, it remains unclear what pieces the Legislature will pull together to tackle a multibillion-dollar state budget deficit exacerbated by low oil prices. In addition to budget cuts, current proposals include taxes, the use of Alaska Permanent Fund earnings, changes to the state's oil and gas tax credit system and changes to Medicaid and the criminal justice system.
Legislative leaders have chosen to focus on the budget before deciding on bills that would provide new or additional revenue, saying their constituents expect them to cut first.
Read more: www.adn.com/article/20160228/still-plenty-unresolved-legislature-nears-sessions-halfway-point