Post by Logan on Mar 5, 2016 20:02:48 GMT -6
Forty-five days through its 90-day session, the Alaska Legislature appears to be in much the same position it was last year, when lawmakers deadlocked and needed 30 extra days to pass a complete budget.
“I think we could end up in a stalemate,” said Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, on Thursday.
This year, as last year, the key point is the Constitutional Budget Reserve. To spend from this $8.2 billion account requires three-quarters of the House and three-quarters vote of the Senate. The Republican-led Senate majority can get its needed votes without the minority. The Republican-led House majority can’t, and that gives the Democratic-led minority a big card to play in budget negotiations.
“Right now, we’re in the beginning stages of everything; it wouldn’t make sense to give up a three-quarters vote at this stage,” said Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage and the House minority leader, during a Tuesday press conference.
Read more: juneauempire.com/state/2016-03-04/halfway-done-legislature-appears-headed-another-end-session-conflict
“I think we could end up in a stalemate,” said Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, on Thursday.
This year, as last year, the key point is the Constitutional Budget Reserve. To spend from this $8.2 billion account requires three-quarters of the House and three-quarters vote of the Senate. The Republican-led Senate majority can get its needed votes without the minority. The Republican-led House majority can’t, and that gives the Democratic-led minority a big card to play in budget negotiations.
“Right now, we’re in the beginning stages of everything; it wouldn’t make sense to give up a three-quarters vote at this stage,” said Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage and the House minority leader, during a Tuesday press conference.
Read more: juneauempire.com/state/2016-03-04/halfway-done-legislature-appears-headed-another-end-session-conflict