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Education subcommittee shifts funds: ANSEP reduced, Alaska Excel and library programs increased
Summary
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee recommended a net reallocation within the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) for FY26: a $1,000,000 UGF decrement to ANSEP, and increments to Alaska Excel ($1,000,000 UGF), Parents as Teachers ($500,000 UGF), Imagination Library ($400,000 UGF) and SLED ($650,000 UGF). The subcommittee also
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee recommended several funding adjustments for the Department of Education and Early Development for FY26, including a $1,000,000 unrestricted general fund decrement to the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) and targeted increments for other early-education programs.
Lisa Keller, staff to Representative Galvin, told the committee the subcommittee’s recommended total operating budget for DEED is $442,383,600 across fund sources, an increase of $1,550,000 in UGF compared with the governor’s amended proposal. Keller said the subcommittee made a $1,000,000 increment for Alaska Excel, $500,000 for Parents as Teachers, $400,000 for Imagination Library, and $650,000 for the Statewide Library Electronic Doorway (SLED). The subcommittee recommended maintaining the Public Library Assistant Grant Program at $7,000 per service outlet; the narrative notes 82 outlets at a total cost of $574,000.
Keller described the decision to decrement ANSEP as “a very painful discussion,” saying the program is well-regarded but that the subcommittee reprioritized funding to support programs not in the base that face losses of federal funds.
Representative Galvin said Alaska Excel is a nonprofit that served 902 students last year, serves students in grades 7–12, and “has no GPA minimum” for participation. Members asked whether programs are public or nonprofit; Keller and Galvin confirmed Excel is a nonprofit and that ANSEP funding is routed through public entities.
Procedural note: The subcommittee received six amendments on DEED; three were withdrawn and three failed. The subcommittee adopted its recommended operating budget and forwarded the budget action report and narrative to the full committee.
What comes next: The full Finance Committee will consider amendments under the established deadline; members said funding priorities will be debated in full committee and conference as needed.
