Public testimony urges quick approval of supplemental transportation match; chamber and contractors stress jobs

The House Finance Committee closed a public-comment period on Feb. 10 after hearing multiple callers urging prompt action on supplemental appropriations tied to transportation match funding.

Cody Otman, who identified himself as representing "Alaska Labors" from Eagle River, told the committee delayed match dollars would damage Alaska's construction pipeline and apprenticeship programs. "Stable transportation funding means stable jobs, strong apprenticeship pipelines, and a workforce Alaska can depend on for the long haul," Otman said during his two-minute testimony.

The Alaska Chamber of Commerce joined the plea. "Time truly is of the essence here," Katie Capozzi, the chamber's president and CEO, told the committee, urging prompt passage of HB 283 to ensure the state can obligate federal funds, advertise projects and award contracts this season.

A contractor who identified himself as Paul Slawin (transcript contains ambiguity about surname) told the committee that contractors need certainty to schedule work and retain skilled crews, and urged approval of a proposed $70,000,000 supplemental measure for DOT match funding. He warned that late funding compresses schedules, inflates costs and leaves little room to absorb market changes.

Other testimony and committee business

Caroline Storm, executive director of the Coalition for Education Equity, used her time to ask the committee to examine recurring corrections adjustments that appear in supplemental bills while public education remains underfunded. Her comment asked legislators to "take a look at that and evaluate what is going on in corrections."

Procedure and next steps

Chair Josephson told attendees the committee would revisit the supplemental items on Friday and that a committee substitute could be introduced; he also announced the next House Finance Committee meeting for 02/11/2026 at 9:00 a.m., when members will introduce and adopt a committee substitute on HB 263 and HB 265 and hear legislative legal services on vetoed appropriations. The committee closed public testimony and adjourned at 3:28 p.m.

Sources: Caller testimony (Cody Otman, Katie Capozzi, Paul Slawin) and in-room public comment (Caroline Storm) during the House Finance Committee meeting on Feb. 10, 2026.