State budget heads to conference as Anchorage officials highlight education gains, warn pipeline could force special session

At a legislative committee work session, Anchorage officials summarized recent developments in Juneau, saying the Alaska House passed an operating budget with increases that would add funding for behavioral health, Medicaid rate changes and education, while the Senate is likely to propose lower totals before the chambers go to conference.

"The house passed their operating budget, and it's a fully funded operating budget," Wendy Chamberlain, the city's state lobbyist, said. She noted the House added money for behavioral health and a one-time boost for education, and that the Senate is likely to produce lower numbers that will be negotiated in conference committee.

Mr. Cloud, an administration official, told the committee the mayor led a multi-mayor letter urging more school funding and that, as discussed in the session, the House version included about $158,000,000 in school funding with Anchorage's share described in the meeting as roughly $44 million; he emphasized that final amounts remain subject to negotiation.

Chamberlain also warned that conditions the Senate placed on a proposed gas pipeline are "totally unacceptable," and that those conditions could make a special session necessary to resolve the issue. "So that'll probably put us in special session," she said.

Chair Zach Johnson asked whether a geobond remains possible; Chamberlain said it appears unlikely this year but that a late decision could still occur. The committee did not take formal action and adjourned after considering scheduling for a possible May meeting and a future discussion of the federal Basics Act.