Tag: Budget

Outside of the Alaska State Capitol

An update on Alaska’s legislative session

As with many recent sessions, discussions largely center on the state’s finances, while a number of social issues have come up as well.

How can the Anchorage School District close its budget gap? | Alaska Insight

Lori Townsend talks with School Board Member Dave Donley, and Alyse Galvin of Great Alaska Schools, to understand the scope of the Anchorage School District's $68 million budget gap, and what can be done to address it.

After 2019 rate hike, Dunleavy signs bill to ease Pioneer Home pricing

The new bill would slow rate increases to match inflation instead of instituting a one-time price hike.

Alaska’s budget forecast just got even worse

Alaska’s state government can expect $1.3 billion less than it previously forecast, largely because of the drop in oil prices.

PFD fight splits Alaska GOP, leaving some aligned with Democrats

Typically, some of the most intense fights at the Alaska state Capitol are between Democrats and Republicans. But one of the biggest ideological fractures complicating this year's legislative session is within the GOP, and that's creating some strange bedfellows.

Big parts of Gov. Dunleavy’s agenda remain unfinished. But he still has time, tools at his disposal.

With the legislative session winding down, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has gotten traction with some of his ideas, but many others have stalled. The governor's office is still holding out for more, but his allies say Dunleavy can still declare victory without passage of specific bills or initiatives.

Candidate Dunleavy said he had no plans to cut ferries, schools, university. Then Gov. Dunleavy proposed deep reductions.

Dunleavy’s shifting positions on state spending and budget cuts have left critics fuming; they argue that the governor was able to make dubious claims on the campaign trail that were never debunked by a weakened mainstream media, and that that might have changed the election's outcome.

Tourism, courts, pensions, oil tax credits: Where Alaska Gov. Dunleavy wants to spend more cash

Dunleavy is proposing to increase spending on a handful of projects and programs. They represent some of the governor's core priorities, like public safety and criminal justice, along with non-negotiable obligations, like the system that pays pensions to retired teachers and other public employees.

Choosing Our Future: Alaska’s Fiscal Options

KSKA: Tuesday, October, 24 2017, at 2:00 p.m. Addressing Alaskans, this week, is taking a look into Alaska’s fiscal options by discussing facts, frequently discussed approaches and the dollars attached to the state’s very real budget issues. LISTEN HERE

S&P warns further downgrades may be on horizon

Standard & Poor's downgraded Alaska's credit rating Tuesday after months of warnings to shore up the state budget. With plunging oil prices wreaking havoc on the state's budget, the agency knocked the state down a notch from the top AAA rating it has held for the last four years. Download Audio

Governor’s budget proposes major changes to oil tax credits

The governor's budget gets about half a billion dollars from the oil and gas industry, proposing deep cuts to the state's system of oil and gas tax credits.

Gov calls for permanent fund overhaul, income tax, cuts to PFD

Gov. Bill Walker released his plan for dealing with the state's mammoth budget deficit. It includes Alaska's first income tax since 1980, and a complete overhaul of the permanent fund -- effectively cutting PFD checks in half next year. Download Audio

Gov’s budget plan adds income tax, reduces PFD

Gov. Bill Walker released his battle plan today for dealing with the state's behemoth budget deficit. It includes Alaska's first income tax since 1980, and a complete overhaul of how the state uses the permanent fund -- effectively cutting PFD checks in half next year.

Lawmakers Could Gavel Out

Lawmakers may gavel out this evening after a week long stalemate on the budget.

As Capital Budget Work Begins, A Call For Lower Expectations

The Legislature had already received more than $1 billion in capital requests from communities and organizations. Of those, only health and public safety projects will get priority consideration.

Governor’s New Budget Cuts 300 State Employees

The latest iteration of the governor’s budget cuts $136 million from the previous version. Download Audio

When it comes to money, what’s your score?

Does money flow through your fingers at an alarming rate? Do you understand how credit cards work? Do you buy things you really can't afford? Studies show young people are at increasing risk because they don't understand money at a time when they'll be called upon to manage their own financial resources well. Get advice and tips from the experts on the next Hometown Alaska with host Kathleen McCoy and some money-savvy guests. KSKA: Wednesday 9/25, at 2:00 pm (LIVE) and 9:00 pm Listen Now

Anchorage School Board Approves Teacher Contract

The Anchorage School Board unanimously approved a new contract for teachers on Monday night. The district saved money in two ways, by not providing benefits for some part-time teachers and by issuing bonuses that do not count toward benefits for other teachers instead of increasing their salaries.

School Board Passes Preliminary Budget 6-1

The Anchorage School Board passed their preliminary 2013-2014 budget Monday (2/4) night after hearing testimony from the public.

Assembly Approves $475 Million Budget

The Anchorage Assembly unanimously passed the 2013 budget Tuesday night with a few amendments. One of the budget items which received lots of attention over the past few weeks was proposed cuts to the fire department, including the elimination of a truck in Eagle River and a water tender near the Hillside.