"State Budget"

Despite ongoing concern over public school funding, both Rep. Andi Story and Sen. Jesse Kiehl celebrated several items that remained in this year’s state budget.

Dunleavy continues to call for an additional $1,250 PFD payment to increase the amount paid this year, which was $1,114.

In response to a question about Stutes’ position, a Dunleavy spokesperson said the governor is not cancelling the special session. 

Power Cost Equalization, or PCE, lowers the cost of electricity in rural Alaska to make it comparable to more urban areas like Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.

The Alaska Senate passed a state budget by a margin of one vote on Wednesday, the day after the House passed it. 

“Plans have been put in place that it’s hard to walk back from, because this was such a disruption,” said Tlingit and Haida Head Start director Amber Frommherz.

Mayor Beth Weldon proposed the increase and suggested that the added revenue go toward school bond debt reimbursement or other school facility projects.

Shifting costs for school maintenance debt could result in an increase in property taxes in many communities. And the City and Borough of Juneau is not happy about it.

The city says it will lose an estimated $7.8 million in funding next fiscal year from the cuts proposed in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget.

With the governor’s budget set for release Wednesday, Juneau lawmakers are concerned by what $1.6 billion in budget cuts could mean for the capital city’s sizable portion of state government workers.