The new Republican-led coalition majority in Alaska’s House of Representatives has taken control. Members of the new coalition have stated that they will prioritize fiscal issues. They also cautioned against proposals to increase funding for public schools.
“I believe it’s safe to say that what unites us is fiscal stability for Alaska,” said Speaker of House Cathy Tilton (R-Wasilla). “That is something important and has been important for — I believe — all of you sitting here in the room.”
Although the exact definition of fiscal stability seems to differ among legislators, Tilton and other members suggested that , a bipartisan, multi-party, bicameral plan, released in 2021, could serve as a guide.
One component of the plan is a tighter spending cap for the state. Legislation to enact a new spending cap has been scheduled for next week’s hearing in the House Judiciary Committee.
The proposal would limit government spending to a certain percentage of the state’s GDP and was first proposed by Senator James Kaufman (R-Anchorage).
Kaufman’s bill is still not scheduled for a Senate hearing, but Rep. Will Stapp (R-Fairbanks) introduced matching legislation in the House and it is expected to be heard first.
A legislature cannot limit future legislatures’ budgetary authority by law alone. Therefore, statutory spending caps changes would be purely ceremonial. However, Stapp stated that the bill was intended to serve as a guideline and could become a binding constitutional amendment in the future.
Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage House Minority Leader, stated that the desire of the new majority for fiscal stability doesn’t come without specifics.
What does fiscal stability actually mean? Are these just cuts to balance the budget or fiscal stability? He said that the budget cuts have been evident over the years and that Alaskans do not want this approach.
He stated that the minorities caucus has specific objectives.
Schrage stated that Alaskans have made it clear that they believe investing in education, workforce development, and universities is important. “How can we attract and retain workers in this highly competitive environment, when there are so many other countries competing?”
Advocates for public school are asking the Legislature increase the state’s basic-student allocation. This is the formula that funds public schools in Alaska. Mike Dunleavy also supported an increase, but it is not in his state budget.
The House majority did not include a BSA raise as one of its priorities.
Tilton stated that “we’re not saying there shouldn’t” be an increase in the BSA. It’s something we need to talk about. However, it is possible to think of other options or alternatives.
The new House majority comprises 23 of the 40 House members: 19 Republicans and two independents, as well as two Democrats.
All non-Republicans are members of the House’s rural “Bush Caucus,” and on Thursday, committee assignments were made. Independent Rep. Bryce Edgmon (Dillingham) and Democratic Rep. Neal Foster (Nome) were appointed co-chairs to the powerful House Finance Committee.
DeLena Johnson, a Republican from Palmer, was elected third co-chair.
The 11 House committee chairmen and chairwomen play a significant role in the direction of the flow of bills through Congress. Other assignments include Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer), as chair of House Judiciary Committee and Rep. Mike Prax (R-North Pole) as chair of Health and Social Services Committee.
Prax stated that his committee will be conducting informational hearings next week and has not scheduled any hearings. Vance has scheduled Stapp’s bill as well as one from Rep. Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage), which would increase criminal penalties for those who are convicted in front of children.
Vance has sponsored legislation to repeal Alaska’s new ranked-choice voting system. She said that she is also interested legislation that would improve the security and reliability the state’s electoral system.
She suggested that the bipartisan election bill , which failed to pass in the Senate last year’s legislative session, could be used as a starting point. However it might fare better if broken down into smaller pieces.
The 23-member majority doesn’t include Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) or Rep. Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak), who both stated Wednesday that they are interested in joining it.
Ortiz is currently in the House’s 15 member, predominantly Democratic, minority caucus. Stutes is alone in a group, which is shared with Rep. David Eastman (R-Wasilla).
Stutes has been appointed to the House’s transportation- and fisheries-committees. She said that she is still interested in joining majority, if offered.
Eastman, who called himself “a man without country” and referred to his situation outside of either caucus has been assigned to the judiciary panel.
