(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - The Alaska Legislative Budget & Audit Committee on Friday authorized $125 million of the $1.25 billion provided to Alaska by the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  This $125 million goes for education, child nutrition programs, public safety and public transportation.

Authorization of these initial budget items by the legislative committee was in accordance with a revised proposal from Governor Mike Dunleavy. 

“Today was a great first step in executing a tranche of CARES Act funding out to the people of Alaska,” said Senator Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, vice-chairman of the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee.

Bishop said, “Hopefully by Wednesday we get the remaining balance of those funds out to communities. I want to thank all involved, from the governor’s administration to the House and Senate, who’ve worked tirelessly to get us to this point.” 

“Delivering these funds as quickly, widely and appropriately as possible to Alaskans is our top priority,” said Senate President Cathy Giessel. “Today’s progress was the result of hard work and collaboration between members of the House, Senate and governor’s office. It remains our shared goal to swiftly disburse the remaining funds.”

“Alaskans need help, and they need it fast – and these funds reflect that urgency,” said Senator Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. “But, our work is not done. We are still working closely with the administration on distributing additional funds. We’re also working closely with the congressional delegation to make sure Alaskans get necessary assistance and understand the resources available to them.”

“We thank everyone for rising above politics and working together as Alaskans to get funding out to those who need it as quickly as possible,” said Representative Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage). “Today’s action was a significant first step, and the committee continues to work overtime to review the governor’s revised proposal that was released this [Friday] morning.”

Follow-up action is expected soon to get additional federal funds out to Alaskans and organizations that need help, but the first wave of money will go toward a variety of programs adversely impacted by COVID-19.

The committee on Friday approved six spending proposals through the Revised Program Legislative (RPL) process: 

• $45 million for K-12 education; 
  
  
• $42 million for child nutrition programs; 
  
  
• $29 million for rural transportation costs, including the marine highway (Anchorage and Fairbanks receive federal funds separately); 
  
  
• $5 million for University of Alaska; 
  
  
• $3.6 million for state and local law enforcement; and
  
  
• $422,000 for the Alaska State Council on the Arts. 

Additional time is needed to ensure that the full $1.25 billion provided to Alaska through the CARES Act is spent effectively. The Legislative Budget & Audit Committee recessed until 1pm Wednesday, May 6, 2020, when they plan to take up the remaining items. 

On the Web:

To view more details about the six RPLs approved in Fiday’s meeting, click here.

Edited By Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska House Majority Coalition
www.akleg.gov

Alaska Senate Majority
www.akleg.gov

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