Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference on Thursday in Juneau. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, Office of the Governor)

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference on Thursday in Juneau. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy reiterates budget priorities from Juneau

The governor has emphasized public safety, the PFD and education

Gov. Mike Dunleavy doubled down on his budget priorities — including public safety, permanent fund dividend payments, education and infrastructure — during a press conference held Thursday in Juneau.

State lawmakers have maintained that their chief priority for the legislative session currently underway is to help steady the state’s financial future, which includes solving the ongoing PFD question.

Included in Dunleavy’s supplemental budget is a spring PFD payment of $1,250 to fund the remainder of the 2021 permanent fund dividend, as well as a 2022 dividend payment of $2,500. Supplemental budget bills authorize spending of additional funds for the current or prior fiscal year to cover shortfalls.

The $1,250 remainder permanent fund dividend payment, Dunleavy said, reflects his commitment to a fifty-fifty plan, as does the proposed 2022 payment of $2,500. The fifty-fifty plan touted by Dunleavy would split permanent fund earnings equally between dividend payments and state services.

Dunleavy first unveiled his proposed fiscal year 2023 budget, which is subject to approval by the Alaska Legislature, last year. His proposal outlined $11 billion in spending, about $4.6 billion of which comes from the federal government. Fiscal year 2023 begins on July 1, 2022, and ends on June 30, 2023.

“When it comes to our revenue picture, we’re in pretty good shape,” Dunleavy said Thursday.

Dunleavy has proposed major state spending on public safety, including $6.3 million for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs, as well as $310 million for a General Obligation Transportation and Infrastructure Bond. That bond includes funding for ports and harbors, surface transportation and airports, as well as $6.5 million for the Kenai River Bluff Stabilization.

Dunleavy said Thursday that legislative leadership are privy to some of the state’s financial projections and that he hopes they can find common ground on issues.

“With regard to whether the legislature is going to agree on everything we’ve put forward, that’s doubtful, but we’re hoping that there’ll be a number of issues (that) we can coalesce around and get passed to help the people of Alaska,” Dunleavy said.

Thursday’s press conference can be viewed in full on the governor’s Facebook page.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara ata shlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Gavin Ley stands with the “Go-Shopping Kart” he designed and built in his career and technical education courses at Nikiski Middle/High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski students learn professional skills through technical education

Career and technical education gives students opportunity to learn skills, express themselves creatively, work cooperatively and make decisions.

Nikiski teachers, students and parents applaud Nikiski Middle/High Principal Mike Crain as he’s recognized as the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals 2025 Region III Principal of the Year by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education during their meeting in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski principal named Region III principal of the year

Crain has served as Nikiski’s principal for three years.

An 86 pound Kenai River king salmon is measured in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 29, 1995. (M. Scott Moon/Peninsula Clarion File)
Kenai River king salmon fishing closed entirely for 3rd year

Kenai River king salmon were designated a stock of management concern in 2023.

The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
University of Alaska Board of Regents to meet in Soldotna

The last time the board met on the Kenai Peninsula was April 2012.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education member Penny Vadla and student representative Emerson Kapp speak to the joint Alaska House and Senate education committees in Juneau, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Screenshot courtesy Gavel Alaska/KTOO)
KPBSD among dozens of districts to deliver in-person testimony to Alaska Legislature

Districts spotlighted programs already lost over years of stagnant funding that hasn’t met inflationary pressure.

Rep. Bill Elam, R-Nikiski, speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by his office at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Education dominates Elam’s 1st town hall as state rep

Education funding dominated much of the conversation.

Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Work soon to begin on Kenai Middle security upgrades

The security upgrades are among several key KPBSD maintenance projects included in a bond approved by borough voters in October 2022.

The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Kenai adds funds, authorizes contract for study of emergency services facility

The building shared by Kenai’s police and fire departments hasn’t kept up with the needs of both departments, chief says.

Kenai Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Best shows off a new inclusive seesaw at Kenai Municipal Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai awards contract to develop Parks and Rec master plan

The document is expected to guide the next 20 years of outdoors and recreation development in the city.

Most Read