Walker proposes budget amendments

  • By Becky Bohrer
  • Wednesday, February 18, 2015 10:53pm
  • News

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Bill Walker has proposed restoring full service for the state ferry system next year and adding back partial funding for community and regional jails in budget amendments released on Wednesday.

The amendments speak to the challenge facing the state as the administration and lawmakers try to cut the budget amid projected multibillion-dollar deficits without creating unintended consequences.

The ferry funding, about $6.3 million, would be pulled from other parts of the transportation department budget. Walker, in a news release, said many families have already bought ferry tickets for once-in-a-lifetime vacations to Alaska, and he wants to ensure that service is available to them and Alaskans in the coming year.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Jeremy Woodrow, a transportation department spokesman, said the details for how the shift in funds would affect other programs in the department were still being worked out.

Walker also proposed restoring $7 million to the community and regional jails program. The administration had proposed eliminating contracts for $10.5 million associated with 15 regional and community jails, which provide short-term confinement of people who face state charges until those individuals can be taken to the nearest state correctional facility by Alaska State Troopers.

The proposal raised concerns about the effects on communities and the troopers, who are facing budget cuts of their own.

According to information from Walker’s budget office, the Department of Corrections would renegotiate the contracts for the actual cost per bed per day. Some of the money also could be used to cover additional prisoner-transport costs.

The amendments also included proposed grants aimed at tackling homelessness, among other issues.

There is a proposed $20 million reduction for Medicaid by cutting costs. But the budget office, in its backup material, says many of the proposed efforts would require new regulations and fees along with public hearings and consultation with tribes.

More in News

Jason Criss stands for a photo in Soldotna, Alaska, after being named a qualifier for the Special Olympics USA Games on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna athlete to compete in 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Thousands of athletes from across all 50 states will be competing in 16 sports.

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
HEA opens bids for real property

The deadline to submit bids is 5 p.m. on Aug. 11.

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. (right) attends a change of plea hearing related to the October 2023 fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Homer Courthouse in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Mondragon-Lopez sentenced for death of Homer woman

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. accepted a plea deal in February for the shooting of Brianna Hetrick.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna OKs $395,000 capital plan

This year’s list of capital projects is “nominal compared to some past years,” according to officials.

A map of areas proposed for annexation by the City of Soldotna. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna adds annexation proposal to ballot

The proposed annexation is split across five small areas around the city.

Nets are extended from North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, during the first day of the Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘A really good day’

Kenai River personal use sockeye salmon dipnet fishery opens.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna is seen here on June 1. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough assembly to consider ordinance to increase residential property tax exemption

If approved by voters in October, the ordinance would increase the tax exemption by $25,000.

Vice President Kelly Cooper speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough considers seasonal sales tax rate

Borough sales tax would be modified from a flat 3% to a seasonal model of 4% in summer months and 2% in winter months.

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in