Budget cuts hit home

  • Saturday, November 7, 2015 4:45pm
  • Opinion

This is what budget cuts look like.

Earlier this week, we heard a fair amount of grumbling about road conditions following the season’s first snowfall. According to a report from the Alaska Journal of Commerce, the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities got an earful from Fairbanks-area motorists after an early season snowfall there.

While not all the road maintenance in question is performed by state crews, and there’s always someone grumbling about snow removal — complaining about the weather and the response to it is one of our favorite pastimes — it does drive home the point, in a very tangible way, that the state of Alaska is in a budget crunch.

It’s worth noting that no matter what the state’s budget situation is, road conditions this past week were going to be slick. Heavy, wet snow followed by freeze-thaw temperatures topped off with some rain always makes for treacherous driving conditions. On top of that, many drivers wait until after the first snowfall to change over to their winter tires — as evidenced by the lines at local tire shops Wednesday and Thursday morning. Hopefully, everyone has now remembered how to drive in winter conditions, and their vehicles are now properly equipped for the next winter storm.

However, it’s also worth noting that DOT has eliminated positions and cut overtime for winter road crews. That means a slower response to clear roads, and it means crews won’t be available 24/7. DOT has placed a priority on the most used thoroughfares, but still may take up to 24 hours to get those roads clear.

Alaskans have high expectations for services provided, but there is a disconnect as to how those services are paid for. In his remarks to the Kenai Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Borough Mayor Mike Navarre pointed out that a large portion of the state budget goes toward education and Medicaid — both funded largely by formulas. That leaves a much smaller portion of the state budget where cuts can be made. As Navarre noted, everyone running for office says they’re going to cut government spending, but it’s much easier said than done.

And when cuts are made, there will be grumbling about the impacts, too.

Looking ahead to the coming winter, barring a very mild season, peninsula drivers should make adjustments. On snowy mornings, if there’s somewhere you absolutely have to be, leave early. Otherwise, stay off the roads to give crews time and space to work. The school district may have to have more delayed starts this year. In fact, the district administration announced this week that if parents or guardians deem road conditions unsafe and opt to keep their kids at home, it will be considered an excused absence.

There are bound to be more impacts as the effects of budget cuts trickle down. Some, we may hardly notice, but others — like road maintenance — will affect everyone. Alaskans have always been pretty good at making do, and in the coming months, we’ll be making do a lot more.

More in Opinion

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: The fight for Alaska’s future begins in the classroom

The fight I’ve been leading isn’t about politics — it’s about priorities.

Dick Maitland, a foley artist, works on the 46th season of “Sesame Street” at Kaufman Astoria Studios in New York, Dec. 15, 2025. (Ariana McLaughlin/The New York Times)
Opinion: Trump’s embarrassing immaturity Republicans won’t acknowledge

Sullivan should be embarrassed by the ignorance and immaturity the president is putting on display for the world to see.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol Corner: Choosing our priorities wisely

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in support overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 69 at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Capitol Corner: As session nears end, pace picks up in Juneau

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Strong policy, proven results

Why policy and funding go hand in hand.

Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The Jones Act — crass protectionism, but for whom?

Alaska is dependent on the few U.S.-built ships carrying supplies from Washington state to Alaska.

Cook Inlet can be seen at low tide from North Kenai Beach on June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Solving the Cook Inlet gas crisis

While importing LNG is necessary in the short term, the Kenai Peninsula is in dire need of a stable long-term solution.

Sockeye salmon caught in a set gillnet are dragged up onto the beach at a test site for selective harvest setnet gear in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol Corner: Creating opportunities with better fishery management

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

The ranked choice outcome for Alaska’s U.S. Senate race is shown during an Alaska Public Media broadcast on Nov. 24, 2022. (Alaska Division of Elections)
Opinion: Alaska should keep ranked choice voting, but let’s make it easier

RCV has given Alaskans a better way to express their preferences.

The Alaska State Capitol on March 1. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Keep Alaska open for business

Our job as lawmakers is to ensure that laws passed at the ballot box work effectively on the ground.

Image provided by the Office of Mayor Peter Micciche.
Opinion: Taxes, adequate education funding and putting something back into your pocket

Kenai Peninsula Borough taxpayers simply can’t make a dent in the education funding deficit by themselves, nor should they be asked to do so.

Brooke Walters. (Courtesy photo)
Opinion: A student’s letter to the governor

Our education funding is falling short by exuberant amounts.