(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - The Dunleavy administration on Wednesday released the FY20 supplemental bill to cover the unanticipated costs from two natural disasters and Medicaid services and programs. The legislation also contains funding to continue to improve public safety in Alaska, repair transportation infrastructure, and provide mental health and elder care services. 

“The state has unanticipated and significant costs that will have to be covered this year through supplemental appropriation legislation,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “We still have significant earthquake damage that needs to be repaired, in addition to last summer’s massive wildfires that drained the disaster account, and an abrupt change in direction by the federal government on Medicaid funding. My administration will continue to make every effort to keep State spending in check and will continue to push for constitutional amendments that cap the State budget, allow Alaskans to approve any proposed State taxes, and secure the PFD for Alaskans today and in the future.”

The supplemental bill, SB 174 / HB 234, totals $262.5 million in unrestricted general funds and $225 million in Federal matching funds for a total of $507.9 million. The cost to extinguish the wildfires, repair earthquake damage, and fund Medicaid services, accounts for $250.4 million of the $262.5 million in unrestricted general funds.

Alaska Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham) reacted to the FY20 supplemental bill in a prepared statement saying, “Hopefully, the lesson has been learned that deep cuts carry significant consequences and require careful analysis. It is encouraging that the supplemental budget does not include backpay for an oversized dividend, which would put our state’s financial future at risk."

"We are pleased that the supplemental budget gives coastal communities hope that the Alaska Marine Highway System will soon get back on track, and that other essential services like Medicaid and public radio are likely to get back some of the funding they badly need. However, it is unfortunate that many Alaskans unnecessarily faced a year uncertainty,” said Edgmon.

Key items of interest in the Dunleavy administration's FY20 supplemental bill:

• $110.5 million in State funds to cover expenses following last summer’s devastating wildfires in the Southcentral and Interior regions of the state
• $3 million in State funds for infrastructure repairs from the 2018 Cook Inlet Earthquake
• $128 million in State funds for Medicaid services 
• $6.7 million in State funds to hire new Alaska State Troopers, Wildlife Troopers, and purchase Trooper equipment
• $1 million in State funds for the Pioneer Home Payment Assistance Program
• $6 million in State funds to achieve full capacity at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute
• $12.050 million in Marine Highway receipts for the Alaska Marine Highway System

On the Web:

Additional information on the FY20 supplemental bill can be found on the Office of Management and Budget webpage.

Source of News:

Office of Governor Michael Dunleavy
www.gov.alaska.gov

Office of Alaska Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham)
www.akleg.gov

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