Gov. Michael Dunleavy told seniors at the Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center today that the Alaska Senior Benefit Program will be funded in full this year at $20.8 million. In a previous version of the Operating Budget, Dunleavy had cut the funding for older Alaskans who are low- or moderate-income.
Payments will be retroactive to July 1. During the last fiscal year, the program ran out of money and some payments were curtailed in May and June.
“What we have decided to do is make sure that the funding for senior benefits is in this year’s budget going forward,” Dunleavy said.
The governor said he would complete his vetoes and sign House Bill 2001, the current operating budget that the majority of the Legislature approved. It reinstated all of the $400 million of his vetoes, leaving only $23 million in vetoes — that was for the travel budget of the executive branch.
Homer Rep. Sarah Vance expressed thanks for the announcement, saying it was one of her key issues this year.
“I think it’s great that we continue to show respect to Alaska’s elders, as these benefits help provide for their wellbeing in the years of their lives when many of them don’t have and cannot get employment, and because they have contributed to building Alaska for so long.”
Watch Dunleavy’s remarks here:
