In the legislative process called “conference committee,” legislators from the House and Senate are appointed to a joint committee to hash out differences in the budgets passed by the respective bodies.
On Sunday, the Conference Committee waded into “free conference” zone, which is when they start adding things to the budget that have not been passed by either body.
But the Conference Committee does not have free conference powers; instead, it has limited conference powers.
At issue is a major hole in the existing year’s budget, caused by a significant drop in the price of oil. The budget passed last year by the Legislature was based on $78 a barrel oil, but oil is now down in the $67 a barrel range, and the Legislature needs to backfill this year’s budget with supplemental money — about $180 million. If they don’t, then the governor will have to find cuts between now and the start of the new fiscal year, July 1.
In negotiations on Sunday, the committee decided to add in a draw on the Constitutional Budget Reserve fund, and if that fails to get the needed votes in the House and Senate, then the budget will take $100 million from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, and the Higher Education fund. That’s new lawmaking, which is not allowed in conference committee.
It’s unclear if the Conference Committee members are aware that they have violated the rules of the Legislature by adding things to the budget, as opposed to the limited conference rules of having to stay within established brackets.
The conference committee closed out their work and will have the budget on the desks of legislators by Monday, so that they can have it for 24 hours before voting on it.
It’s obvious that they don’t care if they have violated the rules or not as they ignore and break their own laws constantly. Nothing more than common criminals.
This ^.
“…they have violated the rules of the Legislature by adding things to the budget,”
Rules, Laws? We don’t need no stinkin’ rules or laws! Laws are for everyone else, we make the laws and will add whatever we want that the Senate or House didn’t pass on their own. Give out the names of everyone on this “conference committee”.
WeAREthe LaWS!!!!
Can the Conference Committee waive the legislature rules or can both the House and Senate waive the rules for the Conference Committee? Asking for a true friend.
Maybe, but it would require a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of each body. I don’t the Uniparty has many votes. Power is shifting to the House minority Republicans.
It’s not like they care what the rules are.
Congratulations, Alaska. We are being ruled by a Politburo. We, not California. have taken the lead into outright Communism.
Expect to see a statue of Lenin where Seward used to be.
Double “thumbs up!”
Didn’t they already remove the Seward statue because he was a “white-patriarchal-colonizer”?
Time to cut the locks on the old gymnasium and have a beer party with leg wrestling. They might add the red ink pen toss into a garbage can this year.
I can see the union democrats and rino’s out back of the capital burning the state constitution.
“It’s unclear if the Conference Committee members are aware that they have violated the rules of the Legislature…” You are asking this question when recent legislatures have obviously waved a finger at the state effectively saying, “we don’t care what you think or what the laws are!”
When will the electorate take notice of these shenanigans?
We notice. Unfortunately we have “representatives” who talk tough conservative values in public and then show their true colors when the votes are taken. By then it’s too late for us to”wake up” and the damage is done. You don’t think people like Sarah Vance or Jesse Bjorkman actually care about reducing the government burden on We the People do you? “That ship has already sailed and is too big to re-steer”. Right Sarah Vance? Direct quote.
Caused by a massive drop in the price of oil? Uh, no. Caused by the same self inflicted problem that has caused Alaskans to lose a big part of their dividend checks- the ending of ACES, for MAPA (SB21).
If we got a fair share for our oil as the Alaska Constitution requires in Article VIII we wouldn’t be in this mess.
In an homage to former Representative Kay Brown who created much of history surrounded CBR draws, the House minority Republicans now hold the hammer. I urge them to use it to devastating effect. Dream big.
Can they go to jail?
This is what happens when the populace stays home instead of casting their ballot
Is it “may” or “shall”?
Seems to me the problem with Alaska’s politicians is they fail to cover the needs of the state and would rather spend on the wants. Typical of most people today.
It’s long past time to get rid of the thieves in the legislature. They are fiscal idiots who can’t manage a kindergartner’s piggy bank.
The legislature has long ignored inconvenient rules and laws. Look at the 90-day (or is it 120-day) session limit. Look at the Permanent Fund dividends. Why not this?
Total Corruption in our State and Federal Government, PFD must be restored at the highest level and our
Gov Dunleavy must Veto and not allow a special session than you 05/19/25
Big Mike needs to finally stand tall for Alaska, sharpen his gutting knife, and get ready to veto a bunch of legislative trash.
They’re trying to do what they did last year, illegally pushing propositions in at the last minute without a time for discussions.. thinking they’re trying to avoid the last minute forcing in propositions before the deadline closing.
None of these fools would ever consider balancing the budget without stealing from us to fund totally unnecessary crap