“We spent the last month working, in good faith, to build consensus and find a path forward.” – Rep. Kevin McCabe, Big Lake
The Alaska House Republicans said today that, like others in the Legislature, they are disappointment at the lack of progress since returning to the Capitol on Monday for the third special session of the year.
The House held a brief floor session Monday morning, and the Fiscal Policy Working Group released its report outlining recommendations for a comprehensive fiscal plan. Multiple recommendations were unanimously agreed upon by the bipartisan, bicameral Working Group, among which included constitutionalizing a dividend and an improved spending limit.
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Thursday’s House floor session was canceled again with no explanation, the minority Republicans said.
Several House and Senate members traveled to Kenai on Tuesday and Wednesday to take part in the Kenai Classics, a fundraiser for the Kenai River Sportfishing Association, which ends Friday.
“We spent the last month working, in good faith, to build consensus and find a path forward. With the huge amount of public testimony and emails in support of our work, that outlined clear direction from Alaskans, the lack of movement is perplexing,” said Rep. Kevin McCabe of Big Lake. Rep. McCabe was one of the members of the working group.
Another member of the working group, Rep. Ben Carpenter of Nikiski, said, “The Group’s report stated ‘FPWG members do not support addressing only one or two issues to the exclusion of others. There is a suite of legislation, covered under the call that can immediately be considered, consistent with the Working Group’s recommendations that have not been acted upon since we started business on Monday. Why not?”
On Tuesday evening, the four caucus leaders (Senate President Peter Micciche, Sen. Tom Begich, Speaker Louise Stutes and Rep. Cathy Tilton) met with Gov. Mike Dunleavy with the intention of working together to negotiate how this year’s third special session can move forward.
Minority Leader Rep. Cathy Tilton of Chugiak-MatSu said the talks were positive and encouraging. “Scheduling and hearing measures consistent with recommendations of the Working Group demonstrates ongoing good faith that gets us closer to a comprehensive plan. I hope House Majority leadership will take meaningful action soon.”
One area of progress may be noted, in that the House and Senate did not hold a floor session to override the governor’s vetoes. Leaders are expecting him to provide some appropriation bills to cover the programs that are, for the time being, cut.
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The Fiscal Policy Working Group report is here:
