JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced a finalized state budget Tuesday that he said will pay off the state’s lingering oil and gas tax credits and invest in areas such as public safety, education and infrastructure.
Dunleavy, who faces reelection this year, called the spending plan responsible.
He vetoed hundreds of millions of dollars in proposed spending, including $62.5 million for school major maintenance, $49.5 million for statewide and University of Alaska deferred maintenance and $89.3 million in extra contributions to state retirement trust funds, according to a summary from his budget office.
The budget office said there were sufficient funds for priority school projects. That and the deferred maintenance cuts were among the vetoes the budget office said would help preserve general funds for savings.
Lawmakers several years ago voted to end a program that provided cashable credits to small oil producers and explorers, saying it was no longer affordable. Dunleavy’s office said the state Department of Revenue indicates that funding included in the budget addresses the state’s remaining oil tax credit liability balance.
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Dunleavy’s office said the budget authorizes positions within the Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers and the village public safety officer program. The budget includes money for port and other projects.
Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, an Anchorage Democrat, said Alaska “can move forward with this budget.”
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