KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Maggie Wall/KMXT and The Associated Press
Capital Projects Funded in District 36
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell is cutting $412 million from spending plans approved by lawmakers, reductions he says are necessary to keep Alaska on strong financial footing.
In written remarks provided ahead of Wednesday’s announcement, Parnell said the resulting budgets make investments in Alaska’s future, focusing on jobs, energy and infrastructure.
The cuts weren’t unexpected: Parnell had planned to cut at least $400 million from the capital budget, saying that while the state has billions in reserves and is in relatively strong financial shape now, it faces high Medicaid costs, huge unfunded pension liabilities and declining oil production.
Kodiak was the recipient of more than $41-million in capital projects.
When the governor released the final version of the state’s capital projects budget yesterday (Wednesday), Kodiak’s pages showed barely a trace of red ink from his veto pen.
Kodiak’s legislators, Senator Gary Stevens and Representative Alan Austerman, were both very pleased with their success in getting funding for projects.
Stevens said despite all the money there were still two local projects that were not funded:
In all, Kodiak got $41-point-4 million in projects. $35-point-4 were infrastructure projects and $6 million related to public health and safety.
