House committee takes budget testimony from Fairbanks today

March 2, 2017

On the afternoon of Thursday, March 2 , the House Finance Committee will begin taking public testimony on the state’s operating budget. The committee is recommending $325 million in unrestricted general funds for the University of Alaska. This is the same as the university’s current funding level, and consistent with the governor’s request. However, it is still $16 million below the UA Board of Regents’ request of $341 million for FY18.

The Senate Majority has indicated it intends to cut another 5 percent ($16.25 million) from the university’s budget, which will put the university $32 million below the regents’ request. The university has sustained a $53 million (14 percent) reduction over the last three years. An additional 5 percent would represent a $70 million reduction since FY15.

To testify, go to your local Legislative Information Office at the time specified for your community. LIO locations are available here: http://akleg.gov/lios.php. If you live in a community that does not have an LIO, you can testify by calling into the off-net system. Public testimony is limited to two minutes. You may send written testimony to the House Finance Committee at housefinance@akleg.gov through 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2017 .

Thursday, March 2
1-3:30 p.m. Homer, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Mat-Su and Seward
3:45-6 p.m. Barrow, Dillingham and Fairbanks

Friday, March 3
1-3 p.m. Anchorage
3:15-4:45 p.m. Sitka, Petersburg, Delta Junction, Unalaska, Glennallen and Tok
5-6 p.m. Off-net sites (call 465-4648 by 5 p.m. to get call in number)

Saturday, March 4
9-10 a.m. Bethel, Cordova, Kotzebue, Nome, Valdez and Wrangell
10-11 a.m. Off-net sites (call 465-4648 by 5 p.m. to get call in number)
1-3 p.m. Juneau
3-5 p.m. Overflow as needed

Additional information on the university's FY18 budget can be found at
www.alaska.edu/state/sessionandbudget.