Co-Chairs Comment on Governor's Budget Vetoes

(Anchorage) - Alaska House Finance Committee Co-chairs Bill Thomas and Bill Stoltze today commented on the governor's upcoming budget year vetoes.

The largest operating item vetoed was $50 million for the Judicial Retirement System account.
~ Rep. Bill Thomas

The governor vetoed $66.6 million from the Fiscal Year 2013 statewide operations and capital investment budgets, which total $12.1 billion.

The largest operating item vetoed was $50 million for the Judicial Retirement System account. The amount would've made the system whole. Operating Co-Chair Thomas, R-Haines, said that the legislature has worked in the past to fill expected shortfalls in the system and that the line item veto used in this case wasn't surprising. "It is something we can live with," Thomas said. "We knew there was some sensitivity there in 're-fixing' their system with another direct cash infusion. We'll bring everyone back to the table again and see if there is a better way to address the issue."

The governor used his prerogative as chief executive to trim judiciously ...
~ Rep. Bill Stoltze

The remaining line item vetoes came from the capital investment bill. The items vetoed came from early learning and substance abuse programs, but only two items were completely vetoed. Capital Co-chair Stoltze said that's the prerogative of the governor, as state leaders face revenue uncertainty moving forward. "The governor used his prerogative as chief executive to trim judiciously," Stoltze said. "This is a responsible budget but not a sustainable budget. It is essential for Alaska that we increase production flowing through the Trans Alaska Pipeline with measures like reasonable and responsible oil tax reform."

A listing of the vetoes is available at http://omb.alaska.gov.