LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
University, Head Start Get Governor Reprieve
By ARIADNE WILL
and Sentinel Staff
In a pair of news conferences in Anchorage today, Gov. Michael Dunleavy pulled back on his threats of massive vetoes on funding for the University of Alaska and to statewide funding for the pre-school Head Start program.
Instead on a one-year cut of $136 million for the university, Dunleavy said he would reduce the university budget by $25 million for FY 2020, and that in accordance with an agreement he signed earlier today with University Board of Regents chair John Davies, there will be a $45 million reduction in university funding over the following next two years.
The “compact” signed by the governor and Davies “preserves $110 million for the university for fiscal; year 2020,” the governor’s office said in a press release.
“We’ve come up with an agreement for funding for the next three years,” Dunleavy said at the news conference.
Spreading $70 million in cuts over the next three fiscal years provides certainty for the university’s moving forward, said Davies, who was also present along with UA President Jim Johnsen.
“One of the biggest problems has been the uncertainty,” Davies said. “I think this agreement provides certainty so we can begin the process of moving forward together.”
With 13 schools and an expansive online program, Johnsen said the university and the governor are “looking at the long term.”
“(This budget) gives us a very effective runway so we can pivot to the positive,” Johnsen said. “It’s not just about the university. This is really about the State of Alaska.”
Head Start
Earlier today, Dunleavy presided at another press conference, this one in a brightly decorated pre-school classroom at the RurAL CAP Child Development Center.
“We will be able to make sure that the funding for Head-Start Pre-K stays in the budget,” Dunleavy said.
“It won’t be vetoed. When we sign the bill, which should be this week, the funding will be in there, will be retroactive to July 1, the new fiscal year.”
The governor apologized for the time it has taken to confirm the pe-school program budget, which was scheduled to go into effect last month.
“I feel bad that it’s taken this long. Usually we get the budget done by April,” he said. “But this year we just received the budget about a week and a half ago, the final budget.”
He said his budget amendment “is intended to put people’s fears at ease,” and said that he “regret(s) the angst that people have gone through.”
He added that he believes his massive vetoes of state spending have helped spark conversation and dialogue among Alaskans, and credits his decision to restore funding for Head Start to the feedback he has received.
“You don’t get to this point unless you veto,” he said. “You don’t get the conversations that we’ve had the last couple of months unless you veto.”
He added, without details, that he has not yet made decisions on other budget items.
“We’re not done with this fiscal issue, we’re going to keep working through it, but what became pretty clear is that Alaskans value our elders, our seniors, and we value our youngest, who are also our future,” he said.
University funding
Speaking of the deal that will reduce university funding by $70 million over three years, Dunleavy said:
“As an educator, a father, and a graduate of the University of Alaska, I believe in a strong university. I also believe we must balance state support for the UA system with the very serious fiscal situation we face today. This agreement, which comes after extensive conversations and work with the university, is an honest attempt at balancing both realities. By choosing a multi-year, step-down approach, we provide our communities, campuses and students the certainty they’ve been asking for, while also taking on the serious challenge of reforming the university into a more efficient system. I thank both the UA Board of Regents and university President Jim Johnsen for engaging on these difficult discussions and for endorsing this three-year agreement.”
The $70 million reduction over three years is about half of the $135 million in cuts the governor originally proposed for the university this year.
“A $70 million reduction, even over three years is a serious reduction. It will require careful review and streamlining of administrative structure, academic programs, and services to ensure that resources are focused on student access and achievement,” Johnsen said.
Begich Reaction
Senate Democratic Leader Tom Begich reacted to Dunleavy’s Head Start budget announcement with appreciation that funding was restored, but criticism about the process.
“Thousands of Alaska children will continue to have access to early education, and that is a good thing,” Begich said in a statement. “I am proud of all Alaskans who came out and voiced their opposition to these draconian budget cuts. It helped the Legislature came together and stand behind our citizens to restore not only early education and pre-K, but many other services that are vital to our communities.”
“Gov. Dunleavy said he had to veto these items, along with other essential and valued state services to have a discussion with Alaskans about the services they value. Yesterday, Governor Dunleavy announced he would not veto Senior Benefits after his multiple attempts at eliminating it, creating fear and instability for Alaska seniors.
“I strongly encourage Governor Dunleavy to stop governing from the hip and to have a productive conversation with Alaskans and legislative leadership to move Alaska forward,” Begich said.
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.