Alaska Legislature Wraps Up Session Amid Veto Overrides and Budget Challenges
The 34th Alaska Legislature concluded its first session on May 20, 2025, just before the constitutional deadline. The session has seen a number of significant developments, including Governor Mike Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 57, an education funding measure. Remarkably, the Legislature responded by overriding the veto, marking the first veto override in Alaska since 2009.
Despite this achievement, several key bills failed to pass, and challenges remain regarding the state’s budget. The approved budget for FY2026 stands at $6.07 billion, leaving an estimated $56 million surplus. However, tensions surround the FY2025 deficit, currently projected at $193 million. The Legislature’s attempt to access the Constitutional Budget Reserve failed, prompting a reliance on available cash from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) and the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) for covering the deficit.
Legislative candidates are already filing letters of intent for the upcoming elections, with Representative Louise Stutes aiming for a Senate seat set to be vacated by Gary Stevens. Additionally, two significant election reform bills stalled in the session, with discussions expected to continue in the interim.
In other political movements, Kara Moriarty departed her role with the Alaska Oil and Gas Association to serve as a top advisor for the Department of the Interior, while former Senate President Drue Pearce joined her. As the legislative session wraps, the focus now turns to how Governor Dunleavy will navigate the budget review process within the next 20 days, especially regarding education funding, while candidates gear up for an exciting political season ahead.
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Photo credit alaskalandmine.com
