JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A state House leader wants legislators to pass next year’s operating budget so they have time to address a long-term solution for solving Alaska’s budget crisis.
Rep. Paul Seaton’s proposal for a short-term fix would use earnings from Alaska’s oil-wealth fund to pay for education and part of state government for next year.
The budget bill is still in committee and could face opposition from minority Republicans when it goes to the full House. The Senate also will have a say in how the final bill looks.
Gov. Bill Walker last year vetoed half of the amount available for the yearly oil checks residents receive, citing the lack of a fiscal plan.
Many consider use of earnings to help pay for government a foregone conclusion but differences remain over how that should be structured.
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