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 �Ӱ�pro. 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: . 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
.