The Alaska House of Representatives has never heard this many budget amendments.
On Friday afternoon, the House advanced to a final vote on its budget proposal after considering 134 amendments on the House floor. Some were withdrawn before a vote, but most faced an up-or-down vote by all 40 members of the House.
The 134 amendments broke the record set at 99 in 1993. The Senate record is 158, also in 1993.
Few of the amendments, mostly budget cuts proposed by the Republican House Minority, were approved. Nevertheless, the fight foreshadows the coming divide on taxes and revenue. The budget advancing from the House this week is only a spending plan ─ lawmakers must still find a way to pay for it.
House Bill 115, under consideration in the House Finance Committee, includes an income tax and spending from the earnings of the Alaska Permanent Fund. House Bill 111, also in the finance committee, would raise taxes on oil and gas producers.
The Senate has also advanced a Permanent Fund idea to the House, which is expected to begin considering Senate Bill 26 this week.
Contact reporter James Brooks at james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com or 419-7732.
