Senate Democratic Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, right, listens to Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, during a Senate Democrat Caucus press conference at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Senate Democratic Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, right, listens to Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, during a Senate Democrat Caucus press conference at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tall promises, short details: Senate Democrats concerned about budget

Lawmakers caution constituents of inevitable budget cuts

Alaska Senate Democrats expressed their concern about the impending operating budget cuts proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy during a Thursday press conference.

Dunleavy has proposed $1.6 billion in cuts to the state operating budget. With only $3.2 billion in revenue to work with, and a government that operates on $4.8 billion in the current year, his proposed cuts match the deficit he is working with. He has not proposed any new means of revenue.

Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, said he is encouraged by Dunleavy’s promises during the State of the State, such as protecting the Permanent Fund Dividend and implementing a permanent fiscal solution, but he is awaiting more details on the budget.

“I look forward to seeing his budget proposals. We heard a lot of tall promises from the governor. In the end, we were short on details,” Begich said. “In our committee hearings we’ve looked at some of the commissioners and asked them questions, we’re not getting details.”

He also noted that when Dunleavy unveiled the first part of his public safety package on Wednesday, it left out the details of how these changes would be funded. The four crime bills introduced by Dunleavy did include some fiscal notes, though.

The governor’s budget is due to the Legislature by Feb. 13. On Wednesday, Dunleavy produced some budget numbers during the Senate Finance Committee meeting. But Sen. Donny Olson, D-Golovin, said it did not do enough to quell his fears about impending budget cuts. A member of the Senate Finance Committee, Olson said it’s usually rural residents such as his constituents who are impacted by budget cuts.

“Let’s be honest: 80 to 85 percent of the state’s revenues come from the district that I represent,” Olson said. “I watch that fair amount of visibility that is careful to make sure we are not getting the short end of the stick.”

“I’m very concerned about the details that are going to come out,” he added.

Olson said he’s already spoken to his constituents, through a local radio station, in an effort to caution them about the inevitable budget cuts.

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, is concerned as well.

“We’re all looking forward to seeing the governor’s budget, but I think it’s going to be shock to Alaskans when they actually do see it.”

Art Chance comments

Sen. Tom Begich does not believe Art Chance, who was tagged for a policy formulation position within the Department of Administration, is qualified for the job.

Chance, who is a former director of the Alaska Department of Labor Relations, has come under scrutiny by some Alaskans for some of his Facebook posts. The posts in question contain crude, insulting, sometimes aggressive insults toward women, minorities, and people or people he disagrees with.

Begich, D-Anchorage, said certain government positions of respect and public service demand the “highest quality of people” to do the job.

“Mr. Chance’s comments about race, his comments about his misogyny these are really unacceptable of a state employee at any level but especially at the highest levels,” Begich said during an afternoon press conference. “He is a policy person selected to serve in our administration and I personally believe he is not qualified to do that based on those comments. They disqualify him.”


• Contact reporter Kevin Baird at 523-2258 or kbaird@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @alaska_kev.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. President Trump shared a quotation on social media, making it clear it was one he wanted people to absorb: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.” (Al Drago/The New York Times)
Trump: ‘He who saves his Country does not violate any Law’

Quote sometimes attributed to Napoleon posted on White House’s official X account.

Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 holds a protest on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska state employees rally for more pay and benefits on same day mass federal firings occur

Participants at state Capitol seek revival of pensions, release of state salary data withheld by governor.

Jonathan Rasch skates back to shore with his dog after spending hours looking for a man who fell through the ice on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, on Chilkoot Lake near Haines. Rasch was skating on the lake when he heard the man screaming for help and used his Garmin inReach to call for help. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)
After Haines man disappears, locals and state officials warn of the dangers of ice skating on lake

After Haines man disappears, locals and state officials warn of the dangers of ice skating on lake

A U.S. Forest Service office sign in Juneau on Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Trump’s federal layoffs hit wide range of Alaska agencies on Friday, with fears of many more to come

Murkowski: “Trying to get answers about the impact…but the response so far has been evasive and inadequate.”

A shelter staff member takes a dog who is currently boarding at Juneau Animal Rescue outside on Feb. 13, 2025. The animal shelter needs more space both outside and in, according to the executive director. It could also use a guillotine door to allow dogs easier access to the outdoors. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Animal Rescue hopes to be ‘feline’ the love at annual fundraiser

The shelter is still in need of a new building and hopes to continue educating the community.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

A building directory in Juneau’s federal building lists departments, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Forest Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Mass firings ordered by Trump administration, including nearly 10% of U.S. Forest Service

HUD plans 50% staff cut, scrutiny of “every dollar spent in serving tribal, rural and urban communities.”

Most Read