UAS Student Body President Nick Bursell speaks at a rally for funding the University of Alaska in front of the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

UAS Student Body President Nick Bursell speaks at a rally for funding the University of Alaska in front of the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Two groups taking to Capitol steps this week

University, ferry representatives making voices heard

Two groups are taking to the Capitol steps this week in an attempt to make lawmakers hear them.

At noon Monday, the University of Alaska Coalition of Student Leaders will hold a rally on the steps. It’s expected to last an hour, and Fourth Street between Main Street and Seward Street will be closed to vehicular traffic during that time span. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget would cut the university’s budget almost in half.

Forty-eight hours later, the steps will be the site of another rally from a group that would be affected by the governor’s proposed cuts. At noon Wednesday, the Alaska Public Employees Association will hold a “Save the Alaska Marine Highway System” rally on the steps. The event is expected to last an hour, and the block in front of the Capitol will again be closed to vehicular traffic.

Dunleavy’s proposed budget would cut the ferry system’s budget by 75 percent, a proposal that has elicited record amounts of public comment in opposition.


• This is a Juneau Empire report.


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