William Brown makes himself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as he waits for dinner at the Glory Hall on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

William Brown makes himself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as he waits for dinner at the Glory Hall on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Vetoes could wipe out 20 percent of Glory Hall budget

Breakfast and lunch may be heading for the chopping block.

If Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s vetoes stand, Juneau’s homeless shelter and soup kitchen will be able to help fewer people.

The elimination of Community Initiative Matching grants and $7.2 million cut to the Homeless Assistance Program that were part of more than $400 million in vetoes announced last week translates to a loss of 20 percent funding for the Glory Hall.

That state support would usually provide $147,500 to Glory Hall, its executive director Mariya Lovishchuk said.

“We’ve been sitting around here — the board and I — thinking about what we could possibly cut,” Lovishchuk said in a phone interview.

[More than $400 million in cuts announced]

Lovishchuk said discovering previously untapped alternative revenue sources to preserve services is unlikely.

“We are constantly looking for alternative revenue sources,” she said. “If they exist, we would have found them by now.”

Thirty-three percent of Glory Hall’s revenue already comes from community support, Lovishchuk said, so increased giving is unlikely to make up the difference.

State funds previously helped support both day and night operations at Glory Hall.

Lovishchuk said $97,500 in Basic Homeless Assistance Program money generally covered some electrical costs and 75 percent of what it costs to have an employee present at the emergency overnight shelter.

An employee must be present for the shelter’s 40 beds to be available to the community.

“Without that person, we cannot provide emergency shelter,” Lovishchuk said.

A $50,000 community matching grant is used to keep the day shelter open and support Glory Hall’s breakfast and lunch program, Lovishchuk said. The matching $50,000 comes from community donations.

Over the course of the year, that money pays for about 15,000 meals, Lovishchuk said.

The impact the reduced funding could have on the Juneau Housing First project is still being evaluated, Lovishchuk said.

“It doesn’t seem to be impacting this fiscal year for Phase 1,” she said. “We’re definitely very nervous about the future.”

She said while nothing has officially been decided in light of a special Legislature session that could result in overrides for some of the governor’s vetoes, the emergency shelter generally takes a higher priority.

“If the funds are not appropriated back, we will have to close the Glory Hall from 8-4 or something and stop the lunch and breakfast programs,” Lovishchuk said. “We are just hoping, and a lot of people are praying that the small but critical programs stay in tact.”

[Lives on the line: Proposed cuts could hinder Glory Hall homeless services]

Whether there will be enough support for veto overrides is still unclear. Seventy-five percent of the Legislature — 45 members — would need to vote to override vetoes.

“It’s an extremely high bar to clear, but we’re working on it,” said Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau.

He said phones are ringing all over the state while legislators attempt to discern the level of support for overriding vetoes.

Whether that’s an effort that would be best served by a piecemeal approach, a compromise that would leave some vetoes intact while overriding others or one override for all 182 line-item vetoes is also unclear.

However, answers could become apparent next week with a special session set to begin July 8.

“All things are subject to change, but I would look for a joint session on veto overrides in the first two days,” Kiehl said.


• Contact reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 15

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

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, talks with supporters during a campaign meet-and-greet Oct. 12, 2024, at the Southeast Alaska Real Estate office near the Nugget Mall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
‘This is no town hall. This is propaganda’; Begich takes heat at first virtual constituent forum

Congressman set to deliver his first joint address to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025

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

Local organizers and speakers at a “No Kings on Presidents Day” protest lead a drum chant and dance Monday in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
‘No Kings on Presidents Day’ protest of Trump draws more than 400 to Alaska State Capitol

Firing of federal workers, elimination of DEI and LGBTQ+ policies among objections of participants.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Feb. 14, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025

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

Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser testifies in support of a Base Student Allocation increase on Jan. 29, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Superintendent suggests Juneau school board assume a $400 BSA increase in district’s budget

Some board members hesitant to depart from no-increase policy, express concern about Trump’s actions.

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.

Most Read