Governor Dunleavy’s Veto of Education Funding: A Historic and Harmful Decision

Governor Dunleavy used a line-item veto to cut $200 per student from the Base Student Allocation (BSA), a first in Alaska’s history. This decision comes despite bipartisan legislative support to increase education funding and stabilize Alaska’s public schools.

Earlier this year, the legislature passed House Bill 57, which increased the BSA by $700, improved charter school renewal, and supported pupil transportation. HB 57 included many of the Governor’s own policy priorities, yet he still chose to veto the BSA increase.

Governor Dunleavy’s original FY 2026 budget proposal included a $1.5 billion deficit with no plan to close the gap. The legislature responded with a responsible, balanced budget based on $68 per barrel oil, prioritizing essential services including education.

The veto impacts every student in Alaska, those in public, homeschool, and correspondence programs. Schools already under strain now face greater instability, making it harder to plan and provide consistent education.

Parents, teachers, and communities across the state have been consistently calling for more education funding, not less. Lawmakers negotiated in good faith, incorporating the Governor’s requests, only to have the rug pulled out from under them.

Details on the Governor’s vetoes can be found below:

Public Safety

Fire Suppression Fund – Defunded: $26,800,000
Disaster Relief Fund – Defunded: $10,000,000
Safe Gun Storage Media Campaign – Defunded: $75,000

Statewide Services

Federal Energy Fund Match – Defunded: $1,000,000
Alaska Seafood Marketing – Defunded: $5,000,000
Alaska Tourism Industry Marketing – Defunded: $2,500,000
Bradley Lake Hydropower Project – Defunded: $2,000,000
Child Care Grants – Defunded: $1,900,000
Alaska Court System Repairs – Defunded: $1,500,000

Public Health

Behavioral Health Services – Defunded: $3,700,000
Early Intervention/Infant Learning Programs – Defunded: $6,000,000
Dementia Education and Prevention Program – Defunded: $100,000

Education

Education Funding – Defunded: $50,640,200
Teacher Certification Grants – Defunded: $490,000
Teacher Incentive Reimbursements – Defunded: $554,000
Major Maintenance Grant Fund – Defunded: $25,135,000
University of Alaska Capital Projects – Defunded: $3,250,000

These cuts hurt not just schools, but families, businesses, and the broader economy.

My colleagues and I remain committed to fighting for Alaska’s children and their future. We will continue to prioritize students, families, and public education over special interests, because investing in our kids is investing in the future of our state. Alaska’s children deserve stability, opportunity, and leadership that puts them first.

House Judiciary Commitee Hearing on ICE Detainees

Chair of House Judiciary, Representative Andrew Gray held a committee meeting on June 8, 2025, to discuss matters related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Corrections (DOC).

Recently, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing to discuss the current immigration detainees that are being held in Alaska.

On June 8^th, Alaska began housing 41 immigration detainees transferred from the overcrowded ICE facility in Tacoma, Washington. They are being held at the Anchorage Correctional Complex under a federal contract, which pays the state $223.70 per detainee per day. Most are expected to stay for about a month.

Department of Corrections Commissioner Jen Winkelman told lawmakers that detainees are receiving equal treatment to other inmates, including access to legal and religious resources. However, lawmakers and advocates argue that this is problematic because immigration detainees are held on civil, not criminal, charges, and should be treated under more lenient civil detention standards.

Advocates, including the ACLU and attorneys, report significantly harsher conditions: limited phone access (with calls requiring memorized numbers), restricted medical care, inadequate clothing, and lack of personal and religious items. Detainees are often shackled, get minimal outdoor time, and in some cases, three men are placed in two-person cells with poor sanitation.

Winkelman claimed detainees chose to stay in shared cells due to shared language or culture, but this was disputed by detainee advocates.

As this conversation and situation evolve in the coming months, my office will provide meaningful updates as they are made available.

Planting Tips & Safety Reminder for Summer Projects

As Alaskans enjoy the summer season, many take this time to improve their outdoor spaces. If you're planning to plant trees or shrubs, it's important to consider utility easements and underground infrastructure before you dig.

Chugach Electric Association Inc. has shared helpful guidance on planting the right tree in the right place, in partnership with the Alaska Division of Forestry and UAF. This resource offers valuable tips on choosing appropriate plants for areas near utility lines to help avoid future hazards or service interruptions.

🌳 Right Tree, Right Place | Chugach Electric Association Inc.

In addition, Alaska 811 Digline, Inc. is a critical safety resource. Before any digging project—make sure to call 811 to have underground utilities located. It’s free, easy, and protects both you and our community.

Please take advantage of these resources and share them with friends and neighbors. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Standing For Pride

June was Pride Month—a time to honor the resilience, contributions, and ongoing struggle for equality of our LGBTQ+ community. It’s a celebration of identity, love, and the right to live authentically and without fear. I’m proud to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ neighbors and reaffirm my commitment to equity, dignity, and inclusion for all.

The Work Continues

Pictured here with the non-profit Native Movement- a group dedicated to creating a healthy and sustainable community for all.

I was honored to speak at the opening of the Equity Center, which is dedicated to establishing a community-based advocacy where all people are welcome to come.

Interim is Here!

During the interim, our work continues. My staff is in the Anchorage office Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I am typically in the office from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., unless I have an earlier meeting scheduled with constituents. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to assist and always welcome the opportunity to connect.

The interim is a valuable time to develop new legislation, refine bills previously introduced, and meet with stakeholders to educate, gather input, and build support for policies that benefit both my constituents and the broader community. It’s also an opportunity to attend community events, visit local facilities, and prepare for the upcoming legislative session—which always comes faster than expected.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out or stop by—we’re here to serve you.

As always, it is my honor to work for you!