The Latest: House Republicans laud public safety focus
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The Latest on Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State speech (all times local):
9:10 p.m.
Alaska House Republican leaders say they appreciated Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s emphasis on public safety and transparent budgeting during his State of the State speech.
Rep. Dave Talerico says politicians don’t often talk about trust in government, and he says transparency is important. He says Alaskans want to be involved and know what’s going on.
During the campaign and his Tuesday night speech, Dunleavy talked about restoring trust in government.
He has cited reduced payouts to Alaskans the last three years from the state’s oil-wealth fund. He also has said Alaskans have lost trust in a sprawling criminal justice overhaul.
Rep. Cathy Tilton says public safety is a top, shared priority.
Talerico and Rep. Lance Pruitt say they are interested in more details on the governor’s budget and other proposals.
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8:20 p.m.
Leading Alaska House Democrats say Gov. Mike Dunleavy was short on specifics during his first State of the State speech.
Rep. Neal Foster says he is concerned about big cuts to essential services on top of cuts that already have been made. He says he looks forward to hearing more from the administration.
Foster, a Nome Democrat, was elected temporary speaker last week. The House lacks an organized majority and has yet to elect a permanent speaker.
Rep. Bryce Edgmon, who was speaker the last two years, said lawmakers can’t evaluate the budget proposals Dunleavy outlined until they get actual numbers.
The administration is expected to release a revised budget within the coming weeks.
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8:05 p.m.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy says Alaska doesn’t have to be just a resource state.
He says he has put together a team that will “market Alaska to the world.” He says the team will spread the message that Alaska wants new business here.
The Republican touched on the initiative but did not go into great detail about it during his State of the State speech Tuesday night.
Alaska has long relied on its resources, like oil. But Dunleavy says the state has other advantages, including its proximity to Asia and Europe.
Dunleavy, a former state senator, took office as governor in December.
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7:55 p.m.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy says he plans to propose constitutional amendments next week that will provide the basis for a fiscal plan.
Dunleavy, in his first State of the State speech, says the measures will deal with a spending limit, taxes and the annual check Alaskans receive from the state’s oil-wealth fund, the Alaska Permanent Fund.
Dunleavy said there should be no change to the dividend or to taxes without a vote of the people.
Proposed constitutional amendments would need two-thirds support from each the House and Senate to advance to a public vote.
He says that without the people’s support, any plan put in place by the Legislature would be in doubt. The state has a referendum process by which the people could reject a law passed by the Legislature.
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5:55 p.m.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy says things will be different under his administration.
The Republican is delivering his first State of the State speech Tuesday. In excerpts released in advance, Dunleavy says he is promising now what he promised during the campaign. He says things will be different.
Dunleavy, in the excerpts, says he wants to “declare war on criminals” and get state spending in line with revenues.
He says he wants to protect the annual check Alaskans get from the state’s oil-wealth fund, the Alaska Permanent Fund, and grow the economy.
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1:30 p.m.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State speech is a go for Tuesday night.
Lawmakers were hopeful the speech would be held as planned. But the House needed to figure out the proper procedure for accepting Dunleavy’s request to give his speech before a joint session.
The House lacks an organized majority, so it is limited in what business in can take up until a permanent speaker is chosen. Rep. Neal Foster was elected temporary speaker last week, but his powers, too, are limited.
The House waived some of its rules Tuesday to allow for receipt of Dunleavy’s request and the Senate’s prior acceptance of that request.
The speech is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the House chamber.
AP-WF-01-23-19 0827GMT