Palin vetoes millions from state budget
Originally published Friday, May 23, 2008 at 2:48 p.m.
Updated Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 12:01 a.m.
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Stumble It!JUNEAU — Gov. Sarah Palin on Friday signed into law the state’s operating, capital and mental health budgets, but used her line-item veto powers to cut $268 million from the spending bills.
Almost all the cuts came in the capital budget, which covers infrastructure projects like roads and buildings. Palin vetoed hundreds of projects outright and halved funding for dozens more.
She also cut $2.6 million from the operating budget, including a $1.5 million state and federal appropriation for energy research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
In addition to the budget bills, Palin signed a $315 million bond package for transportation projects, which will now go to voters for final approval.
In a teleconference Friday, Palin’s budget director, Karen Rehfeld, pointed to all the “really good” things that were left in the $3.6 billion capital budget and downplayed the vetoes.
“I think what we’ve done is fairly modest in terms of the size of the budget,” she said.
During the legislative session, majority lawmakers argued in favor of a hefty capital budget, which they said would build the state and boost its economy, while Palin stressed her desire to limit spending to basic needs like public safety, health and sound infrastructure. In the end the Legislature approved budget bills many lawmakers described as unsustainable, and Palin promised cuts.
On Friday, the governor pledged to keep looking for ways to trim the budget in future years and said she would ask state departments to find $20 million in operating efficiencies this year.
Lawmakers expressed disappointment over individual capital budget cuts, and some expressed frustration with Palin over how she went about making them.
After a round of vetoes last year that surprised and angered lawmakers, Palin agreed this year to work more closely with lawmakers to review individual projects before making cuts.
Rehfeld said that kind of collaboration happened through written backup from lawmakers on the projects and, in some cases, through calls with lawmakers and their offices.
But some lawmakers said Friday that Palin’s team never game them a chance to defend the projects and only called to warn them of impending vetoes.
“I think our expectations were more like, ‘Let’s have some dialogue and discussion before you make the decision,’” said Rep. Kevin Meyer, an Anchorage Republican who was responsible for the capital budget on the House side.
Meyer said he thought Palin broke another promise in vetoing some of the projects she had vetoed earlier from the state’s supplemental budget and recommended lawmakers add to the capital budget.
Rehfeld acknowledged that lawmakers might have thought those projects would be allowed, but said Palin never intended to call anything “veto-proof.”
Lawmakers will have the option to override the governor’s vetoes when they return to Juneau on June 3 for a special session on gas line issues, but those reached Friday said an override was probably unlikely.
The Fairbanks area was largely spared from the budget cuts.
Palin cut only about $5 million worth of projects in the area, including $3.6 million for tourist facilities at the new fish hatchery being built in Fairbanks. By comparison, she cut $24 million worth of projects in the Ketchikan area, $17 million in the Sitka area and $13 million in the Juneau area.
“I guess we fared pretty well overall,” said Sen. Joe Thomas, a Fairbanks Democrat and member of the Senate Finance Committee.
Thomas said he was still disappointed about the cuts Palin did make, including those to school programs and for public safety items like new fire engines for the University and Steese fire departments.
The biggest cuts to local education programs involved classroom technology upgrades and a distance learning program at Hutchison High School that allows students from across the school district to participate in classes that aren’t offered at their schools, according to Dave Ferree, assistant superintendent of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.
Ferree said some projects will have to be postponed because of the funding cuts.
Palin halved funding — from $220,000 to $110,000 — for the Tanana Valley Sportsmen’s Association, which is rebuilding its clubhouse and shooting range after a fire more than a year ago.
TVSA president Grant Lewis said the setback may slow the group down, but won’t stop it.
“We’ll plug on,” he said, adding that construction was already underway on the new facility.
Palin also halved funding for counseling and adoption services at Catholic Community Resources. But Camille Connelly-Terhune, the group’s executive director, said the group was “thrilled” with the $150,000 it did get.
“It gives us the option to continue our services,” she said.
Fairbanks area projects cut from the budget include the following:
• Fairbanks Drama Association — building improvements
• Badger Road Elementary — chalkboards, wireless access
• Birch Hill — facility improvements
• Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, classroom Performance System student response system
• Hutchison High School — distance learning system
• North Pole High School — wireless access
• Ruth Burnett Sport Fish Hatchery — tourist facilities
• Secondary school classroom technology grant
• Steese Area Volunteer Fire Department — fire truck/rescue truck
• Tanana Middle School — library book security project
• Ticasuk Brown Elementary School — wireless access
• University Fire Service Area — fire/rescue truck
• Fairbanks Youth Facility - climbing wall
• Farthest North Girl Scout Council
• Midnight Sun Council Boy Scouts
• Resource Center for Parents and Children — WIC program
• Tanana Valley State Fair Association — capital improvements
• Ester Community Association — library project
• Salcha Rescue — emergency response equipment
• North Pole — economic development project
Projects with funding reduced by 50 percent include the following:
• Catholic Community Resources — counseling and adoption
• Fairbanks Community Food Bank
• Lathrop High School — athletic equipment
• Tanana Valley Sportsmen’s Association — facility replacement
•Salcha Fair Association — playground and fair building
Other partial funding cuts include the following:
• UAF Tanana Valley Campus
Community Discussion
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These State projects will put allot of people to work and replace worn out equipment, not
to mention helping our kids and provide much needed civil services. I say, cut the amount of gas money and fund these programs. The gas money won't amount to a hill of beans and the only LONG TERM solution, is for the State to buy Flint Hill refinery in
North Pole and start shipping cheap gas around the State, to people who need it. Like
low income, single parents, seniors, military and the State to keep within its budget and keep it functioning when the gas goes sky high. This way, we can have our cake and
eat it, too. Come on Sarah, fund the much needed programs and buy us a refinery!
burke
Way to go Sarah. I don't know the details of all the projects cut but climbing walls, wireless access for elementary schools and tourist facilities are frivolous.
Ouch, Governor! Giving $500,000,000 to TransCanada for an incentive under AGIA; and cutting "chalkboards for an elementary school" and a "volunteer fire/rescue truck"???
It might pay to read what are the "SHALL" requirement of the State in Article 07 of the Constitution of the State of Alaska, before it is necessary to compel the administration to fulfill priority obligations for public health, education and welfare.
Come on Legislators: there are three branches of government...stand-up and get a backbone.
So how much did she keep for Wasilla?
She has got to go.
So how much did she keep for Wasilla?
She has got to go.
How much did she FUND for Fairbanks?? I am sure it was plenty. Yes, I have not searched deep to see how much she kept for the valley, but I bet she funded MANY projects for the interior and Fairbanks. As far as having to go, You must be kidding, she is a better Gov than any we have had since I got here in 81.
Yeah Yukonjohn you just missed out on Hammond.
I do agree wireless is a stretch, if the kids have internet capability in the school and most have text messaging there really is not a 'need', but a fire truck for a volunteer fire dept? Maybe the message our city council sent to her by voting down (again)a contract with our city fire dept had a negative effect, who knows. What I do know is she has been a better leader than most I can remember in recent years, sometimes making the hard calls is unpopular to some but being a good leader should not be a popularity contest no matter what the mass media tries to brainwash us with.
The reason she didn't fun the fire trucks is listed as "other funds available". Since 9/11 there have been millions given away from the feds to fire departments since funding FDs is one of the big homeland security things, so she may feel it would be better for them to get the funding elsewhere than through the state.
I have to agree with the wireless in elementary schools.....I know computers are becoming prevalent at all levels of education, but is it really necessary for elementary school kids to be walking around with computers? What happened to working at a desk with a computer?
Perhaps someone else can step in about this project, but here are a couple thoughts about wireless in an elementary school:
1) Perhaps the school was never wired to begin with, and establishing a wireless network is cheaper than running wired connections to every schoolroom that might use a computer.
2) Cheap, durable, and educational laptops are more readily available. Further, a few laptops judiciously applied negates the need for a dedicated computer lab, which in turn frees up valuable space. For an elementary school to laptops available for children to learn and play on probably isn't as expensive as it sounds (I hope!).
But these are only guesses. Perhaps someone with more knowledge about the school and the now-vetoed project could fill us in?
JB, you are right. Jay Hammond was Gov when I first got here, but not for that long. I always thought he was a really good Gov, but many did not like him very much in those days. I also had a really good friend that stood ground for his close friend and the first Gov down at Tom's Inn at Delta back in the early 90s. A 60ish man came into the bar and said that Bill Eagan was the worst SOB that was ever Gov. up here. My friend, a 40 some year Alaskan and 80 yrs old, made him take back what he said about Bill Eagan. He said, "You didnt know Bill Eagan!! He was a good man, who along with his brother Truk, grubstaked me when I showed up in Valdez in 1940, and I will knock your block off if you dont take back what you just said about him!!" It was quite the scene, but one that was absolutely Alaskan...An Alaskan standing up for his good friend and a man that was appearantly a good Gov.
It's going to be nasty the fight ahead to get oil flowing. I live in Michigan and seen this happening a while back was a little late seeing the greenies getting ahead but this might be a uphill battle. They think there's a bunch of nothing but beauty there. Polar bears and more death then can ever be imagined. I just hope for everyone the best.... the greenies don't have anyone but there own existences in mind.
I understand a few things may seem frivolous. However what about basic human needs like:
Resource Center for Parents and Children — WIC program
Fairbanks Community Food Bank
With gas prices rising I can see where more women and children would be in need of the above programs.
She just had a special needs child and now she wants to cut programs that offer help to PEOPLE in NEED????
Maybe I never really explained my self here fully I'm Native Athabaskan Indian living Michigan. I have Doyon stock. I really don't see the problems but know that the greenies (greenpeace, ect.) problem they don't live there what are they to govern. I know everyone would like to own there little part of the world but I would never like anyone to tell me what I have to do there. It's not there disquisition what should be done I hope that the people that live there have an idea what they would like me to do in such a circumstance. I'd rather listen to a person living the then stats and (Al Gore's faulty stolen information greenies took from a scientific lecture where you sign in then that's it from un willing scientists. Does you gas or oil bill look like there warming? Here in Michigan I still see temp 15 to 20 degress below normal. If where on of the coldest memorial days yet what are they to say they know everything everywhere? You'd have to be a Profit that work with the weather channel to be able to make them accusations.
Something has to pay for the cost of this fight... SS I hate seeing everyone in the mix of this battle tho. The total cost will be about 2.6 billion if she can't get the greenies out I've seen what they like to do and it's not nice. Cape everything so called green house emotions. But what is that really? Well since you where (made from dirt) its you. And me and anyone made from carbon. See that's the footprint they where talking about.Alive or dead some needs to pay for your extincting. Then if that's a fact then what about there's well doesn't meet the maximum quote. Humm seems a little to one sided don't it!I love nature but I never thought that nature would control me. Here they think a nuclear power plant would be the best way to go then next taking the corn fields for wind powered wind mills. Whe used to be the great lakes now look the great lakes of solar and wind mills. Good luck.... I wished I had a Gov. like your ours from Canadia and I can't wait to send her back.....Wait he might be an illegal alien ... hum. Plus She looks like the wicked witch of the east.
yukonjohn- realizing that bill Eagan preceeded hammond, I have to agree. Personally never heard much or saw Eagan as gov (a little too young to follow politics then) I do know that he was also similar to Palin in that fact you mentioned. Ask two different people what they think of how they handled politics in our state and based on their different backgrounds, we get two different opinions. Maybe after years even some of the people who think Palin should be run out will get a chance to see how the big picture was played out and not just the horse blinders we all put on about the way things affect us in our own little bubbles. Thankfully we still teach history and people will get that chance.
Good start ;Ms. Palin,, its about time someone tries to stop the drunken spending .Sad that its too little. Computer acess, you can install wireless access into a building for less than $1000.00, so whats the big deal? Get some enterprising young business to sponsor it and "geter-done". Or put it out to bid and it will cost $100000.00, after all the red tape...keep it up Sara...
I can not beleive the negative comments I just read. Have some of you lost your minds? In todays economy, every one, and I mean everyone should be applauding our leader. Spending has gotten out of control on a federal state, and local level. Money sure the hell don't grow on trees and it is time for us as a society to stand behind the cuts and send a message to our leaders who seem to think they have the check book to a bottomless bank account. I say great job Mrs. Palin!! Keep up the great work!!
Over the years I have known many recipients of WIC and the Food Bank and have personally been offered "excess" food products that they have receieved and not needed. Its the attitude of take it because its free that needs to stop so maybe these cuts will may these agencies use a little more discretion to whom they distribute too.
Sarah ran for office saying she'd cut the budget. Sarah's cutting the budget. How dare she keep her promise to voters? Doesn't she know she's violating the most sacred value of elected officials? Hasn't she learned anything form her fellow Republicans in the White House, congress and the legislature? Say one thing and do the opposite. That's how politicians are supposed to behave.
Geez, Sarah, what are you thinking?
The cuts made to the capital budget highlight the fact that we do not have forward thinking leadership in our legislature.
The legislators have gone on a spending spree- like a small child with a wad of cash they've tried to spend our money on trinkets...
A capital budget is supposed to be for the strategic spending. Roads, damns- the big ticket items that are built by a young, forward thinking, state.
So where are the new roads? Will Alaska always be the biggest state in the country with the fewest roads? Will we never have a road to our West Coast? Will we always be burning dirty coal instead of generating electricity from clean, renewable, hydroelectric power?
The lack of vision within the legislature is disturbing.
If we'd had strategic thinkers in the legislature- instead of people like Jay Ramras who was taking bar bets about whether he would, or would not, say something stupid, (to further embarrass Fairbanks) we would not be in the shape that we are in.
Wait, what? Jaybird spends his time in bars saying stupid stuff? That means the average Fairbanks resident is indeed represented in Juneau!
I vote for my legislater to fight for local issues and to get the best deal they can for my local area. I vote for my govenor to fight for what is best for the state. sometimes those issues contridict each other but i do expect both parties to continue to fight for what i voted for them to do. Thats why there is three branches of government. I dont expect either side to stop fighting for the issues that is important to the voters that voted them in. for the govenor that is statewide and for the legislater that is local. We have seen when a elected offical stops fighting for their constituents what happens. Why would a Alaskan Congressman push for anything in Florida?
Bill Egan was a real class act of a gentleman, with a phenomenal recall of peoples names. He never forgot the little folks when times were tough.
I never knew Bill Eagan (way before my time), but my Buddy would fight for his name even though he was 80. At the time he almost kicked that guys butt down in Delta for saying something bad about Bill Eagan, we were riding in the Lincoln he had when he retired. My Buddy bought it from Bill's widow. He always used to say how Truk and Bill were the single reasons he was able to make it when he first got to Alaska. I guess if nothing else, they were honorable men and helped other Alaskans back in those early days.
Yukonjohn: Early 80's Bill Egan worked for the IBEW Trust Fund. Listen to him several times, in a coffee shop, talk about what the Alaska Constitution embodied. And since he help write that document, you might say he IS the "George Washington of the State of Alaska".
Section 1.2 Source of Government.
"All political power in inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is found upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole."
Powerful words, and worth fighting for, with us now and for future generations of Alaskans.
I hope our local legislators look closely at what Palin has red-lined. Palin is not known for making good decisions.
I am very happy with any repersenative that tries to make the bloated state live with in it's means.
There will always be safety nets to help the young, and the elderly, and folks that are having difficulty meeting basic needs.
We should all be thankful for the things we do have.
out_in_the_cold, I could not agree with you more. Such powerful words, and absolutely worth fighting for!! I have a favorite quote that Joe Vogler made about government. It was alot like Bill Eagans:
"Government is not the giver of rights; only God confers these to the people. People create government, giving it certain and limited powers. Only eternal vigilance by the people will confine government to its proper role."
Many Alaskans have lost the importance of us living by the words of these patriots!!
What's the point of cutting state spending in times like these? It sounds good and is true to the Republican party platform, but it seems sort of self defeating when oil revenues are through the roof. The state has the ability now to invest in infrastructure that will payback over time and promote some real economic development in the state. We need massive investment in infrastructure if a self sustaining economy is to take root outside of Southcentral. Once Don Young and Ted Stevens move on and the Democrats take over the executive and legislative branches of the federal gov't you can forget about fed money. Then we're all up a creek. Just one man's opinion here.
Have we all forgot about the millions of dollars the state has from oil revenues, and we have to cut programs and fire trucks? Get real govenor Sarah.
There has been a great deal of misinformation on this site on what was cut by Gov. Palin. Please go to the Anchorage Daily News as they have all the 22 pages of cuts or reduced amounts posted.
You will be appalled at the frivilous stuff!!!!!
Read to be informed and not for chat.
Clendan- I am pretty sure that the way the article was written the point was to show the cuts she made that directly affect our area, not the whole state. In the items listed for our area, some are frivilous and some should have been reexamined, all in all she made a tough call and that is worth supporting; taking the good with the bad. Time will tell as to wether or not she was absolutely correct, in the mean time I reserve the right to 'play the devils advocate'.
Yukonjohn- I knew someone would bring up one of my role models for civic disobedience! I miss JOE! The number of people in this world who will tell you the truth even when it is unpopular is fading fast. I guess thats why guys like Bill Egan and Joe Vogler are still talked about. In time, I think that Sarah's name just might hit that list too. We will see.
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