Governor Mike Dunleavy issued his second Alaska education funding veto of the year, rejecting House Bill 57, which would have increased the base student allocation by $700 per student. The veto has triggered an override vote scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Lawmakers say the bill was a bipartisan compromise that included several of the governor’s policy goals, such as cell phone restrictions, reading improvement grants, and changes to charter school applications; Dunleavy maintained that the measure lacked key reforms, including support for charter and homeschool programs, teacher retention grants, and open enrollment.
During a Monday news conference, Dunleavy criticized Alaska’s low student test scores and suggested that money alone won’t improve outcomes. He downplayed concerns over school closures due to declining enrollment as a demographic trend across the US.
Legislators expressed frustration over the veto. House Speaker Bryce Edgmon called the decision oblivious, while Representative Rebecca Himschoot and Senator Loki Tobin expressed confidence in securing an override.
Representative Shelley Hughes supported the governor’s decision, saying lawmakers had ample time to compromise. Even if Tuesday’s override succeeds, Dunleavy may veto funding later in the budget process, requiring a higher 45-vote threshold to overturn. The last successful override of a sitting Alaska governor occurred in 2002. As the state’s education crisis deepens, many wonder whether lawmakers will finally overcome the funding veto.
