Alaska lawmakers focused on a new education bill after failing to override Governor Mike Dunleavy’s veto of HB 69. The vetoed bill would have raised the Base Student Allocation by $1000, bringing annual per-student funding to $6,960 statewide.
Legislators fell short of the three-quarters majority needed to override the veto, securing only 37 of the required 45 votes. Following the failed override, a Senate Education Committee hearing featuring school district testimony was abruptly canceled and is expected next week.
School officials from the state’s largest districts had prepared to speak about shrinking budgets and their hopes for increased funding. On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee introduced a provision in HB 57 to raise the BSA by $700 during this session.
Meanwhile, Governor Dunleavy introduced HB 202, which offers a smaller $560 BSA increase and several major charter school reforms. The education funding bill also includes funding for correspondence students and promotes open enrollment across districts.
School administrators have voiced concern over the reduced BSA increase, warning that the current budget can’t sustain critical academic programs. Though some lawmakers share those worries, others emphasize the need for fiscal balance while modifying Alaska’s education framework more broadly.
In a social media post-Thursday, Dunleavy said he would sign the new bill if specific provisions were restored or added. He urged lawmakers to include reading grants, open enrollment, full correspondence funding, and four key charter school reforms.
HB 57, now under Senate review, could serve as the foundation for an eventual compromise on Alaska’s school funding strategy. The rescheduled Senate Education Committee hearing initially set for April 23 may occur as early as Monday next week.
If legislators adjust the current bills to meet the governor’s conditions, the funding bill could still be passed during this session. With school funding in limbo and district budgets tightening, lawmakers face pressure to finalize a solution.
