University Of Alaska Anchorage: Capitol Report 2022

Anchorage AK

05 April, 2022

4:14 AM

Description

Press release from the University of Alaska Anchorage: March 28, 2022 The House prepares to take up the budget this week while the Senate closes out its finance subcommittees Last week the House Finance Committee met to take up operating budget amendments. After four days of discussion, on Thursday the House Finance Committee passed out an amended operating budget which now goes to the House floor for debate. The amended House Finance budget includes additional funding for the University of Alaska. Earlier this month, following the recommendations of the University of Alaska House Finance Subcommittee, the Finance Committee added $4 million for fixed and operating cost increases, $3.5 million for College of Health Program faculty, $250,000 for medical simulation equipment and technology, and $635,900 for the Alaska Library Network and the Imagination Library. In the newest version of the operating budget released on Friday, House members added funds for the following: $7 million for mariculture research and development including growing workforce capacity, expanding infrastructure, developing applications for kelp mariculture, and an ISER study researching the impact of economic shock on commercial fisheries. $200,000 for Alaska Area Health Education Centers to expand healthcare workforce development, particularly for rural and underserved communities. In the Senate, lawmakers continued to hear from state agencies in finance subcommittees. The subcommittees are expected to close out this week. The University of Alaska Finance Subcommittee will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Friday morning for a final closeout. Expect to see the Senate's budget priorities begin to materialize in this closeout. UA in the Capitol The University of Alaska Faculty Alliance was in Juneau last week. Members met with President Pitney over the weekend to discuss the university's budget process and learn more about the System Office's legislative priorities. Members separately met with legislators to share their perspectives on both the successes and challenges of the university system. This Week's Calendar Monday, March 28 1:30 p.m. – Senate Labor & Commerce: Senate Bill 234: "Broadband: Office, Grants Parity" 3:15 p.m. – House Labor & Commerce: House Bill 108: "Concurrent Secondary & Trade School" Wednesday, March 30 9:00 a.m. – Senate Education: Senate Bill 225: "Teacher Registered Apprentice Programs" 1:30 p.m. – House Finance: House Bill 363: "Broadband: Office, Grants, Parity" Friday, April 1 9:00 a.m. – Senate Finance University of Alaska Budget Subcommittee: Budget Closeout Capitol Report: March 18, 2022Capitol Report March 14, 2022Capitol Report March 4, 2022Capitol Report February 25, 2022Capitol Report: February 18, 2022Capitol Report: February 11, 2022Capitol Report: February 4, 2022Capitol Report: January 28, 2022Capitol Report: January 21, 2022Capitol Report: January 14, 2022 This press release was produced by the University of Alaska Anchorage. The views expressed here are the author's own.