State Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, has been elevated to co-chair of the House Finance Committee for the 27th Alaska Legislature.
Thomas will coordinate agency budget subcommittees and will help review, amend and carry the state’s operating budget bills in the House the next two years. He replaces former co-chair Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, who became ill.
“My goal is for us to stay within our means, within the price of oil, and not create too many positions to budget,” Thomas said in an interview this week. Fixed additional costs in the budget are for items such as insurance, retirement and negotiated contracts.
“I’ll scrutinize department budgets to see if any increases are one-time or for life,” Thomas said. He said he has increased operating funds for public radio the past two years.
Thomas said Monday the price of oil was at $83 per barrel, compared to the current state budget, which was balanced at $77.
Thomas, who’s entering his fourth term in office, said his seniority helped him land the promotion. Co-chair Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, oversees the capital budget.