On Monday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced a finalized operating budget, solidifying about half of the cuts he originally proposed in June—or $200 million— and set the Permanent Fund Dividend at $1,600.

The largest cut to the Haines Borough remains the bond reimbursement which has traditionally offset a portion of annual school construction costs—now leaving Haines taxpayers responsible for a $450,000 bill to be paid for this year with reserve money.

Programs that have been restored this week from Dunleavy’s first found of vetoes include: all funding to the Alaska Arts Council, Headstart early childhood education programs, Alaska Senior Benefits Payment Program that helps needy seniors and Alaska Legal Corps Services that offers free service to low-income families.

Dunleavy restored $110 million to The University of Alaska, reducing original cuts from $130 million to $25 million this year.

He also restored the Parents as Teachers initiative that supports new parents, and three programs that help support early literacy, public library internet speed, and online tutoring.

Funding was not restored for the school debt reimbursement program, public radio, Medicaid, or the Ocean Ranger program that placed an environmental monitor on cruise ships.

Since the state’s fiscal year began July 1, some programs, like the Alaska Arts Council, have already shut their doors.

Their website has not been updated since the Monday announcement, and still reflects that “The Alaska State Council on the Arts, a public corporation, will close our doors July 15, 2019 after 53 years of service to the people of Alaska.” The phone number listed on their website is disconnected.

Dunleavy, who had promised Alaskans a “full” PFD payment of $3,000, agreed to a lesser payout to avoid a deadlock with the legislature. He said in a video Monday that he intends to host a special session this fall “to complete this process.”

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