Governor vetoes education funding bill just before statutory deadline

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - House Bill 57, which started as a cell-phones-in-schools bill, is now poised for a potential veto override vote after Gov. Mike Dunleavy, R-Alaska, formally vetoed the legislation on Monday.

The governor’s action on the bill, which lawmakers have repeatedly referred to as “a compromise,” came not long before a midnight deadline for vetoing the bill or signing it into law.

Choosing not to take either of those actions would’ve meant the bill becoming law without the governor’s signature of support.

As written, HB 57 provides a $700 boost to the Base Student Allocation, bringing that per-student funding amount to a total of $6,660.

In a recorded video statement posted to social media, Dunleavy said in part that the bill “lacked sufficient education policy reform necessary to improve student outcomes.”

A written statement shared by the National Education Association-Alaska, with comment from association president Tom Klaameyer, encouraged lawmakers to come together to override the governor’s veto.

“It is abundantly clear Governor Dunleavy does not care about Alaska students or public schools,” Klaameyer said. “To veto not one, but two bills this year to fund education is not only shameful and embarrassing, but it is a blatant disregard of his constitutional duties.

“Our schools are in critical need of funding,” he added. “I encourage every legislator to come together to send this governor a message and override his veto.”

The Anchorage School District also released a statement via email, calling HB 57 the result of “months of hard work, collaboration, and compromise across party lines and among education leaders statewide,” and saying it is “deeply disappointed by the decision” to veto.

“HB 57 earned overwhelming bipartisan support in the Legislature,” ASD wrote. “It reflects a balanced, forward-looking approach to education policy and responsible budgeting.

“Our hope now lies with the Legislature to come together in the same bipartisan spirit that carried HB 57 to passage and override the Governor’s veto,” the district added.

Dunleavy had suggested in the recent past that he would be willing to sign HB 57 into law, should the legislation come closer to – and implement similar policies contained within – House Bill 204, which he proposed after vetoing House Bill 69 earlier this year.

In its final form, HB 69 would’ve also boosted the BSA, increasing that by $1,000 as written.

A veto override vote for HB 57 could take place as early as Tuesday morning. In this case, 40 of 60 lawmakers would have to vote during a joint session in favor of an override, in order for that override to go through.

You can read the letter the governor sent to lawmakers vetoing HB 57 by clicking here to head over to the Alaska Legislature website.

The last day of the regular legislative session is May 21.

Author’s note: This is a developing story. Please check back for details.

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