Alaska Plans Devastating Cuts to University System

In July, Alaska Governor Michael Dunleavy slashed approximately 41 percent or $130 million from the University of Alaska system budget, a move that will have long-lasting and significant impacts on research and education throughout the state and potentially the United States. Governor Dunleavy used his line item veto authority to gut the budget of the University of Alaska system, which will likely result in the termination of research and education programs. “A preliminary rough estimate is that we would need to reduce 1,300 faculty and staff across the university system,” said Jim Johnson, President of the University of Alaska system. The system includes multiple campuses throughout the state and include the University of Alaska at Fairbanks and University of Alaska at Anchorage. Money saved from the University system’s budget cuts will ensure that taxes are not raised and that funds are available for the Alaska Permanent Fund - annual payments to state residents from oil revenue. Ironically, the state’s budget shortfall is in part a result of the collapse of the state’s oil economy. During the 2018 election, Dunleavy campaigned on paying out a higher Permanent Fund Dividend. Several Republican lawmakers were supportive of the governor’s move. The Alaska Legislature failed to override the Dunleavy’s veto. “It is hard to imagine how this action will not drive young Alaskans from the state,” said Robert Gropp, Executi...
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news