Oil and gas industry 'left harmless' in Dunleavy budget, Democrats say
JUNEAU — Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed cuts to state services have drawn the ire of many Alaskans, but something uncut is drawing attention from the two minority members of the Senate Finance Committee.
Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, and Sen. Donny Olson, D-Golovin, said last week that the governor is leaving the oil and gas industry untouched even as he pursues cuts to education, health care and other state services.
“They’re more than held harmless. They’re actually getting additional money that was not in the original budget,” said Wielechowski.
Wielechowski’s remarks followed similar ones from Olson, who heard Office of Management and Budget policy director Mike Barnhill declare on Feb. 18, “There’s literally no plan that we can put before this committee, some element of it that somebody won’t hate.”
Read more: https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2019/02/24/oil-and-gas-industry-left-harmless-in-dunleavy-budget-democrats-say/