Constituents use Wasilla special session to lobby Alaska lawmakers on Gov. Dunleavy's budget vetoes
Monday’s special session in Wasilla wasn’t just a meeting for Alaska’s Republican legislators.
It also gave road system Alaskans a chance to offer their opinions about the huge dilemma facing lawmakers right now: whether to uphold Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s major line-item budget vetoes, which would cut hundreds of millions in state spending on programs like its university system, cash payments to the elderly and early education.
Dozens of citizen lobbyists turned out, first lining a stretch of the Parks Highway before walking to Wasilla Middle School, where they greeted lawmakers with dueling chants: “Save our state,” “Follow the law,” and “Override!”
The demonstrators along the highway had gathered for an event in support of Dunleavy. One was Steven VinZant, 57, who held a “Save the PFD” sign. He said he supports the line-item vetoes because of what he sees as inefficiencies and high salaries in state government, including the university system, which would lose $130 million if the vetoes are upheld.
Read more: https://www.alaskapublic.org/2019/07/08/constituents-use-wasilla-special-session-to-lobby-alaska-lawmakers-on-gov-dunleavys-budget-vetoes/