The Latest: Bill would cut pay raises for state employees

JUNEAU, Alaska – The Latest on an extended Alaska legislative session (all times local):

3:15 p.m.

Two House Republicans introduced a bill that would cut pay raises for state employees.

It drew pushback from members of the House Finance committee when Anchorage Reps. Charisse Millett and Craig Johnson debuted the bill.

Democratic Rep. Les Gara says the bill could eliminate raises for state employees for more than a decade given its trigger for returning them when the price of oil is above $90 per barrel. Others, like Wasilla Republican Lynn Gattis say that they cannot justify raises when lawmakers are considering new taxes.

The bill prohibits the state from entering into future bargaining agreements unless it stipulates employees cannot receive merit or incremental increases.

The state’s budget office estimates that it would save $18.1 million in the 2017 fiscal year and $30.7 million annually for the following four years.

12:09 p.m.

Though Alaska lawmakers have gone into extended session to deal with the budget deficit, some bills have been left behind.

Several high profile bills seem destined to die. One requires the University of Alaska to allow concealed carry guns on its campuses. The contentious measure drew protesters to the Capitol and hours of passionate testimony from both sides.

Some bills made it through one body of the legislature, but failed to progress in the other. The House passed a measure limiting the governor’s ability to accept federal funds post-session after he used that mechanism to expand Medicaid. The Senate passed a bill that would ban Planned Parenthood from teaching sex education in schools.

While lawmakers have yet to gavel out for the session, it’s unlikely these bills will be taken up.