Alaska lawmakers hope to reach tentative budget agreement

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska budget negotiators were working Sunday to try to reach a tentative agreement on a state spending plan.

A conference committee, composed of House and Senate members, met briefly Sunday morning and planned to reconvene later in the day. One of the biggest outstanding issues was what size dividend to approve for residents this year.

Whatever advances from the conference committee would need to go to the full House and Senate for a vote. Both chambers have floor sessions scheduled for Monday afternoon. But Senate President Peter Micciche said a vote in the Senate would likely be Tuesday.

Lawmakers have until Friday to complete their work in this special session, called by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in part to finish the budget. The new fiscal year starts July 1.

Read more: https://magicvalley.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/alaska-lawmakers-hope-to-reach-tentative-budget-agreement/article_d95e1556-b22d-55f4-a6e8-e8a7aa85e4ac.html