Senators ask governor to save Pioneer Homes [View all]

The Alaska Senate is calling on Gov. Bill Walker to save the Pioneer Homes in Juneau and Palmer from the Senate’s own cuts.

In a 20-0 vote Thursday, the Senate formally asked Walker to use his budgetary authority to transfer money from other parts of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services to the Division of Pioneer Homes.

“I don’t want seniors to have to worry about that issue any longer,” said Senate Majority Leader Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna.

Earlier this week, state officials warned residents of the Pioneer Homes in Juneau and Palmer that those homes might be forced to close if budget cuts proposed by the Senate are upheld in the final version of the state’s spending plan.

Read more: http://juneauempire.com/state/2017-04-13/senators-ask-governor-save-pioneer-homes