Gov. Dunleavy cuts 41% of state funds
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of $134 million of $330 million of state funds for the University of Alaska, announced Friday, would basically gut the state university system if there is no override by the Legislature, UA president Jim Johnsen said. An override requires 45 of 60 members of the Legislature and will be difficult to achieve, If the veto stands, the university’s Board of Regents will invoke emergency powers to sharply cut staff and programs with most reductions focused on the Anchorage and Fairbanks campuses. An estimated 1,300 university jobs could be eliminated from about 3,000 now employed. Health providers warn that medical costs will rise if the university’s health training, particularly for nurses, is curtailed. Locally-trained nurses are replacing expensive nonresidents nurses health providers must hire if trained locals are not available. Other businesses will be affected. UA now does about 90 percent of the workforce training in the state, President Johnsen said.