Dunleavy vetoes have Alaska’s construction industry urging lawmakers to pass quick fix
Summary
Alaska's construction industry is urging lawmakers to quickly pass a budget bill to secure federal matching funds after Governor Dunleavy's vetoes halted previous funding efforts.
Why It Matters
The article highlights the critical intersection of state budget decisions and federal funding for construction projects in Alaska. The construction industry’s push for swift legislative action underscores the importance of timely funding to avoid disruptions in upcoming projects, which could have broader economic implications.
Key Takeaways
- Governor Dunleavy's vetoes have stalled funding for federal projects.
- Construction groups are advocating for a quick budget fix to access federal matching funds.
- Delays in funding could disrupt the 2026 construction season.
- Lawmakers are considering drawing from state savings to provide necessary funds.
- The construction industry is facing uncertainty that affects planning and resource allocation.
Alaska Legislature Dunleavy vetoes have Alaska’s construction industry urging lawmakers to pass quick fix Alaska Public Media | By Eric Stone Published February 4, 2026 at 11:12 AM AKST Twitter LinkedIn Email Bluesky Adam Nicely / Alaska Public Media Prep begins for new construction on the corner of 8th Street and K Street. A round of vetoes by Gov. Mike Dunleavy last summer have Alaska’s construction industry on edge. Industry groups are pushing state lawmakers to quickly pass an appropriations bill that they say would unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in federal matching funds.The problem started last year, when lawmakers searched for funds to plug holes in the state budget. To fund the state’s share of a variety of new federal projects, lawmakers voted to take millions from older, stalled-out or completed projects — tens of millions from the Juneau Access Project, $138,000 from the so-called Bridge to Nowhere in Ketchikan, even $766 lawmakers found left over from efforts to explore a bridge over Knik Arm from Anchorage.“At the end of the day, we’re really just pulling out of the couch cushions the little pennies we can find here and there,” said Rep. Ashley Carrick, a Fairbanks Democrat, during debate on the budget last year.But then, after lawmakers adjourned, Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed those transfers. His office said a lot of the money lawmakers identified had been spent, committed to contracts or was otherwise unavailable.“We don't want to put ourselves as a sta...
