Senate Budget Compromise Keeps Ferries Running All Year Round for Coastal Communities
Author: Bert Stedman
The Governor has finally approved a version of the state operating budget for FY20 for funding the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). This allows our ferry system to continue serving our coastal communities from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.
The Senate increased the AMHS operating budget from the Governor’s proposed budget by $52.1 million to $96.4 million. This is 69% of the FY19 level of funding to the AMHS. My office spent a considerable amount of time meeting with the Department of Transportation and members of Governor Dunleavy’s Administration to find a level of funding that would keep the ferry system alive and at a level that would provide year-round service. The alternative would have put an end to the Alaska Marine Highway System.
“Our budget recommendations provide nearly 288 weeks of year-round service for our communities compared to 317 weeks of service in FY 2019. While service and funding levels are reduced from last year, the “all or nothing” approach to the ferry system budget carried an extreme risk to the economies of Coastal Alaska. I am glad our operating budget saves the ferry system, jobs, and the local economy with ferry service for the entire year.”
