Full Press Release
News from the Alaska State Legislature, the Office of Senator Kaufman
For Immediate Release: March 04, 2025
Senate Republicans Promote Fiscal Solutions
Senator James Kaufman
JUNEAU – On Monday, the Alaska Senate Republican Caucus presented a bill package providing answers to the state’s fiscal dilemma.
The package includes a GDP-based spending cap, requiring goals and deliverables for state departments, a sunset commission that evaluates government agencies, along with restructuring and constitutionalizing the permanent fund investment framework and withdrawal rate.
The goal of the Caucus is to utilize these bills to protect Alaska’s business climate, slow government growth, and develop the private sector.
The press conference centered on four bills the six caucus members are currently cosponsoring: SJR 4, SJR 5, SB 37, and SB 107. These bills will all assist in promoting fiscal responsibility within our state.
Senator James Kaufman (R – Anchorage) introduced SJR 4, SJR 5, and SB 37. “The idea is to create more stability by controlling how we spend and how we manage,” he said. “I think of one as the diet plan and the other as the exercise plan. If we do them both, we get lean management.”
SB 107 was introduced by Senator Shelley Hughes (R – Palmer). “The bill would create a sunset commission to help keep the executive branch departments efficient and cost effective,” she said. “The commission would audit both performance and cost then create recommendations on how to move forward.”
According to the budget numbers, the state is facing a deficit of more than $500 million for Fiscal Year 2026.
The Senate Republican Caucus is dedicated to producing solutions to our state’s problems. We are looking forward to hearing these bills in committee and discussing their merits with our colleagues in both the House and Senate.
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