Full Press Release
News from the Alaska State Legislature, the Office of Senator Yundt
For Immediate Release: April 10, 2025
Senate Republicans Advocate for Policy Reforms, BSA Increase
Senator Robert Yundt
JUNEAU – Today the Senate Republican Caucus denounced the latest iteration of HB 69, a school funding bill that fails to address Alaska’s declining student proficiency.
In the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, senators stripped the bill of all policy provisions while the panel maintained an unsustainable $1,000 increase to Alaska’s $5,960 base student allocation (BSA). Considering the current fiscal climate and the state’s growing financial crisis, it is unclear how the $257 million increase to education spending will be funded.
Alaska has some of the lowest math and reading scores among fourth and eighth graders in the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) that was released in January. Senator Shelley Hughes (R -- Palmer) pointed out that Alaska has seen success with policy reform such as the Alaska Reads Act. “The caucus cares about children learning.” she said.
However, the needs of students are being ignored to satisfy the demands of special interest `Groups` such as the National Education Association, which has aggressively lobbied for a large increase to education spending while simultaneously pushing for a more generous retirement plan.
According to Senator Robert Yundt (R -- Wasilla), “some school districts are sitting on a large fund balance.” The former Mat-Su Assemblyman continued, “now is the time to look at spending these savings accounts.”
House Bill 69 is expected to hit the Senate floor on Friday, however, Governor Mike Dunleavy posted a statement on X declaring he will veto the bill if it comes to him as written with no policy changes.
Senator Mike Shower (R -- Wasilla) agreed and called on journalists to ask Senate Majority leaders why they are pushing through a bill they know the governor will reject.
“Why are we doing this if we know it’s going to fail?” the Senate Minority Leader asked.
“What’s being thrown under the bus are the kids,” said Senator James Kaufman (R -- Anchorage). The Finance Committee member continued, “I hope we can come together and work on something that has a hope of passing.”
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