Senators outline supplemental that leans on reserve to cover disaster aid and higher‑education shortfall Senate leaders described a supplemental budget that mainly pays previously incurred costs — disaster relief, fire suppression federal matches and a $129 million replenishment for the higher‑education fund — and warned using the Constitutional Budget Reserve will require a three‑quarter vote.

Senators are set to vote on a supplemental budget that taps into reserve funds to cover disaster aid and replenish higher education, raising eyebrows about the implications of such a move.

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Lawmakers press Treasury on $130 million Higher Education Fund transfer and lost earnings estimate Committee members questioned whether the $130 million transfer from the Alaska Higher Education Investment Fund to the general fund could have been avoided and how much the state forewent in earnings; Treasury said the transfer was a legislative budget decision and offered a rough estimate of foregone returns.

Alaska lawmakers are questioning a $130 million transfer from the Higher Education Investment Fund, eyeing the potential losses in earnings and the future of student scholarships.

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