Alaska lawmakers mull spending cap amid deficit

[TexasTowelie]

JUNEAU — Alaska has never violated its constitutional spending cap, but many Republican lawmakers consider the limit too loose and want it tightened to limit future government growth.

Under the existing cap, which excludes certain types of spending, this year’s budget could not exceed $10.1 billion. Current spending falls well below that.

So far, House and Senate Republicans have proposed three constitutional measures aimed at restricting spending growth.

These come as lawmakers, faced with a gaping deficit, are expected to debate deeper budget cuts, taxes and use of earnings from Alaska’s oil-wealth fund to make ends meet.

Read more: http://juneauempire.com/state/news/2017-01-30/alaska-lawmakers-mull-spending-cap-amid-deficit