1 of 3State Sen. John. Coghill, a Fairbanks Republican, speaks during a joint session of the Alaska Legislature Thursday, July 11, 2019, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers are meeting for a second day to consider overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes, but still don’t have the needed 45 votes as about a third of lawmakers continue to meet in Wasilla instead of Juneau. (Michael Penn/The Juneau Empire via AP)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Legislature again failed to override budget vetoes by Gov. Mike Dunleavy as minority members of the Alaska House of Representatives and a handful of state senators were absent.
State lawmakers opposing vetoes say the budget cuts will cripple the University of Alaska and seriously damage the state economy.
About a third of the 60-member legislature was absent or excused on Thursday.
Senate Finance Committee Co-Chairman Bert Stedman called the missing lawmakers “dissidents.”
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He said they’re ignoring their sworn duty and thwarting his right to argue in favor of an override affecting Ketchikan.
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