Alaska is the only state that hasn t kept pace with inflation and population increases, according to Annalee McConnell, the governor s budget director. Incoming Senate President Rick Halford of Chugiak immediately called the governor's proposed increase excessive. The governor's spending proposals have never shown much regard for the amount of money the state has to spend.
Accounts differ about how much was really cut.
But Republicans retained roughly the same margin of control in the Legislature as a result of the 2000 general election. And the leadership says the floodgates aren't going to open on spending just because the five-year plan is over.