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The Alaska House of Representatives is expected to take a procedural vote Monday to pass a complete budget and avoid a government shutdown this week.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has refused to sign the state budget, labelling it âdefectiveâ after the House did not have the votes to adopt the July 1 start date for the fiscal 2022 state spending plan, known as the effective date clause.
House Speaker Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, maintained that the governor has the authority to sign the budget bill without the effective date clause.
âThis is not a drama vote,â Republican Rep. Bart LeBon said Sunday. âIt is a procedural routine vote. I think that come tomorrow (Monday), we will pass an effective date vote.â
Attorney General Treg Taylor is requesting a decision by June 30.Â
The Alaska Legislative Affairs Agency is the Legislatureâs nonpartisan agency responsible for providing legal services and other support. The agency has indicated that the operating budget can take effect July 1 â the first day of fiscal year 2022 â without a start date adopted by the Legislature.
In a motion for summary judgment, Taylor seeks to âresolve a dispute over the date upon which the 2022 operating budget ⦠would authorize the expenditure of funds from the state treasury,â according to the lawsuit. It is being heard in Anchorage Superior Court.
The attorney general is asking whether the governor may legally sign a budget bill that lacks a start date.Â