JUNEAU — Governor Mike Dunleavy is planning to veto House Bill 57 unless lawmakers agree to include education policy measures he supports.
The legislation, passed with strong bipartisan backing, would raise the state’s per-student funding by $700, and increase support for reading programs and career and technical education.
It also includes local limits on student cellphone use in schools, as determined by school districts.
Dunleavy has told school district leaders last week he will reject HB57 unless it includes expanded open enrollment, broader charter school access, and changes to reading incentive funding.
If the Alaska Legislature overrides a full veto, the governor has also indicated he may use his line-item veto power to cancel the increase to the Base Student Allocation.
Dunleavy faces a May 17 deadline to sign or veto HB57, or let it become law without his signature.
