Big items left as Alaska lawmakers face adjournment deadline

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Alaska Legislature faces a Wednesday deadline to complete its work, with agreement on state spending plans and a crime package and a decision on how to handle the dividend paid to residents from the state’s oil-wealth fund remaining.

House and Senate negotiators have nearly reached agreement on a state operating budget that shuns the level of cuts proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. But a decision remains on what to do with the dividend.

Lawmakers have not agreed on a dividend amount, and an option that’s been raised is to handle that issue separately from the budget.

The state capital budget and a sweeping crime package also remain.

Lawmakers could extend the session an additional 10 days if needed or a special session could be called.

Becky Bohrer, The Associated Press