Alaska Budget Cuts Could Hurt Arctic, Environmental Research

The University of Alaska’s Arctic research faces an uncertain future as it waits for the final word on a possible $135 million cut to state funding for this fiscal year.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) vetoed $130 million from university funding, along with 181 other budget line items, on June 28, just days before the fiscal year began. The state Legislature previously approved a $5 million reduction in university funding earlier in the year.

Dunleavy made the cuts in order to increase to $3,000 the annual share of the state’s oil industry revenue that each Alaskan receives annually.

The ...