Agency officials said administrative/operational funding is constrained after earmarks and CPPI is funded at $15.5M (down from $20.5M), forcing program adjustments and limiting expansion to additional gateway cities this year.

The Authority approved recommended extraordinary cost rates for AY26 after reviewing cost data for 64 programs, recommending increases for 27 programs, decreases for five, and no change for 32 programs; staff noted rate tiers of $0, $36, $72 and $143 per credit hour.

Councilors said conversations with young people revealed consistent barriers — transportation distances, program costs and safety concerns — and shared examples where interruptions in access contributed to youths entering the juvenile system; alders discussed coordinating funding and partners for continued support.

Department of Children, Youth, and Families staff and local implementing agencies told the Home Visiting Advisory Committee that early rates‑based payments raised program revenue for many providers but exposed challenges: staffing turnover, contract inflexibility, regional rate differences and administrative burdens, especially for smaller and non‑

Joy Cochran Smith told the House Education Committee on May 4 she would prioritize rural districts, support language and intervention programs and seek transparency in appeals and board processes during her confirmation hearing for the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development.

Officials discuss potential summer layoffs for certificated staff following recent program funding cuts.

House Bill 758 to adjust DEQ permit and permanent fees was reported favorable after agency officials described program deficits and projected nearly $55 million in additional revenue over five years; senators asked about fee limits, program-specific impacts and water monitoring budgets.

Board members discuss budget cuts impacting VIP camp and middle school after school programs.

The conference committee accepted the Senate's extra funding for Drive Electric while members warned recent agency workforce reductions complicate program delivery; testimony from advocates and constituent accounts shaped the conversation.

Fiscal staff reviewed technical corrections to FY26/FY27 appropriations, recommending reductions to appropriations rather than booking reversions in several cases and flagging reserved amounts to cover outstanding contracts for programs such as the emissions repair fund and ADS redistricting task force.

County staff told commissioners the county can plan on roughly $207M in SHS resources (including a $10M Metro allocation) and recommended assigning unassigned carryforward funds to program stabilization (set 90% budgeting plus an $11.6M cushion), a $7M capital reserve, $3.7M for two capital projects and funding to sustain eviction prevention services.

A legislative panel reviewed 2024 changes that consolidated tobacco settlement receipts into a permanent fund and set a 4.7% annual distribution to programs, prompting members to press for higher prevention funding and schedule follow-up briefings with the Department of Health and the Attorney General's office.