Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell yesterday rolled out his proposed budget for fiscal year 2013.
Naturally, Deckboss was eager to see how the Department of Fish and Game fared in the spending plan, which has some cutbacks compared to the current budget, the governor says.
Here are a few highlights:
• The proposed Fish and Game operating budget, including all state and federal funds, is $209.3 million, a 5.1 percent increase.
• The proposed operating budget for commercial fisheries, the department's most expensive unit, is $70.5 million, a 4.4 percent increase.
• The proposed operating budget for sport fisheries is $49.7 million, a 2.7 percent increase.
• The department is slated to trim 13 full-time positions, a 1.4 percent reduction, and 46 part-time positions, a 6.1 percent cut.
• Along with his budget, the governor also proposed a bond package that includes $10 million for the city of Seward's homeport project for the Community Development Quota fleet.
You can find much more information on the Fish and Game budget here, including complete details on a number of proposed capital projects.
The Alaska Legislature opens its 2012 session on Jan. 17.