JUNEAU, Alaska—
The House Finance Committee has unveiled a $9.7 billion state operating budget.
That's 2 percent less than the governor proposed.
An analysis of the bill shows the proposal is lower than Gov. Sean Parnell's for all agencies, except for corrections, which is the same. Public testimony is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
The bill is expected on the House floor for a vote as early as next week. It then goes to the Senate for additional review.
Legislators have been looking for ways to limit the growth of state government in the face of declining oil production. The state is facing a budget deficit of about $323 million this year, in part due to lower-than-expected oil prices. That hole is expected to be filled with reserves.
