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Introduction
These budget blocks are a simple, straightforward way to visualize how Alaska is spending its money and from which funds that money is coming. The size of each block corresponds to the amount allocated to each state agency. The larger the dollar amount, the larger the block. All of the numbers are taken straight from the FY 2021 Enacted Operating Budget agency summaries provided to the public by the Alaska Division of Legislative Finance.
Explanation of Terminology
The operating budget is what covers ongoing operations and expenses for the State of Alaska, or the day-to-day running of the government and state programs. According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), it is “annual appropriations covering ongoing operations. Appropriations are typically made for a fiscal year, with funds lapsing at the end of the fiscal year.”
Agency or Department:
- Administration (Admin)
- Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (Commerce)
- Corrections
- Education and Early Development
- Environmental Conservation (Env Cons)
- Fish and Game
- Office of the Governor (Gov)
- Health and Social Services
- Labor and Workforce Development (Labor Dept)
- Law
- Military and Veterans’ Affairs (DMVA)
- Natural Resources
- Public Safety
- Department of Revenue
- Transportation and Public Facilities
- University of Alaska
- Judiciary
- Legislature (Leg)
- Debt Service – The state pays back loans or bonds that have been issued for new projects.
- State Retirement Payments – Deposits to the pension fund for state and school district employee retirement obligations.
- Special Appropriations (Special Appro) – Bonds for tax credit purchases, Alaska comprehensive insurance program, and shared taxes, such as the salmon enhancement tax and the fisheries business tax.
- Fund Capitalization (Fund Cap) – Money set aside for various funds, such as the Community Assistance Fund and the Alaska Clean Water Fund.
- Permanent Fund – Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve Account (ERA) appropriations.
- Unrestricted General Fund (UGF) – Money with no statutory restrictions; the legislature has discretion to spend this money however it chooses.
- Other Funds – Money the legislature has limited discretion over; includes “duplicated” funds such as interagency receipts where one state agency pays another.
- Federal Receipts – Funds received from the federal government.