(JUNEAU) - The House of Representatives' Finance Committee passed the operating budget and the mental health budget, Committee Substitutes for HB 67 and HB 66, respectively, out of committee earlier today.

The bills focused on education, health and public safety, increasing funding in those areas. Specifically, $11.9 million increase in funding for the University, a $71 million increase for Health and Social Services, $9.7 million for the Department of Public Safety. K-12 education was previously funded at an increase of over $70 million.

"No budget will make everyone happy, but HB 66 and 67 are an effort to address the priorities of this legislature and the citizens of Alaska. In listening to testimony and talking with our constituents we have tried to address their concerns by increasing funding in the areas they believe it is most needed," said Representative Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski), Co-Chairman of the House Finance Committee.

"What we attempted to do was hold down spending as much as possible while at the same time adequately fund the areas that are important to us. One of the best things we did was take the surplus off the table and put it in the education fund," said Finance Co-Chairman Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage).

CSHB 67 and CSHB 66 are expected to go before the full House for consideration early next week.

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