For today’s episode, Sen. Löki Gale Tobin and Mike Mason sit down with Rep. Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage) and Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 operating and capital budgets for the State of Alaska. Both Rep. Josephson and Rep. Ortiz sit on the powerful House Finance Committee.

Andy Josephson is an attorney by trade but has been a member of the Alaska House of Representatives since 2013.

* Rep. Josephson holds a law degree from Penn State and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

* He was an intern for Senator Ted Stevens and was a legislative aide during the 17th and 23rd Alaska State Legislatures.

* Andy Josephson is a former public school teacher, a Superior Court law clerk, and an Assistant District Attorney.

* Rep. Josephson is a member of the Alaska House Coalition, which is the 16-member minority caucus in the Alaska House of Representatives.

Rep. Dan Ortiz was first elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 2015 and is the longest-serving Independent in the Alaska State Legislature.

* He holds a bachelor’s degree from Seatle Pacific University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin.

* Dan is a retired teacher and coach from Ketchikan who is well known for touting the achievements of students and athletes from K-High.

* Dan Ortiz is also a member of the Alaska House Coalition, which is the 16-member minority caucus in the Alaska House of Representatives.

This episode of The Empty Office Podcast features a detailed discussion about the process used by the Alaska State Legislature to develop the operating and capital budgets for the State of Alaska.

The operating budget bill, House Bill 268, passed the Alaska House of Representatives on April 11 by a vote of 23-17. Both Rep. Josephson and Rep. Ortiz voted no. The Senate Finance Committee is considering the bill with the next hearing at 9:00 am on Wednesday, April 24. The capital budget bill, Senate Bill 187, passed the Alaska State Senate on April 12 by a vote of 15-3. Sen. Tobin voted yes. The House Finance Committee is scheduled to hear the bill on Monday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 23.

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