Ortiz reflects on compromise budget as session ends

The 30th Legislature drew its latest session to a close earlier last week, pushing forward a budget deal that would tap into earnings from Alaska’s Permanent Fund to draw down its spending deficit from the billions to around $700 million next year.

Back home in Ketchikan, independent Rep. Dan Ortiz of District 36 thought the package left something to be desired, which under the circumstances was a good thing.

“I feel it’s a good example of a good compromise budget,” he reflected. “Nobody really got everything that they wanted, but it reflects give and take on both sides, both bodies, all four...