The Latest: Dunleavy cuts from courts over abortion dispute

Donna Arduin, director of the Office of Management and Budget, at podium, comments on the governor's state budget vetoes at the state capitol in Juneau, Alaska Friday, June 28, 2019. At right, with Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The university system, health and social service programs and public broadcasting were among the areas affected by vetoes. The budget agreed to by the House and Senate cut state support for the university system by a fraction of what Dunleavy proposed. Lawmakers have the ability to override budget vetoes if they can muster sufficient support. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Donna Arduin, director of the Office of Management and Budget, at podium, comments on the governor's state budget vetoes at the state capitol in Juneau, Alaska Friday, June 28, 2019. At right, with Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The university system, health and social service programs and public broadcasting were among the areas affected by vetoes. The budget agreed to by the House and Senate cut state support for the university system by a fraction of what Dunleavy proposed. Lawmakers have the ability to override budget vetoes if they can muster sufficient support. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Latest on the Alaska governor’s budget vetoes (all times local):

3:10 p.m.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has cut from the state court system an amount his administration says is commensurate to that for state-funded abortions.

A budget document explaining the $334,000 cut says the legislative and executive branches oppose state funding of “elective” abortions. It says the only branch that “insists” on them is the Alaska Supreme Court.

A court system spokeswoman had no immediate comment.

The Alaska Supreme Court has held that the state must fund medically necessary abortions if it funds medically necessary services for others with financial needs.

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Jessica Cler, Alaska state director for Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, called Dunleavy’s budget cut spiteful.

The cut was among a list of vetoes announced by Dunleavy on Friday.

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2:30 p.m.

University of Alaska system President Jim Johnsen says he will advocate for legislators to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of $130 million for the system.

The veto, coupled with a $5 million cut previously approved by lawmakers is in line with the level of cut Dunleavy proposed earlier this year.

Johnsen told reporters university officials took that threat seriously but he says there is “no way to rationally plan” for that level of cut.

If lawmakers fail to override the veto, he says he expects the Board of Regents will be asked to consider a declaration of financial exigency, which he says would allow officials to make reductions quickly. The system says it would allow for the reduction of staff and faculty with less process and notice.

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11:10 a.m.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has slashed the budget for the University of Alaska system, vetoing more than $130 million in funding.

Dunleavy also has cut state support for public broadcasting and reduced spending for Medicaid.

The Republican governor also eliminated the Senior Benefits Program in vetoes announced Friday.

Dunleavy, in a letter to legislative leaders, says the budget “focuses on the state’s basic responsibilities while understanding our fiscal constraints.”

He says his actions have cut nearly half the state’s deficit and that more work is needed.