JUNEAU — The Alaska House is expected on Thursday to consider a bill that would limit a governor’s ability to accept additional federal funds beyond what the Legislature has appropriated.
The bill is in response to Gov. Bill Walker’s action last year to accept federal funding when the Legislature wasn’t in session to expand Medicaid when lawmakers delayed expansion for further review.
Lawmakers sued to overturn expansion, but a state court judge ruled against them.
The bill from Anchorage Republican Rep. Mike Hawker includes language stipulating how the governor can accept and spend money not appropriated during the legislative session.
A Walker spokeswoman said he wouldn’t comment until a bill hits his desk.
The bill was to have been heard Wednesday but was held.
