The 2012 statewide operating budget was approved today. Highlights from the $9.07 billion conference committee substitute include:

$1 billion in savings to the Statutory Budget Reserve Fund.

$1,421,000 to the Dept. of Natural Resources to speed up issuance of permits and decrease the backlog. This will create new positions in Juneau for large mine projects permitting and field inspections.

$6.7 million for Alaska’s Coastal Management program. The funding depends on the passage of HB106, which is currently being considered by the Senate Finance Committee. Juneau currently has 22 state employees in this office.

$60 million for a ferry replacement fund that will allow for the construction of the 1st of 3 new Alaska Class Ferries.

$479 million for public employee retirement accounts.

$20 million in one-time funds for Community Revenue Sharing (this is in addition to the $60 million already included). This translates to an additional $674,000 to CBJ in FY2012.

$2,299,500 to fund 15 new Village Public Safety Officer positions.

$400 million to the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) Endowment that anticipates $10 million in earnings annually for energy cost to municipalities & villages.

$1.14 billion to forward-fund K-12 education and pupil transportation. In addition, there is $6 million for Alaska Performance Scholarships and $3 million for needs-based scholarships.

$20 million in one-time funds for school districts across the state. Of the $20 million $784,416 will go to Juneau.

SB 84, the Voc-Ed bill, means an additional $440 thousand to Juneau schools for Voc-Ed.

Pre-K funding will continue, allowing Glacier Valley & Gastineau Schools to fund 2 classrooms & maintain 2 teaching positions, and $1.25 million is included for Statewide Teacher Mentoring.