The Alaska Senate approved the state operating budget this afternoon, avoiding a partial government shutdown.
Senators voted 16-3 to pass the $5.1 billion measure approved by the House earlier.
Falling oil prices hindered legislators as they have worked to balance the budget since April in two special sessions.
Alaska general fund spending is upward of 90 percent dependent on revenue from the petroleum industry.
Senator Bill Wielechoswki(D-Anchorage) voted no, reasoning that education will take a $32.5 million hit even though there were no cuts to millions in tax credits to the oil industry.
Senate Minority Leader Berta Gardner says she couldn’t vote for the measure because it doesn’t include Medicaid expansion that would help more low-income Alaskans in need of health care, provide jobs and help struggling hospitals.
The operating budget now heads to Governor Bill Walker to sign.
