Politics

Dunleavy cuts $334K from Alaska court system over abortion dispute

JUNEAU — 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.

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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