The topic of savings, not spending, dominated debate as the Alaska Senate took up the state's $10 billion operating plan. House Bill 310 passed 15-4 on Monday. The differences between the House and Senate plans will be worked out in a conference committee. However, both sides agree on spending about $4.2 billion from the state's general fund. Senators added back about $13 million to various programs in one lump amendment.

They also agreed to set aside $1 billion from next year's surplus revenues from high oil prices. The Senate Republican minority tried unsuccessfully to set aside almost $2 billion more. Members of the bipartisan majority said they will consider additional savings when they take up next year's supplemental budget bill.