"however because the legislature gets to decide how that works"
Do you realize what you just wrote and how it undermines your point?  If not, let me try and paraphrase it.  "We're keeping your the money to pay for our services to maximize your its benefit to you."  Accountants are lucky in that they can usually show in black and white how their services are beneficial but trusting politicians to the same would likely end with people questioning your sanity.

"It's considered discretionary money."
Got a citation for that?  Based upon wording in the AK constitution, legislation in enacting the constitutional provision, and history I'd have to disagree with you.