1993-01-15                     House Journal                      Page 0067
HB 55                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 55 by the House Rules Committee by request of                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               

1993-01-15                     House Journal                      Page 0068
HB 55                                                                        
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program              
expenses of state government and to capitalize funds; and                      
providing for an effective date."                                              
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter, dated January 15, 1993, appears             
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Barnes:                                                          
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am     
transmitting legislation making appropriations for operating and loan          
program expenses for fiscal year 1994.                                         
                                                                               
As last year, I am introducing two appropriations bills:  one for the          
"agency operations" part of government, and one that appropriates the          
funding necessary to meet the costs of formula-funded programs.  This          
"agency operations" bill provides funding for the many programs that           
provide services to Alaskans as well as the Legislative Branch and             
Court System and is a 2.5 percent decrease from what we are spending           
on these programs this year.                                                   
                                                                               
In putting together the fiscal year 1994 operating budget, my                  
overriding concern was to focus on the state meeting its basic and             
traditional responsibilities to its citizens.  Since there is no more basic    
responsibility than protecting the life and property of Alaskans, the          
state has an obligation to see that law enforcement is  adequately             
funded.                                                                        
                                                                               
My budget meets this obligation:                                               
                                                                               
*Almost $4.5 million in increased funding is targeted                        
for the Alaska State Troopers so they can better                               
respond to Alaskans in need;                                                   
                                                                               
*An additional $1.3 million is proposed to maintain the                      
state's ability to prosecute and defend indigent                               
criminals;                                                                     
                                                                               

1993-01-15                     House Journal                      Page 0069
HB 55                                                                        
*Over $1.8 million in additional funding is included                         
for the Court System so it can continue to address the                         
tremendous burden it has in ensuring that Alaskans'                            
right to due process is protected; and                                         
                                                                               
*Over $12 million in increased funding is proposed for                       
the Department of Corrections to ensure Alaska's                               
overcrowded prisons will remain secure.                                        
                                                                               
                                                                               
Another basic service the state must provide its citizens is ensuring          
Alaskans have access to the quality of education they deserve.  To             
meet this, nearly $18 million in additional funding for school districts       
throughout the state is provided in the budget bill for formula funded         
programs.  The "agency operations" budget bill provides an additional          
$5 million for the University of Alaska to meet the increased demands          
of its growing student enrollment.                                             
                                                                               
The challenge to meet the basic needs of Alaskans will grow more               
difficult as the state's oil revenues decline.  I look forward to working      
with the Legislature in meeting this challenge.                                
                                                                               
Additional information pertaining to the appropriations requested in           
this bill are being furnished to the Legislature by my Office of               
Management and Budget.                                                         
                                                                               
           Sincerely,                                                          
           /s/                                                                 
           Walter J. Hickel                                                    
           Governor"