1994-07-15                     Senate Journal                      Page 4795
SB 368                                                                       
Message of May 25 was received, stating:                                       
                                                                               
Dear Mr. President:                                                            
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. II, sec. 15, of the Alaska Constitution, I         
have vetoed the following bill;                                                
                                                                               
	SENATE BILL NO. 368                                                           
"An Act relating to the human services community                              
matching grant program; and providing for an                                   
effective date"                                                                

1994-07-15                     Senate Journal                      Page 4796
SB 368                                                                       
which would have reduced the local match requirement from fifty                
percent to thirty percent for eligible communities to receive funding          
from the human services community matching grant program.                      
Originally, Anchorage and Fairbanks received such funding in the               
operating budget in recognition of the role these two communities              
play in providing services to Alaskans that live outside of their              
municipal boundaries.                                                          
                                                                               
In 1992, the Alaska Legislature placed the grant program in statute.           
It provided that the state's share would decrease over three years to          
50 percent, with local communities assuming a greater share each               
year.  I was pleased to sign this legislation because it reflected the         
Legislature's agreement in their importance of communities sharing             
in the costs of the decisions, therefore ensuring stronger community           
participation and responsibility.                                              
                                                                               
This legislation before me today sets us back in the progress we               
have made.  Accordingly, I have made the difficult decision to veto            
it.  As state revenues continue to decline, it will be very important          
that all levels of government maximize limited dollars.  I believe the         
best way to do this is by maintaining the current 50 percent match             
requirement.                                                                   
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Walter J. Hickel                                                         
						Governor