1994-02-09                     Senate Journal                      Page 2756
SB 288                                                                       
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 9:                                
                                                                               
Dear Mr. President:                                                            
                                                                               
Under authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am         
transmitting a bill which makes miscellaneous supplemental                     
appropriations for fiscal year 1994 and prior years.  The legislation          
also reallocates current year funding in order to offset some of the           
projected shortfalls.                                                          
                                                                               
Supplemental appropriations in recent years have reached the $100              
million level.  My goal this year was to keep supplementals below              
the $40 million level and I am pleased that we have done this.                 
Nearly all the requested supplementals are for purposes not within             
the control of management.  Caseloads continue to increase in                  
medical assistance programs and Longevity Bonus.  Student                      
enrollment at schools throughout the state continue to climb.  Fires           
break out which the state must fight to protect the life and property          
of Alaskans.  The state must respond to court ordered settlements              
and grievance awards.  We cannot pretend these costs are not there,            
nor can we turn away from meeting these responsibilities.                      
                                                                               
We continue to live in times of tight revenues.  I look forward to             
working with you on completing a sound financial plan for our                  
state's future.                                                                
                                                                               
Additional information relating to these requests will be furnished to         
the Finance Committees by the Office of Management and Budget.                 
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Walter J. Hickel                                                         
						Governor