1996-01-19                     House Journal                      Page 2489
HB 435                                                                       
payroll contributions with no employer contributions or general fund           
monies.                                                                        
                                                                               
The STEP serves workers who would often be ineligible for                      
employment training assistance through other programs.  It offers              
workers the opportunity to acquire skills by investing in themselves,          
and helps those workers who have been displaced from their jobs to             
learn more skills.  Nearly 60 percent of those entering the program are        
receiving unemployment benefits, and over 80 percent of the                    
participants successfully complete the training and increase their             
employment opportunities.                                                      
                                                                               
The STEP will expire June 30, 1996, unless renewed by the                      
Legislature.  As federal training money decreases from year to year,           
continuing STEP and making it a permanent program will help                    
Alaskans receive the training they need to respond to the changing             
needs of business and industry.                                                
                                                                               
I urge your support of this important bill.                                    
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor                                                                 
                                                                               
HB 436                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 436 by Representative Martin, entitled:                         
                                                                               
An Act relating to purchase and sale of mobile homes by mobile                
home dealers or agents; to mobile home titles; and providing for               
an effective date.                                                             
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Transportation, Labor &            
Commerce and Finance Committees.                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
HB 437                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 437 by the House Judiciary Committee by request,                
entitled: