1996-05-09                     House Journal                      Page 4633
HB 1005                                                                      
HOUSE BILL NO. 1005 by the House Rules Committee by request of                 
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
An Act making, amending, and repealing appropriations; making                 
appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State            
of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and                    
providing for an effective date.                                               
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                 
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter, dated May 8, 1996, appears below:           
                                                                               
Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                         
                                                                               
As you know, the two budget bills that passed the Senate and House             
last night do not constitute a balanced budget for FY97 as required by         
the state constitution.  There was no legislation passed to approve the        

1996-05-09                     House Journal                      Page 4634
HB 1005                                                                      
labor contracts negotiated in good faith with public employee                  
bargaining units or to approve adjustments to the salaries of non-             
covered employees in the executive and legislative branches, university        
and court system.  The tobacco tax increase, which passed the Senate           
by a vote of 17-3, was not brought up for a vote in the House.                 
                                                                               
I believe these important budget-related issues could have been                
successfully completed if time had not run out last night.  I am               
limiting  the agenda for this special session so the most essential work       
would be completed first. If these items are successfully completed in         
the next two days, we could consider completion of other unfinished            
business, particularly several bills that were simply awaiting                 
concurrence by the other body.                                                 
                                                                               
In an effort to focus the budget work ahead of us, I have prepared             
identical bills which address all remaining FY96 supplementals, FY97           
operating and capital appropriations, reappropriations, fiscal notes, and      
budget intent language.  They also amend the budget bills passed last          
night (HB412 and SB136) to add effective dates and authorization for           
use of the Constitutional Budget Reserve.                                      
                                                                               
My administration stands ready to work with you as much as necessary           
to complete the states budget in a responsible, timely manner.                 
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor