2000-01-13                     Senate Journal                      Page 1960
SB 190                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 190 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act making and amending appropriations for                                 
the operating and loan program expenses of state                               
government, for certain programs, and to capitalize                            
funds; 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.                 
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated January 12:                                 
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
I call the Fiscal Year 2001 operating budget I am transmitting today           
The Childrens Budget. It would continue the progress were                      
beginning to achieve with Smart Start: to reach zero tolerance for             
child abuse and neglect; to place children in loving foster families           
and permanent homes; and to ensure childrens good health. It would             
continue our progress in welfare reform with adequate day care so              
parents dont have to choose between earning a living and having                
their children cared for safely. It would strengthen our Quality               
Schools initiatives and our University to help prepare our children            
for good jobs here in Alaska.                                                  
                                                                               
                                                                               

2000-01-13                     Senate Journal                      Page 1961
SB 190                                                                       
This budget proposes an increase of $98 million from last years                
budget - two-thirds of that for programs directly benefiting children          
and for education. Some have asked if it's responsible to propose a            
general fund budget increase when we continue to face a fiscal gap.            
My answer: definitely. First, because investments to protect children          
and improve education will help build strong families and save                 
money tomorrow in reduced costs for welfare, crime, health care and            
prisons. Second, because I am also proposing that we address the               
revenue side of a balanced budget plan this session. We must make              
the tough decisions necessary to offset the oil revenue decline we all         
knew would happen by raising other appropriate revenues. There is              
no question that failure to act on a balanced budget plan until the            
last dollar of savings is spent will damage our economy and threaten           
our childrens future.                                                          
                                                                               
Even with my proposed Childrens Budget investments, Alaska                     
would spend $1,647 less per person in today's general fund dollars             
than in Fiscal 1979 - the year before the pipeline boom began. We              
would still have a budget thats $134 million less than the one I               
inherited five years ago.                                                      
                                                                               
I stand ready to work with you to make responsible choices for our             
childrens sake.                                                                
                                                                               
					Sincerely,                                                                
					/s/                                                                       
					Tony Knowles                                                              
					Governor