2000-01-13                     Senate Journal                      Page 1963
SB 192                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 192 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act making and amending capital                                            
appropriations and reappropriations and capitalizing                           
funds; 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 am transmitting to you today my proposed capital budget for                  
FY2001. Together with two bond authorization proposals for schools             
and transportation which you will receive separately, it represents a          
solid investment to meet the most critical needs for Alaskas                   
economic development and basic public services such as education,              
transportation and public protection.                                          
                                                                               
We all know that a single years budget cannot handle the sheer                 
magnitude of whats needed to repair all our aging state facilities and         
bring all our transportation and technology systems up to current              
standards. This year, I believe we should focus our most extensive             
efforts in the areas of education and transportation because we have           
time-sensitive obligations and opportunities to clear the enormous             
backlogs there.                                                                
                                                                               
Nevertheless, we cannot ignore needs in other areas such as critical           
deferred maintenance projects, new computer systems required by the            
federal government, water and sewer systems, and safety equipment              
for child protection and public safety personnel. This budget makes            
necessary investments in these basic areas as well as some strategic           
economic development projects.                                                 
                                                                               
This $936 million capital appropriations bill includes $101.6 million          
in general funds and $706.4 million in federal funds. AHFC capital             
funds remain at $52 million and the $18.5 million AIDEA dividend               
is again recommended principally for the community capital matching            
grants program.                                                                

2000-01-13                     Senate Journal                      Page 1964
SB 192                                                                       
I look forward to working with you to put together a responsible               
capital budget for the first year of the new millennium.                       
                                                                               
					Sincerely,                                                                
					/s/                                                                       
					Tony Knowles                                                              
					Governor