2002-01-18                     Senate Journal                      Page 1981
SB 247                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 247 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "An Act making capital appropriations and                                                 
          reappropriations, and capitalizing 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."                                       
                                                                                                    

2002-01-18                     Senate Journal                      Page 1982
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 16:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting to you today my proposed capital budget for                                       
FY2003. When considered with bills you will receive separately, to                                  
finance schools and deferred maintenance, and proposals I submitted                                 
last year for accelerated transportation and harbor projects, the fiscal                            
year 2003 capital package will be a solid investment to build Alaska's                              
future. The projects support economic development as well as basic                                  
public services such as education, transportation and public protection.                            
                                                                                                    
This $925 million capital appropriations bill includes $114 million in                              
general funds, the same level as in FY2002. Approximately $60                                       
million of that amount is to match federal funds, particularly for                                  
transportation and water/sewer projects throughout the state.  The                                  
budget bill also includes $681 million in federal funds and $130                                    
million in funds from other sources such as the Alaska Housing                                      
Finance Corporation, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export                                   
Authority, and the Alaska International Airport System.                                             
                                                                                                    
Alaska's businesses and communities depend on an adequate and                                       
well-maintained public infrastructure. The combination of annual                                    
capital appropriations and longer-term financing I propose this year                                
will help address those needs in a fiscally responsible manner.                                     
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Tony Knowles                                                                                        
Governor