2001-07-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1874
In signing this bill aimed at assisting Alaska victims of crime, I must                             
sadly note the worthwhile program it establishes will start off at risk                             
due to underfunding. The legislature recognizes the great value of                                  
helping victims collect their court ordered restitution, but neglects to                            
fully fund the resources to perform this task to its maximum potential.                             
Of the $305,000 requested for the Department of Law to set up the                                   
collection service, only $200,000 was granted.                                                      
                                                                                                    
In addition, the legislature refused to fund the Department of                                      
Corrections' mandate to furnish new and expanded information on                                     
inmates for the purposes of Permanent Fund dividend denial. The                                     
effort must be worthwhile because the legislature intends to fund an                                
Office of Victim's Rights with the denied dividend money. Yet                                       
allowing the department its relatively small funding request to fulfill                             
this mission was ignored. How disheartening that we continue to                                     
establish new programs with the expectation they can be implemented                                 
at zero cost.                                                                                       
                                                                                                    
       Sincerely,                                                                                   
       /s/                                                                                          
       Tony Knowles                                                                                 
       Governor                                                                                     
                                                                                                    
SB 88                                                                                             
Message dated and received July 5, stating:                                                         
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. II, sec. 15, of the Alaska Constitution, I                              
have vetoed the following bill:                                                                     
                                                                                                    
           SENATE BILL NO. 88 am H "An Act relating to                                              
           metropolitan planning organizations and to                                               
           establishment of a metropolitan planning                                                 
           organization for the Anchorage metropolitan area;                                        
           and providing for an effective date."