2003-02-19                     House Journal                      Page 0249
HB 110                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 110 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act making supplemental and other appropriations; amending                                 
     appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and                                 
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18, 2003, follows:                                 
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting to you today two supplemental appropriation bills                                 
for Fiscal Year 2003.  Issues requiring attention on an expedited basis                             
are in a separate 'fast track' bill.  This bill includes supplemental needs                         
with less immediate timing requirements.                                                            
                                                                                                    
Initial projections by the Legislature were that the Administration                                 
would be requesting a $140 million general fund supplemental                                        
package. In contrast, we are submitting a combined package (both 'fast                              
track' and regular) that totals $63.3 million in general funds.  This is a                          
result of our Administration's commitment to doing all we can to                                    
manage programs within the budget approved by the Legislature.                                      
                                                                                                    
As you may recall, some of the supplemental requests are the result of                              
legislative decisions made last session in which low case formula                                   
projections were reduced and some programs, such as the Office of                                   
Public Advocacy and Public Defender Agency were not funded for a                                    
full year.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
In some instances, we have been able to cover shortfalls in one area by                             
excess appropriations in another. For instance, based on current                                    
estimates of general funds needed for the foundation formula, $6.7                                  
million can be transferred to cover other supplemental needs.  The                                  
general fund capitalization of the debt retirement fund may also be                                 
reduced for two reasons: 1) the amount available for school debt                                    
reimbursement from the public school fund is higher than anticipated,                               
and 2) the actual amount of school debt reimbursement is lower than                                 
anticipated.                                                                                        

2003-02-19                     House Journal                      Page 0250
The Administration's goal is to limit future supplemental requests to                               
circumstances that were unanticipated and not within management's                                   
control.  To that end, we look forward to working with you on the                                   
funding levels for the Fiscal Year 2004 operating budget.                                           
                                                                                                    
                                 Sincerely,                                                        
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"