2005-02-09                     House Journal                      Page 0271
HB 135                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 135 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act making supplemental appropriations, capital                                            
     appropriations, other appropriations, and reappropriations;                                    
     amending appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize                                   
     funds; and providing for an effective date."                                                   
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
A spreadsheet from the Office of the Governor, Office of Management                                 
and Budget, pertaining to the supplemental requests was submitted.                                  
The spreadsheet also applies to HB 79 and HB 134.                                                   
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 7, 2005, follows:                                  
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Today I am transmitting two supplemental appropriation bills for                                    
Fiscal Year 2005.  This bill, sometimes referred to as the "fast track"                             
supplemental bill, includes items that have particularly tight time                                 
requirements that are not accommodated by the usual passage of                                      
supplemental appropriations later in the spring.                                                    
                                                                                                    
The "fast track" supplemental totals $97 million in general funds.  Our                             
management goal was to include requests for circumstances that were                                 
not within the departments' control or were unanticipated when the FY                               
2005 budget was finalized, such as the small community energy                                       
assistance program, gasline costs, and Medicaid increases.                                          
                                                                                                    
In addition, we are requesting federal funds of $99 million primarily                               
for Medicaid and transportation projects that are ready to go to bid for                            
the upcoming construction season.                                                                   
                                                                                                    
I request that you put this bill on a "fast track" for final action in early                        
March.                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"