2006-01-13                     House Journal                      Page 2264
HB 362                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 362 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act increasing the base student allocation used in the formula                             
     for state financing of public education; and providing for an                                  
     effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development                                                  
2.  Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development                                                  
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 13, 2006, follows:                                  
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill that would raise the base student allocation for                                
students attending public school grade levels kindergarten through 12                               
(K-12) beginning in fiscal year 2007.  Under the bill, the base student                             
allocation would increase from $4,919 to $5,352 on July 1, 2006, an                                 
approximately 8.8 percent increase over last year.  This is the fourth                              
increase in the base student allocation since 2003, when the allocation                             
was $4,010.  These four increases amount to a 33 percent increase                                   
during this Administration.                                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
This bill is an important element of my continuing effort to finance K-                             
12 public education at a level that meets the increased costs our school                            
districts have experienced over the last several years.  This increase in                           
the base student allocation will add approximately $90 million to the                               
state financing of public education, bringing the total state contribution                          
to $928,087,440.                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2006-01-13                     House Journal                      Page 2265
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure, for the sake                               
of Alaska's public schools and our children.                                                        
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                Governor"