2006-01-13                     Senate Journal                      Page 1895
SB 233                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 233 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
             "An Act making appropriations for capital projects;                                   
          and providing for an effective date."                                                     
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Stevens:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
The supplemental capital budget bill introduced today reflects the third                            
area of investment of the current year's revenue surplus.  This $129                                
million proposal for roads and deferred maintenance is in addition to                               
tapping 50 percent of the surplus to fund K-12 education next year and                              
saving $400 million to invest in the gas pipeline.                                                  
                                                                                                    
This legislation proposes to invest $86 million in transportation                                   
projects around the state.  Providing state funds instead of relying only                           
on federal funds will shorten the construction timeframe so that                                    

2006-01-13                     Senate Journal                      Page 1896
Alaskans will get the benefit from these improvements sooner rather                                 
than later.  These projects build on my transportation initiative that the                          
Legislature approved last session.                                                                  
                                                                                                    
In addition, the bill proposes to invest $43 million to start meeting the                           
deferred maintenance needs of state facilities and programs.                                        
                                                                                                    
I look forward to working with the Legislature on meeting these and                                 
other priorities this session.                                                                      
                                                                                                    
Sincerely yours,                                                                                    
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor