2008-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 1714
HB 311                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 311 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         

2008-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 1715
     "An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations,                                                           
     supplemental appropriations, and 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 January 15, 2008, follows:                                                              
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The capital budget bill that I am transmitting to you today represents a                                                        
significant investment in expanding and improving Alaska's                                                                      
infrastructure.  The bill contains nearly $758 million for                                                                      
transportation-related projects, including $262 million for the airport                                                         
improvement program, $237 million for the surface transportation                                                                
program and $115 million for statewide federal programs.  The Alaska                                                            
Student Loan Corporation's final installment of the return of initial                                                           
organizational capital is included in this budget bill and is reflected as                                                      
$60 million in bond proceeds that fund deferred maintenance projects                                                            
in eleven agencies.   The Susitna Valley High School replacement                                                                
project and 20 school major maintenance projects comprise nearly                                                                
$100 million.  In addition, the University of Alaska will receive $40                                                           
million for deferred maintenance projects statewide.  Water and                                                                 
wastewater infrastructure projects total $121 million.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The capital budget also contains my municipal revenue sharing                                                                   
proposal of $75 million, an increase of $26.3 million from FY2008.  In                                                          
addition, the budget funds nearly $37 million of information                                                                    
technology projects with an FY2008 effective date in order to utilize                                                           
$29 million of the FY2008 general fund surplus.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
I believe that this capital budget is a responsible approach to                                                                 
addressing the needs of Alaskans.  I look forward to working with the                                                           
Legislature to secure passage of this bill.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                Sincerely,                                                                                     
                                /s/                                                                                             
                               Sarah Palin                                                                                     
                                Governor"