Legislature(2015 - 2016)
2015-09-10 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2015-09-10 Senate Journal Page 1439 SB 26 Message dated June 29 was received stating: Dear President Meyer: On this date, I have signed, with line item vetoes, the following bill passed by the First Regular Session of the Twenty-Ninth Alaska State Legislature and am transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for permanent filing: HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 26(FIN) am H "An Act making and amending appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date." Chapter 38, SLA 2015 [Effective Date: See Chapter] As passed by the Legislature, the bill contains capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations for fiscal years 2015 and 2016, totaling $1.57 billion, including $156.4 million in unrestricted general funds. This capital budget is at the lowest level in several years. Despite this, the capital budget will fund important priorities, such as transportation construction and maintenance, water systems, renewable energy 2015-09-10 Senate Journal Page 1440 projects, and Arctic policy leadership. I am committed to a responsible capital budget to encourage growth and needed development within our current fiscal restraints. Through the line item veto, I have made changes to this bill as follows: Section 21(b), page 37, lines 18 - 21, proposes to reappropriate the unexpended and unobligated balance, estimated to be $875,000, of the appropriation made in sec. 1, ch. 16, SLA 2013, page 75, lines 9 - 12 (Department of Public Safety, new Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) transitional contract support - $875,000) to the Alaska Housing Capital Corporation account. These funds should remain with the Department of Public Safety for the intended purpose rather than be redirected to the Alaska Housing Capital Corporation account. Section 37(b), page 49, lines 1 - 10, proposes to reappropriate the unexpended and unobligated general fund balances, not to exceed $175,000, of the appropriations made in sec. 1, ch. 16, SLA 2014, page 41, line 26 (Office of the Governor, commissions/special offices - $2,550,700), sec. 1, ch. 16, SLA 2014, page 41, line 28 (Office of the Governor, executive operations - $18,581,600), sec. 1, ch. 16, SLA 2014, page 42, lines 8 - 9 (Office of the Governor, Office of the Governor state facilities rent - $1,171,800), sec. 1, ch. 16, SLA 2014, page 42, line 13 (Office of the Governor, office of management and budget - $2,682,800), and sec. 1, ch. 16, SLA 2014, page 42, line 16 (Office of the Governor, elections - $7,762,000) to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development for payment as a grant under AS 37.05.316 to Arctic Power for promoting Arctic energy issues. The administration will look for a more effective approach to meeting the intended purpose of this expenditure. Section 41(d)(27), page 54, lines 12 - 14, proposes to reappropriate the unexpended and unobligated balance, estimated to be $1,200,000, made in sec. 10, ch. 29, SLA 2008, page 32, lines 9 - 11 (Department of Administration, AOGCC reservoir depletion studies prior to major gas sales - $1,500,000) to the Alaska Housing Capital Corporation account. These funds should stay with the Department of Administration, AOGCC, for the intended purpose of critical reservoir depletion studies rather than be redirected to the Alaska Housing Capital Corporation account. 2015-09-10 Senate Journal Page 1441 Section 41(d)(91), page 60, lines 6 - 8, proposes to reappropriate the unexpended and unobligated balance of the appropriation made in sec. 1, ch. 18, SLA 2014, page 50, lines 20 - 22 (Department of Education and Early Development, Alaska digital teaching initiative three-year demonstration project - $4,000,000) to the Alaska Housing Capital Corporation account. This reappropriation duplicates that made in sec. 21(a); therefore, for clarity, I am vetoing this item (but not the appropriation made in sec. 21(a)). Section 41(d)(92), page 60, lines 9 - 11, proposes to reappropriate the unexpended and unobligated balance, estimated to be $120,000, made in sec. 1, ch. 18, SLA 2014, page 56, line 3, and allocated on page 56, lines 6 - 8 (Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, armory facilities projects, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson facilities projects - $2,350,000). These funds should stay with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for the intended purpose rather than be redirected to the Alaska Housing Capital Corporation account. My administration will continue to work with the Legislature to develop budgets to keep the State's fiscal position strong, our prospects bright, and Alaska a vibrant northern hub of activity and development. Sincerely, /s/ Bill Walker Governor