Legislature(2019 - 2020)
2019-05-16 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2019-05-16 House Journal Page 1089 HB 1001 HOUSE BILL NO. 1001 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act making appropriations for public education and transportation of students; repealing appropriations; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The Governor's transmittal letter dated May 16 follows: 2019-05-16 House Journal Page 1090 "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to appropriate money to fund education for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 2020). Attorney General Kevin G. Clarkson issued a formal Attorney General Opinion on May 8, 2019 concluding that the appropriation in last year's HB 287 that attempted to appropriate future revenues for education in FY 2020 is unconstitutional. Despite this opinion, neither the operating nor the capital budgets have included any funding for FY 2020 education by the legislature. Education is one of the most important obligations of the State, and it is vital that we have constitutionally valid funding to send out to school districts come July 1. As it stands right now, that does not exist, and we cannot rely on an unconstitutional appropriation. This bill provides the appropriation necessary to ensure the State can legally distribute funds for education. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Michael J. Dunleavy Governor"