1994-01-14                     House Journal                      Page 2062
HB 370                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 370 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program              
expenses of state government and 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 14, 1994, appears             
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Barnes:                                                          
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am     
transmitting legislation making appropriations for operating and loan          
program expenses for fiscal year 1995.                                         
                                                                               
As in past years, I am introducing two appropriation bills:  one for the       
"agency operations" part of government, and one that appropriates the          
funding necessary to meet the costs of formula-funded programs.  This          
"agency operations" bill provides funding for the many programs that           
provide services to Alaskans, as well as the Legislative Branch and            
Court System, and is a 1 percent decrease from what we are spending            
on these programs this year.                                                   
                                                                               
In putting together the fiscal year 1995 operating budget, my                  
overriding concern was to focus on the state meeting its basic and             
traditional responsibilities to its citizens.  Since there is no more basic    
responsibility than protecting the life and property of Alaskans, the          
state has an obligation to see that law enforcement is adequately              
funded.                                                                        

1994-01-14                     House Journal                      Page 2063
HB 370                                                                       
My budget meets this obligation:                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
	*Almost $1.2 million in increased funding is targeted                        
for the Alaska State Troopers so they can better                             
respond to Alaskans in need;                                                 
                                                                               
	*An additional $1.1 million is proposed to maintain the                      
state's ability to prosecute and defend indigent criminals; and              
                                                                               
*Over $.7 million in increased funding is proposed for                       
the Department of Corrections to ensure Alaska's                             
overcrowded prisons will remain secure.                                      
                                                                               
                                                                               
Another basic service the state must provide its citizens is ensuring the      
safety of the state's roads.  To meet this $6.6 million in additional          
funding is provided in this bill.                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
Included in this bill is the Alaska Court System Budget as submitted           
to our office.                                                                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
The challenge to meet the basic needs of Alaskans will grow more               
difficult as the state's oil revenues decline.  I look forward to working      
with the Legislature in meeting this challenge.                                
                                                                               
                                                                               
Additional information pertaining to the appropriations requested in           
this bill are being furnished to the Legislature by my Office of               
Management and Budget.                                                         
                                                                               
With best regards.                                                             
                                                                               
											Sincerely,                                                          
                                                                               
											/s/                                                                 
                                                                               
											Walter J. Hickel                                                    
 											Governor"