1994-02-09                     House Journal                      Page 2318
HB 455                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 455 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act making and amending operating and capital                             
appropriations and ratifying certain state expenditures; and                   
providing for an effective date."                                              
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter, dated February 9, 1994, appears             
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Barnes:                                                          
                                                                               
Under authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am         
transmitting a bill which makes miscellaneous supplemental                     
appropriations for fiscal year 1994 and prior years.  The legislation          
also reallocates current year funding in order to offset some of the           
projected shortfalls.                                                          
                                                                               
                                                                               
Supplemental appropriations in recent years have reached the $100              
million level.  My goal this year was to keep supplementals below the          
$40 million level and I am pleased that we have done this.  Nearly all         
the requested supplementals are for purposes not within the control of         
management.  Caseloads continue to increase in medical assistance              
programs and Longevity Bonus.  Student enrollment at schools                   
throughout the state continue to climb.  Fires break out which the state       
must fight to protect the life and property of Alaskans.  The state must       
respond to court ordered settlements and grievance awards.  We cannot          
pretend these costs are not there, nor can we turn away from meeting           
these responsibilities.                                                        
                                                                               
                                                                               
We continue to live in times of tight revenues.  I look forward to             
working with you on completing a sound financial plan for our state's          
future.