1993-01-15                     Senate Journal                      Page 0072
SB 48                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 48 by the Senate Rules Committee by request                    
of the Governor, entitled:                                                     
                                                                               
"An Act making a supplemental appropriation for                               
certain elections for regional educational attendance                          
area school boards and coastal resource service area                           
boards; and providing for an effective date."                                  
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional             
Affairs Committee, the Health, Education and Social Services                   
Committee and the Finance Committee.                                           
                                                                               
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 15:                                
                                                                               
Dear President Halford:                                                        
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution,          
I am transmitting a bill making a supplemental appropriation for               
$90,000 to the Office of the Governor, Division of Elections, to               
conduct   the   March 2, 1993  election   for  regional  educational           
  attendance area school boards and coastal resource service area              
boards.                                                                        
                                                                               

1993-01-15                     Senate Journal                      Page 0073
SB 48                                                                        
The division of elections is required by statute to conduct elections          
for the regional educational attendance area school boards and                 
coastal resources service area boards.  The next election is set by            
court order for March 2, 1993.                                                 
                                                                               
Due to unanticipated expenses this year regarding reapportionment              
matters, the division of elections has run out of money to conduct             
the election.  In order to properly conduct the elections and pay for          
printing and distribution of the ballot and necessary material, this           
supplemental appropriation must be enacted into law no later than              
February1, 1993.  Absentee balloting for the election is scheduled             
to begin February15, 1993.                                                     
                                                                               
Without this supplemental appropriation, this important state election         
is in jeopardy.  The state also could suffer adverse consequences              
with the federal government concerning compliance with the Federal             
Voting Rights Act.  Finally and most importantly, the people of                
Alaska could be deprived of their statutory right to elected                   
representation on these boards if the election cannot be held due to           
a lack of funding.                                                             
                                                                               
I urge your prompt consideration and passage of this important                 
legislation.                                                                   
                                                                               
      Sincerely,                                                               
      /s/                                                                      
      Walter J. Hickel                                                         
      Governor