Legislature(1993 - 1994)
1993-01-22 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1993-01-22 Senate Journal Page 0128 SB 60 SENATE BILL NO. 60 by the Senate Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act making appropriations for construction and major maintenance of schools; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services Committee and the Finance Committee. Fiscal note from Department of Revenue and zero fiscal note from Department of Transportation and Public Facilities published today. Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22: 1993-01-22 Senate Journal Page 0129 SB 60 Dear Mr. President: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill making $150,000,000 in capital appropriations for construction and major maintenance of Alaska's public schools. Section 1 of the bill appropriates $107,688,000 to the school construction grant fund to finance life, health, and safety construction projects in our public schools which are necessary to avert imminent dangers. These appropriations will fulfill the existing backlog of this category of needs, plus fund several other essential capital projects to help meet projected student enrollment increases in the near future. Section 2 of the bill appropriates $42,312,000 to a major maintenance grant fund to finance costs of certain repairs to many of our public schools. These appropriations are cost-effective because making repairs now can often avoid major rebuilding or construction costs later. Also, some of the projects may make the schools more energy efficient, which will likely have long-term energy savings for the state. The appropriation amounts in both secs. 1 and 2 of the bill assume that the local community will financially participate in each project in order to fully fund it. Requiring a local community participating share should allow limited state dollars to go farther in financing capital needs in our public schools. Such a requirement also may increase local community interest in the size, design, and cost of the overall project and in prioritizing the project against other community needs for state funding. The need for additional capital money has been supported by the state Board of Education. I urge support, as well, for these important projects. 1993-01-22 Senate Journal Page 0130 SB 60 Finally, while some may question the use of the earnings reserve account in the permanent fund for these projects, I can see no higher use for this money than to improve our public schools in order to provide quality educational facilities for our children. Alaska's children deserve the finest to help them learn to their greatest capacities. Sincerely, /s/ Walter J. Hickel Governor