1995-09-27                     House Journal                      Page 2329
realizing considerable savings to the state.                                   
                                                                               
                                                                               
Unfortunately, this very positive legislation was amended in the Senate        
during the final days of the legislative session and that amendment            
now warrants my veto.  The adopted change exempts the Alaska State             
Marine Highway System, both vessels and terminals, from the purview            
of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's Business Enterprise             
Program.  This program, in state statute since 1976, provides an               
opportunity for an individual who is blind or has other severe                 
disabilities to obtain gainful employment by operating a vending               
facility on state property.  However, the change embodied in HB 288            
undermines this program and the continued success of this training and         
employment opportunity for the blind and severely disabled.                    
                                                                               
                                                                               
I am distressed that two excellent provisions of state law will be lost        
with this veto.  Nonetheless, I cannot in good conscience sign HB 288          
knowing that the Business Enterprise Program is seriously weakened             
by this legislation.  With my veto, I am providing this administration         
an opportunity to positively address the concerns of the Marine                
Highway System while guaranteeing the continued success of the                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
HB 288                                                                       
Business Enterprise Program.  I am confident that it is possible to draft      
a mutually beneficial arrangement that will have the broad support of          
all affected parties.  Together we can design and implement a new              
partnership for the benefit of all Alaskans.                                   
                                                                               
									Sincerely,                                                            
									/s/                                                                   
									Tony Knowles                                                          
									Governor"                                                             
                                                                               
                                                                               
SB 71                                                                        
A message dated June 30, 1995, was received stating the Governor has           
signed the following bill and is transmitting the engrossed and enrolled       
copies to the Lieutenant Governor's office for permanent filing: