1996-01-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 2226
SB 244                                                                       
To that end, this bill increases the instructional units of a qualifying       
district by multiplying its units by a percentage between six and 12.          
The smaller the district, the higher the percentage multiplier.  More          
instruction units translates into more state aid.  This simple revision        
corrects a longstanding problem, and obviates the need for the annual          
battle for single site appropriations. It is time to let the single site       
districts go home and redirect their efforts to where they are needed          
most, to children in the classroom.                                            
                                                                               
This bill is the result of many hours of work by the public,                   
including those citizens who served on the Task Force on School                
Funding, and the State Board of Education.  As my administration               
continues to explore better ways to fund our schools, this legislation         
represents a favorable step toward addressing two immediate                    
concerns.  I urge your prompt and favorable action on this bill.               
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor                                                                 
                                                                               
SB 245                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 245 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act relating to best interest findings for oil and                         
gas lease sales for the area onshore and north of the                          
Umiat baseline.                                                                
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance              
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note published today from Department of Natural                    
Resources.                                                                     
                                                                               
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 26:                                
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution,          
I  am  transmitting a bill  that streamlines the process for annual oil