1998-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2329
HB 410                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 410 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act relating to scholarships to attend the University of                  
Alaska; and providing for an effective date."                                  
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Health,          
Education & Social Services Committees.                                        
                                                                               
The following fiscal note applies:                                             
                                                                               
Fiscal note, University of Alaska, 2/16/98                                     

1998-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2330
HB 410                                                                       
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 12, 1998, appears             
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                        
                                                                               
I am pleased to send you this bill establishing the Alaska Scholars            
Program.  The program will provide incentives for Alaska high school           
students to achieve academic excellence and to choose to remain in             
Alaska in pursuit of higher education at the University of Alaska.             
                                                                               
Under the Alaska Scholars Program, scholarships would be awarded to            
the top 10 percent of Alaska high school graduates to attend the               
University of Alaska.  A recipient could receive the scholarship for up        
to four years, provided he or she is successfully completing a full time       
certificate or degree program.                                                 
                                                                               
The University of Alaska would administer the program with                     
appropriations deposited into a separate university fund that could be         
used for no other purpose.  This program is designed to allow                  
recipients to also benefit from available federal tax credits.                 
                                                                               
I am introducing this legislation as a compliment to my Quality                
Schools initiative which will improve Alaska's public school system            
through required standards and testing, help for deficient schools,            
enhanced funding under a revised foundation formula, and by                    
addressing the backlog of school maintenance and construction needs.           
Together, these bills form a package aimed at a common goal:                   
providing quality education from kindergarten through post-secondary           
schools that will offer Alaska's children every possible opportunity to        
succeed in their lives.  Not only do we want to offer our kids a great         
education, we want them to stay in Alaska to help build the state's            
future.                                                                        
                                                                               
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                       
                                                                               
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"