1998-05-08                     House Journal                      Page 3639
HB 380                                                                       
the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the Lieutenant           
Governor's office for permanent filing and the following chapter               
number was assigned:                                                           
                                                                               
Chapter No. 29, SLA 1998                                                      
Effective Date:  August 5, 1998                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
SB 307                                                                       
The following letter, dated May 7, 1998, was received:                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                        
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. II, sec. 15 of the Alaska Constitution, I have     
vetoed the following bill:                                                     
                                                                               
HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 307(RLS) am H                                    
"An Act relating to conditions for filling vacancies in the office of         
United States senator; and providing for an effective date."                   
                                                                               
This bill changes the way the Governor of Alaska may fill a vacancy            
in the office of United States senator by requiring the appointee be of        
the same political party as the person who vacated the office.  The            
qualifications a person must meet in order to serve as a United States         
senator are set out in the United States Constitution.  The Alaska             
Constitution places no further restrictions on the qualifications.  With       
this bill, the Legislature has politicized the process of selection.           
                                                                               
This change has the effect of excluding at least 75 percent of Alaskans        
from eligibility to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy as no one party in the          
state claims more than 25 percent of registered voters.  I believe the         
character of a person is far more important than party affiliation.  I see     
no reason to change the current practice for appointing U.S. Senate            
vacancies, which has historically served Alaskans well.                        
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"