1997-07-10                     Senate Journal                      Page 2087
SB 68                                                                        
Message dated June 11 and received June 12, stating:                           
                                                                               
Dear President Miller:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. II, sec. 15, of the Alaska Constitution, I         
have vetoed the following bill:                                                
                                                                               
HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO.                                           
68(STA)                                                                        
An Act relating to the Task Force on Privatization;                           
and providing for an effective date.                                           
                                                                               
I agree state operations should be reviewed and functions identified           
where privatization may make sense from a financial and public                 
policy perspective.  In fact, many state departments have been                 
undertaking such evaluations as part of our continued effort to                
deliver public services more efficiently and effectively.                      
                                                                               
However, the form and approach taken by this legislation is flawed.            
Although reviews such as this are within the purview of the                    
Legislature, the usual mechanism to establish a legislative task force         
is by resolution, not by bill,  with membership consisting exclusively         
of legislators and legislative appointees.  This bill raises a separation      
of powers question by inappropriately mixing executive and                     
legislative appointments.                                                      
                                                                               
                                                                               

1997-07-10                     Senate Journal                      Page 2088
SB 68                                                                        
Furthermore, the bill mandates the type of representation of two of            
the governors three appointments on the proposed 13-person task                
force, foreclosing meaningful participation by the Administration.             
Additional problems with the bill include the conveyance to the task           
force of the power to administer oaths--a power normally reserved              
only to standing committees of the Legislature.                                
                                                                               
I do not want my veto of this bill to indicate in any way a lessening          
of the Administrations commitment to examine privatization                     
possibilities.  I will direct my cabinet to continue to examine                
functions they administer that may be more appropriately handled by            
or contracted to the private sector.  Additionally, the Administration         
stands ready to cooperate and to provide available information to any          
committee or task force the legislative leadership may appoint to              
review possible privatization opportunities.                                   
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor