1998-02-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 2523
SB 303                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 303 BY THE SENATE 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 Health, Education and              
Social Services and Finance Committees.                                        
                                                                               
Fiscal note published today from University of Alaska.                         
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated February 12:                                
                                                                               
Dear President Miller:                                                         
                                                                               
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.           

1998-02-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 2524
SB 303                                                                       
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