2000-01-14                     House Journal                      Page 1919
HB 285                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 285 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act making and amending appropriations for the operating                  
and loan program expenses of state government, for certain                     
programs, and to capitalize funds; making appropriations under art.            
IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the                  
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective             
date."                                                                         
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                 

2000-01-14                     House Journal                      Page 1920
HB 285                                                                       
**The presence of Representative Williams was noted.                           
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12, 2000, appears              
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
I call the Fiscal Year 2001 operating budget I am transmitting today           
"The Childrens Budget".  It would continue the progress we're                  
beginning to achieve with Smart Start: to reach zero tolerance for child       
abuse and neglect; to place children in loving foster families and             
permanent homes; and to ensure children's good health.  It would               
continue our progress in welfare reform with adequate day care so              
parents don't have to choose between earning a living and having their         
children cared for safely.  It would strengthen our Quality Schools            
initiatives and our University to help prepare our children for good           
jobs here in Alaska.                                                           
                                                                               
This budget proposes an increase of $98 million from last year's               
budget -- two-thirds of that for programs directly benefiting children         
and for education.  Some have asked if it's responsible to propose a           
general fund budget increase when we continue to face a fiscal gap.            
My answer: definitely.  First, because investments to protect children         
and improve education will help build strong families and save money           
tomorrow in reduced costs for welfare, crime, health care and prisons.         
Second, because I am also proposing that we address the revenue side           
of a balanced budget plan this session.  We must make the tough                
decisions necessary to offset the oil revenue decline we all knew would        
happen by raising other appropriate revenues.  There is no question            
that failure to act on a balanced budget plan until the last dollar of         
savings is spent will damage our economy and threaten our children's           
future.                                                                        
                                                                               
Even with my proposed "Children's Budget" investments, Alaska                  
would spend $1,647 less per person in today's general fund dollars than        
in Fiscal 1979 --  the year before the pipeline boom began.  We would          
still have a budget that's $134 million less than the one I inherited five     
years ago.                                                                     
                                                                               
                                                                               

2000-01-14                     House Journal                      Page 1921
HB 285                                                                       
I stand ready to work with you to make responsible choices for our             
children's sake.                                                               
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"