2000-05-04                     Senate Journal                      Page 3738
SB 3001                                                                      
SENATE BILL NO. 3001 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                             
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act appropriating amounts to cover the fiscal year 2001                    
monetary terms of the collective bargaining agreements for                     
employees of the University of Alaska and the fiscal year                      
2001 salary and benefit adjustments for university employees                   
who are not members of a collective bargaining unit;                           
appropriating amounts to cover the fiscal year 2001                            
monetary terms of all executive branch collective bargaining                   
agreements and the fiscal year 2001 salary and benefit                         
adjustments for elected officials, officers, and employees of                  
the legislative, judicial, and executive branches who are not                  
members of a collective bargaining unit; and providing for                     
an effective date.                                                             
                                                                               

2000-05-04                     Senate Journal                      Page 3739
SB 3001                                                                      
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                 
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated May 4, 2000:                                
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
I am transmitting two bills to this third special session of the               
Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Alaska which provide                  
necessary appropriations and statutory authorizations to honor our             
collective bargaining agreements and to extend similar provisions to           
non-covered employees in the executive, legislative, and judicial              
branches.                                                                      
                                                                               
I believe these modest increases are fair. The yearly increases of             
approximately 2%, 2% and 3% are far below most federal and local               
government contracts. In response to recent low oil revenues, last             
year state workers had no increase and for the last four years had             
increases less than half the cost of living. We all know it is                 
necessary to keep state compensation competitive in an environment             
where private, federal and local employers have made significantly             
larger gains. Each day these dedicated state employees provide vital           
services to keep the public safe and healthy, and keep state services          
functioning efficiently. Some are even called upon to risk their lives         
in service to the state. I believe we all value the work that these            
men and women perform for all Alaskans.                                        
                                                                               
The appropriations in this bill use the same wide variety of fund              
sources which currently finance state government, such as federal              
funds, general funds and corporate receipts. The Administration will           
work with the Legislature to look for fund sources which could                 
reduce the need for general funds.                                             
                                                                               
Now that the other business of the regular session has been                    
concluded, there is an opportunity to focus on the contracts. I will           
work with you to achieve a swift and successful conclusion to this             
special session.                                                               
                                                                               
					Sincerely,                                                                
					/s/                                                                       
					Tony Knowles                                                              
					Governor