2001-07-20                     House Journal                      Page 1924
HB 177                                                                                            
The following letter, dated July 11, 2001, was received:                                            
                                                                                                    

2001-07-20                     House Journal                      Page 1925
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. II, sec. 15, of the Alaska Constitution, I                              
have vetoed the following bill:                                                                     
                                                                                                    
      SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 177(RLS) AM S                                             
      "An Act regulating nongroup entities and certain tax-exempt                                   
      organizations under Alaska's election campaign finance statutes;                              
      and requiring disclosure of the true source of campaign                                       
      contributions."                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Alaska has one of the strongest and best crafted campaign finance                                   
laws in the country.  It should be viewed and respected as such and not                             
amended piecemeal based on reaction to individual, specific political                               
interests.  This bill takes an unwise approach to our campaign finance                              
laws, targeting and treating differently one entity that is clearly                                 
permitted by the law and courts to participate in elections.                                        
                                                                                                    
I generally support the expanded requirements for public disclosure of                              
campaign finances included in this bill, but it goes too far in restricting                         
campaign activities.  According to the law and, as recognized by the                                
Alaska Supreme Court, certain qualifying nonprofit corporations and                                 
other entities whose primary mission is to disseminate political ideas                              
rather than engage in business have a right to participate in election                              
activities.  This bill unnecessarily restricts how those groups may                                 
disburse funds and is inconsistent with current campaign finance laws                               
regarding individual and group contribution levels.                                                 
                                                                                                    
Our campaign finance laws must balance principles of fairness with                                  
encouraging citizen participation in elections.  This bill upsets that                              
balance.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
                                            Sincerely,                                             
                                          /s/                                                       
                                          Tony Knowles                                              
                                             Governor"