2001-01-11                     Senate Journal                      Page 0054
SB 29                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 29 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                    
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "An Act making capital appropriations and                                                 
          capitalizing 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.                                      
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2001-01-11                     Senate Journal                      Page 0055
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 10:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting to you today my proposed capital budget for                                       
FY2002. Together with proposals for schools and major maintenance                                   
that you will receive separately, it represents a solid investment to                               
meet the most critical needs for Alaska's economic development and                                  
basic public services such as education, transportation and public                                  
protection.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
We must address needs such as critical deferred maintenance projects,                               
emergency communications equipment upgrades mandated by the                                         
federal government, water and sewer systems, and safety equipment                                   
for child protection and public safety personnel. This budget makes                                 
necessary investments in these basic areas as well as some strategic                                
economic development projects, such as the gasline development.                                     
                                                                                                    
This $1.2 billion capital appropriations bill includes $100.9 million in                            
general funds and $827.4 million in federal funds. AHFC capital funds                               
remain at $52 million and the $17.5 million AIDEA dividend is again                                 
recommended principally for the community capital matching grants                                   
program.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
I look forward to working with you to put together a responsible                                    
capital budget for the coming year.                                                                 
                                                                                                    
                                  Sincerely,                                                       
                                 /s/                                                                
                                 Tony Knowles                                                       
                                 Governor