Legislature(2003 - 2004)
2004-01-12 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2004-01-12 House Journal Page 2302 HB 376 HOUSE BILL NO. 376 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act making capital appropriations and supplemental appropriations; capitalizing funds; making other appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2004-01-12 House Journal Page 2303 The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 9, 2004, follows: "Dear Speaker Kott: The capital budget bill delivered today contains my proposal for the 2005 fiscal year. Overall, the capital budget totals $1.4 billion of which $1.3 billion is federal funds. As you know, a capital budget is how state government meets its most basic responsibilities to citizens, such as safe transportation infrastructure and protecting the public's health. For Fiscal Year 2005, the capital budget proposes to spend $977 million in federal transportation funds for road, highway, ferry, and airport projects throughout Alaska. An area of major investment in protecting the public's health is water and sewer projects. A total of $89 million is proposed for water, sewer, and solid waste projects. Of this amount, $62 million is federal funding. Grants for municipal projects total $8 million and $79 million is proposed for village safe water projects. In comparing the proposed capital budget to the current year, the overall proposed total spending is $124 million higher. Spending of general funds has decreased $45 million, while spending of other state funds is down $102 million. Federal funds have increased $270 million. In addition to maximizing federal funds, the administration is making every effort to identify ways to leverage limited state funds. Using the bond capacity of state corporations is one way to stretch state dollars, continue to meet traditional responsibilities, and at the same time prudently save the state's reserves while we work on new revenue from resource development. To this end, the Fiscal Year 2005 budget relies on $100 million in corporation issued bond proceeds. The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation will use its general obligation debt capacity to sell $25 million in bonds that primarily will be used to finance water and sewer projects. 2004-01-12 House Journal Page 2304 Another $75 million will come from the sale of bonds by the Alaska Student Loan Corporation (ASLC) as part of a multi-year plan by which ASLC will repay the state for its initial investment of $300 million in student loan programs. The proposal reflects its desire to assist the state in bridging the current fiscal gap. This proposal will have no impact on student loan programs. Additional bond issues are planned for 2005 and 2006. ASLC plans to repay the state up to $260 million by the end of FY 2007. I look forward to working closely with this Legislature to jointly craft a capital budget that efficiently provides Alaska residents essential state services at a cost that the state can afford over the long-term. Sincerely yours, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor"