2003-02-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 0226
SB 76                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 76 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                    
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "An Act making supplemental and other                                                     
          appropriations; amending appropriations; making                                           
          appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for                                     
          an effective date."                                                                       
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18:                                                    
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting to you today two supplemental appropriation bills                                 
for Fiscal Year 2003. Issues requiring attention on an expedited basis                              
are in a separate "fast track" bill. This bill includes supplemental needs                          
with less immediate timing requirements.                                                            
                                                                                                    
Initial projections by the Legislature were that the Administration                                 
would be requesting a $140 million general fund supplemental                                        
package. In contrast, we are submitting a combined package (both                                    
"fast track" and regular) that totals $63.3 million in general funds. This                          
is a result of our Administration's commitment to doing all we can to                               
manage programs within the budget approved by the Legislature.                                      

2003-02-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 0227
As you may recall, some of the supplemental requests are the result of                              
legislative decisions made last session in which low case formula                                   
projections were reduced and some programs, such as the Office of                                   
Public Advocacy and Public Defender Agency were not funded for a                                    
full-year.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
In some instances, we have been able to cover shortfalls in one area by                             
excess appropriations in another. For instance, based on current                                    
estimates of general funds needed for the foundation formula, $6.7                                  
million can be transferred to cover other supplemental needs. The                                   
general fund capitalization of the debt retirement fund may also be                                 
reduced for two reasons: 1) the amount available for school debt                                    
reimbursement from the public school fund is higher than anticipated,                               
and 2) the actual amount of school debt reimbursement is lower than                                 
anticipated.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
The Administration's goal is to limit future supplemental requests to                               
circumstances that were unanticipated and not within management's                                   
control. To that end, we look forward to working with you on the                                    
funding levels for the Fiscal Year 2004 operating budget.                                           
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor