2006-01-13                     House Journal                      Page 2273
HB 368                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 368 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations                                
     and appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an                                   
     effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 11, 2006, follows:                                  
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
The capital budget bill delivered today contains my proposal for the                                
2007 fiscal year.                                                                                   
                                                                                                    
Overall, the capital budget totals $1.7 billion of which $1.1 billion will                          
be supported by federal funds.  Of this, $873 million in federal                                    
transportation funds are proposed for road, highway, ferry, and airport                             
projects throughout Alaska.  Another $95 million is proposed for a                                  
variety of University of Alaska projects, including $57 million to                                  
complete the Integrated Science Facility in Anchorage.  A major                                     
source of the funding for the University's projects is proceeds from                                

2006-01-13                     House Journal                      Page 2274
refinancing bonds issued by the Northern Tobacco Securitization                                     
Corporation.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
Developing Alaska's natural resources continues to be my                                            
administration's major priority.  This includes getting Alaska's                                    
transportation infrastructure ready for gas pipeline construction, doing                            
further geologic work, and providing access to resources around the                                 
state through the "Roads to Resources" program.                                                     
                                                                                                    
The Fiscal Year 2007 capital budget also includes $132 million in                                   
state funds for a major transportation initiative, which includes Juneau                            
Access funding of $45 million and $50 million to extend the Alaska                                  
Railroad from Delta to the Canadian border.                                                         
                                                                                                    
In other legislation I will be proposing that $86 million of the current                            
year's surplus also be used for transportation projects that meet local                             
community transportation priorities, as well as $43 million to meet                                 
deferred maintenance needs of state facilities and programs.                                        
                                                                                                    
I look forward to working closely with this Legislature to jointly craft                            
a capital budget that provides Alaska residents essential state services                            
and creates good jobs for hard working Alaskans.                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                Governor"