2005-01-18                     House Journal                      Page 0089
that are most vulnerable.  We are again proposing additional resources                              
and staff to the Office of Children's Services so that we can continue                              
our commitment to protect Alaska's most at-risk children.                                           
                                                                                                    
We are proposing to increase state financial support for our K-12                                   
educational system.  If approved by the Legislature, the per student                                
amount will have increased 29 percent during this administration,                                   
which reflects our commitment to ensure that those in school today                                  
will be fully prepared to enter tomorrow's job market.  We also will                                
propose that we use some of the current year's windfall to help pay for                             
this increase for the next two years.                                                               
                                                                                                    
As we look to the state's fiscal future, we are very mindful of our                                 
challenge to ensure that state government and the services it delivers                              
to Alaskans is fiscally sound between now and when the gasline is in                                
service in 2012.  Natural resource development represents this                                      
administration's long-term fiscal solution.  The fiscal challenge we                                
face between now and then is real, and we cannot procrastinate our                                  
way to fiscal security.  I urge the Legislature to either pass the fiscal                           
plan I presented last year or come up with one of its own.  The time to                             
act is now while we enjoy good economic times.                                                      
                                                                                                    
Our administration's Fiscal Year 2006 operating budget and other                                    
proposals will help create the kind of Alaska in which Alaskans can                                 
fulfill their tremendous potential and achieve their dreams.  By our                                
working together on what I believe to be a shared vision for the future,                            
it will mean every Alaskan can have hope for what the future will                                   
bring, instead of simply hoping for a future.                                                       
                                                                                                    
To these ends, I look forward to working with the Legislature.                                      
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 68                                                                                             
HOUSE BILL NO. 68 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                        
the Governor, entitled: