2006-01-13                     House Journal                      Page 2276
on federal funds will shorten the construction timeframe so that                                    
Alaskans will get the benefit from these improvements sooner rather                                 
than later.  These projects build on my transportation initiative that the                          
Legislature approved last session.                                                                  
                                                                                                    
In addition, the bill proposes to invest $43 million to start meeting the                           
deferred maintenance needs of state facilities and programs.                                        
                                                                                                    
I look forward to working with the Legislature on meeting these and                                 
other priorities this session.                                                                      
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                Governor"                                                          
                                                                                                    
HB 371                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 371 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to a community dividend program; and providing                                
     for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional                                    
Affairs and Finance Committees.                                                                     
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Revenue                                                                          
2.  Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community & Economic Development                                     
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 13, 2006, follows:                                  
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill relating to a community dividend program.                                       
                                                                                                    
This bill would establish the community dividend program, under                                     
which several types of grants would be awarded to municipalities for