2005-03-04                     Senate Journal                      Page 0490
Very importantly, under the bill the commission would retain the                                    
authority to order affirmative action to correct unlawful discrimination                            
and to award "any appropriate relief" if it needs to innovate in order to                           
remedy an unusual case of discrimination.                                                           
                                                                                                    
By increasing the commission's discretion in handling complaints, the                               
bill would enable the commission to allocate its diminishing resources                              
to cases in which the commission could be the most effective in                                     
addressing and eliminating unlawful discrimination.  By streamlining                                
commission procedures, the bill would help contain costs and ensure                                 
that the procedures are equitable to both complainants and the persons,                             
businesses, labor organizations, and employment agencies charged                                    
before the commission with unlawful discrimination.                                                 
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this bill.                                               
                                                                                                    
Sincerely yours,                                                                                    
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                          Consideration of the Calendar                                          
                                                                                                    
                          Second Reading of Senate Bills                                         
                                                                                                    
SB 98                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 98 "An Act making supplemental appropriations,                                      
capital appropriations, other appropriations, and reappropriations;                                 
amending appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds;                                 
and providing for an effective date" was read the second time.                                      
                                                                                                    
Senator Wilken, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the                                  
adoption of the Finance Committee Substitute offered on page 461.                                   
Without objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 98(FIN) "An Act                                           
making supplemental appropriations, capital appropriations, and other                               
appropriations; amending appropriations; making appropriations to                                   
capitalize funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),                                  
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget                                 
reserve fund; and providing for an effective date" was adopted.