2008-07-09                     Senate Journal                      Page 3145
SB 4002                                                                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 4002 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
               "An Act establishing the Alaska resource rebate                                                                 
              program and relating to the program; and providing                                                               
          for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Administration                                                                          
 Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                    
 Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Revenue                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated July 8:                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Green:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                                                      
transmitting a bill that proposes a special one-time "resource rebate"                                                          
payment in the amount of $1,200 to Alaskans.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
As fiscal year 2008 ended June 30th, the state found itself in unique                                                           
financial circumstances. Increased revenue flowing to the state from                                                            
taxes assured Alaskans a significant surplus. Billions of dollars have                                                          
been appropriated to savings accounts and funding priorities like                                                               
education and municipal revenue sharing have been met.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The special one-time payment in the amount of $1,200 proposed under                                                             
this bill would allow Alaskans, as the owners of the resources, to                                                              
decide how to spend a portion of excess revenue from those resources.                                                           
This may include addressing the higher energy costs they are                                                                    
experiencing, whether by off-setting fuel purchases or making                                                                   
improvements to increase energy efficiency.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
My hope is payments to Alaskans could start being mailed in the form                                                            
of checks as soon as September, 2008.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2008-07-09                     Senate Journal                      Page 3146
I would also note that work continues on a statewide plan to reduce                                                             
energy costs, promote energy conservation, and secure long term                                                                 
energy supply solutions for each region of the state. The results are                                                           
expected by the end of the year and I look forward to working with                                                              
you on these issues.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on the bill.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Sarah Palin                                                                                                                     
Governor