2007-01-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 0054
SB 52                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 52 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                                
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act making appropriations for state aid to public                                                                 
          schools, centralized correspondence study, and                                                                        
          transportation of pupils; and providing for an                                                                        
          effective date."                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 17:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Green:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The K-12 education budget bill that I am transmitting to you today                                                              
fully funds K-12 education for Fiscal Year 2008.  In addition, I have                                                           
included $35 million in general funds to maintain the same level of                                                             
funding to school districts as was received in Fiscal Year 2007 for a                                                           
$24 million cost factor adjustment and $11 million for school                                                                   
improvement grants.  I have also added $207.4 million in general                                                                
funds for the Fiscal Year 2008 estimated retirement systems' cost                                                               
increases to school districts.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Education funding is a priority of my administration.  I look forward                                                           
to working with you to secure quick passage of this budget bill.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Sarah Palin                                                                                                                     
Governor