2008-07-09                     Senate Journal                      Page 3143
SB 4001                                                                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 4001 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act making supplemental appropriations, capital                                                                   
          appropriations, reappropriations, and other                                                                           
          appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize a                                                                 
          fund; and providing for an effective date."                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated July 8:                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Green:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                

2008-07-09                     Senate Journal                      Page 3144
Today I am transmitting to you the appropriation bill referenced in the                                                         
call for the second special session for the Alaska Gasline Inducement                                                           
Act (AGIA). Legislative approval of the AGIA licensee will require                                                              
funds for the inducement, implementation costs, job training for                                                                
Alaskans, in-state gas use, and the infrastructure necessary for gas                                                            
pipeline construction.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The appropriation bill totals nearly $377 million and includes the                                                              
following:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     · $164.0 million to fully capitalize the $500 million AGIA                                                                 
          reimbursement fund when combined with reappropriation of                                                              
          the $300 million, plus an estimated $36 million in interest,                                                          
          from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation into the AGIA                                                             
          reimbursement fund;                                                                                                   
     · $31.0 million for planning and design of necessary                                                                       
          improvements to the Dalton, Elliott, Richardson, Alaska, and                                                          
          Haines Highways;                                                                                                      
     · $75.4 million for Dalton Highway reconstruction;                                                                         
     · $23.5 million for Haines Highway reconstruction, realignment                                                             
          and Chilkat River Bridge replacement;                                                                                 
     · $42.7 million for workforce development activities;                                                                      
     · $25.0 million for the Alaska Natural Gas Development                                                                     
          Authority for in-state gas use; and                                                                                   
     · $15.0 million to the Department of Natural Resources for gas                                                             
          pipeline implementation.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Project specific back-up is posted on the Office of Management and                                                              
Budget's website and will be provided to the Finance Committee co-                                                              
chairs.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
I look forward to a successful special session that results in securing                                                         
Alaska's economic future through building a natural gas pipeline.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Sarah Palin                                                                                                                     
Governor