2011-01-18                     House Journal                      Page 0056
HB 107                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 107 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act making and amending appropriations, including capital                                                               
    appropriations and other appropriations; making appropriations to                                                           
    capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date."                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 14, 2011, follows:                                                              
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Chenault:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the State's capital                                                          
budget for Fiscal Year 2012 (FY 2012).                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
My budget proposal for FY 2012 continues to focus on fostering jobs                                                             
and economic development.  The framework for the budget is based                                                                
on our constitutional responsibilities for spending - education, public                                                         
safety, transportation, and responsible resource development.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The proposed capital budget totals $1.6 billion and includes resource                                                           
development and infrastructure projects throughout Alaska. The                                                                  
budget includes $103 million in State general funds to leverage over                                                            
$705 million in federal and other funds. I have also included projects                                                          
designed to lower energy costs and meet the long term goal of                                                                   
generating 50 percent of Alaska's electricity through renewable energy                                                          
sources by 2025. State investment in large-scale hydroelectric                                                                  

2011-01-18                     House Journal                      Page 0057
development, weatherization, and renewable energy will help us                                                                  
achieve these objectives.  Continuing gas line development, including                                                           
in-state gas, are also key elements of the proposed capital budget. The                                                         
budget contains funding for school construction and major                                                                       
maintenance projects and requests the second year of a five-year                                                                
deferred maintenance plan to take care of the State's assets.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
My proposed capital budget recognizes that responsible resource                                                                 
development is the foundation for our future prosperity. We must                                                                
leverage our funds to promote safe, sound development and to                                                                    
promote private-sector investment and job creation. The capital budget                                                          
represents a significant investment in Alaska's infrastructure including                                                        
roads to access resources, surface transportation, airport                                                                      
improvements, water and wastewater projects, and port facilities.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
I look forward to working with the Legislature to finalize the capital                                                          
budget for the upcoming fiscal year.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Sean Parnell                                                                                                                    
Governor"