Legislature(2017 - 2018)
2018-06-27 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2018-06-27 Senate Journal Page 3177 SB 142 Message dated June 13 was received stating: Dear President Kelly: I have signed, with line item vetoes, the following bill passed during the second session of the Thirtieth Alaska State Legislature and am transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for permanent filing: 2018-06-27 Senate Journal Page 3178 HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 142(FIN) am H "An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date." Chapter No. 19, SLA 2018 [Effective Date: See Chapter] As passed by the Legislature, HCS CSSB 142(FIN) AM H contains a total of $1.6 billion, including unrestricted general fund appropriations of $212.1 million for FY2018 and FY2019 capital projects and $104.9 million for FY2018 and FY2019 operating appropriations. The bill prioritizes funding for projects that leverage federal and local dollars; housing and energy; public safety; and urgent state, school district, and university facilities maintenance. Spending must be taken in context of the fiscal deficit and remaining savings given our difficult fiscal time. While progress has been made in closing the fiscal gap, an ongoing deficit persists, only enabling the state to afford this austere capital budget. Given this constrained capital budget, I have made limited use of my veto power. I have vetoed $2.5 million for the Knik Arm Crossing. This project is in the process of being closed-down and no significant progress can be made with the amount of funding authorized in this bill. I have also vetoed the repeal of a project installing pedestrian lighting in an Anchorage neighborhood. After the passage of this bill, it has been brought to our attention that this project has not been completed and the pedestrian lighting is needed in the community. This veto action will ensure this project remains funded. While I commend you and your fellow legislators on working together with my staff to solve 80 percent of the state deficit over the past 3 years, our work is not yet finished. I look forward to future actions towards closing the remaining fiscal gap. Doing so will give Alaskans and investors greater certainty and confidence in Alaska's future. 2018-06-27 Senate Journal Page 3179 Sincerely, /s/ Bill Walker Governor