News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Legislature Approves Alaska Children Trust License Plates

License Plate Revenue to Improve Child Safety

For Immediate Release: April 28, 1998 Contact: Laura Hosey, Aide to Senator Dave Donley, at (907) 465-3892.

Juneau – To create an ongoing source of funds for combating child neglect and abuse, the House Tuesday passed legislation establishing a new specialized license plate. Revenues from the license plate will be dedicated to the Alaska Children’s Trust, created to assist communities in caring for children and families. Senate Bill 157, sponsored by Senator Dave Donley (R-Midtown Anchorage), passed by a vote of 33 to 4.

"Alaska has one of the highest rates of child abuse and neglect in the nation," said Donley. "By making it possible for people to voluntarily support the Alaska Children’s Trust through this $100 license plate, we will give Alaskans an easy way to help reduce and prevent child abuse, neglect and family violence."

The purpose of the Alaska Children’s Trust is to work in partnership with communities, private businesses, and government to provide an ongoing source of funding to improve the lives of Alaska’s most needy children. The Trust was activated by the Legislature in 1996 with an initial appropriation of six million dollars. Until passage of SB 157, the Trust had no regular source of new funds.

According to the U.S. House Select Committee on Children, for every dollar we spend on prevention, we save from $3 to $10 in future spending. "Through assisting communities in caring for children, I hope we can help prevent child abuse and suffering and decrease future expenditures on juvenile facilities and prisons," Donley said.

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Broadcast Note: Radio Actuality available at (800) 478-6540.
= Dave Donely, 37 K