Alaska State Legislature

News From The Senate and House Majorities

Ken Freeman (907) 465-3804
Wendy Lindskoog (907) 465-4582
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Commitments Made - Commitments Kept

Legislative Leaders Tout Commitment to Alaska Accomplishments

Budget Reductions, Education Reform and Safe Neighborhoods Top Agenda

For Immediate Release: May 11, 1997 Contact: Ken Freeman (907) 465-3804 or Wendy Lindskoog (907) 465-4582

JUNEAU - With $60 million in spending reductions, delivery on their "Commitment to Alaska", and an early adjournment, legislative leaders touted achievements of the first session of the 20th Alaska State Legislature at a late night news conference Sunday.

"Alaska's economic future depends on jobs - not bigger government and not higher taxes. The Republican Majority in the State Legislature kept their word in each case and reduced state spending by $60 million and added $671 million to the Permanent Fund," said House Speaker Gail Phillips.

"This is the earliest we have adjourned since 1986," said Senate President Mike Miller. "We worked hard, met our goals and left Juneau two days early."

At the beginning of session the Republican-led Majority promised to continue their 5-year plan to close Alaska's Fiscal Gap; protect the integrity of the permanent fund; create a stable business climate to stimulate jobs for Alaskans; reform education; promote safe neighborhoods; protect state's rights; and create a task force to find solutions to Alaska's long-term maintenance needs. Legislative leaders said they delivered.

"A $60 million cut, combined with new revenues, represents the second year goal of the Republican-led Majority’s Five-Year strategy to reduce government spending by $250 million and close Alaska’s fiscal gap," said Senate President Mike Miller.

"This budget continues our strategy to cut more and tax less. We have prioritized spending and protected those items most important to Alaskans. This year's budget represents fully funded education, an increased budget for public safety, and adequate funding for Alaska's road and maintenance needs," said Speaker Phillips.

"We understand we are spending the public's money - $2.4 billion this year. The Legislature is charged with being deliberate, considerate, careful, and not unduly impacting critical government services," said Senator Miller.

Alaska’s economy is stronger and healthier today than it was two years ago. In the past two years, 4,600 new jobs were created and more than 600 new businesses started in Alaska. And for four years in a row, the annual unemployment rate has remained below eight percent.

Phillips and Miller pointed out legislative initiatives continue this positive news for Alaska: measures to encourage resource development included legislation to encourage the development of a gas pipeline, encourage environmental compliance by companies around the state and protect access across Alaska's state and federal lands. In addition, a market for a new financial services industry in Alaska was created.

The Legislature moved forward with its commitment to bring major reform to education in Alaska with a comprehensive package of legislation that will require standards for students; require standards for their teachers; and allow the growth of boarding schools in Alaska.

"One of the concerns we frequently hear from parents and business leaders is we have students with high school diplomas who are not able to function in the work place. To help curtail this problem, the state will require students to pass a comprehensive exam before they are granted a high school diploma certified by the State of Alaska," said Phillips.

"Along the same lines, we want to have confidence that our future teachers are well qualified and that Alaska hire only the best. Under legislation passed this year, all new teachers, in order to be certified in the State of Alaska, will also have to be pass an exam to exhibit their basic competencies as well as their abilities in specialty areas," said Phillips.

Another major goal of the Republican-led Majority was to fight crime and protect Alaska's families. Miller said their goal is to ensure that Alaska’s children can play in safe neighborhoods, grow up in safe neighborhoods, and raise their families in safe neighborhoods.

"We kept our promise, addressing juvenile crime, domestic violence, and the rights of victims. Our legislation is geared to make criminals accountable for their actions," said Miller.

Legislative initiatives passed to curb crime and protect victims in Alaska include: "no frills" prisons; ending domestic violence victim insurance discrimination; enacting victims rights measures; making bootleggers and drug dealers responsible for their actions; and truth in sentencing.

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