Juneau -- The House Finance Committee Monday restored $235,000 to fund the opening of the Taylor and other highways. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities had announced it would not open those highways this year. Following is the text of comments by Representative Carl Morgan (R-Aniak) to the House Finance Committee, March 8, 1999: "Chairman Mulder and members of the committee, I am here today to express concerns I have over the Taylor Highway. The Alaska portion of the Taylor Highway is about 200 miles long and runs from Tok, through Chicken, Eagle, and Boundary and connects to the Top of the World Highway in the Yukon Territory.

The Department of Transportation has outlined fiscal year 99 cost savings of $316,000 for not opening several highways this spring, including the Taylor, Denali, Copper River and Nome highways. Specifically, I would like to address the $142,500 cost savings proposed for the Taylor Highway. I feel that reducing funds for snow removal creates life, health, safety and economic issues that far out way the cost savings as shown by the governor in hb 100, the Supplemental Bill.

"I recently traveled to my district and the people voiced their concerns regarding the delay in opening the Taylor Highway. Further, I have received numerous letters and phone calls since my return to Juneau. I am providing these letters and newspaper clippings for your review.

"When the governor brought forth his reductions for fiscal year 99, he stated that these reductions were targeted to areas which would have minimum impact on the citizens of the State. I am here to let you know that the costs to the residents, visitors and businesses of Southcentral Alaska far exceed the $142,500 cost savings to the fiscal year 99 budget. This is not a 'minimum impact' as stated by Commissioner Perkins.

"The delay will have a significant loss to the tourism trade in the region and will adversely effect the efforts of businesses and individuals to promote the "Top of the World" Highway as an alternate route to the Alaska Highway. Already it is too late to re-route tourism plans and schedules; lodging and RV reservations. If the Taylor Highway is not maintained as in the past, alternative measures for the tourism industry of flying passengers or canceling operations until June 1, could result in a potential revenue loss of $1.4 million dollars. The State will be responsible for the large buses and their passengers when the road proves hazardous.

"There are an estimated 80 permitted mines in the Tok, Chicken, Eagle and Boundary area. These miners will be impacted because they have only a small window of opportunity to acquire fuel and food for the mining season. They will be unable to reach their claims if they cannot haul their freight by April 1, losing the entire mining season. These communities are counting on the delivery of fuel, food and building materials and cannot wait until June 1, to receive them.

"Further, having mother nature take care of the Taylor Highway opening may result in a road wash out. The cost to repair the culverts/washouts would greatly exceed the estimated savings.

"I appreciate this body and the governor's commitment in covering the current years shortfall. However, I believe the allocated cost saving measures proposed by the governor should be done by other means.I would like to ask the committee to consider alternative measures to the governor's proposal, and allow the Taylor Highway to open on time (end of March)."