Alaska State Legislature
News From The Senate and House Majorities

Ken Freeman (907) 258-8164
Wendy Lindskoog (907) 258-8187
Anchorage Legislative Information Office
Anchorage, AK 99501
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540
web site: www.akrepublicans.org

Legislative Task Force on Deferred Maintenance Encouraged by Governor's Participation

For Immediate Release: October 27, 1997 Contact: Ken Freeman at (907) 258-8164 or Wendy Lindskoog at (907) 258-8184

ANCHORAGE - Members of the Legislative Deferred Maintenance Task Force (DMTF) welcomed Governor Tony Knowles announcement today he would join with the Legislature's efforts to address the repair, maintenance and construction of schools in Alaska.

"We're pleased that the Governor is following our lead on school deferred maintenance and construction needs. Our comprehensive plan proposed by the Legislature's Deferred Maintenance Task Force last week covers not just schools, but the needs of the University of Alaska, roads and other state owned facilities," said Task Force Co-Chair Representative Eldon Mulder.

Last week the DMTF announced a proposal to address Alaska's short and long-term deferred maintenance needs. The Legislative proposal will be addressed at the beginning of the next session of the State Legislature.

"We are going to balance state funds with the needs of schools statewide. The fastest growing communities of the state - most of which are in Alaska's railbelt need to be addressed as well," said House Speaker Gail Phillips.

The current Department of Education school construction and major maintenance priority spending lists are slated to spend 85% of state funds in rural Alaska, leaving just 15% for Alaska's railbelt - which includes Fairbanks, Anchorage, the Mat-Su Borough and the Kenai Peninsula.

Another area where the Legislature's DMTF concentrated its attention this summer was the University of Alaska.

"The University system also needs immediate attention," said DMTF Co-Chair Tim Kelly. "I appreciate the Governor's efforts to address primary and secondary education, but we must also look at higher education in Alaska."

"We will look at how the Governor's recommendations fit into our Deferred Maintenance Task Force recommendations as well as the Legislative Majorities Five-Year fiscal plan," said Phillips.

"One of our priorities is to protect the integrity of the permanent fund and the permanent fund dividend," said Rep. Mulder.

"It is important to point out the Deferred Maintenance Task Force held hearings and toured facilities statewide this summer. We will listen to the Governor's suggestions and then decide how best to address Alaska's educational and other public facilities needs during the upcoming session," said Senator Tim Kelly.

The Task Force recommendations, to be finalized by December, will include a multi-year, long-term plan to finance $1.5 billion in capital funding to renovate existing and build new schools and University buildings. Additionally, the plan will address the repair of Alaska's highway system, harbors, airports, water and sewer systems, and other public facilities.

"Included in the DMTF proposal will be a mandatory requirement for an on-going maintenance plan for all new construction and renovation, so that we don't find ourselves in this place again 15 years from now," said Speaker Phillips.

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= Eldon Mulder, 57 K