Anchorage -- Representative Eldon Mulder (R-Anchorage), Co-Chair of the House Finance Committee, Wednesday had the following remarks concerning the relative success of Alaska's Welfare-to-Work programs. The governor was in Anchorage to issue awards to Alaskans who have successfully made the welfare-to-work transition and to the Alaska businesses which have helped them. In addition, the governor announced that his administration will require another $6.1 million dollars to fund child care assistance subsidies under this program.

"My legislative colleagues and I join in congratulating those Alaskans who have successfully made the difficult transition from welfare to the workforce, and the companies who have helped to make these transitions possible. These are positive, life-altering achievements and our collective hats are off to you all.

"We are concerned, though, about the governor's figures which show that just under forty-percent of Alaska's children are on welfare. This is the real problem. We look forward to working with the Administration and other concerned parties to further economic development across Alaska. Only healthy economic development can provide the jobs which Alaskans must have to make the welfare-to-work transition. Increased economic development will also provide the good-paying jobs these Alaskans will need to keep themselves and their children subsidy-free."