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

Senate Votes to Provide More Funds for School Construction

Senator Halford’s Bill Corrects Statewide Inequities

For Immediate Release: May 6, 1997 Contact: Senator Rick Halford at 907/465-4958

Juneau -- To meet the needs of Alaska’s growing student population, The Alaska State Senate passed the School Debt Reimbursement bill Tuesday by a vote of 12 of 7. Senate Bill 11, sponsored by Senator Rick Halford (R-Chugiak), provides for state participation in school construction funding for municipal school districts.

"Municipal school districts and their taxpayers aren't getting their fair share of school construction dollars," Halford said. "Senate Bill 11 will help fix this inequity."

Currently, new school construction in 'unorganized' areas is funded solely by the state, while municipalities have virtually no opportunity for state assistance. The only option for municipal school districts is to fully fund construction through their local taxpayers. SB 11 will re-open the School Debt Reimbursement Program to new projects, helping to alleviate the burden of school construction costs for municipal school districts.

The bill that was passed by the Senate today provides for 50% reimbursement of the debt incurred for new school construction as well as for projects that reduce school district operating costs and modification of facilities needed to improve instructional programs.

SB 11 is co-sponsored by Senators Lyda Green (R-MatSu) and Randy Phillips (R - Eagle River) and will now move to the House of Representatives for consideraton.

###