News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
web site at http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: April 21, 1997 Contact: Senator Lyda Green at 907/465-6600

Roadside Directional Signs on Private Property?

The Governor's Double-Standard

Juneau -- Legislation to provide for a well planned and regulated system of directional roadsigns along Alaska’s roadways was vetoed by Governor Knowles Friday. He vetoed the legislation partly because of his concern regarding the extension of highway signage on private property located out of the public right-of-way.

"How ironic to discover today that the administration has asked for money to be appropriated by the Legislature to place interpretive signs on private land outside of the right-of-way," said Senator Green, sponsor of Senate Bill 56.

A support document for the Governor's budget request states, "The signs will be placed in existing pulloffs, turnouts, rest areas, and in a few instances, on private or public property adjacent to but outside of highway rights-of-way." (Design Study Report for Northern Region Tourist Signage, Project No. TE-OOOS(177)/66682, prepared by Rolfe G. Buzzell, Alaska Department of Natural Resources)

HB 165, legislation requested by the Governor, includes a request for $175,000 by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to design, build and install 20-30 of these interpretive signs.

Governor Knowles just vetoed a bill that also allows roadside signage. SB56 also allows DOT to approve the design, building, location and installation of the signs. SB56 also allows DOT the authority to allow the 18 by 90 inch Tourist Oriented Directional Signs (TODS) to be placed on private property.

"Bureaucracy should not adopt policy or claim to adopt regulation without specific authorization from the elected representatives of the people. SB56 provides specific authority to DOT to implement a TODS program. Why the Governor vetoed SB56 remains somewhat a mystery, but the Legislature, after careful consideration, voted to override the Governor’s veto by a vote of 43-16," Green said.

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