(KODIAK) Following weeks of speculation on which departments, and how much he would cut, Governor Frank Murkowski Monday vetoed nearly $5.2 million from the Fiscal Year '05 budget. The cuts came from various state agencies and departments, including the Governor's own budget.

Reacting to the budget vetoes, District R Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) said that he is relieved the cuts were not as drastic as they could have been.

"Throughout the year, the Governor indicated that in the absence of a fiscal plan to combat our budget deficit, he would trim state spending. So it comes as no surprise that when a fiscal plan did not advance this session, he kept his word," Senator Stevens commented. "Though these cuts are spread across various state agencies I am concerned about how the budget cuts will affect the various agencies involved and, ultimately, the constituents who rely on these services."

Senator Stevens noted that District R items in the Capital Budget, such as the Afognak Island land purchase that is so important to the Kodiak community, were unaffected by the Governor's vetoes.

"The FY '05 Capital Budget contains funding for numerous projects vital to our local communities," Senator Stevens said. "I applaud the Governor for leaving these projects intact."

Copies of the FY 2005 Veto Summary are available on the Internet at: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/05_omb/
FY05vetoSummary.pdf

(For more information and a complete list of District R Capital Budget items, please contact Doug Letch at 486-4925)

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