2011 Legislative Accomplishments

Performance Scholarships Funded

The high school graduating class of 2011 is now the first eligible to earn and receive performance scholarships ranging from $2,379 to $4,755 per year for Alaska postsecondary education and job training. Funding for the Alaska Performance Scholarship is included in the FY 2012 budget. The Legislature also set aside $400 million for a sustainable funding mechanism for the Alaska Performance Scholarship. The Governor’s bill establishing the scholarship fund passed the House unanimously and is pending action in the Senate in 2012.

Economic Development

Governor Parnell’s major economic development legislation received unanimous support. House Bill 119 was introduced by the Governor to facilitate bringing a jack-up rig to Cook Inlet to explore for natural gas and expand and improve the Skagway Ore Terminal. The legislation allows the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority to invest in industrial roads, communications, intellectual property, health care facilities, and federal facilities including military installations.

The Governor also won approval of legislation adding acreage that nearly doubles the size of the Southeast State Forest. This will allow for long-term timber management that will create more jobs in the timber industry.

Additionally, Alaska’s tourism marketing efforts will continue drawing visitors and bringing revenue to Alaska’s small and mid-sized businesses.

Saving for the Future

The Governor commended the Legislature for joining him in his call to save at least $2.5 billion in surplus revenue, including $400 million for the Alaska Performance Scholarship fund, $200 million for the Alaska Gasline Development Project, and $200 million to buy down debt costs.

Transportation/Infrastructure

The Legislature approved the Governor’s request for funding to advance major transportation infrastructure to access resources, including the road to Umiat to open up access to the NPR-A and create access to the Ambler mining district. The Legislature also funded the Governor’s request for major port projects, including Anchorage, Point Mackenzie, and Skagway.

Comprehensive Energy Package Enacted

Governor Parnell’s comprehensive energy package, which includes $65.7 million and statutory authorization for the Susitna Hydro Electric Project, was approved by the Legislature. This project is estimated to meet half of the Railbelt’s electricity demand.

The energy package includes funding for weatherization and home energy rebate programs to help Alaskans make their homes more energy efficient; Renewable Energy Fund grants targeted to projects in areas with the highest energy costs in the state; hydroelectric projects and generation and transmission line projects; funding for the Power Cost Equalization Program; and funds for rural power system upgrades and bulk fuel storage to bring down the cost of diesel power generation.

Deferred Maintenance

We secured a second year of funding to fix what we've got and give small and mid-sized Alaska contractors the opportunity to work on deferred maintenance projects.

Building on efforts to protect Alaska’s most vulnerable citizens, the Governor’s “Safe Homes, Strong Families” initiative gained momentum this session.

Safe Homes, Strong Families

Governor Parnell’s legislation strengthening laws related to the sexual exploitation of children and stalking received unanimous support in both houses. The Governor secured increased funding for additional cyber-crimes investigators to fight Internet predators who manufacture and distribute child pornography and exploit children.

Village Public Safety Officers

Governor Parnell continues to work toward the goal of providing a State Trooper or Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) presence in every community that requests it. All 15 VPSO positions requested in the Governor’s budget were funded. With the added positions, Alaska will have more than 100 VPSOs stationed in rural Alaska communities.

Choose Respect

The Legislature also approved year two of the Governor’s initiative to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska. The budget includes over $8 million for prevention, investigation, enforcement, and services to victims and survivors.