Gasline Development - The Governor secured appropriations and the Legislature passed legislation that will continue efforts to commercialize North Slope natural gas. Bullet line work begun by the Governor’s office last year geared toward in-state gas will continue through the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. Support for the Pipeline Training Facility in Fairbanks was secured in the capital budget. Additionally, funding was secured to reimburse the State’s partner through Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (Alaska Pipeline Project).
Growing Alaska’s Businesses with Cruise Ship Passenger Head Tax Reduction and Increased Tourism Marketing Funding - Reduces the cruise ship passenger tax from $46.00 to $34.50 with offsets for local passenger taxes. Budget includes increased funding for tourism marketing. By reducing costs and increasing tourism marketing, Alaska’s small and mid-sized businesses have opportunities for progress and prosperity.
Oil Tax Credits to Encourage Investment - Encourages Alaska investment to create more jobs and greater TAPS throughput. This bill increases the value of the capital credit incentives, encourages additional capital investment, and creates opportunity for more jobs in Alaska. While the Legislature reduced the Governor’s oil tax credit proposal requiring investment in Alaska, progress was made.
Deferred Maintenance Plan to Fix State Assets - Fixes what we already have and puts small and mid-sized Alaska contractors to work on deferred maintenance projects.
Build Infrastructure
- Major Infrastructure Projects - Roads, bridges, and buildings, including a much-needed crime lab.
- New Road Construction Linking to Resources - Funding for engineering and design work for a road to Umiat to connect known and prospective oil and gas resources from the Dalton Highway.
- Road to Nome to Improve Access - Secured funding for design and engineering work for a road to Nome. The road will be built in phases, going from one resource deposit to the next and providing for cheaper supplies for villages along the way.
Alaska Class Ferry - Design and construction funding for the next generation of ferries to replace the aging Alaska Marine Highway System fleet. These ferries will be environmentally responsible, fuel efficient, versatile and continue to provide critical transportation to Alaskans.
Southeast State Forest Provides Jobs - Legislation establishing a Southeast State Forest, the third in the Alaska State Forest System, covering 25,291 acres. This designation of State lands enables the Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry to invest in and manage the land for a long-term timber supply for local processors, while allowing for other multiple uses.
AHFC Bonds - Authorizes the issuance of bonds by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to address energy efficiency improvements to public buildings, schools, and municipal facilities. Establishes the Alaska Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan fund.
Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority - Modernizes lending practices of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) so that AIDEA can effectively participate in large economic development projects. Allows AIDEA to raise additional funds for new energy projects.
Renewable Energy - Secured 25 million dollars for renewable energy projects.
Alaska Merit Scholarships - Legislation established the legal framework for merit scholarships (Alaska Merit Scholarship Program). Students can earn scholarships for in-state universities or certified job training programs by completing a more rigorous curriculum. Will improve high school graduation rates, better prepare students for college or job training, provide Alaskan students with affordable opportunities for higher education, sustain Alaska’s economy with a capable workforce, and retain equipped, hardworking Alaskan students. Still need to secure a sustainable funding mechanism within one year so this opportunity is available to Alaska’s young people by fall of 2011.
Forward Fund K-12 Education
New School Construction Funding
Rural Education Positions - Budget adds three positions in the Department of Education to focus on rural schools. The content specialists will serve as a resource to the Statewide System of Support team as they assist districts in building capacity for higher achievement.
15 New Village Public Safety Officers for Rural Law Enforcement
3 new State Trooper/Investigator positions
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator
Tougher Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Laws - Strengthens Alaska’s laws concerning domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, and child pornography.
Funding - Approves $9.4 million for domestic violence and sexual assault investigation, training, prosecution, victim services, support, and prevention efforts.
Crime Lab Funding - Provides funding for a new crime lab. Eighty victims and families will not have to wait as long for evidence processing and justice.
Strengthening Bail Laws - Requires a person charged with a serious sex offense to prove that release conditions before trial will protect the victim and the public; adopts eligibility standards for third-party custodians; prohibits a person found guilty of a serious sex offense from being released before sentencing or during an appeal of the conviction; and allows more time for investigation before a defendant’s first appearance in court.
DNA Evidence Retention - Requires that biological evidence in murder and sexual assault cases be properly retained while cases are unsolved and during the period after conviction that an offender is imprisoned.
Supporting our Military Through Veterans Housing Loans - Allows voters in the 2010 general election to approve $600 million of State-guaranteed bonds for the purchase of mortgage loans made to qualifying military veterans.
AMFAST - Alaska Military Force Advocacy Structure Team (AMFAST) created by Governor Parnell’s Administrative Order. AMFAST’s mission is to retain and build upon Alaska’s current military force capability; propose strategies for acquiring future missions and infrastructure that will benefit US national security; and provide state residents with economic opportunity.
Helping Those in Time of Need Through Disaster Relief - Updates the State’s Individual and Family Grant program, and increased assistance to Alaska households affected by natural disasters.