(JUNEAU) - Members of the Alaska State Legislature's House and Senate Majorities met late Wednesday evening with reporters to react to the Governor's State of the State Address.

House Speaker John Harris (R-Valdez), Majority Leader John Coghill (R-North Pole), House Rules Chairman Norm Rokeberg (R-Anchorage) and House Finance Co-Chairman Representative Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage) were joined in the Speaker's Chambers by Senate President Ben Stevens (R-Anchorage), Majority Leader Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), Senate Rules Chairman John Cowdery (R-Anchorage), Legislative Budget & Audit Chairman Gene Therriault (R-North Pole), and Co-Chairs of the Senate Finance Committee Senator Lyda Green (R-Wasilla) and Senator Gary Wilken (R-Fairbanks).

"Governor Murkowski gave a thoughtful and encouraging speech about the direction Alaska is going, while outlining his plans for the next two years. I was particularly pleased to hear we can count on his assistance in our ongoing efforts to fund education and ensure that all Alaska's children receive a quality education," said Speaker Harris.

"We agree with the governor in his philosophy that the future is dependent on the sound development of our natural resources both renewable and non-renewable," said Senate President Ben Stevens. "I think he's stated more than once that the solution is to increase the flow of oil through the pipeline, to begin the flow of gas to market, and that the long-term solution to Alaska's fiscal problems is increased production of those resources."

Representative Rokeberg added, "Guaranteeing that Alaska can make use of its own natural resources is essential. As we consider gas pipeline proposals, it is encouraging to know that the Governor agrees with our goal of providing Alaska with an adequate supply of natural gas."

"I appreciate what the Governor had to say about education and the fact that he is interested in looking at two-year funding. It's an enormous problem for districts when they don't know what their next budget is going to be. It's an area that needs to be discussed to see if that's where we want to go," said Senator Gary Stevens.

The legislative process will ensure that the Governor's budget is reviewed by all Alaskans and that the state will support conservative use of our financial resources.

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01-12-05: Senate President Ben Stevens said that he and his Republican colleagues agree with the Governor that the foundation of our state’s economy will continue to be built on natural resource development. The key to solving the fiscal gap is to increase oil and gas development.

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01-12-05: Senate Majority Leader Gary Stevens applauded the Governor’s request to fund education for the next two years. Senator Stevens says it is a positive step to removing the fiscal uncertainty school districts face every year.

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01-12-05: House Majority Leader Coghill said the Governor is living up to his pledge to get the economy moving again. A perfect example is the recent resurgence in the state’s commercial fishing industry.

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