(JUNEAU) - Senator Charlie Huggins (R-Rural Mat-Su/Chugiak) and Representative Mark Neuman (R-Mat-Su) expressed their gratitude to Governor Frank Murkowski for including $5.5 million in his amendment to the budget for a new roof at the Su Valley Jr./Sr. High School.

"I am very pleased that we were able to work with the Governor and his staff to get these funds included in his capital budget. We have been working on this issue since last Fall and we know how important it is to our constituents that this school receive the necessary repairs in a timely fashion," said Representative Neuman.

Senator Huggins and Representative Neuman have worked throughout the session with members of the Valley delegation to secure funding for the new roof and ensure that students are not displaced and their education is not disrupted.

Senator Huggins said, "This is a $5.5 million victory for the Su Valley School community. We went from zero in the budget to being able to build the new roof. Our challenge now is to accelerate the timing of available money to begin construction as soon as practical. We appreciate the continued positive support of the Mat-Su community as we move forward to ensure that our students and staff enjoy a safe school site. We remind everyone the budget has yet to be voted on, but we remain forever optimistic."

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