Alaska State Legislature
News from the House Majority

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Biennial Budgeting Gets First Hearing

Speaker Phillips Says Measure Could Save Millions

For Immediate Release April 30, 1998 Contact: Jerry Ritter at (907) 465-3804.

Juneau -- The House State Affairs Committee today held the first public hearing on legislation sponsored by House Speaker Gail Phillips (R-Homer) which would move the state government to a two-year budget process. Phillips says biennial budgeting, as outlined in House Joint Resolution 45, could increase government efficiency, save money, and help state agencies plan for more than one year at a time.

"Each year legislators devote an enormous amount of time and effort to the budget. When the next legislative session begins, they have to turn around and begin the battle all over again," Phillips said. "With a two year budgeting system, we could not only save time and money, but we could either devote more resources to other legislation or shorten our sessions. Either way, Alaskans win," Phillips said.

Speaker Phillips' measure would amend the State Constitution to mandate that a budget be written during the first of every Legislature.

"My intention this year is to begin the debate toward biennial budgeting. This reform could go hand-in-hand with the results-based budget process we started this year," Phillips said.

House Joint Resolution 45 now moves to the House Judiciary Committee.

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Broadcasters note: Comments from Speaker Phillips are available at (800) 478-6540.
= Gail Phillips, 39 K