HJR 42 : Constitutional Am.: Transportation Fund News & Activity

HJR 42 : Constitutional Am.: Transportation Fund

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Hou. Transportation

Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska creating a transportation infrastructure fund.

Version : CSHJR 42(JUD)
Status : (S) TRA >> (S) FIN : 2010-04-14
Contact : Rebecca Rooney, 465-3759

HJR 42 will put a constitutional amendment before voters to change the Alaska constitution to allow a dedicated fund for Capital Transportation Projects. In FY10 87% of our transportation budget came from the federal government. The current federal reauthorization legislation has ...

Alaska Transportation Infrastructure Fund Passes House - HJR 42 would put initiative before Alaskans to establish dedicated fund

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:26:01 -0800

Contact : Rebecca Rooney, 465-3759

The Alaska State House today passed House Joint Resolution 42, legislation asking voters to amend the state's constitution to re-establish the Alaska Transportation Infrastructure Fund. The bill was sponsored by House Transportation Committee Chair Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, and passed by a vote of 27-13.

HJR 42 places a question before voters whether to create a dedicated fund for capital transportation projects. The amendment to the constitution has a provision to allow a percentage of market value to be appropriated annually for capital transportation projects. State-funded projects can be done in a less-costly fashion and faster because they do not have to follow the same processes, procedures, or lengthy schedules required by the federal government. The proposition would allow the state to save on costs and time to complete state-funded projects.

"I don't take the idea of changing the constitution lightly," Wilson said. "The drafters spent many hours debating dedicated funds and grandfathered in three — two of them for transportation. Now is the right time to put this fund in place so that we can plan ahead and avoid future transportation funding problems. We receive more transportation funding from the federal government per capita than any other state; Alaska needs to shoulder more of the responsibility for its own transportation costs."

Peggy Wilson Proposes Alaska Transportation Infrastructure Fund For Fall Ballot - Wrangell Rep. wants to make travel easier for Alaskans

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:58:44 -0800

Contact : Rebecca Rooney, 465-3759

House Transportation Chair Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, today introduced HJR 42, asking voters to amend the Alaska State Constitution and establish the Alaska Transportation Infrastructure Fund. Wilson also introduced HB 329, which would designate the fund to generate from a $1 billion endowment, and receive revenue from the fuel tax and vehicle registrations—pending voter approval of the constitutional amendment.

Wilson says there are a variety of reasons to improve Alaska's transportation infrastructure. "Transportation is the basis of our economy. It provides for the movement of goods and services, from the florist delivering flowers, to people going from place to place," Wilson said. "Approximately 89% of our transportation funding comes from the federal government. There is going to be a federal Transportation Reauthorization bill in the next year and everything we are hearing is unfavorable for states with small populations."

HJR 42 asks voters to make a decision on whether to create a dedicated fund for State of Alaska capital transportation projects. State-funded projects do not have to follow the often expensive processes and procedures and lengthy schedule that the federal government requires. The initiative would allow the state more opportunity to take advantage of both cost-saving and time reduction of state-funded project completion.