Governor expected in Valley for bill signing

July 17, 2005

WASILLA -- Gov. Frank Murkowski will be visiting the Valley Tuesday, July 19, to sign two bills into law during a Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce noon gathering at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn, according to a Friday release from the governor's Mat-Su regional director, Colleen Sullivan-Leonard.

One of those bills, Senate Bill 158, sponsored by state Sen. Charlie Huggins, R-District H, is a legislative measure to prohibit imposition of a municipal tax on state contracts. The other bill, House Bill 197, sponsored by state Rep. Vic Kohring, R-District 14, clarifies the state Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to exempt gas exploration wells and production facilities from oil discharge prevention and contingency plans.

Murkowski will highlight the Mat-Su's $94-million fiscal year 2006 capital budget, which includes funding for new schools,school maintenance and road and infrastructure improvements in Mat-Su. He is also expected to discuss the proposed natural-gas pipeline and the Agrium plant.

For more information, contact Colleen Sullivan-Leonard at 352-2585.