Governor’s vetoes cut funds for Whittier & Hope

Turnagain Arm communities were not immune to Governor Sarah Palin’s vetoes in the 2008 state capital budget. Hardest hit was the city of Whittier and the Whittier Tunnel. The governor vetoed $500,000 to increase Whittier Tunnel hours in the winter, which would have left it open for 16 hours instead of cutting back to nine hours per day in the winter.
Rep. Mike Hawker said the governor listed expansion of the Whittier Tunnel winter hours as a “lower priority category of funding.”
“I really took offense that a community that I represent would be acknowledged as ‘low priority,’” he said. “I truly was terribly disappointed. The inconsistencies of the vetoes are probably the greatest concern to me. She vetoed funding for artificial turf for the Diamond High School sports field, but up in Chugiak, she kept a million dollars for their artificial turf.”
Hawker said the governor did not contact any legislators prior to the vetoes and decided on cuts behind closed doors.
“We had no opportunity to present our case and argue for the merits of our priorities,” he said.
He added that expanding the hours in the winter makes Whittier a more viable city, something that should take priority over an athletic field.
“The artificial turf at the Chugiak School had a higher priority to her,” Hawker said. “I’d say she’s living up to her campaign promise to be bias towards the (Matsu) Valley.”
The Whittier Tunnel did receive $2 million for maintenance and operations, and $83,879 was approved for Whittier Revenue Sharing.
Also vetoed was $25,000 to fund Hope Inc. Community Development; however, $25,000 was approved for Hope Inc., Public Safety/EMS needs, and $20,000 for Hope Revenue Sharing.
In Girdwood, the Gird-wood Volunteer Fire Depart-ment received $60,000 for operations and support, and $1.275 million was approved for the Girdwood Mainten-ance Shop Replacement.