Governor Sean Parnell signed five education bills in Fairbanks today.

Senate Bill 237 extends the reimbursement program for new school construction and establishes a rural school construction program. This legislation is of particular interest to Juneau with the inclusion of 70% debt reimbursement approval for 6 Juneau school projects that were approved by Juneau voters, including Glacier Valley Elementary School Renovation, Thunder Mountain High School, Harborview Elementary School, the Mendenhall Valley pool, Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School Covered Play Area and Gastineau Elementary School renovations.

Senate Bill 236 provides tax credits for cash contributions to universities and vocational education institutions in the state. This bill creates a 50% tax credit incentive for companies to contribute to university programs and facilities. Programs such as the mining training program at UAS, which recently graduated 11 students, will have an opportunity to benefit. I was pleased to carry this legislation in the House and push for its passage in the final days of session.

Senate Bill 235 amends existing statutes to allow the Department of Education to compete on behalf of Alaska charter schools for facility maintenance and start-up grant funds nationally available through the U.S. Department of Education.

House Bill 424 allows Alaskans to vote on general obligation bonds to pay for educational and university facilities. Including $18.5 million for State Library, Archives, and Museum Facility in Juneau, $20 million for Mt. Edgecumbe High School aquatic facility, $128.5 million for K-12 school replacement and renovations in Lower Yukon and Lower Kuskokwim, $207 million for University of Alaska upgrades and additions, $20 million for Near Island research facility, and $3.2 million for Prince of Wales vocational education center.

House Bill 184 adjusts the current debt cap for the University of Alaska. By increasing the bond debt cap approval level, the administrative burden of compliance with state law for small bond issues will be reduced for both the legislature and the University.