Alaska officials seek additional stimulus moneyPalin's reluctance to accept funds has some legislators suggesting they act on their own

By Pat Forgey at JUNEAU EMPIRE

Palin's public opposition to the federal stimulus package, called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, has led to concerns among legislators that she won't make full use of the money. Palin asked for $461 million, but many lawmakers think the state's share should be closer to $1 billion.

Instead, some legislators say they should consider accepting stimulus money on their own.

"It's very clear in the package that either a governor may accept the funds, or a legislature," said Rep. Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, an influential member on budget issues. "It's not one where a governor has a right of veto over any of this."

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, said it was up to Congress to decide how much stimulus the nation needed, and he didn't share Palin's reluctance.

"The governor has been quoted in the press as saying there are some things she might choose not to accept," he said. "As I look at them, I'd be more willing to accept them."

Among those items, he said, was funding for low-income school children or special education.

States that don't accept the money, in some cases within 120 days, could see that money re-allocated to other states.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying to get as much federal money as possible to help his state's huge budget deficit. House Majority Leader Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, said Alaska should do whatever it can to bring federal money to Alaska.

"I don't want the Terminator getting Alaska's money," she said.

In Washington, D.C. while attending a Council of State Governments briefing on the stimulus, Sen. Lesil McGuire described Alaska's response to the stimulus as "chaotic," which she said may stem from a communications vacuum among major players, including the House, Senate, governor and local communities.

Senate President Stevens said the Senate was working to make sure Alaska got "our share, and even if a little bit more if possible. We don't want to leave any money on the table."

He said Senate leaders were meeting with Palin in an effort to coordinate the response, but agreed with Hawker that the Legislature could act on its own if need be.

"We have the opportunity to go around the governor," he said. "If there are things the governor chooses not to apply for, we have the opportunity to apply for those things ourselves."

Sen. Kim Elton, D-Juneau, said he didn't know what Palin's motives for declining stimulus money was.

"I can't think of any reason that money that creates jobs and advances public services for Alaskans would be left on the table," he said.

Palin has said she fears accepting federal money may obligate the state to continue programs even after funding ends. Stevens said he is unaware of any such requirements.

One area where federal money will clearly be accepted is for transportation projects. State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities officials say they've been monitoring the process closely.

State officials announced Wednesday Alaska's first stimulus-funded project, a new causeway in Gustavus. The $7.7 million project will replace a deteriorating pier and enable freighters, fuel barges, transport and sightseeing vessels to moor there, and improve access to the city and Glacier Bay National Park.

"This new causeway will create good paying jobs and will be a great benefit to the community," Palin said in a statement announcing the project.

Hawker said legislators would be trying to pull together everyone with an interest in the stimulus to ensure Alaska gets as much money as possible.

"We're all looking to work as collaboratively as possible so as to not let any of this (money) fall through the cracks," he said.