From Railroads to prisons, last legislative session lawmakers expressed a desire to privatize certain state functions. By vetoing this legislation, the Governor is sending a strong message he does not support looking at cutting the cost of state government services. The task force would have been made up of members of the public, the Legislature and appointees of the Governor which included labor union representatives. Alaska State Chamber of Commerce President Pamela LaBolle said the chamber was disappointed with Governor Knowles veto of SB 68. LaBolle said privatization is one of the State Chamber's top priorities.
Private enterprise provides the financial support for the entire state government of Alaska.
Unless action is taken to transfer back to the private sector some of the services that government has taken unto itself, the state is in danger of losing its financial base and the entire system collapsing like a house of cards.