The Nome Nugget

JUNEAU (AP) - The State Senate gave its okay Tuesday to a bill which would earmark $1 million of the $23 million Ferry-Road Bond issue for new road construction.

After passage, the Senate adopted as its official intent, a motion by Sen. Eben Hopson which asked that the:

"... Journal reflect that in the passage of CSSB175, the intention of the Senate is that the $1 million when matched (by the federal government) is to be used for programming and constructing a primary extension of the state highway system from Fairbanks to Nome."

The bill, as it came before the Senate, called for $5 million to be used for new highway construction, but that amount was changed to the $1 million figure on the motion of Sen. John Coghill.

Coghill said the $1 million in state funds would bring, eventually, some $19 million in federal matching funds.

Asked by Sen. Brad Phillips why the bill did not specify that the money was to be used for the Fairbanks-Nome Road, Coghill replied:

"We can't enact a local law. The Constitution prohibits it.

"It is my intention, however, to offer a resolution which will make it clear that the intent of the Senate was that $500,000 of the $1 million is to be used for surveys and right of way acquisition and that $500,000 be used to obtain federal matching moneys as soon as additional federal matching funds become available to us."

Sen. George McNabb then took the floor to say:

"So there will be no question in anyone's mind, I say for all to hear that it is the intent of the majority party of the Senate that the $1 million is to be used for extension of Highway 97 from Fairbanks to Nome."

Immediately after McNabb's statement, the Senate voted 19-1 to accept the bill, with Sen. Brad Phillips casting the only negative vote.