June 3, 2016

The Honorable Anna MacKinnon
Alaska State Legislature
State Capitol Room 3
Juneau, AK 99801

RE:  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY SJR 2

Dear Senator MacKinnon,

Alaska Statute 15.50.010 requires that I prepare a proposed ballot title and proposition for each amendment to the State Constitution proposed by the Legislature. The ballot language must meet the requirements of AS 15.50.020, which establishes a limit of 100 words for the ballot proposition and a six-word limit for the title. Alaska Statute 15.80.005 describes the formula for scoring readability to comply with the State's policy that a ballot proposition be clear and concise.

My proposed ballot title and proposition for the constitutional amendment that will appear on the 2016 general election ballot, as authorized by the passage of SJR2, are:

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2

Allow Debt for Postsecondary Student Loans

This amendment to Article IX, section 8 of the Alaska Constitution would expand the State’s authority to incur debt by letting the State issue general obligation bonds backed by the state for postsecondary student loans.

Should this constitutional amendment be adopted?

A copy of SJR 2, setting out the proposed amendment, is enclosed.

Alaska Statute 15.50.025 and AS 15.50.027 define the process and timeline for objection by any member of the Legislature or qualified voter who believes the ballot title and proposition do not provide a true and impartial summary of the proposed amendment. Copies of these statutes are also enclosed.

I encourage you to review what I have prepared. If you have any comments on the proposed title and proposition I must receive them by 5:00 pm on June 18, 2016.

The content of this letter is also being posted on the Alaska Online Public Notice system for inspection by Alaska voters.

Sincerely,

Byron Mallott
Lieutenant Governor

Enclosures

cc:        Libby Bakalar, Assistant Attorney General
          Department of Law

          Josie Bahnke, Director
          Division of Elections