Warm reception for Alaska gov's speech

JUNEAU, Alaska, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Alaskan Gov. Frank Murkowski had a receptive audience of fellow Republicans Thursday night when he delivered his State of the State speech.

Thursday's address before the Republican-controlled Legislature was Murkowski's first and marked the first time in eight years that the 50th state opened its legislative session with the GOP ensconced in the governor's mansion and in control of both houses of the Legislature.

"It sounds to me like the majority is expecting some kind of marching orders," Democratic state Sen. Georgianna Lincoln told the Anchorage Daily News prior to the speech. "I think that is going to be a bit revealing."

Murkowski was known for his support for the development of Alaska's natural resources while serving in the U.S. Senate and campaigned for governor on a platform of opening up timber, mineral and petroleum resources as a means of creating jobs and boosting state revenues.

Revenue enhancement is a burning issue in Alaska this year as the state wrestles with an estimated $500 million shortfall and predictions that the state's budget reserves were on track to disappear in 2005.

While the specifics of the speech were not available prior to Thursday night, it was expected that Murkowski would stick to that theme, although specific measures would not be revealed until later.

Nevertheless, lawmakers were anxious to hear Murkowski outline his "marching orders" beyond the rhetoric of the campaign.

"We expect to really have him explaining to us at the time, and to the people, where he would like to take the state," said state Senate President Gene Therriault.