Thomas v. Rosen

The Alaska Constitution, art. II, sec. 15 says in part that the governor “may, by veto, strike or reduce items in appropriations bills.” The question is thus presented as to whether Chap. 124 SLA 1976 constitutes an appropriation so as to be subject to this provision.

The constitutional convention sheds little light on the subject. It is apparent that the delegates never foresaw the problems involved in definition of “appropriation” or the interaction between the debt financing provision (art. IX, sec. 8) and the gubernatorial veto section (art. II, sec. 15).1

*798The definition of appropriations…