Alaska must accept 'new reality' on earmarks, governor says

JUNEAU -- Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell says the state must accept "the new reality" and deal with a federal earmark ban.

Some state and community leaders have expressed a reluctance to accept that the two-year ban, announced by the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, could mark the end of the earmarks era as we've known it.

Parnell says he will pursue other means, including existing formula funding and competitive grants. He says he's called upon members of the congressional delegation to work with other delegations toward a national funding strategy for issues of common interest.

Parnell says Alaska must and is taking on more costs that it once relied upon the federal government for. To that end, he wants the feds to limit restrictions on resource development so Alaska can generate more revenue.

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