1997-07-10                     House Journal                      Page 1994
HB 76                                                                        
The following letter, dated June 30, 1997, was received at 8:17 p.m.:          
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                        
                                                                               
On this date I have signed the following bill ªwith line item vetoesß          
and am transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the                   
Lieutenant Governor's Office for permanent filing:                             
                                                                               
CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 76                                           
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital                   
expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health                 
program; and providing for an effective date."                                 

1997-07-10                     House Journal                      Page 1995
HB 76                                                                        
Chapter No. 99, SLA 1997                                                      
ªEffective Date:  July 1, 1997ß                                               
                                                                               
I am pleased to transmit the FY98 mental health budget to you.  This           
is the second year of the new budget process required under the mental         
health lands settlement.  It has been remarkably positive and                  
productive for such a new and complicated venture.  For these efforts,         
I would like to thank the Mental Health Trust Authority and its staff          
and consultants, as well as the commissioners and staffs of the state          
departments whose budgets are part of the mental health bill.                  
                                                                               
I followed a long-standing gubernatorial tradition of vetoing intent           
language in the mental health budget, as I did in the operating budget,        
because it is not appropriate in an appropriations bill.  I have done this     
whether I agree with the underlying concept or not.  The exceptions to         
this veto policy are when the intent indicates that the full year's            
appropriation should be completed through the supplemental budget or           
Legislative Budget and Audit processes.                                        
                                                                               
Otherwise, there are no changes to the appropriations made in the bill         
sent to me.                                                                    
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"