2002-01-18                     House Journal                      Page 2005
HB 336                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 336 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
    "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."                                                  
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
A letter dated January 16, 2002, with an accompanying spreadsheet, to                               
the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority from the Office of                                         
Management and Budget was attached (as required by AS                                               
37.14.003(b)) and is on file in the Chief Clerk's office.                                           
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 16, 2002, appears                                   
below:                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
I am today transmitting a separate FY2003 appropriations bill for the                               
state's comprehensive mental health program.  As required by statute,                               
it includes both operating and capital appropriations and is                                        

2002-01-18                     House Journal                      Page 2006
accompanied by a report outlining the differences between my budget                                 
and the recommendations of the Alaska Mental Health Trust                                           
Authority.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Alaska continues to improve services to beneficiaries of the mental                                 
health settlement and has become a national leader in the transition to                             
community-based programs.  To continue that progress, this proposal                                 
effectively uses a combination of Trust Authority receipts, general                                 
funds and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation receipts.                                              
                                                                                                    
The proposed mental health budget represents a cooperative effort                                   
between state agencies and the Trustees and staff of the Trust                                      
Authority.  Together with the resources we have appropriated in recent                              
years, their productive working relationships have helped make a                                    
positive difference for Alaska's mental health beneficiaries.                                       
                                                                                                    
                               Sincerely,                                                          
                               /s/                                                                  
                               Tony Knowles                                                         
                                Governor"