2003-08-20                     House Journal                      Page 2183
HB 76                                                                                             
On June 12, 2003, the Office of the Governor received the                                           
forthcoming letter (page 2173) to accompany:                                                        
                                                                                                    

2003-08-20                     House Journal                      Page 2184
      CONFERENCE CS FOR SS 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."                                                
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The letter, dated June 11, 2003, follows:                                                           
                                                                                                    
"Dear Mr. Younker:                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
In accordance with AS 37.14.005(c), this letter explains the changes                                
made to the Governor's Amended comprehensive FY 04 mental health                                    
and developmental disabilities services budget proposal as approved                                 
by the Legislature in CCS SSHB 76.  We appreciate the good working                                  
relationship that has been established between the Trust and the                                    
Legislature enabling us to address many issues in creative and efficient                            
ways that would not otherwise be possible.                                                          
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The fiscal challenges the State is facing in FY04 required the                                      
Legislature to carefully evaluate all changes to the budget with an                                 
emphasis on keeping general fund spending at FY03 levels or below.                                  
The Legislature's treatment of the mental health expenditures is                                    
consistent with this philosophy.  The Legislature's FY04 general                                    
fund/mental health operating appropriation of $101,219,100 is                                       
$29,180,800 less than the FY03 budget and $721,200 less than the                                    
Governor's FY04 request of $101,940,300.                                                            
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Mental Health Trust Authority Agency Receipts (MHTAAR)                                          
appropriated for operations were $10,155,700 as approved by the                                     
Legislature.  This is $130,800 less than FY04 Governor's request and                                
$179,400 less than FY03 funding level.                                                              
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Mental Health capital projects were funded by the Legislature at                                    
$6,464,600.  This is $1,887,500 less than the Governor's request and                                
$100,000 less than FY03.                                                                            
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2003-08-20                     House Journal                      Page 2185
Enclosed is a copy of the operating budget component summary and                                    
the mental health capital budget reports provided by the Legislative                                
Finance Division identifying funding differences between the                                        
Governor's budget and actions the Legislature took.  If you have                                    
additional questions, please contact Anna Kim of the Legislative                                    
Finance Division at 465-5410.                                                                       
                                                                                                    
                                          Sincerely,                                               
                                          /s/                                                       
                                          Representative John Harris                                
                                          Conference Committee Chair                                
                                                                                                    
                                          /s/                                                       
                                          Senator Lyda Green                                        
                                          Conference Committee Vice-Chair                           
                                                                                                    
Enclosures"