2008-01-30                     Senate Journal                      Page 1719
SB 256                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 256 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act making supplemental appropriations, capital                                                                   
          appropriations, reappropriations, and other                                                                           
          appropriations; amending certain appropriations;                                                                      
          ratifying certain expenditures; making appropriations                                                                 
          to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective                                                                   
          date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
A spreadsheet entitled "FY2008 Supplemental Requests" accompanied                                                               
the governor's transmittal letter and is on file in the Office of the                                                           
Secretary of the Senate.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 28:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Green:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
I am transmitting to you today a supplemental appropriation budget                                                              
bill for Fiscal Year 2008 that totals $205.3 million in general funds.                                                          
The bill contains necessary program cost changes known as of this                                                               
date for the remainder of the current fiscal year.  The bill contains                                                           
items for which an early effective date is requested, along with items                                                          
that can wait to be effective at the end of the legislative session.                                                            

2008-01-30                     Senate Journal                      Page 1720
The most significant general fund items include the $125 million                                                                
needed for oil and gas tax credits, $18.5 million to implement the                                                              
Senior Benefits Payment Program that was enacted in 2007, $17.1                                                                 
million to replace the Medicaid federal funds lost with the                                                                     
disallowance of the Private Hospital Proportionate Share Program, and                                                           
$13.3 million for the bargaining unit agreement reached with, and                                                               
ratified by, the General Government Unit.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
There will undoubtedly be additional supplemental funding requests                                                              
submitted for consideration, primarily related to potential additional                                                          
bargaining unit agreements, but my administration will limit the                                                                
number of amendments as much as possible.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
I look forward to working with the Legislature to secure passage of                                                             
this bill.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Sarah Palin                                                                                                                     
Governor