2015-01-21                     Senate Journal                      Page 0038
SB 28                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 28 BY THE SENATE 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.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
In accordance with AS 37.14.003(b) a report of the differences                                                                  
between the Governor's proposed budget and the recommendations of                                                               
the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority was transmitted.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                

2015-01-21                     Senate Journal                      Page 0039
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 20:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Meyer,                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the State's                                                                  
comprehensive mental health program for Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16).                                                                
As required by statute, it includes both operating and capital                                                                  
appropriations. Also as required, the enclosed report outlines the                                                              
differences between the recommendations of the Alaska Mental Health                                                             
Trust Authority and the proposed budget.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
In order to meet the December 15 statutory deadline for budget                                                                  
submission, the former administration's FY16 operating and capital                                                              
budgets are being submitted without endorsement. My Administration                                                              
has continued to refine our budget proposal after the December 15                                                               
deadline. A new budget, fully endorsed by me, will be submitted in                                                              
advance of the February 18 amended budget deadline.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The Walker Administration looks forward to working with the                                                                     
Legislature on a FY16 budget with full legislative deliberation and                                                             
will provide the fully endorsed amended budget to legislators as early                                                          
as possible.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor