2018-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 2189
budget reflects changes to the Medicaid program, and salary and                                                                 
health benefit adjustments. Reports comparing Trust recommendations                                                             
to those included in the FY2019 Governor's operating and capital                                                                
mental health budgets are available at:                                                                                         
https://www.omb.alaska.gov/ombfiles/19_budget/PDFs/FY2019_MH_                                                                   
Reports.pdf                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The State's fiscal situation requires all areas of government to                                                                
maximize efficiencies. The Trust's encouragement and support of                                                                 
Medicaid and criminal justice reform have had a positive impact on                                                              
the state. Moving forward, a comprehensive fiscal plan that addresses                                                           
State revenue will help ensure the sustainability of programs that                                                              
support Alaska's mental health beneficiaries. We look forward to                                                                
working with the Legislature to finalize the FY 2019 budget bills and                                                           
address revenue solutions.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Thank you for your consideration of this bill.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor"                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
HB 286                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 286 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan                                                                   
     program expenses of state government and for certain programs;                                                             
     capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making                                                                        
     supplemental appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX,                                                          
     sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the                                                                  
     constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective                                                         
     date."                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 15 follows: