2019-02-20                     House Journal                      Page 0179
HB 54                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 54 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                    
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act making supplemental appropriations, reappropriations,                                                              
     and other appropriations; amending appropriations; capitalizing                                                            
     funds; and providing for an effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 25 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Chief Clerk:                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska State                                                              
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to supplemental                                                                 
appropriations for the State's operating and capital budgets for Fiscal                                                         
Year (FY) 2019.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
I took office with a promise to reduce State spending, put public safety                                                        
first, and renew trust in government. To that end, I am presenting a                                                            
supplemental budget for the consideration of the Legislature that                                                               
returns money to the general fund.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
This legislation proposes to allocate resources for the renovation of the                                                       
Hiland Mountain Women's Mental Health Unit, in order to provide                                                                 
appropriate services to prisoners and increase efficiency in the                                                                
management of our prison population. It funds pay increases for our                                                             
Alaska State Troopers, pays off the Whittier Tunnel project ahead of                                                            
schedule, and pays Medicaid obligations for FY 2018 that were not                                                               
fully funded.  These supplemental items are offset by reversals from                                                            
the FY 2019 budget, resulting in the return of $5,817,200 to the                                                                
General Fund.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt consideration of this request.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Michael J. Dunleavy                                                                                                             
Governor"