2019-02-13                     Senate Journal                      Page 0277
I urge your favorable action on this measure.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Michael J. Dunleavy                                                                                                             
Governor                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SB 58                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 58 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                                
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                "An Act repealing the senior benefits payment                                                                  
          program; and providing for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services                                                          
and Finance Committees.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                    
 Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 12:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Dear Senate President Giessel:                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the Senior Benefits                                                          
Payment Program.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
This bill would repeal the Senior Benefits Payment Program. The                                                                 
program provides three payment levels based on the senior’s gross                                                               
annual income and income limits are tied to the Federal Poverty                                                                 
Guidelines for Alaska and change each year and eligibility and                                                                  
enrollment increases each year as the guidelines change. There is no                                                            
asset test to determine eligibility.  Currently, the program is set to                                                          
expire on June 30, 2024. This bill sets the repeal date to June 30, 2019.                                                       
                                                                                                                                
I urge your favorable action on this measure.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Michael J. Dunleavy                                                                                                             
Governor