2004-01-12                     House Journal                      Page 2304
HB 377                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 377 by the House 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.                                      
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 9, 2004, follows:                                   
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
I am today transmitting a separate FY2005 appropriations bill for the                               
state's comprehensive mental health program.  As required by statute,                               
it includes both operating and capital appropriations and is                                        
accompanied by a report outlining the differences between my budget                                 
and the recommendations of the Alaska Mental Health Trust                                           
Authority.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    

2004-01-12                     House Journal                      Page 2305
The proposed mental health budget represents a cooperative effort                                   
between state agencies, the Trustees, and Trust Authority staff.                                    
Coupled with the resources that have been appropriated in recent                                    
years, these productive working relationships have made a positive                                  
difference for Alaska's mental health beneficiaries.  Given the state's                             
overall financial position, we are not in a position for the state to                               
augment many of the Trust's requests that required state general funds.                             
These difficult decisions are part of our work to take responsibility                               
today for Alaska's tomorrow.                                                                        
                                                                                                    
I look forward to working with the Legislature this session.                                        
                                                                                                    
                               Sincerely yours,                                                     
                               /s/                                                                  
                               Frank H. Murkowski                                                   
                                Governor"                                                          
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
A letter with an accompanying spreadsheet from Cheryl Frasca,                                       
Director, Office of Management and Budget to the Alaska Mental                                      
Health Trust Authority was attached and is on file in the Chief Clerk's                             
office (as required by AS 37.14.003).