2004-01-12                     Senate Journal                      Page 1907
SB 258                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 258 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.                                           
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
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                                        

2004-01-12                     Senate Journal                      Page 1908
accompanied by a report outlining the differences between my budget                                 
and the recommendations of the Alaska Mental Health Trust                                           
Authority.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
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