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                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
SB 259                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 259 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
               "An Act establishing the SeniorCare program and                                     
                relating to that program; and providing for an                                     
          effective date."                                                                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education 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                                        
 Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Health and Social Services                                        
 Fiscal Note No. 4, Department of Health and Social Services                                        
 Fiscal Note No. 5, Department of Health and Social Services                                        
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 9: