2005-01-18                     House Journal                      Page 0086
HB 66                                                                                             
HOUSE BILL NO. 66 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 12, 2005, follows:                                  
                                                                                                    

2005-01-18                     House Journal                      Page 0087
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
I am today transmitting a separate FY 2006 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.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
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.  Regrettably, we                               
were unable to augment some of the Trust's requests with state general                              
funds.                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
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).