2005-01-14                     Senate Journal                      Page 0058
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                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
SB 45                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 45 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                    
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "An Act making appropriations for the operating and                                       
          loan program expenses of state government, for                                            
          certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making                                         
          appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution                                    
          of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget                                    
          reserve fund; and providing for an effective date."                                       
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12, 2005:                                               
                                                                                                    
Dear President Stevens:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
The operating budget bill delivered today contains my proposal for the                              
2006 fiscal year.                                                                                   
                                                                                                    
My budget proposals reflect our obligation to meet a state's traditional                            
responsibilities to its citizens.  It reflects our commitment to growing                            
the state's economy through resource development, which provides                                    
Alaska families with opportunities for good jobs and careers.  Jobs                                 
also provide an economic base for our communities so they too can                                   
meet their local responsibilities to citizens.                                                      
                                                                                                    
The challenges our administration faced in developing our spending                                  
proposals for this session were very different from those of the last