2007-01-22                     House Journal                      Page 0075
HB 96                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 96 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 17, 2007, follows:                                                              
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
I am today transmitting a separate Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations bill                                                         
for the state's comprehensive mental health program.  As required by                                                            
statute, it includes both operating and capital appropriations and is                                                           

2007-01-22                     House Journal                      Page 0076
accompanied by a report outlining the differences between the                                                                   
recommendations of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and my                                                              
budget.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
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.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
I look forward to working with the Legislature to secure passage of                                                             
this budget bill.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                Sincerely,                                                                                     
                                /s/                                                                                             
                                Sarah Palin                                                                                    
                                 Governor"                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
A letter dated January 18, 2007, with an accompanying spreadsheet, to                                                           
the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority from Karen J. Rehfeld,                                                                 
Director, Office of Management and Budget, was attached (as required                                                            
by AS 37.14.003) and is on file in the Chief Clerk's office.