2015-01-23                     House Journal                      Page 0065
HB 73                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 73 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                    
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                

2015-01-23                     House Journal                      Page 0066
    "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.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
A letter dated January 22, 2015, with accompanying spreadsheets, to                                                             
the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority from Pat Pitney, 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.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 20, 2015, follows:                                                              
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Chenault:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the State's                                                                  
comprehensive mental health program for Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16).                                                                
As required by statute, it includes both operating and capital                                                                  
appropriations. Also as required, the enclosed report outlines the                                                              
differences between the recommendations of the Alaska Mental Health                                                             
Trust Authority and the proposed budget.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
In order to meet the December 15 statutory deadline for budget                                                                  
submission, the former administration's FY16 operating and capital                                                              
budgets are being submitted without endorsement. My Administration                                                              
has continued to refine our budget proposal after the December 15                                                               
deadline. A new budget, fully endorsed by me, will be submitted in                                                              
advance of the February 18 amended budget deadline.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The Walker Administration looks forward to working with the                                                                     
Legislature on a FY16 budget with full legislative deliberation and                                                             
will provide the fully endorsed amended budget to legislators as early                                                          
as possible.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor"