2016-01-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 1609
The FY 2017 mental health budget includes $26.8 million of the $29.9                                                            
million operating and capital Trust recommendations. Due to fiscal                                                              
constraints, increases to the mental health budget were not included.                                                           
Included in the operating budget are reductions of $10.2 million for                                                            
one-time salary adjustments and Medicaid cost savings for a total                                                               
proposed FY 2017 mental health budget of $232.0 million.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The proposed mental health budget represents a cooperative effort                                                               
between State agencies and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.                                                            
These productive working relationships make a positive difference for                                                           
Alaska's mental health beneficiaries. We look forward to working                                                                
with the Legislature on securing passage of the FY 2017 mental health                                                           
budget bill.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SB 141                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 141 BY SENATOR STEVENS, entitled:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act relating to possession of an electronic                                                                       
          smoking device, e-liquid or e-liquid product, vapor                                                                   
          product, or alternative tobacco product by a minor                                                                    
          and to selling or giving an electronic smoking device,                                                                
          e-liquid or e-liquid product, vapor product, or                                                                       
          alternative tobacco product to a minor."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and                                                              
Judiciary Committees.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SB 142                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 142 BY SENATOR GIESSEL, entitled:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
               "An Act relating to insurance coverage for anti-                                                                
          cancer medications."