2018-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 2188
HB 285                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 285 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.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
A letter dated January 16 with an accompanying spreadsheet, 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 15 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
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 2019 (FY                                                                    
2019). 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 my proposed budget.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The total FY 2019 mental health budget of $231.9 million represents a                                                           
$13.8 million increase from FY 2018. The FY 2019 budget includes                                                                
$16.9 million of the Trust's $17.5 million operating budget                                                                     
recommendations and $12.4 million of the Trust's $14.8 million                                                                  
capital budget recommendations. These amounts are in addition to                                                                
$201.8 million of annual base funding. The mental health operating                                                              

2018-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 2189
budget reflects changes to the Medicaid program, and salary and                                                                 
health benefit adjustments. Reports comparing Trust recommendations                                                             
to those included in the FY2019 Governor's operating and capital                                                                
mental health budgets are available at:                                                                                         
https://www.omb.alaska.gov/ombfiles/19_budget/PDFs/FY2019_MH_                                                                   
Reports.pdf                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The State's fiscal situation requires all areas of government to                                                                
maximize efficiencies. The Trust's encouragement and support of                                                                 
Medicaid and criminal justice reform have had a positive impact on                                                              
the state. Moving forward, a comprehensive fiscal plan that addresses                                                           
State revenue will help ensure the sustainability of programs that                                                              
support Alaska's mental health beneficiaries. We look forward to                                                                
working with the Legislature to finalize the FY 2019 budget bills and                                                           
address revenue solutions.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Thank you for your consideration of this bill.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor"