2018-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 1748
SB 143                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 143 BY THE SENATE 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.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2018-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 1749
In accordance with AS 37.14.003(b) a report of the differences                                                                  
between the Governor's proposed budget and the recommendations of                                                               
the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority was transmitted.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 15:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Kelly:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
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                                                              
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.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2018-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 1750
Thank you for your consideration of this bill.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor