2019-07-08                     House Journal                      Page 1212
HB 40                                                                                                                         
The following letter dated June 28 was received at 10:56 a.m.:                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
On this date, I have signed, with line-item vetoes, the following bill                                                          
passed during the First Special Session of the Thirty-First Alaska State                                                        

2019-07-08                     House Journal                      Page 1213
Legislature and am transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to                                                            
the Lieutenant Governor's Office for permanent filing:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     CONFERENCE CS FOR SS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 40                                                                                 
     "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."                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Chapter No. 2, FSSLA 2019                                                                                                  
     [Effective Date:  July 1, 2019]                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
My administration worked to identify what items were a priority based                                                           
on the principles I have established during my time in office. This                                                             
budget was thoroughly evaluated, and my policies were applied                                                                   
consistently across the board.  We must evaluate all programs based                                                             
on how effective they are in achieving the desired outcome. Going                                                               
forward, it will be necessary for the Mental Health Trust to assess                                                             
program needs and utilize the Trust's earnings to fund any increases in                                                         
financial support.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
With this in mind, reductions were made to the Mental Health Capital                                                            
and Operating budget. These vetoes are in line with the guiding                                                                 
principles I outlined on day one of my administration. Reports are                                                              
attached detailing vetoes to the mental health operating budget, in                                                             
addition $11.7 million in unrestricted general funds (UGF) were                                                                 
vetoed from the mental health capital budget for projects that are not                                                          
core functions of the state. We must work together to prioritize State                                                          
funded programs, and programs funded at the local level.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Michael J. Dunleavy                                                                                                             
Governor"