2020-01-21                     House Journal                      Page 1434
HB 205                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 205 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         

2020-01-21                     House Journal                      Page 1435
    "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan                                                                    
    program expenses of state government and for certain programs;                                                              
    capitalizing funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),                                                        
    Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget                                                         
    reserve fund; and providing for an effective date."                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 17 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 operating                                                        
budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The FY 2021 operating budget totals $4.397 billion Unrestricted                                                                 
General Funds (UGF), $894.4 million Designated General Funds                                                                    
(DGF), $707.6 million Other State Funds, and $2.866 billion Federal                                                             
Funds.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
This budget makes strategic investments in public safety, honors                                                                
statutory formula programs by fully funding K-12 education and a full                                                           
statutory distribution of the Permanent Fund Dividend, while reducing                                                           
total agency operation spending. My administration continues to seek                                                            
budget reductions while providing better delivery of services to                                                                
Alaskans by focusing on state agency operating efficiencies and                                                                 
modernization.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The FY 2021 budget preserves State services at approximately the                                                                
same level as the current fiscal year (FY 2020).                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
My administration looks forward to working with the Legislature on                                                              
the timely passage and implementation of the FY 2021 budget.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Michael J. Dunleavy                                                                                                             
Governor"