550 West Seventh Avenue, Suite 1700 ‘Anchorage, AK 99501 STATE CAPITOL P.O. fox 110001 uneau, AK 99811-0001 907-269-7450 907-465-3500 fx 907-269-7461 fox: 907-465-3532 | vn GovAasa Gov Governor Bill Walker Governor@Alaska.Gow STATE OF ALASKA Apsil 22, 2015 ‘The Honorable Mike Chenault ‘The Honorable Kevin Meyer Speaker of the House President of the Senate Alaska State Legislature Alaska State Legislature State Capitol, Room 208 State Capitol, Room 111 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Dear Speaker Chenault and President Meyer: First, I want to thank you both for your leadership and hard work this session on behalf of the citizens of Alaska, I appreciate the time and effort all sixty legislators have put into this session so far. Now that the Legislature has extended itself beyond the 90 day statutory limit to continue your internal budget negotiations, I urge you to use this time wisely. Thave previously indicated that it is my intention to call the Legislature into a special session to continue working on Medicaid expansion and reform, In Fiscal Year 2016, Medicaid expansion and reform will deliver $147 million into Alaska’s economy and result in a net savings of $6.5 million in the State’s general fund. Ultimately Alaskans will receive $1.44 billion in federal funding and realize a net savings of $330 million in general fund spending through Fiscal Years 2016 — 2021. Besides the positive fiscal benefits, Medicaid expansion is the right thing to do for tens of thousands of hard working, low income Alaskans who struggle every day without the benefit of health insurance. While the Legislature is still in regular session, it has an excellent opportunity to address Medicaid expansion and reform. In addition, thete are other issues of critical importance to Alaska’s children and families that are near the finish line and could be addressed quickly in your extended regular session, © Interior Energy Project: HB 105 has been pending on the Senate Floor calendar for the last three days. This legislation is needed to allow AIDEA to identify and pursue the best option for delivering low-cost, clean energy to Interior Alaska as quickly as possible. * Uniform Interstate Family Support Act: HB 106 is in the possession of the Senate Rules Committee. This legislation is crucial to protect our vulnerable children and needy families. Failure to pass HB 106 this session will make Alaska ineligible for $19 million of federal child support funding as well as $45 million in federal Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) funding, This will essentially cripple Alaska’s child support program and remove all federal funds for Alaska’s TANF program, resulting in a significant economic impact on Alaska’s children and low income families.‘The Honorable Mike Chenault ‘The Honorable Kevin Meyer April 22, 2015 Page 2 © Erin’s Law: Four bills ate currently pending in the Legislature dealing with this topic. One bill, HB 44, has passed the House and is waiting for action in the Senate. Exin’s law will empower our children with the knowledge to help protect themselves from the ugly onslaught of sexual abuse that is rampant in our state. hope you will consider continuing to hold hearings and deliberations on each of the above items while legislators are gathered, given the abundance of available time Sincerely, Bk tleller Governor