GUIDELINES: State expects 7,500 to qualify; 18,000 got longevity bonus.

JUNEAU -- The state announced income guidelines Thursday for a new program to provide $120 monthly payments for low-income seniors who will lose longevity bonuses in September.

Senior advocates said the program will help some needy senior citizens, but they fear others will fall through the cracks. "As my mother used to say, it's better than a sharp stick in the eye," said Pat Luby, legislative representative for AARP in Alaska. "It's still going to be a mess for many of our oldest citizens."

Needs-based program open to Alaskan seniors age 65 or older begins in September

Juneau, Alaska - The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today released additional details on the new

At $1.6 billion, it is the most expensive in the state's budget, but the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is about to embark on a new course aimed at delivering a better product more efficiently and at less cost.

"It's the most comprehensive restructuring in the history of the department and it might even be one of the largest restructurings in the history of the state government," said Joel Gilbertson, commissioner of Health and Social Services in Gov. Frank Murkow-ski's administration.

WASILLA -- Bearing one of the largest budgets in state government during a budget crunch is no easy task, but Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Joel Gilbertson appears to be taking his duties in stride.

Governor Murkowski has now announced his final FY 04 budget plan,consistent with his stated intent to extend the life of ourConstitutional Budget Reserve by drawing down no more than $400 millionfrom our reserves this next fiscal year. In so doing, the Governor willexercise his power of the veto, reducing the budget passed by thelegislature by some $130 million in state funds.