Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
02/23/2021 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR5 | |
| SJR7 | |
| SJR6 | |
| SB53 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 53 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 5 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 7 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SJR 6-CONST. AM: PERM FUND & PFDS
3:46:44 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6 Proposing
amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating
to the Alaska permanent fund, appropriations from the permanent
fund, and the permanent fund dividend.
3:47:11 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on SJR 6.
3:47:58 PM
At ease
3:48:26 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and asked Ms. Reid to begin
her testimony.
3:48:51 PM
CAROLYN REID, representing self, Soldotna, Alaska, stated that
the portion of the permanent fund that goes to the people of
Alaska as a dividend should be left alone unless the people vote
for a change. She opined that the majority of Alaskans do not
want the legislature to take their dividend away and they want
the dividends that have been stolen.
3:50:13 PM
TERRIE HARRIS, representing self, Anchor Point, Alaska, reminded
the committee that they were not voted into office to make hard
decisions. Rather, they were voted in to represent constituents
and those constituents have repeatedly said to leave the
dividend alone. She stated support for a vote of the people on
the PFD on the traditional formula only.
MS. HARRIS said she also wanted to testify on SJR 7 in support
of a two-thirds majority vote of the people on new taxes and
increases to existing taxes.
3:51:24 PM
TERESA HANSON, representing self, [unk city] Alaska, recapped
the history of the permanent fund up until the first $1,000
checks were distributed in 1982. Since then, she said
legislators have tapped the permanent fund without consideration
of the voice of the people. She emphasized that the legislature
should only tap into the permanent fund with a vote of the
people, and it should "be restored back to its original
agreement as set forth." The permanent fund should not be a tool
for the legislature to use when it overspends in other areas,
she said. She concluded her comments by asking legislators to
stop the steal.
3:53:13 PM
BERT HOUGHTALING, representing self, Big Lake, Alaska, stated
opposition to the governor's proposal because it puts all
control over the permanent fund in legislators' hands. "You will
ultimately end up being able to determine who will and who won't
be able to get a PFD in the future." He noted that the
resolution changes "shall" to "may" meaning that the legislature
may choose to protect the dividend for the future but it may
also choose to change the law and not protect the dividend for
the future. If there is a constitutional cap on the budget,
there may be nothing left for the dividend "So I am a no when it
comes to SJR 6."
3:54:49 PM
VIKKI JO KENNEDY, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, stated that
she opposes SJR 6 because she does not want to put everything
she depends on in the hands of the legislature when it can't be
responsible for itself. She cited the example of legislators
saying they would not collect per diem after 120 days but
changing the law the next year. She stated support for using
part of the permanent fund for essential services like road
maintenance and ferry service.
3:57:53 PM
MATTHEW MAIXNER, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, stated
support for SJR 6 and sending the question to the people for a
vote. He said he believes there is confusion about what SJR 6
does. He offered his understanding that the resolution gives the
people control over how the PFD is spent. If the dividend is in
the Alaska Constitution, it is untouchable, he said. He
disagreed with a previous testifier that there may be nothing
left for a dividend because 25 percent is removed from the fund
and used specifically for dividends for the people. He
understood the concern about essential services, but he believes
the most essential service is to get the people the money that
they deserve. He also agrees that the legislature should stop
stealing from the people. He concluded his comments stating, "I
do advocate the return of the money that you guys took from us."
4:01:07 PM
CRIS EICHENLAUB, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified
on SJR 6 to advocate for enshrining permission from the people
to impose taxes or increase fees. He offered his belief that
from this point forward, no bills should pass that tax the
people or increase fees until the people have received their
traditional formula PFD. He suggested that paying the people
first would make the idea of taxes and fees more palatable.
He noted that he missed the opportunity to testify on SJR 5 and
SJR 7 asked if he had to call back to testify on SB 53 or if the
committee would take his word that he opposed that legislation.
CHAIR SHOWER apologized and advised that he could stay on the
line to testify on SB 53 and he was welcome to submit written
testimony on SJR 5 and SJR 7 to [email protected]. It would be
entered into the record.
4:04:01 PM
CHAIR SHOWER closed public testimony on SJR 6 and solicited a
motion.
4:04:37 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND moved to report [SJR 6,] work order 32-GS1694\A
from committee [with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s)].
There being no objection, SJR 6 was reported from the Senate
State Affairs Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR 6 Dept of Revenue Info.pdf |
SSTA 2/23/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 6 |
| SJR 5 Response.pdf |
SSTA 2/23/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 5 |
| SJR 7 Tax Ballot Measures.xlsx |
SSTA 2/23/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 7 |