Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/19/2007 04:00 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB96 |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 95 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 96 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 95
An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan
program expenses of state government, for certain
programs, and to capitalize funds; making
appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution
of the State of Alaska; and providing for an effective
date.
HOUSE BILL NO. 96
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.
TIME SPEAKER DISCUSSION
4:07:04 PM Co-Chair Brought the House Finance Committee
Chenault meeting to order to take public
testimony from Anchorage on HB 95 & HB
96.
ANCHORAGE
4:07:41 PM JOHN STRIPE, Testified in support of Independent
BOARD MEMBER, Living Grants. He pointed out that
ACCESS ALASKA, funding has been "flat" for the past
ANCHORAGE ten years. Over the past three years,
Access has served 112% of the
population. He requested a 94%
increase for the hearing impaired
population.
4:13:03 PM VERN BUSSING, Worried about the raise of health and
ANCHORAGE workmen's compensation costs to small
business people. He encouraged speed
in assisting that population.
4:15:09 PM GWEN LEE, Noted concern for those living in the
PARENT, MEMBER State with developmental disabilities.
OF ANCHORAGE She commented that infant learning is a
RESOURCE critical component in that budget. She
CENTER (ARC), worried about a rate freeze in
ANCHORAGE providing services in those communities
& pointed out that the Anchorage caucus
had indicated concern with loosing
those services. There is no
methodology when setting rates for such
services. She pointed out the
difficultly in recruiting and training
staff in those fields & urged that the
rate freeze be eliminated, with instead
a grant increase of 8%.
4:20:00 PM KRISTEN Spoke in support for further &
YEARSLEY, increased funding for those who have
STAR, experienced sexual assault, domestic
ANCHORAGE violence and rape. She pointed out the
mental health needs associated for
those victims. It would be more cost
effective for the State to address
crisis intervention.
4:24:37 PM NICOLE Voiced support and appreciation for
THIBODEAU, restoration of the human services
DIRECTOR, matching grants.
COVENANT
HOUSE,
ANCHORAGE
4:26:38 PM KAREN ROGINA, Testified in support for greater
CEO, ALASKA funding for Alaska Tourism marketing.
HOSPITALITY She stressed how much the industry
ALLIANCE, contributes to the State's economy.
ANCHORAGE
4:29:27 PM SUSAN Voiced appreciation for continued
BOMALASKI, funding of the community block grants &
EXECUTIVE urged that funding continue at an
DIRECTOR, increased level.
CATHOLIC
SOCIAL
SERVICES,
ANCHORAGE
4:31:05 PM JESALYN Voiced support for the Keep the Elders
STANTON, THE at Home initiative and testified in
SALVATION support for all Adult Day Services.
ARMY, Such services are about keeping
ANCHORAGE families together and helping eliminate
stress for those families.
4:34:52 PM JOHN Asked that the Legislature consider the
KREILKAMP, cruise industry as a partner in the
CRUISE WEST, tourism industry. He noted, this past
ANCHORAGE year, the tourism industry contributed
$49 million dollars into the State
coffers. He highlighted the many
communities serviced by the Industry.
He urged that the statewide tourism
marketing program be fully funded.
4:37:14 PM ANNE DENNIS-Voiced support for sufficient funding
CHOI, THE for statewide behavioral grant
SALVATION programs. She mentioned the high rate
ARMY, of alcohol dependence in the State of
ANCHORAGE Alaska and that alcohol abuse impacts
the Alaskan economy in many expensive
ways. That grant funding is critical.
4:40:09 PM JANET MITSON, She urged funding for municipal revenue
MUNICIPALITY sharing for MOA. Ms. Mitson added
OF ANCHORAGE concern about receiving support for the
(MOA), Alaska Public Employee Retirement
DIRECTOR OF System (PERS) and the Teacher's
MANAGEMENT & Retirement System (TRS) costs.
BUDGET, Ms. Mitson indicated support for full
MAYOR'S funding of costs for the MOA traffic
OFFICE, streetlight signals. The State's share
ANCHORAGE of those costs show up as a separate
appropriation within the Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities.
The true costs are established under
auditing costs for the City of
Anchorage and as a result, MOA
taxpayers subsidize costs.
She mentioned support for full funding
property tax for seniors and those with
disabilities.
4:46:05 PM PAT LUBY, Testified in support of continued
ADVOCACY funding for the Longevity Bonus Program
DIRECTOR, as needs based. He noted support also
ALASKA for the Senior Care program. The
ASSOCIATION OF concern is the amount proposed funding
RETIRED to cover health care costs. He added
PERSONS support for Keeping the Elders at Home
(AARP), Initiative & all the services for
ANCHORAGE keeping seniors at home.
4:48:11 PM SUZI PEARSON, Voiced appreciation for the support for
DEPUTY women experiencing domestic violence
DIRECTOR, through the State Department funding.
AWAIC, She pointed out the decrease to the
ANCHORAGE AWAIC shelter's funding and the costs
associated with health insurance,
amounting to 11.25% of their budget.
The agency is supported through the
State and private funding.
4:50:33 PM KARLA JUTZI, Voiced support for greater funding for
EXECUTIVE those that are visually impaired. She
DIRECTOR, pointed out that the increase of
ALASKA CENTER diabetes is the leading cause of blind
FOR THE BLIND and hearing disorders statewide.
& VISUALLY
IMPAIRED,
ANCHORAGE
4:53:02 PM CHARLIE HALL, Testified in support for full funding
ANCHORAGE for the Alaska Pioneer Homes. He said
PIONEER HOME, that he really appreciates being able
ANCHORAGE to live in the Pioneer Home in
Anchorage.
4:54:02 PM DEANNE HARMS, Voiced support for full funding for the
ANCHORAGE Alaska Pioneer Homes, indicating that
PIONEER she likes living in that environment.
She was grateful to be at the Anchorage
Pioneer Home. She said the staff was
very caring. She worried about the
elevators and other equipment in the 30
year old building.
4:56:04 PM JOHN DONAHUE, Testified in support for full funding
ANCHORAGE for the Alaska Pioneer Homes. He said
PIONEER HOME, that he really appreciates being able
ANCHORAGE to live in the Pioneer Home in
Anchorage. He noted that the CNA staff
has "dwindled" lately. The overall
staff is remarkable.
4:58:03 PM BONNIE MCGREW, Noted support for the assisted living
ANCHORAGE homes. She testified in support of
Independent Living Grants.
5:00:45 PM JIM GOTTSTEIN, Requested that the increment be added
PRESIDENT, back to fund SOTERIA-Alaska, mental
SOTERIA-health patients statewide.
ALASKA,
ANCHORAGE
5:03:17 PM ARON WOLF, Spoke in support of funding for mental
M.D., MEDICAL health programs.
ASSISTANT,
SOTERIA-
ALASKA,
ANCHORAGE
5:05:25 PM FAITH MYERS, Spoke in support of funding for mental
SELF, health programs.
ANCHORAGE
5:07:32 PM SUSAN FAITH, Testified in support of funding for
SALVATION Senior Community Grants and the Keep
ARMY, the Seniors at Home Initiative.
ANCHORAGE
5:10:06 PM JOE MATHIS, Voiced support for tourism marketing
MONTANA CREEK funding.
CAMPGROUND,
ANCHORAGE
5:13:00 PM MARY ELIZABETH Spoke in support of funding for mental
RIDER, SELF, health programs, especially for youth.
NASW, ALASKA Recommended full funding for senior
care programs.
5:18:03 PM TAMMY GRIFFIN, Voiced support for tourism funding and
AH&CA & THE the Truth in Marketing for the State
HOTEL GROUP, program.
ANCHORAGE
5:20:36 PM KATY PARRISH, Noted support for full funding for
SELF, children with disabilities. She urged
ANCHORAGE early intervention services. She
pointed out that on the federal level,
there has been a 6% decrease to Special
Education funding. Alaska is
vulnerable to providing services to
those individuals.
5:23:25 PM BRIAN SAYLOR, Indicated support for the human
CHAIRMAN, services component & block grant
HEALTH & HUMAN funding. These are the most vulnerable
SERVICES Alaskans and they need that funding.
COMMISSION, The need greatly exceeds the resources
MOA, ANCHORAGE available.
5:25:21 PM ANNA ATTLA, Spoke in support for funding Infant
ANCHORAGE Learning.
5:26:08 PM PAM VANDERN- Indicated the need for increased
BURG, KID CORP funding for the Head Start Program.
& HEAD START The goal is to service lower income
PROGRAM, families first. Head Start has been
PARENT, flat funded for the past 10 years.
ANCHORAGE There are always wait lists for the
program.
5:29:46 PM JANEL KOSTEN, Testified in support of funding for
NURSE, alcohol treatment programs & detox
SALVATION ARMY centers.
CLITHEROE
CENTER,
ANCHORAGE
5:31:15 PM ROWENA BROWN, Voiced support for greater & continued
HEAD START, funding for the Head Start Program.
ANCHORAGE Head Start has been flat funded for the
past ten years. There are many
children on the Head Start wait lists.
5:33:39 PM RUTH Testified in support of greater funding
ROSEWARNE, for Alaska Tourism. She said it was
PRESIDENT, "shameful" that Alaskans lack education
ANCHORAGE about their own State. She stressed
TOURISM the importance of the Industry.
INDUSTRY,
ANCHORAGE
5:36:08 PM Co-Chair ADJOURNMENT
Chenault
The meeting was adjourned at 5:36 PM.
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