Legislature(2009 - 2010)
02/04/2010 03:09 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB300 || HB302 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 300
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government, for certain
programs, and to capitalize funds; making supplemental
appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX,
sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska; and
providing for an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 302
"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."
3:10:37 PM
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
BRIGADIER GENERAL THOMAS KATKUS, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT
OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND COMMANDER, ALASKA
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, explained that the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs not only encompasses the
uniformed members of the National Guard, but also the
Alaska Military Youth Academy. Multiple instructors and
assistants instruct at-risk youths who have dropped out of
high school to give them an opportunity to complete high
school, gain healthy life skills, develop leadership skills
and learn team work. General Katkus indicated that Veterans
Affairs is also an important part of the department. He
applauded Director Verdie Bowen for addressing issues
regarding the Alaska Territorial Guard and recognizing some
of the most historical and reverend members that served in
the territorial guard from 1942 to 1947. Today the Alaska
Territorial Guard is considered the original homeland
defense mission in Alaska. He noted that Director Bowen has
recognized, paid, and presented awards and decorations to
these veterans.
3:14:27 PM
Representative Fairclough appreciated the good monetary
management used in regard to the Alaska Military Youth
Academy.
General Katkus commented that the current budget is solid,
even with all the natural disasters and mobilizations that
have occurred. In the area of the Alaska Military Youth
Academy, the decrement of $600,000 was due to a decrease in
the number of students. He declared that since the money
was not put to use, it was returned to the state.
MCHUGH PIERRE, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY
AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, interjected that every eligible
student was taken into the program for the beginning class.
He noted that when the next count is taken in October, the
number of students may rise, but the funding will be for
last year's number. He indicated that the department can
still work within the budget.
3:17:01 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze complimented and appreciated the works and
interaction with the Veteran's Advisory Commission and
Veteran's Affairs.
3:18:43 PM
General Katkus agreed with the importance of the
interaction. He continued with the FY2011 budget. He
informed that the new Readiness Center in Bethel was coming
into fruition. The $20 million Readiness Center will house
the existing air crew and the training platform for the
infantry airborne company. He mentioned some early
challenges with the Federal Aviation Agency, but indicated
the airfield location adds security, mobilization, and
expediency. The price tag to maintain the facility will be
$88,000. The Air Guard budget reflects a $240,000 increase,
which is a percentage of the overall federal monies. The
federal government provides about 90 percent of what is
needed and the state provides the rest.
3:21:59 PM
Co-Chair Hawker asked what would be at risk if Alaska did
not provide the matching funding.
General Katkus replied that 10 percent of the work effort
would have to shut down. The worst case scenario would be
that the state of Alaska would lose the Wing which would
then move to another state willing to provide the funding.
Co-Chair Hawker inquired about the duties and mission of the
Wing. General Katkus replied that there are two Wings in
Alaska. The Air Wing of the 176th flies the newest C17
aircraft alongside the active duty military. Currently the
Wing is deployed to Haiti for a relief mission. The C-130
aircraft supplies life support throughout the Pacific
region. The air control squadron supplies the communication
link between the National Command Authority and the
Commander of the Alaskan Command (ALCOM). This directs F22
aircraft to intercept Russian bombers or any incursion into
the United States sovereign territory. They would also be
the direct link to intercept during a highjacking situation.
The 168th, the Air Refueling Wing, provides the fuel for the
airplanes that perform the intercepts. He mentioned that
Clear Air Force station has a sensor that performs space
technology to identify objects in space that are a threat to
the U. S. space station or satellites and supplies a grid
that can detect any missile launches. The Alaska National
Guard is critical to both the national defense and Alaska's
economy and security.
3:25:51 PM
Commissioner Pierre added that not every state has a Wing,
but Alaska has two. There is pressure from other states to
get this group; therefore it is important for Alaska to show
good faith in funding.
General Katkus added that the Air Rescue Center, run by the
Air National Guard, facilitates and assists the first
responder in a rescue emergency. He noted that at present
there are 2146 assigned drilling members in the Air National
Guard. General Katkus remarked that for every thousand
people in Alaska there are 5.4 members in the National
Guard, making Alaska fifth in the nation. He remarked on the
smooth progression in moving the units, equipment, and
aircraft from Kulis Air National Guard Base to Elmendorf Air
Force Base. The new facilities are on target, on schedule,
and within budget. He added that this would bring $130
million for construction into Alaska's economy. The Air
Rescue Squadron's Pararescue team will move on schedule into
one of the top notch facilities in the nation. The Air
National Guard's Jewel Lake Armory will be transferred back
to the city, but if the city does not want to maintain the
site, he believed it would be a good location for Veterans
Affairs and Family Civilian Support.
3:29:34 PM
Co-Chair Hawker questioned if the Jewel Lake facility had
environmental issues associated with it. General Katkis
replied that those issues have been addressed over the
years.
Co-Chair Hawker asked what was going to happen to the static
aircraft displays at Kulis. General Katkus answered that the
plan was to move the displays to Elmendorf. Co-Chair Hawker
mentioned that the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum would be
happy to work with them if they needed extra space.
3:32:13 PM
General Katkus pointed out that the only national cemeteries
in Alaska were at Fort Richardson in Anchorage and in Sitka.
He believed that national cemeteries were an important and
proper way to pay respect to service members. He noted a
budget request to secure and pay the cost of establishing a
veteran's cemetery in the Fairbanks area, run by the state
to the equivalent standards of a national cemetery.
Commissioner Pierre added that there has been great support
in the Fairbanks community for the national cemetery. The
new direction of national cemeteries is for the federal
government to work with the states to help them establish
local military cemeteries. Alaska's donation of $1 million
will contribute to getting the land for establishing the
cemetery. At present, the perfect location would be land on
the edge of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The cemetery
would have the look and feel of Arlington National Cemetery,
but contractors in the local community would perform the
construction and maintenance work.
3:34:40 PM
Vice-Chair Thomas asked if the headstones would be the same
as Arlington National Cemetery. Commissioner Pierre said
yes. He added that even though it would be a state cemetery
it would be a federally recognized and affiliated national
cemetery meeting all federal criteria. Vice-Chair Thomas
asked who will make the final decision on land. Commission
Pierre replied that the people of Fairbanks will make the
final decision. Vice-Chair Thomas remarked that veterans he
has talked with support the university site.
3:36:09 PM
Commissioner Pierre also mentioned that even those veterans
not entitled to the federally recognized benefit can be
buried in the state national cemetery. Vice-Chair Thomas
remarked that there is a unit that provides veterans with
military honors at their funeral. General Katkus informed
that this unit performed over 150 funerals last year. He
elaborated that the primarily volunteer individuals in the
unit are issued a set of dress uniforms, given time to
practice and have their travel expenses paid to locations
throughout the state. Vice-Chair Thomas asked if this
service was for all military branches. General Katkus
replied yes.
3:38:28 PM
Co-Chair Hawker thanked the general for the services and
support provided during the memorial service for
Representative Richard Foster. Representative Neal Foster
also expressed his thank you for his father's memorial
service.
General Katkus concluded with a reference to the two
magazines handouts: Alaska Department of Military & Veterans
Affairs, Annual Report 2009, and Warriors (copies on file).
3:40:32 PM
Representative Joule commented that he has seen a decrease
of National Guard enrollment in the villages. He appreciated
the recognition in Warriors magazine of two Alaska Natives.
He declared that these individuals were good role models to
village youths to show them that other opportunities might
be available to them. General Katkus mentioned other Alaska
role models that have been recognized in the National Guard.
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