Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/16/2002 09:44 AM Senate FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 403(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)(efd fld)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan
program expenses of state government, for certain programs,
and to capitalize funds."
SENATE BILL NO. 289
"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, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an
effective date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 404(FIN)
"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."
SENATE BILL NO. 288
"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."
This was the second hearing for these bills in the Senate Finance
Committee.
[Note: The subcommittee reports cited are on file.]
Department of Public Safety
Senator Alan Austerman, Chair
Senator Lyda Green, Vice-Chair
Senator John Cowdery
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
Senator Robin Taylor
CLIFF STONE, Staff to Senator Alan Austerman, referenced the
prepared subcommittee Operating Budget Closeout Recommendations for
the Department of Public Safety and noted that both the Senate bill
number and the House of Representatives bill number have been
inadvertently misidentified on page one of the report. He clarified
that SB 289 is incorrectly identified as SB 288 and HB 403 is
misidentified as HB 414.
Mr. Stone stated that the subcommittee chair intended to restore
$1,791,400 to the Department of Public Safety's "core elements for
public safety." He stated that this endeavor was partly
accomplished by eliminating $869,100 in general funds identified
for the Batterers Intervention Program, the Victims for Justice
Program, and the Alaska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.
Mr. Stone continued that the subcommittee members reversed the
Chair's action and restored the funding for those programs in the
subcommittee's proposal.
Mr. Stone noted that the Senate subcommittee additionally
recommended a reversal of the House of Representatives' $200,900
reduction for fire prevention programs and restoration of that
funding to the Department's Administrative Services budget.
Mr. Stone then explained that the subcommittee adopted several
amendments that "shifted" $194,800 in general funds from the
Department's Division of Administrative Services to the Regional
Public Safety Officers program, and transferred other Division of
Administrative Services funds to support the Council on Violence
and Sexual Assault and recommended the Committee approve these
changes.
Co-Chair Donley reminded the Committee that the Senate Majority's
budget allocation for this Department is $1,791,400 more than the
amount contained in the budget adopted by the House of
Representatives. He stated that the Senate Majority emphasized
funding that would provide the Department with the "flexibility" to
prioritize public safety and minimize reductions in front-line
services that protect Alaskans.
Senator Olson commented that, historically, when general funds for
aviation programs have been reduced or eliminated, there has been
an impact on Rural Alaska; therefore, he asked whether the Civil
Air Patrol funding has been restored to its original funding level.
Mr. Stone replied that the subcommittee recommends restoring those
funds, and noted that approximately $500,000 would be provided to
fund the cost of fuel for the Civil Air Patrol.
Senator Olson asked for clarification that the subcommittee chair's
$869,100 general fund reduction proposal would have reduced funding
for the Civil Air Patrol as well as funding for the Victims for
Justice Program and the Batterers Intervention Program.
Mr. Stone detailed that the proposed $869,100 reduction removed
approximately $120,000 in general funds from the Batterers
Intervention Program; however, he noted that other funding remained
available for this program. He continued that this reduction also
removed approximately $240,000 in general funds designated for the
Victims for Justice Program, which would have eliminated all
funding for that program, and he stated that the remaining balance
was removed from the Civil Air Patrol general funding allotment.
Senator Olson asked for assurance that Civil Air Patrol rescue
operations would be sufficiently funded in this budget
recommendation.
Mr. Stone communicated that there are many "valid programs" to
consider and that reducing or eliminating any program's funding is
a very difficult decision. He asserted that while the subcommittee
Chair recognizes the value of the Civil Air Patrol, the goal of
providing adequate funding to support the core programs of the
Department of Public Safety subcommittee was paramount in the
decision.
Senator Olson voiced relief that the funds for the Civil Air Patrol
remain "in place."
Senator Hoffman noted that the FY 03 $76,241,500 Budget
Recommendation for the Department of Public Safety is approximately
$520,000 less than the FY 02 Management Budget Plan of $76,767,500,
and he asked which programs would be affected by the Department's
funding reduction.
Mr. Stone responded that most of the reductions recommended by the
subcommittee would affect the Division of Administrative Services
and the Office of the Commissioner.
BRUCE TANGEMAN, Fiscal Analyst, Division of Legislative Finance,
informed the Committee that the subcommittee recommendation reduces
approximately $95,000 from the Office of the Commissioner and the
balance is removed from the Division of Administrative Services
budget.
Senator Hoffman asked how these reductions would affect the
Department's management ability.
Co-Chair Donley informed the Committee that the Department would be
presenting testimony to the Committee in a forthcoming meeting.
Senator Austerman relayed that the Department has determined that
these reductions would occur in the Division of Administrative
Services, which, he asserted, would result in a reduction in the
number of State Troopers on patrol. He explained that his approach
to the Department's budget focused on funding reductions to non-
core programs, rather than issuing across-the-board funding cuts
that might result in weakening the entire Department. He explained
that programs such as the Victims for Justice program and the Civil
Air Patrol programs are programs that were "added to" the
Department and are not considered to be core components. He
qualified that his recommendation, as subcommittee chair, was to
reduce $869,000 in funding from the non-core programs in order to
maintain funding for core programs such as the number of troopers
on duty. He recounted that the subcommittee members decided
otherwise.
Senator Austerman spoke to the amendments adopted by the
subcommittee through which funding for various programs was reduced
rather than eliminated or transferred, and pointed out that some
programs are proposed to be alternatively funded by receipt-support
services rather than general funds. He stated that further
discussion should ensue to clarify the validity of some of the
receipt-support funding proposals.
Mr. Tangeman elaborated that current State statute prohibits the
collection of fees as a receipt-supported funding mechanism for
some of the programs identified in the subcommittee report. He
communicated that even though the revenue could be collected; it
could not be expended because the Department does not currently
have the necessary authorization. He stated that a change in State
statute would be required to accommodate this funding mechanism;
specifically the collection and expending of monies generated from
concealed handgun permit fees and license fees for private security
guard personnel. He summarized that the intent would be to use the
revenue generated from these fees, rather than general funds, to
support specific programs.
Co-Chair Donley paraphrased that existing law allows for the
collection of these fees; however, the revenue is currently
deposited into the State's general fund and is not earmarked to
support the programs. He expressed that State statutes would need
to be revised in order to allow the program receipt revenue to be
designated to fund the program.
Mr. Tangeman concurred.
Co-Chair Donley reiterated that current State law does not provide
the Department with the required statutory authorization to expend
the program receipts to support the program.
Mr. Tangeman agreed.
Senator Austerman reminded the Committee that while the
subcommittee's FY 03 budget recommendation for the Department
provides $1,791,400 more funding than the House of Representative's
budget; the total budget recommendation is approximately $500,000
less than the FY 02 Management Plan.
Senator Wilken asked whether this budget recommendation provides
for an overall "increase, decrease or status quo" in the number of
Alaska State Troopers (Blue Shirts), Fish and Wildlife Protection
Officers (Brown Shirts), and Village Public Safety Officers
(VPSOs).
Senator Austerman responded that while "each of those categories
remains the same;" the Division of Administrative Services, which
has received across-the-board cuts, ultimately makes the decision
as to where reductions would occur. He explained that the Division
has the authority to decide, for example, whether to reduce the
number of troopers on patrol or to reduce the level of funding for
purchasing ammunition.
Co-Chair Donley clarified that "staying the same" means that the
Senate subcommittee report does not specify any reductions in the
numbers as compared to FY 02. He noted that the House subcommittee
report specifically recommends a reduction in the number of
troopers.
Senator Green informed the Committee that the FY 03 Senate
subcommittee budget report specifically provides funding to employ
individuals currently undergoing VPSO training after graduating
from the program. She explained that while the funding for training
was included in the FY 02 budget; employment funding was not. She
voiced uncertainty as to whether this employment would result in a
net increase of VPSO employees; however, she affirmed that funding
for four positions is provided.
Co-Chair Donley asked whether the House budget provides funding for
these VPSO positions.
Mr. Tangeman replied that the House budget specifically reduces
funding to the VPSO program in addition to funding reductions in
the Office of the Commissioner and the Division of Administrative
Services. He noted that the Department's impact statement specifies
that this funding reduction would result in the elimination of 23
trooper positions.
Senator Austerman referred the Committee to page one of the Senate
subcommittee report and the recommendation to restore funding for
the VPSO program eliminated in the budget passed by the House of
Representatives.
Senator Hoffman asked what items are included in the $2,245,600
miscellaneous expenses budget reduction on page three of the Senate
subcommittee report.
Mr. Tangeman responded that this "Miscellaneous unallocated
reduction" pertains to the "salary adjustments that were added in
the introduction bill."
Senator Hoffman asserted that since the Commissioner would
determine where the reductions would occur, it could negatively
affect the VPSO or Brown Shirts' budget.
Mr. Tangeman responded that it could.
Senator Hoffman expressed, "this is a substantial amount of
unallocated reduction."
Department of Natural Resources
Senator Loren Leman, Chair
Senator Randy Phillips
Senator John Torgerson
Senator Ben Stevens
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
Senator Leman informed the Committee of the difficulties of working
within the parameters of the Senate Majority designated budget
limitation for this Department, as the challenges presented by some
of the missions charged to this Department are "daunting";
particularly those involving divisions responsible for producing
revenue from the State's natural resources. He commented that as
the availability of non-general fund dollars has decreased, fund
shifting has become an option; however, this option is less
available than it has been in the past. He reviewed the FY 03
Operating Budget Subcommittee Report as follows.
A $400.9 increase in timber receipt authority to propel value-
added processing and continue timber sales in the Interior and
Southeast.
Senator Leman stated that these receipts, combined with a federally
funded hazard fuels capital improvement project (CIP) assessment,
would provide a funding increase to forestry management programs.
He continued that additional funding has been provided, in the
subcommittee recommendations, to the Clean Water Act, Section 319,
to support Forestry Practices Act activities.
A $325.1 GF increase to address the Division of Oil and Gas
priorities: a Royalty Valuation Commercial Analyst, a Natural
Resource Officer I for Leasing (to bring in $10 million in
deferred or lost bonus/rentals), and a Petroleum Reservoir
Engineer for reservoir management.
Senator Leman stated that the Division of Oil and Gas "is
inadequately staffed," and that increasing the number of staffing
positions is necessary to prevent further leasing delays that
prevent the State from collecting lease monies.
A fund source change of $400.0 to the Division of Oil and Gas
from General Fund to Coastal Impact Assistance Funds for the
activities of the division related to the Coastal Plain of
ANWR.
Senator Leman informed the Committee that discussions are
continuing with the Department to identify whether this funding
source or another funding avenue would be available.
Authorizing $160.0 GF for assumption of the Denali Block, a
mineral rich conveyance requiring this funding for
archaeological work. The State estimates it will collect
approximately $120.0 in revenues when the conveyance is final.
Senator Leman stated that the Denali Block formation is located on
the east end of the Denali Highway near Paxson. He stated that
while this work was approved in FY 02, shifting priorities within
the Department prevented it from occurring; however, he noted, the
subcommittee has "clearly" identified this work as a priority for
the upcoming year.
Senator Leman informed the Committee the subcommittee recommended
against funding the requested Natural Resources Officer II position
for Shallow Gas Leasing; however, he opined that possible funding
for the position might be available from statutory Designated
Program Receipts.
Authorizing the Natural Resource Position Classifications as
the department must fund the results of the classification
study. The Subcommittee has funded this through an unallocated
reduction in the Commissioner's office of $343.2, allowing the
department to use the other than GF funds.
A $530.8 GF/Prgm decrement to the Division of Parks $5,850.0
budget.
Senator Leman stated that to meet the Senate Majority's budget
amount and to provide funding for the Division of Oil and Gas, a
$530,000 reduction in funding has been proposed for the Division of
Parks. He noted that this decrement is half of the amount
recommended by the House of Representatives. He stated that the
subcommittee supports funding this program shortfall with receipt-
supported services, however, he stated that the Legislature would
need to address this issue.
Supporting RS 2477 Assertions by retaining $40.0/GF and adding
$75.0 CIP Rcpts from Land & Water Conservation Grants.
Senator Leman noted that this is a funding source switch to allow
this "navigability assertions and litigation support component" to
move forward.
Establish a new BRU (not a new program) for the Natural
Resource Conservation and Development Board showing the
subcommittee's support for the work of the Board and the Soil
and Water Conservation Districts.
Senator Leman stressed that while this is not a new program, a new
budget request item (BRU) has been established "to highlight the
activities of the Board and its Soil and Water Conservation
Districts." He stated that interagency receipt funds, provided
through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, would provide for the
$25,000 increase.
Senator Leman informed the Committee that the Governor's request of
$38.2 million general fund dollars for this Department is
approximately $2.5 million above the FY 02 Management Plan, and
that the Governor's All Funds budget request totals approximately
$81 million dollars and includes 992 positions. In comparison, he
noted that the Senate Majority designated general fund allocation
is $34.1 million with an All Funds total of approximately $78
million and 941 positions.
Senator Leman acknowledged the efforts exerted by: the subcommittee
members; Anna Kim, the subcommittee's Fiscal Analyst; and the
efforts of the Department staff who worked constructively with the
subcommittee to "creatively" develop a budget to meet the
Department's obligations.
Senator Wilken asked how the $400,000 increase in timber receipt
authority compares with the House of Representatives budget
recommendations on this subject.
Senator Leman responded that the amount established by the Senate
Majority is an increase over the amount proposed by the House of
Representatives.
Senator Wilken asked how the FY 03 timber sales funding level
compares to FY 02 funding, as that funding level caused concern in
Interior Alaska.
ANNETTE KREITZER, Staff to Senator Loren Leman, stated that the
subcommittee, with assistance from the Department, attempted to
hold the Division of Forestry's budget at its prior year's level by
shifting funding sources. She reported that the FY 03 funding
amount is the same as FY 02.
Senator Hoffman noted that the FY 02 Management Plan totaled $35.7
million; however the FY 03 limit is $34.1 million. He asked which
Department programs, in addition to the identified $500,000
decrement to the Division of Parks, would be negatively affected by
the total $1.6 million shortfall.
Senator Leman asked Ms. Kreitzer to explain how the remaining $1.1
million funding reduction would affect the Department.
Ms. Kreitzer confirmed that the $530,000 decrement to the Division
of Parks is a large portion of the $1.6 million shortfall, and she
reminded the Committee that the FY 03 salary increases would be
absorbed by the Department. She stressed that efforts were
undertaken to locate alternate funding sources for the Department
by such means as fund shifting. She furthered that the Division of
Oil and Gas and the Department's administration would absorb some
of the shortfall. She stated that a more detailed breakout could be
provided.
Senator Hoffman stated that a breakout would be appreciated, as a
$1.1 million general fund shortfall is a substantial amount for the
Department to absorb.
Senator Leman clarified that while the budget reflects a $1.1
million general fund shortfall; the decrease is not indicative that
program funding is being reduced, but rather that alternative
funding sources have been identified to replace general fund
allocations.
Senator Hoffman requested a list detailing the alternate funding
sources that would replace the projected general fund shortfall.
Senator Leman affirmed that this information would be supplied.
Senator Austerman commented that when comparing the FY 03 budget to
the FY 02 Management Plan, it appears that numerous reductions have
occurred, such as a $338,000 reduction in the Office of the
Commissioner's budget and approximately a million dollar reduction
in the Division of Parks budget.
Ms. Kreitzer responded that the amounts reflect the actions taken
by the House of Representatives as she noted, the House, not the
Senate subcommittee, reduced the Division of Parks' budget by
approximately one million dollars.
Senator Austerman echoed Senator Hoffman's request that further
information be supplied to clarify the proposed funding sources for
Department programs.
Co-Chair Donley stated that Senator Leman would supply the
requested information.
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Senator Jerry Ward, Subcommittee Chair
Senator John Cowdery
Senator Robin Taylor
Senator Lyman Hoffman
LORETTA BROWN, Staff to Senator Jerry Ward, informed the Committee
that the subcommittee recommends a FY 03 general fund allocation of
$96,863,700 for the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities. She explained that the subcommittee acted in accordance
with the Senate Majority budget allocation recommendations.
Ms. Brown read from the report as follows.
A weighted reduction in GF was taken in each component with
the exception of Highways & Aviation. A second reduction was
taken to distribute an unallocated reduction in the
Commissioner's Office to each component.
Ms. Brown testified that the subcommittee focused on allocating the
general fund reductions throughout the Department; however the
budget for the Division of Highways & Aviation remained intact with
the intent of "protecting maintenance stations." She continued that
the subcommittee, in its recommendation, additionally redistributed
the unallocated reduction resulting from the general fund salary
increases adjustment, in the Office of the Commissioner to the
actual affected Department components.
$130.0 was moved from the Northern Region Highways & Aviation,
$30.0 from Southeast Highways & Aviation and $40.0 from
Central Region Highway & Aviation with the intent to maintain
the Willow Maintenance Station.
Ms. Brown stated that $750,000 in federal receipts were identified
in the subcommittee report for the Central Region Highways &
Aviation budget, specifically for the operation and maintenance of
Mitchell Field in Adak.
The Subcommittee denied authority for a $3.9 million increment
to the Alaska Marine Highway. The legislature appropriates
money directly to the Marine Highway Stabilization Fund. If
additional authority is needed it can be done by the full
committee. Other changes in authority and funding that did not
affect GF were accepted and incorporated into the
Subcommittee's Proposed Operating Budget.
Fuel and utility cost increments were denied.
Ms Brown explained that the subcommittee recommended adoption of
the following two structure changes.
At the request of the City of Anchorage, a Traffic Signal
Management funding component was added. Funding for the new
component was transferred from the Statewide Facility
Maintenance and Operations component and received the same
weighted reduction as all other components.
To assure the spring road openings it is recommended that a
funding component be added for Northern Region Road Openings.
Funding for the new component was transferred from the
Northern Region Highways and Aviation component and received
the same weighted reduction as Highways and Aviation.
In summary, Ms. Brown stated that, "recommended reductions in
general fund expenditures necessary to meet the Department's
General Fund allocation were met. Approving the Department's other
requested changes in funding and authorization brings the total
operating budget of All Funds to $345,936,000."
Co-Chair Donley commented that the goal of providing continued road
maintenance prompted the Senate Majority's general fund allocation
to be more than that allocated by the House of Representatives. He
asked Senator Ward how the subcommittee addressed this endeavor.
Senator Ward responded that the difference between the general fund
allocation proposed by the Senate and the House was allocated
entirely to the highway maintenance stations component. He
continued that while maintenance stations would not be funded at
the level requested by the Department, they would be able to remain
"open and operational." He noted that the House of Representatives
proposal closed some maintenance stations as a means to offset the
Department's unallocated budget cuts.
Senator Ward commented that rather than closing some maintenance
stations to compensate for the unallocated general fund reductions
specified for salary increases as the House of Representatives has
proposed, the Senate subcommittee recommended reallocating the
unallocated reduction for salary increases to the affected
Divisions.
Senator Hoffman affirmed that the subcommittee concentrated on
providing continuing road maintenance; however, he asserted, road
maintenance abilities might be compromised by the lack of a funding
increment to address increasing fuel costs.
Senator Ward acknowledged that fuel costs have been rising, and he
asserted that a request for updated fuel cost projections has been
submitted to the Department. He specified that this issue would be
presented to the Committee for action.
Senator Austerman commented that while the proposed Senate budget
is an increase of $3,173,000 over that proposed by the House of
Representatives, the overall FY 03 funding for the Department is
approximately $689,000 lower than the FY 02 Management Plan.
Co-Chair Donley clarified that Senator Austerman is referring to
general funds rather than total funds.
Senator Austerman specified that his comments primarily focus on
the $3,173,000 difference in general funds between the two entities
as specified on page four of the subcommittee report. He asked
whether the $689,000 reduction from the FY 02 Management Plan is
the result of the subcommittee budget's omission of such things as
fuel, labor contracts, and inflation.
Senator Ward confirmed that the budget recommended by the
subcommittee does not provide for any increase in fuel expenses;
however, he stated that the unallocated reduction is factored into
the budget. He continued that the unallocated reductions for pay
raises were removed from the Office of the Commissioner and
reallocated to affected Department components. He stressed that, in
order for the subcommittee's budget to match the specified Senate
Majority allocation, reductions had to be made. He reiterated that
the subcommittee's priorities were to "not have unallocated
reductions" and to assure that road maintenance funding was
provided.
Senator Austerman acknowledged the subcommittee's efforts; however,
he insisted that there is a need to understand how the Department's
programs would be affected by the funding reduction; particularly
since the increases in fuel costs and other inflationary measures
would need to be absorbed.
Senator Ward agreed that increasing fuel costs are a concern as
fuel costs have increased approximately 18 percent in the last
year. He reiterated that the Department has been asked to provide
updated fuel costs, which would be presented to the Committee for
action. He affirmed the impact that this expense would have on the
Department's operations.
Senator Ward acknowledged the cooperative efforts exerted by the
Department in working with the subcommittee.
Senator Olson asked for further information on the maintenance
operation funding for the Northern Region Roads Opening.
Ms. Brown explained that the Northern Region Roads Opening
component currently exists within another component of the
Statewide Facilities and Maintenance Program budget; however, the
subcommittee recommends that it be awarded a stand-alone BRU, and
that the money originally allocated to those activities, be
transferred to the new BRU. She clarified that no funding reduction
has incurred other than the same weighted reductions applied to
other Department programs.
Senator Ward stated that representatives of the Northern Region
requested this funding transfer.
Senator Olson thanked the subcommittee for addressing this concern,
as some of the communities in the region require roads to be open
in order to be re-supplied.
Senator Wilken asked why the majority of the funds transferred to
the Willow Maintenance Station are from the Northern Region
Highways budget.
Senator Ward responded that the subcommittee had understood that
the maintenance station funding was in place; however, the
Department's Commissioner, Joe Perkins, informed the subcommittee
that $200,000 in additional funding would be required to continue
the operations of the Willow Maintenance Station. Senator Ward
stated that, at the request of the subcommittee, the Commissioner,
who has voiced dissatisfaction with the overall level of Department
funding, identified the funding sources for the Willow Station.
Senator Ward conveyed that the Commissioner stated that the areas
affected by the funding reductions would retain enough funding to
provide for "bare bones minimum" operations service.
Court System
Senator Gary Wilken, Subcommittee Chair
Senator Ben Stevens
Senator Bettye Davis
Senator Wilken informed the Committee that actual expenditures for
the Department amounted to $49,650,000 in FY 00; $50,500,000 in FY
01, were specified at $51,500,000 under the FY 02 Management Plan,
and that the Senate Majority target for FY 03 is $51,877,000. He
stated that the proposed FY 03 budget is a $646,700 decrease, or a
1.3 percent reduction, from the FY 02 Management Plan. He stated
that the budget is "relatively simple" and consists of three
primary BRUs: the Alaska Court System BRU with a recommended budget
of $49,839,000; the Commission on Judicial Conduct BRU which would
be funded at slightly above the FY 02 level; and the Judicial
Council BRU which would be approximately five percent lower than
its FY 02 Management Plan allocation, according to the subcommittee
recommendation. He stated that the subcommittee report contains an
unallocated reduction of $2,043,000 to the Court System BRU that
the Department would "spread across the BRU."
SFC 02 # 59, Side B 10:32 AM
Senator Wilken continued that the GF Maintenance Level Operating
Budget Requirements' spreadsheet in the subcommittee report
identifies the components of the subcommittee's proposed budget as
compared to the budgets proposed by the Office of the Governor and
the House of Representatives. He voiced two concerns about the
subcommittee budget: the first being that the mandatory Retirement
System contributions, referred to in the report as JRS
Contributions Rate Increase, would need to be absorbed by the
Department; and secondly, that the Felony Look Back provision
included in HB 132 and the Therapeutic Court language included in
HB 172, which were adopted in FY 02, are not funded in the FY 03
budget recommendation.
Senator Wilken commented that regardless of how simple the budget
appears, it is difficult to manage because it contains
approximately 99 percent general funds. He stated that the proposed
budget maintains the staffing levels currently funded by general
funds, and that there are no bifurcation issues.
Senator Hoffman asked for further information about the $3.9
million specified for Improved Court Security in the Governor's
proposed budget, but which is eliminated in the subcommittee's
budget.
Senator Wilken responded that this initiative was to provide for
improved security across the State.
Senator Hoffman asked whether this component was included in the FY
02 budget.
Senator Wilken answered that it was not included in the FY 02
budget.
Governor's Office
Senator Dave Donley, Subcommittee Chair
Senator Pete Kelly
Senator Rick Halford
Senator Randy Phillips
Senator Donny Olson
Co-Chair Donley informed the Committee that the Senate Majority's
allocation for the Office of the Governor budget is $17,741,900
which is the same amount adopted by the House of Representatives.
He shared that this is a three percent reduction from the FY 02
Management Plan.
Co-Chair Donley highlighted the incremental requests for the
Governor's Office budget that were recommended for approval by the
subcommittee, including: $350,000 in general funds to provide for
transitional expenses incurred by the election of a new governor in
the upcoming November 2002 gubernatorial election; $2,421,000 in
general funds for the State's November general election expenses;
and $80,000 general funds for maintenance of the State's Voter
Registration Election Management System which supports the State's
AccuVote System. He specified that the subcommittee is also
recommending allocation of $400,000 in contingency funds; however,
he noted that this amount is slightly lower than the FY 02
Management Plan allocation.
Co-Chair Donley stated that the subcommittee proposes the
Governor's Office budget include an unallocated reduction of
$834,000. He explained that the Senate budget proposal matches the
budget approved by the House of Representatives with the exception
that the House of Representatives' budget allocates a smaller
unallocated reduction and does not fund the maintenance of the
Voter Registration Election Management System or the interactive
polling website.
Senator Hoffman asked why $390,000 specified for the Tribal Affairs
Office was eliminated from the budget recommended by the
subcommittee.
Co-Chair Donley clarified the Tribal Affairs Office item is a
request for new funds rather than an elimination of previous funds.
He noted that the Office of the Governor's request for the Tribal
Affairs Office proposed to transfer savings generated by the
elimination of two positions in the Office of Management and Budget
to fund this request.
Senator Hoffman asked for confirmation that the $390,000 funding in
question would be considered a "denied increment" rather than a
reduction from last year's budget.
Co-Chair Donley, after a sidebar with David Teal, Legislative
Fiscal Analyst, Legislative Finance Division, responded, that is
correct.
LEGISLATURE
Senator Dave Donley, Subcommittee Chair
Senator Pete Kelly
Senator Rick Halford
Senator John Cowdery
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Co-Chair Donley noted that the Senate Majority imposed allocation
for the Legislature is $31,112,000, which is a six percent
reduction from the FY 02 Management Plan; however, it is $700,000
more than the budget adopted by the House of Representatives. He
expressed that this six percent reduction in the Legislature's
budget is double the three percent reduction imposed on the Office
of the Governor's budget and higher than reductions being suggested
for any other State department.
Co-Chair Donley continued that in addition to the funding
reduction, the Legislature would be absorbing approximately
$1,240,000 in fixed-cost increases resulting from such things as an
increase of $4,100 in national association dues for the National
Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the Council of State
Governments (CSG); a $17,300 dollar increase in rental expenses
[Note: Co-Chair Donley inadvertently misstated that the rental
expenses would increase by $17 million dollars; however $17,300 is
the correct number as identified in the written Subcommittee
report]; $308,000 in health premiums, and $910,000 increases in
salaries and per diems for Legislative and Executive branch
employees. He noted that Legislators' salaries are not included in
this amount, as Legislators' salaries have been "frozen" for a
number of years. He commented that Legislators' salaries are
comparable to a Range 9 State employee pay level.
Co-Chair Donley informed the Committee that the Division of
Legislative Budget and Audit (LB&A), the Legislative Council, and
the Ombudsman Office compile individual budgets to submit to the
subcommittee. He stated that upon review, the subcommittee
recommends the following reductions.
($600,000) - delete funding for the Redistricting Board
(under the Legislative Council BRU)
($933,600) - reductions to the discretionary funding portions
of the Legislative Budget as follows:
($100,000) from LB&A Committee Expenses (under the
Budget & Audit BRU)
($75,000) from Session Expenses (under the Legislative
Council BRU)
($134,400) from Council & Subcommittees (under the
Legislative Council BRU)
($624,200) from the Legislative Operating Budget BRU)
Co-Chair Donley commented that funding is included in the
subcommittee's recommendation to provide for an increase of
$442,700 in Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) felon funds for the full-
year operation of the Office of Victim's Rights.
Senator Hoffman stated that a section of the subcommittee report
specifies that the Legislative Council's budget would be reduced by
$808,000; however, this amount is not included in the budget
reduction listing that Co-Chair Donley presented. He asked for an
explanation.
Co-Chair Donley responded that the $808,000 is "basically
unallocated reductions" consisting of portions of requests that the
subcommittee did not recommend.
Senator Hoffman asked the FY 02 level of funding provided for the
Legislative Council.
Co-Chair Donley commented that the FY 02 budget included some one-
time expenses, and that the total FY 02 budget for the Legislative
Council was $23,009,000.
Senator Hoffman calculated that the FY 03 proposed budget for the
Legislative Council would be approximately $600,000 less than the
FY 02 budget.
Co-Chair Donley concurred.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|