Legislature(2017 - 2018)SENATE FINANCE 532

04/26/2018 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE

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Audio Topic
01:32:31 PM Start
01:36:49 PM SB142
01:36:49 PM Public Testimony
04:06:31 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= SB 142 APPROP: CAPITAL BUDGET TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Public Testimony --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
SENATE BILL NO. 142                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     "An  Act   making  appropriations,   including  capital                                                                    
     appropriations,       supplemental      appropriations,                                                                    
     reappropriations,  and   other  appropriations;  making                                                                    
     appropriations to  capitalize funds; and  providing for                                                                    
     an effective date."                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:36:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:36:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KEN KOELSCH,  MAYOR, CITY  AND BOROUGH  OF JUNEAU,  spoke in                                                                    
favor of  the Juneau  Access Project.  He remarked  that the                                                                    
project was  fully-funded, and ready to  advance. He pointed                                                                    
out the  dedication of  many Alaskans  across the  state. He                                                                    
stated  that  a recent  McDowell  Survey  saw a  15  percent                                                                    
advantage over  those that were  opposed to the  project. He                                                                    
remarked  that   the  project  would  provide   a  long-term                                                                    
benefit. He stated  that the project would  connect to other                                                                    
Alaskans, and  connect to a  road system. He stated  that it                                                                    
would  open  new markets  for  natural  resources and  other                                                                    
markets.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:37:54 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LISA   VON   BARGEN,    BOROUGH   MANAGER,   WRANGELL   (via                                                                    
teleconference),  shared that  a large  area that  was lead-                                                                    
contaminated.  She   stated  that  it  was   the  intent  to                                                                    
originally send the contaminated  materials off of the site.                                                                    
She stated  that the  solution met  regulatory requirements,                                                                    
but the  area was  a prime recreation  and tribal  area. She                                                                    
remarked  that  it  was  chemically  stabilized,  but  water                                                                    
infiltration   could  introduce   the   material  into   the                                                                    
ecosystem. She  spoke in support  of $5 million to  move the                                                                    
materials offsite. She encouraged  the committee to add that                                                                    
funding to the budget.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:40:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JOHN  MOOSEY, BOROUGH  MANAGER, MATSU  (via teleconference),                                                                    
spoke  in support  of the  Willow  Library Community  Center                                                                    
upgrade. He  stated that  the center was  a hub  of activity                                                                    
for Willow. He stated that  the center received funding from                                                                    
various organizations. He stressed  that the small inclusion                                                                    
would enhance the library center.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:41:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MIDGI MOORE,  SELF, JUNEAU, testified in  support of funding                                                                    
for the tourism  industry. She felt that having  a voice for                                                                    
her business and industry was  essential to her success. She                                                                    
remarked   that    because   of   the    partnerships   with                                                                    
organizations for  marketing in town increased  attention to                                                                    
her business  on an international  level. She  stressed that                                                                    
the tourism  industry needed  assistance, and  remarked that                                                                    
all people in the industry  benefited from that funding. She                                                                    
remarked that her  business supported approximately $100,000                                                                    
in food  in Juneau.  She stressed that  it was  important to                                                                    
tell  Alaska's  story.  She   encouraged  returning  the  $3                                                                    
million into the budget.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:44:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LANCE JOHNSON,  NORTON SOUND  HEALTH CORPORATION,  NOME (via                                                                    
teleconference),  spoke  in  support of  the  40-year  grant                                                                    
program  for substance  abuse  treatment  programs. He  also                                                                    
spoke  in  support  of  the   FY  18  Medicaid  supplemental                                                                    
request. He  remarked that there  was a substance  abuse and                                                                    
opioid abuse issue across the  state. He remarked that there                                                                    
was a  lack of services  to address those issues.  He stated                                                                    
that  the rural  community of  Nome only  had an  outpatient                                                                    
treatment  center. He  remarked that  inpatient services  on                                                                    
the road system had long waiting lists.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:45:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ROSEMARY  HAGEVIG,   VICE-PRESIDENT,  FIRST   THINGS  FIRST,                                                                    
JUNEAU,  spoke in  support  of the  Lynn  Canal Highway  and                                                                    
Juneau Access. She hoped that  the funding from the previous                                                                    
year would be reinstated. She  stated that the Juneau Access                                                                    
Project  would decrease  the pressure  on the  Alaska Marine                                                                    
Highway  System.  She felt  that  the  project would  remove                                                                    
ferry  stops  in the  Lynn  Canal.  She announced  that  the                                                                    
funding would help with federal match funds.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:48:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
POLLY-BETH  ODOM,  DAYBREAK,   MATSU  (via  teleconference),                                                                    
testified in support of adding  funding for the remainder of                                                                    
the Medicaid  supplemental FY 18 request.  She remarked that                                                                    
her organization  provided services for 110  Alaskans with a                                                                    
staff of 13 people. She shared  that she was prepared to lay                                                                    
off staff and  postpone services until July  1. She remarked                                                                    
that she had  worked to be fiscally  responsible. She stated                                                                    
that her organization had a grant  cut by 30 percent, so she                                                                    
depended on  Medicaid to provide  services for  the clients.                                                                    
She remarked  that she  served some  of the  most vulnerable                                                                    
people in the state.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:51:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MURRAY WALSH, SELF,  JUNEAU, spoke in support  of the Juneau                                                                    
Access Project.  He stated that  there was always a  hope to                                                                    
finally build the road. He  felt that the road would benefit                                                                    
those  who could  not  afford  to pay  for  travel. He  also                                                                    
asserted that the road had environmental benefits.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:52:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SCOTT BELL,  UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS,  FAIRBANKS (via                                                                    
teleconference),  spoke in  support  of  voiced support  for                                                                    
University of  Alaska (UA) maintenance funding.  He stressed                                                                    
that capital  budget funding  was important  for maintenance                                                                    
funding.  He  stated  that the  university  was  working  to                                                                    
decrease  their spending,  but  stressed  the importance  of                                                                    
maintaining  the  structural  integrity  of  the  university                                                                    
buildings and facilities.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:54:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHRIS   DIMOND,  UNION   REPRESENTATIVE,  BUILDING   TRADES,                                                                    
JUNEAU, spoke  in support of  the Juneau Access  Project. He                                                                    
remarked  that  there  were   many  projects  that  provided                                                                    
economic viability  to the  state. He  remarked that  he had                                                                    
heard  many conversations  about  connecting  Juneau to  the                                                                    
rest  of the  state. He  stated that  the project  would put                                                                    
many  construction workers  back to  work. He  asserted that                                                                    
there were  many workers that  were moving to work  in other                                                                    
states.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:57:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CAROLINE  VENUTI, KACHEMAK  BAY  CAMPUS OF  UAA, HOMER  (via                                                                    
teleconference),  voiced support  for  University of  Alaska                                                                    
funding. She stated that UA  was already facing a $1 million                                                                    
backlog.  She  stressed  that  the   money  was  needed  for                                                                    
maintenance. She  remarked that  there was an  urgent health                                                                    
and  safety  element to  maintaining  the  UA buildings  and                                                                    
facilities.  She remarked  that  the funding  would help  to                                                                    
leverage federal funds.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:59:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SERENE  HUTCHINSON, GENERAL  MANAGER, JUNEAU  TOURS, JUNEAU,                                                                    
spoke in  support of  tourism funding.  She stated  that her                                                                    
company  was  not  associated with  the  cruise  lines.  She                                                                    
remarked that Alaska Travel  Industry Association (ATIA) was                                                                    
essential  to   her  business's  marketing   endeavors.  She                                                                    
remarked that tourism touches everyone.  She stated that her                                                                    
company  focused on  marketing. She  stated that  the cruise                                                                    
ship  industries  would  invest in  destinations  who  would                                                                    
invest  in  themselves.  She felt  that  reality  television                                                                    
should not be the only way that people can see Alaska.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:02:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KATE FINN,  SELF, HOMER (via teleconference),  spoke against                                                                    
SB 198.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair MacKinnon stated that the meeting was for SB 142.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Finn stated  that she was against funding  for the long-                                                                    
acting  contraception  funding.  She  shared  that  she  had                                                                    
observed four  hours of  testimony, and  felt that  the bill                                                                    
was a  suboptimal revision. She  stated that those  who were                                                                    
implementing the  study would be  voluntary, but it  was not                                                                    
outlined in the bill. She stated  that the bill did not have                                                                    
the specifics around  the intent. She felt  that there would                                                                    
be litigation.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair MacKinnon announced the funding  was in SB 142, but                                                                    
SB 198 was not before the committee.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:04:58 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BECKY HULTBERG,  ALASKA STATE  HOSPITALS AND  NURSING HOMES,                                                                    
ANCHORAGE   (via  teleconference),   spoke  in   support  of                                                                    
Medicaid  supplemental funding.  She understood  the concert                                                                    
over  costs,  but  felt  that   short  funding  would  cause                                                                    
significant destruction for the health care system.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:06:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LESLIE   JACKSON,   KETCHIKAN   GATEWAY   BOROUGH   TRANSIT,                                                                    
KETCHIKAN   (via  teleconference),   requesting  the   state                                                                    
transit  match funding.  The  funding  allowed for  matching                                                                    
grant funds.  She stated  that the  funding would  allow for                                                                    
the  purchase of  heavy duty  buses. She  remarked that  the                                                                    
state match would improve the  transit project and programs.                                                                    
She stated that tourists  and residents utilized the transit                                                                    
system.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:08:01 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DAN JOHNSON, SELF, FAIRBANKS  (via teleconference), spoke in                                                                    
support of  Code Blue  funding. He  stated that  the funding                                                                    
would be  used to  match all  potential funding  sources. He                                                                    
stated  that  without  the  funding  the  state  would  face                                                                    
failing  infrastructure  in  the Department  of  Health  and                                                                    
Social  Services (DHSS).  He stated  that the  collaborative                                                                    
process included  a prioritized  list of  equipment requests                                                                    
that  were funding  by Code  Blue funding  and funding  from                                                                    
other sources.  He stated  that the  Code Blue  program used                                                                    
funding from various sources. He  stressed that the $500,000                                                                    
was essential for leveraging matching funds.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  MacKinnon  stated  that   Code  Blue  funding  was                                                                    
included in the current proposal.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:10:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHRIS  GUNDERSON,  DENALI  FAMILY SERVICES,  ANCHORAGE  (via                                                                    
teleconference), spoke  in support of including  the funding                                                                    
for the FY 18 Medicaid  supplemental funding. He stated that                                                                    
he worked with  some children who had  been sexually abused.                                                                    
He remarked that they were  the most vulnerable and the most                                                                    
in  need   of  services.  He   stressed  that  it   was  the                                                                    
responsibility of  the state to  pay for those  services. He                                                                    
stated  that the  payments were  done  through the  Medicaid                                                                    
program.  He remarked  that without  Medicaid, there  was no                                                                    
way to pay for the services.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:12:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHARLES   MCKEE,  SELF,   ANCHORAGE  (via   teleconference),                                                                    
remarked   that    he   had   submitted    paperwork   about                                                                    
subsidiaries. He  pointed out  that he was  a part  owner of                                                                    
the legal entities (Alaska).                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:15:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SHAWN  SHOTWELL,   DIRECTOR,  SENIOR   DISABILITY  SERVICES,                                                                    
COMMUNITY   CONNECTIONS,  ANCHORAGE   (via  teleconference),                                                                    
spoke in  support of the  Medicaid supplemental  funding. He                                                                    
remarked that  the elderly  in the  state relied  heavily on                                                                    
funding,  because they  were in  long-term  care. He  stated                                                                    
that  community   based  services  providers   were  already                                                                    
experiencing financial stress.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:17:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TOM  CHARD,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR, ALASKA  BEHAVIORAL  HEALTH                                                                    
ASSOCIATION, JUNEAU  (via teleconference), spoke  in support                                                                    
of the  Medicaid supplemental funding. He  also testified in                                                                    
support of  funding for the substance  abuse treatment grant                                                                    
program.  He  remarked   that  behavioral  health  providers                                                                    
relied on the funding.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:18:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRUCE HILTON,  CFO, DENALI  FAMILY SERVICES,  ANCHORAGE (via                                                                    
teleconference),  spoke in  support  of reinstating  funding                                                                    
for the Medicaid supplemental funding.  He remarked that his                                                                    
organization  worked  with  those who  experience  childhood                                                                    
abuse or neglect.  He stated that his  organization only had                                                                    
approximately 24  days of cash  on hand. He stated  that the                                                                    
cost of services was not substantial.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:20:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COLEEN  DUSHKIN, ADMINISTRATOR,  ASSOCIATION ALASKA  HOUSING                                                                    
AUTHORITIES,  ANCHORAGE   (via  teleconference),   spoke  in                                                                    
support  of housing  assistant  grant  programs. She  stated                                                                    
that  there   was  a  difficult  funding   environment.  She                                                                    
remarked   that  the   Alaska  Regional   Housing  Authority                                                                    
employed  1400  full-time  jobs.   She  furthered  that  the                                                                    
Supplemental   Housing  Development   program  provided   an                                                                    
additional boost  to struggling economies across  the state.                                                                    
She stated that the  program provided housing assistance and                                                                    
improved accessibility  in their homes. She  stated that the                                                                    
weatherization  program provided  cost-effective savings  to                                                                    
reduce operating costs and improved residential health.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:23:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JOHN RODDA,  VICE-PRESIDENT, ARCTIC WINTER  GAMES, ANCHORAGE                                                                    
(via teleconference),  spoke in  support of the  $37,500 for                                                                    
the   Department  of   Commerce,   Community  and   Economic                                                                    
Development (DCCED) Arctic Winter Games.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:24:38 PM                                                                                                                    
AT EASE                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:25:47 PM                                                                                                                    
RECONVENED                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:26:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Rodda  shared  the interlocking  links  of  the  Arctic                                                                    
Winter Games. He stated that  the games had many communities                                                                    
in Alaska. He  felt that the games would  provide youth with                                                                    
experience with  other countries  and cultures.  He stressed                                                                    
that  the games  provided integrity  and access  to personal                                                                    
and community development. He stated  that Alaska was one of                                                                    
the founding partners of the  Arctic Winter Games. He stated                                                                    
that  Alaska was  the  only one  in the  games  who did  not                                                                    
provide annual funding from their government.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:29:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KRISTIN BUSH, SELF, EAGLE  RIVER (via teleconference), spoke                                                                    
in support  of funding for  community patrol. She  felt that                                                                    
crime   had  increased   since  the   passage  of   previous                                                                    
legislation SB 91. She felt  that the $500,000 could be used                                                                    
for community patrol. She stated  that the patrol would make                                                                    
criminals think  twice before entering areas  with community                                                                    
patrol. She felt  that there was frivolous  funding like the                                                                    
Vitamin D Study.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair MacKinnon  announced that  the vitamin D  fiend was                                                                    
not in the current budget.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:32:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MIKE  POWERS,  FOUNDATION  HEALTH PARTNERS,  FAIRBANKS  (via                                                                    
teleconference),  spoke   in  support  of   reinstating  the                                                                    
supplemental  Medicaid funding.  He remarked  that the  care                                                                    
providers  in Fairbanks  had a  mission  to accept  Medicaid                                                                    
funding.  He  remarked  that  there   was  a  strong  Native                                                                    
partnership within  his organization.  He stated  that there                                                                    
was a compact with tribal  health organizations that was the                                                                    
right thing for  the state to provide 100  percent of health                                                                    
care coverage.  He felt that timely  Medicaid payments would                                                                    
allow for patients to continue to receive treatment.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:34:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CLIFF  COOK,  EAGLE  COMMUNITY   PATROL,  EAGLE  RIVER  (via                                                                    
teleconference), spoke  in support  of the  community patrol                                                                    
funding.  He  stated  that  the funding  would  be  a  cost-                                                                    
effective  investment to  help fight  crime. He  stated that                                                                    
there   were  three   volunteers  who   had  patrolled   the                                                                    
community. He  added that he had  also used much of  his own                                                                    
money to help  assist in the patrol. He  remarked that there                                                                    
was a hope  to get more equipment, and  felt that volunteers                                                                    
should not  pay completely out  of pocket. He  remarked that                                                                    
there were many  reports of theft and  burglary. He remarked                                                                    
that the  volunteer patrol  was the first  to call  9-1-1 at                                                                    
the  sound  of  gun  shots. He  furthered  that  there  were                                                                    
observations and reports of suspicious activity.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:38:09 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
QUITIN  BROWN, SELF,  ANCHORAGE (via  teleconference), spoke                                                                    
in  support of  funding for  tourism marketing.  He stressed                                                                    
that  not  funding  tourism funding  was  like  "removing  a                                                                    
limb." He  shared the benefits  of tourism to the  state. He                                                                    
remarked that  each visitor to  the state spends  an average                                                                    
of  $1000 each.  He stressed  that many  jobs were  directly                                                                    
related to tourism.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:40:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
VANESSA  JUSCZAK, DENALI  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE, HEALY  (via                                                                    
teleconference),  testified   in  support  of   funding  for                                                                    
tourism marketing.  She felt that  the word of  mouth helped                                                                    
tourism,  but stressed  that the  states that  had decreased                                                                    
their tourism funding saw a reduction in tourism.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:41:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  MacKinnon  announced  that anyone  who  signed  up                                                                    
prior to 2:45pm  would be heard. Sign-ups  would cease after                                                                    
2:45.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:42:15 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SARAH   LEONARD,    PRESIDENT,   ALASKA    TRAVEL   INDUSTRY                                                                    
ASSOCIATION,  ANCHORAGE   (via  teleconference),   spoke  in                                                                    
support of  funding for tourism  marketing. She  stated that                                                                    
it was essential to the state's tourism industry.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
ANGIE FLICKINGER,  WRANGELL COOP ASSOCIATION,  WRANGELL (via                                                                    
teleconference), spoke  in support of funding  for the clean                                                                    
up of the oil spill. She  stated that the funding would help                                                                    
to keep  the chemicals from contaminating  the water system.                                                                    
She stated that  there was a significant  decline in animals                                                                    
near the watershed.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:45:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ESTHER   ASHTON,   TRIBAL   ADMINISTRATOR,   WRANGELL   COOP                                                                    
ASSOCIATION,   WRANGELL  (via   teleconference),  spoke   in                                                                    
support of  the junk yard  clean up in Wrangell.  She stated                                                                    
that the junk yard was in  a residential area and across the                                                                    
street from the  ocean. She remarked that  the community was                                                                    
attempting  to  clean up  the  lead  contaminated soil.  She                                                                    
shared that  Department of Environmental  Conservation (DEC)                                                                    
would  move the  soil to  a  lake, with  the probability  of                                                                    
contamination to the ecosystem.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:47:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RHONDA HUBBARD, SELF,  SEWARD (via teleconference), recalled                                                                    
funding  for the  Jesse Lee  Home from  2012, which  had not                                                                    
been given to  Seward. She stated that there  was $1 million                                                                    
which  should be  postponed to  the next  budget cycle.  She                                                                    
felt  that Seward  would  address those  funds  in the  next                                                                    
budget cycle. She remarked that  Seward should be allowed to                                                                    
use those funds.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:49:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JODY POTTS, SELF,  FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified                                                                    
in  support  of funding  for  statewide  9-1-1 funding.  She                                                                    
remarked that there was a  lack of public safety services in                                                                    
rural  areas of  the  state.  She stated  that  one in  four                                                                    
people in the  state did not have access  to 9-1-1 dispatch.                                                                    
She  recalled  that she  did  not  grow  up with  access  to                                                                    
dispatch. She stressed  that the lack of  9-1-1 dispatch was                                                                    
very frightening. She was aware  of the public safety crises                                                                    
in  rural Alaska,  because  of the  lack  of resources.  She                                                                    
stressed that there  were some people that did  not know the                                                                    
other numbers to reach dispatch.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  MacKinnon stated  that  the 9-1-1  request in  the                                                                    
governor's  budget  did  not  expand  services,  but  solved                                                                    
redundancies.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:53:29 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KAREN KIRKPATRICK, SELF,  MEADOW LAKES (via teleconference),                                                                    
spoke  in  support  of funding  for  community  patrol.  She                                                                    
stated that the volunteers  were already proven effective in                                                                    
helping to deter crime. She  remarked that the Retired State                                                                    
Troopers  Association  was  already assisting  in  volunteer                                                                    
community  patrol. She  stated that  the current  volunteers                                                                    
were  using their  own money  and many  were not  physically                                                                    
able and on a fixed income.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  MacKinnon  stated  that there  were  approximately                                                                    
thirty people still waiting to testify.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:56:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
GLENN  MILLER, FAIRBANKS  NORTHSTAR BOROUGH,  FAIRBANKS (via                                                                    
teleconference),  spoke   in  support   of  $1   million  in                                                                    
community and state match funds.  He stated that the borough                                                                    
transit  system had  received money  annually,  and used  to                                                                    
provide  additional hours  of  public  transit services.  He                                                                    
stated that  many used  the system  for various  reasons. He                                                                    
stated that  the state match funding  was essential, because                                                                    
it was used as leverage  for federal dollars. He stated that                                                                    
the  age  group  of  the riders  ranged  from  grade  school                                                                    
students  to  seniors.  He  stated  that  seniors  were  the                                                                    
largest population who utilized the public transit system.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:58:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
NANCY  BEARDSLEY,  SELF,   ANCHORAGE  (via  teleconference),                                                                    
spoke  in  support  of funding  for  community  patrol.  She                                                                    
stated that many  of the volunteers on  community patrol had                                                                    
caught  criminals. She  felt that  the money  would pay  for                                                                    
ways  to identify  the patrol.  She remarked  that criminals                                                                    
were getting good at committing crime.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:00:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KELLY  BENDER, OWNER,  LAZY  OTTER  CHARTERS, WHITTIER  (via                                                                    
teleconference), testified in support  of reinstating the $3                                                                    
million for  tourism marketing. She  remarked that  the lack                                                                    
of funding  from the  year prior  already had  a detrimental                                                                    
effect  on  the tourism  in  the  state. She  remarked  that                                                                    
tourism  marketing efforts  was essential  to maintaining  a                                                                    
strong place in Alaska's economy.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair MacKinnon handed the gavel to Vice-Chair Bishop.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:02:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CINDY  WRIGHT, ALUMNI,  UAS  BOARD  OF DIRECTORS,  FAIRBANKS                                                                    
(via  teleconference), spoke  in  support of  $3 million  to                                                                    
address  the  UA  maintenance needs.  She  stated  that  her                                                                    
family visits  the campus daily  for classes,  meetings, and                                                                    
events.  She stated  that all  the facilities  and buildings                                                                    
were  essential  to the  community.  She  stated that  state                                                                    
capital funding  was essential  to maintaining  the campuses                                                                    
and facilities.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:04:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JIM  HUNT,   CITY  MANAGER,  SEWARD   (via  teleconference),                                                                    
testified in support  of funding for the Jesse  Lee Home. He                                                                    
stated  that the  building was  an environmental  hazard. He                                                                    
hoped that the money could  be reappropriated to the City of                                                                    
Seward.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:05:41 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MICHAEL  ADAMS, SELF,  COOPER LANDING  (via teleconference),                                                                    
testified in  support of $3  million for  tourism marketing.                                                                    
He  stressed  that the  state's  economy  relied heavily  on                                                                    
tourism. He felt  that it was important to invest  in one of                                                                    
Alaska's  strongest  industries.  He did  not  believe  that                                                                    
there was any business who did not benefit from tourism.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:07:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JANEEN HUTCHINS,  ALASKA WILDLAND ADVENTURES,  GIRDWOOD (via                                                                    
teleconference),  spoke in  support of  funding for  tourism                                                                    
marketing. She stated that she  had many employees. She felt                                                                    
that  it  was  frustrating  that the  loss  of  funding  for                                                                    
marketing  would  put  the  health of  the  workers  in  the                                                                    
industry and the  public coffers at risk. She  stated that a                                                                    
strong tourism  economy required a strong  tourism marketing                                                                    
program.  She   stated  that   prior  funding   for  tourism                                                                    
marketing saw an increase in inquiries and visitors.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:09:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHARLES GORMAN, SELF,  ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke                                                                    
in support  of funding  to expand substance  abuse treatment                                                                    
to address  the opioid crisis and  reduce criminal activity.                                                                    
He  felt  that  the  funding would  provide  many  essential                                                                    
treatment. He stated  that he was on the  Advisory Board for                                                                    
Alcohol  and Substance  Abuse. He  remarked that  Barrow did                                                                    
not  have a  detox  facility and  no  treatment centers.  He                                                                    
remarked that  he recently celebrated 12  years of sobriety.                                                                    
He  stated  that  his  life   had  changed  because  of  the                                                                    
programs, and he  wanted to help others who  were victims of                                                                    
those substances.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:12:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHRISSY TORSEY-LUCERO,  FINANCE MANAGER,  INTER-ISLAND FERRY                                                                    
AUTHORITY,  PRINCE OF  WHALES  ISLAND (via  teleconference),                                                                    
spoke in  support of the  funding for transit  funding match                                                                    
grant. She stated that the  Inter-Island Ferry Authority was                                                                    
an economic  engine in Southeast  Alaska. She  remarked that                                                                    
it was  essential for  residents and  tourism. She  stood in                                                                    
alliance  with other  public  transit  entities who  benefit                                                                    
from the funds,  who may not have been able  to testify. She                                                                    
shared some findings about the ferry.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:15:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
FERNANDO   SALVIDOR,  ALASKA   COLLECTION,  ANCHORAGE   (via                                                                    
teleconference),  spoke in  support of  funding for  tourism                                                                    
marketing. He stated  that he employed many  people in rural                                                                    
communities. He stressed that his  business worked with many                                                                    
venders. He  stressed that  tourism has  a strong  impact on                                                                    
the  state's economy.  He urged  the committee  to reinstate                                                                    
the $3 million for tourism marketing.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:17:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CASSANDRA  TSINNIE,  SOARING  EAGLE  TRANSIT,  GULKANA  (via                                                                    
teleconference),  spoke  in  support   of  funding  for  the                                                                    
transit system.  She shared that  the system  provided local                                                                    
jobs.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:18:28 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRENDA MOORE,  CHAIR, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH  BOARD, ANCHORAGE                                                                    
(via  teleconference),  spoke  in  support  of  funding  for                                                                    
mental  health  services.  She  urged  support  of  the  $18                                                                    
million to  address the opioid  crisis and  related criminal                                                                    
activity. She shared some statistics  related to heroin. She                                                                    
also spoke in  support of the $10 million  funding for acute                                                                    
mental health  needs. She felt that  investing in behavioral                                                                    
health  programs would  increase  resiliency in  communities                                                                    
and reduce crime.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:22:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ANDY HUGHES,  SELF, JUNEAU, spoke  in support of  the Juneau                                                                    
Access Project. He  shared that he had  worked in developing                                                                    
the  project   over  many  years  with   the  Department  of                                                                    
Transportation and  Public Facilities (DOT/PF).  He stressed                                                                    
that there  was always  a desire to  have a  road connection                                                                    
between Juneau  and Skagway. He  felt that it  was important                                                                    
to tie  Juneau to the  road system.  He spoke in  support of                                                                    
funding for treatment  in the jail system. He  also spoke in                                                                    
support of  funding the Inter-Island Ferry  System in Prince                                                                    
of Wales.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:25:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARGARET ANDERSON, SELF,  SEWARD (via teleconference), spoke                                                                    
in support of  keeping the funds for the Jesse  Lee Home, so                                                                    
the City of  Seward could determine the proper  use of those                                                                    
funds.  She   felt  that  past   allocations  were   not  in                                                                    
compliance with the grant requirement.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Senator Micciche announced that he missed her Saturday.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Anderson echoed Senator Micciche's sentiment.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:27:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PAUL  HONEMAN,   ALASKA  COALITION  OF   COMMUNITY  PATROLS,                                                                    
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke  in support of funding                                                                    
for community  patrols. He  understood that  the legislature                                                                    
was in  a difficult position  to determining the  budget for                                                                    
the  state. He  remarked that  often community  patrols knew                                                                    
the neighborhoods better than  the police patrols. He stated                                                                    
that the  community patrols were  all volunteer  using their                                                                    
own  money   to  operate  the  volunteer   organization.  He                                                                    
stressed   that  community   patrol  members   were  average                                                                    
community members, and were very  vigilant in their efforts.                                                                    
He  also voiced  support of  funding for  the Arctic  Winter                                                                    
Games.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:30:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RUTH KIMERE, SELF, ANCHORAGE  (via teleconference), spoke in                                                                    
support  of  reinstatement of  the  $3  million for  tourism                                                                    
marketing. She  remarked that tourism  had a  major economic                                                                    
impact to the  state. She stated that  tourism marketing was                                                                    
essential to the tourism economy  and marketplace. The state                                                                    
dollars  were  instrumental  in building  business  for  the                                                                    
small  businesses, because  they  did not  benefit from  the                                                                    
cruise industry in the state.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
3:31:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PATRICIA  FISHER,  MEADOW  LAKES COMMUNITY  COUNCIL,  MEADOW                                                                    
LAKES (via teleconference), spoke  in support of funding for                                                                    
the  community  patrols. She  stated  that  the shortage  of                                                                    
troopers  and  limited  support for  assisting  in  criminal                                                                    
behavior   intervention.   She   stressed   that   financial                                                                    
assistance would  be well-used  by the  communities, because                                                                    
it was solely run by volunteers.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:33:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BARRY ANDRES,  HOUSING DIRECTOR,  RURAL CAP,  ANCHORAGE (via                                                                    
teleconference),  spoke in  support of  funding for  housing                                                                    
for homeless  people. He  also spoke  in support  of funding                                                                    
for  substance   abuse  treatment.   He  urged   support  of                                                                    
reinstating the supplemental Medicaid funding.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:35:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HERMAN  MORGAN,  SELF,  ANIAK  (via  teleconference),  spoke                                                                    
against  SB  142.  He  felt  that  there  were  many  people                                                                    
involved in  the project who  would get financial  gain from                                                                    
the budget. He  stated that there should be an  audit on the                                                                    
administration's financial budget  practices. He pointed out                                                                    
that  Alaska  was  46th  of   the  50  states  in  education                                                                    
scholastic  scores.  He  felt that  Alaska  was  becoming  a                                                                    
welfare state.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:39:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JOY BAKER, DIRECTOR, NOME PORT,  JUNEAU, spoke in support of                                                                    
continued  development  of the  Arctic  Deep  Draft Port  in                                                                    
Nome.  She thanked  the committee  for the  $1.6 million  in                                                                    
matching funds  provided two years prior,  which allowed the                                                                    
City  of  Nome  to  move  forward with  Army  Corps  on  the                                                                    
feasibility phase of the project.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson  wondered what  would occur  if the  match was                                                                    
not met for the port. Ms.  Baker replied that there would be                                                                    
another phase  of delay.  The project  would stall,  and the                                                                    
nation and  state would  continue to  fall behind  in Arctic                                                                    
development.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair Bishop handed the gavel to Co-Chair MacKinnon.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:43:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
EMILY WILLAUER,  SELF, JUNEAU, spoke  in support  of funding                                                                    
for UA maintenance and facilities.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:45:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHRISTINA  LOVE, SELF,  JUNEAU,  spoke in  support of  fully                                                                    
funding  Medicaid  and  $18   million  for  substance  abuse                                                                    
treatment services.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:47:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LOI  RICKER, SELF,  WASILLA (via  teleconference), spoke  in                                                                    
support  of  funding for  public  safety.  She testified  in                                                                    
support of  funding community patrol. She  stated that crime                                                                    
and  drug houses  were directly  related, and  the community                                                                    
knew where the drug houses were located.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:50:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  von Imhof  asked whether  she would  be willing  to                                                                    
sacrifice  $100 of  their permanent  fund dividend  (PFD) to                                                                    
use  to  fund  prosecutors,  detox  beds,  state  defenders,                                                                    
police officers, and state troopers.   Ms. Ricker replied in                                                                    
the   affirmative   but   stated   that   there   would   be                                                                    
stipulations.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
3:52:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LEE  BREINIG,  CHAIR, ADVISORY  OF  ALCOHOL  AND DRUG  ABUSE                                                                    
BOARD, ANCHORAGE (via  teleconference), testified in support                                                                    
of  the $18  million  for substance  use disorder  treatment                                                                    
funding.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:55:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARY NANUWAK,  SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference),  felt that                                                                    
there  should  be a  focus  on  what the  rural  communities                                                                    
already   contribute,   rather   than  telling   the   rural                                                                    
communities   what  they   need.  She   stressed  that   any                                                                    
governmental  agency  could learn  from  the  people in  the                                                                    
rural communities. She encouraged  the committee to begin to                                                                    
listen to  the rural communities.  She remarked that  it was                                                                    
becoming difficult  to receive mental health  and behavioral                                                                    
health care.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:00:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ROBERT  TERRAZAS,  SELF,   ANCHORAGE  (via  teleconference),                                                                    
spoke  in support  of tourism  marketing funding.  He stated                                                                    
that  he  owns  a  business,  and he  has  a  background  in                                                                    
marketing.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair MacKinnon thanked the testifiers.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Micciche  announced that  testimony could  always be                                                                    
submitted electronically.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair Bishop  announced that the comments  were read by                                                                    
the committee.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair MacKinnon  announced that  amendments were  due the                                                                    
following  day  by noon  the  following  day. She  discussed                                                                    
Friday's agenda.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SB  142  was  HEARD  and   HELD  in  committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
SB 142 Public Testimony Packet 1.pdf SFIN 4/26/2018 1:30:00 PM
SB 142