Legislature(1995 - 1996)
01/26/1995 03:35 PM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SSTA - 1/26/95
SCR 2 REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL TO CAPITAL CITY
SENATOR SHARP brings up SCR 2 as the last order of business before
the Senate State Affairs Committee and calls the first witness.
Number 467
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS, prime sponsor of SCR 2, states the
resolution would provide access to state government. This is a
request to the City & Borough of Juneau to provide access to the
citizens of the state. There are 5.3 million dollars in CBJ's
rainy day account. By investing a few dollars in providing access,
Senator Phillips thinks the capital move issue, over time, will go
away. This is another way of enabling citizens to have access to
the capital city.
SENATOR DUNCAN asks Senator Phillips if people would be reimbursed
for travel to testify at all legislative committees, including
Legislative Council and Budget & Audit.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS replies it would include all committees.
Legislative Affairs Agency, through the Legislative Council, will
set up qualification criteria with the City & Borough of Juneau.
Whether or not airfare would be paid for people to attend the
Legislative Budget & Audit Committee would be a policy decision
that would have to be made.
Number 430
SENATOR DUNCAN asks Senator Phillips if the City of Anchorage will
pay expenses for people who want to attend a meeting being held in
Anchorage.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS thinks if the legislature was in Anchorage,
then the City of Anchorage should pay travel expenses for people to
attend hearings in Anchorage.
SENATOR DUNCAN thinks many people are frustrated with
administrative programs, and if a person has to fly in to Anchorage
from Sleetmute, shouldn't the City of Anchorage help pay for their
travel?
Number 416
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS responds most complaints he hears about
state government originate from programs administered in Juneau.
SENATOR DUNCAN thinks SCR 2 should apply to government programs in
every community in the state, not just Juneau.
Number 403
JUDY ERICKSON, former member of the Alaska Committee, hopes if the
committee moves out SCR 2, an actual dollar figure will be attached
to the resolution. We have homeless people here in Juneau, and as
a taxpayer, she has a problem with the legislature asking Juneau to
reimburse people to travel to Juneau. Ms. Erickson thinks Senator
Phillips should poll his constituents on how many would want to pay
travel expenses for residents from other areas to attend the
legislature if it was moved to Anchorage.
Number 386
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS says Juneau has to look at SCR 2 as an
opportunity. If only airfare is reimbursed, travelers will still
have to pay for meals and lodging. Juneau can make some money off
SCR 2.
MS. ERICKSON responds videoteleconferencing would be a good step
towards better access. The subject has come up before the
legislature several times, but it has been rejected. She believes
the people of Juneau would support helping fund
videoteleconferencing.
Number 360
JAMIE PARSONS, former member, Alaska Committee, thinks it is
important to continue dialogue with air carriers. He also thinks
videoteleconferencing would improve access for many citizens. For
clarification, the City & Borough of Juneau has an obligation to
the community to have 10 million dollars in the Rainy Day Account
by 1997. So the money used on the Alaska Committee campaign was
basically a loan that has to be repaid.
Number 343
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS asks how that money is going to be repaid.
MR. PARSONS replies more than 2 million dollars a year is coming in
from the 1% sales tax.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS asks Mr. Parsons why he does not think
spending money from the Rainy Day Account will help Juneau fend off
the capital move issue.
Number 338
MR. PARSONS responds more effect could be had by helping fund
videoteleconferencing and emphasizing electronic access than by
using money for travel funds.
Number 333
CHARLES NORTHRIP, Juneau Economic Development Council, states that
access isn't as simple as having airfare: access is a time issue.
Many people, even if they can afford a plane ticket, do not have
the time to come to the capital. Mr. Northrip adds his support to
testimony already given supporting videoteleconferencing and
improved airline service. Mr. Northrip does not think SCR 2 would
be the best use of funds for improving access to the capital.
Number 310
CHAIRMAN SHARP states the committee will be holding SCR 2 for
further consideration. The chairman reminds members that on
Tuesday, January 31, 1995 the committee will be hearing SCR 4, SJR
11, and SB 40.
Number 302
SENATOR DONLEY announces he has a proposal in the committee which
would amend the U.S. Constitution regarding campaign spending
limits. An amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the only way to
address this question. Campaign spending limits are an appropriate
alternative to public financing of elections. Senator Donley asks
for support and rapport on SJR 4 from other committee members.
Number 270
CHAIRMAN SHARP adjourns the Senate State Affairs Committee meeting
at 4:50 p.m.
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