Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/18/1994 08:40 AM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 18, 1994
8:.40 A.M.
TAPE HFC 94 - 67, Side 1, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94 - 67, Side 2, #000 - #598.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 8:40 A.M.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Larson Representative Hoffman
Co-Chair MacLean Representative Martin
Vice-Chair Hanley Representative Navarre
Representative Brown Representative Parnell
Representative Grussendorf Representative Therriault
Representative Foster
ALSO PRESENT
Coray Ludden, (Testified via teleconference), WRCC, Kenai;
Barbara Landis, (Testified via teleconference), Matsu; Nikki
Kinne, (Testified via teleconference), Fairbanks; Betty
Bartels, (Testified via teleconference), CITC JOBS,
Anchorage; Mary Lou Canney, (Testified via teleconference),
Fairbanks; Vickie Barling, (Testified via teleconference),
CITC JOBS, Anchorage; Sandra Newman, (Testified via
teleconference), Fairbanks; Angela Salerno, (Testified via
teleconference), Executive Director, National Association of
Social Workers, Anchorage; Louise Charles, (Testified via
teleconference), Fairbanks; Rebecca Ruffner, (Testified via
teleconference), Arizona; Virginia Allen, (Testified via
teleconference), Healthy Family, Anchorage; Edward Deaux,
(Testified via teleconference), Coordinator of South Central
Healthy Start, Anchorage; Barbara Bennett, (Testified via
teleconference), Housing and Homeless Coalition, Anchorage;
Natalie Knox, (Testified via teleconference), Catholic
Social Services, Anchorage; Karen Pearser, Section Chief,
Department of Health and Social Services; Sharon Rebar,
Catholic Community Services, Juneau; Sherrie Goll, Alaska
Women's Lobby, Juneau.
SUMMARY
HB 409 An Act relating to the maximum amount of
assistance that may be granted under the adult
public assistance program and the program of aid
to families with dependent children; proposing a
1
special demonstration project within the program
of aid to families with dependent children and
directing the Department of Health and Social
Services to seek waivers from the federal
government to implement the project; and providing
for an effective date.
HB 409 was HELD in Committee for further
discussion.
HOUSE BILL 409
"An Act relating to the maximum amount of assistance
that may be granted under the adult public assistance
program and the program of aid to families with
dependent children; proposing a special demonstration
project within the program of aid to families with
dependent children and directing the Department of
Health and Social Services to seek waivers from the
federal government to implement the project; and
providing for an effective date."
CORAY LUDDEN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), WRCC, KENAI,
spoke in opposition to HB 409 and the punitive penalty which
it proposes. She emphasized that welfare recipients would
rather work than continue to be subsidized although they are
not able to because there are no jobs available. Ms. Ludden
agreed with Representative Navarre that long range economic
planning is necessary in order to resolve the welfare
problems of Alaska.
BARBARA LANDIS, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), MATSU, spoke
in support of HB 409 and specifically urged greater funding
for fraud investigation.
NIKKI KINNE, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), FAIRBANKS,
testified against the proposed legislation reiterating that
AFDC recipients would prefer to work. She stressed that
AFDC is not a way of life although it creates a
psychologically and environmentally hazardous condition.
Ms. Kinne urged that relevant effort create a sustainable
and flexible program. She recommended encouraging welfare
participants the opportunity to devise a feasible plan
within their individual communities.
BETTY BARTELS, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CITC JOBS,
ANCHORAGE, spoke in opposition to HB 409, although she
recommended raising the vehicle ownership amount to a higher
level as proposed in the legislation. She urged continued
support for the JOBS Training Program. She concluded
stating that the JOBS program and the workfare program would
be in competition for proposed funds.
2
MARY LOU CANNEY, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), FAIRBANKS,
spoke in opposition to the proposed legislation elaborating
that persons on the welfare system have little self esteem.
She added that programs such as the JOBS training program
help to restore a healthier sense of self.
VICKIE DARLING, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CITC JOBS,
ANCHORAGE, spoke against HB 409. She testified in favor of
the JOBS Program suggesting that greater education is the
answer for the success of welfare recipients.
SANDRA NEWMAN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), FAIRBANKS,
testified in opposition to the proposed legislation.
Currently, participating in the JOBS Program, she discussed
the success which she and her family have achieved. Ms.
Newman agreed that education is the way out of poverty.
ANGELA SALERNO, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS, ANCHORAGE,
spoke in opposition to HB 409. She indicated that there are
provisions within the legislation which the Association
supports although they do not support the workfare program.
Ms. Salerno pointed out that lack of skills keep many
welfare recipients from working. The JOBS program currently
is successful, whereas, the workfare program would be costly
to establish.
To date, the JOBS Program has not been fully funded.
Currently, it is serving twenty percent of the registered
requests whereas, due to insufficient funding, the federally
funded portion serves only two percent of the population
needing that assistance.
LOUISE CHARLES, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), FAIRBANKS,
testified in opposition to the proposed legislation noting
that village people do not have the opportunity for work
because there are no jobs in those areas. She emphasized
that cuts as proposed in the legislation would hit rural
Alaskans the hardest.
REBECCA RUFFNER, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ARIZONA,
spoke in support of the Healthy Family Program amendment as
proposed by Representative Brown, pointing out that the
program would encourage ways to build family strength and
family self sufficiency. Ms. Ruffner shared the successful
endeavors of that program in other states.
VIRGINIA ALLEN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), HEALTHY
FAMILIES, ANCHORAGE, spoke in opposition to HB 409. She
reiterated facts as presented by Ms. Ruffner in regard to
the Healthy Families Program.
3
(Tape Change, HFC 94-68, Side 2).
EDWARD DEAUX, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), COORDINATOR,
HEALTHY START PROGRAM, SOUTH CENTRAL, ANCHORAGE, testified
in support of Representative Brown's amendment which would
establish a Healthy Families Program. He suggested that the
JOBS Program and the Healthy Families Program could be
consolidated for greater efficiency.
BARBARA BENNETT, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CHAIR,
HOUSING AND HOMELESS COALITION, ANCHORAGE, strongly opposed
HB 409 as it would decrease funds to the poorest of the
State. She added that it would not be acceptable to
institute an additional program "on the backs of the poor"
specifically those on Adult Public Assistance.
NATALIE KNOX, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CATHOLIC
SOCIAL SERVICES, ANCHORAGE, explained that cutting funds
from APA and AFDC dependents will have a long range
detrimental impact on families and their emotional and
physical safety.
KAREN PEARSER, SECTION CHIEF, MATERNAL CHILD AND FAMILY
HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, provided
the Committee with a handout Healthy Families
American/Healthy Families Alaska which provided costs
associated with the proposed amendment. [Copy on file].
The Healthy Families Program is a completely voluntary
program, paraprofessional based, home visitation program
that seeks to address the needs of the child within the
context of the family, recognizing the adults in the family
as primary decision makers. The objective of the program is
to prevent child abuse and neglect, assist families and
communities in identifying needs, and helping families
receive the health and social services which they need to
improve family functioning and health status.
Ms. Pearser acknowledged that costs will vary by region,
education experience levels of personnel hired and actual
attrition rates. It is expected that the evaluation costs
will be covered by federal MCH dollars provided to the
Department of Health and Social Services for systems
development work. The funding formula assumes that the
projects will be provided by local community agencies with
funding via competitive grants and contracts.
Ms. Pearser advised that there is interest on the federal
level to make these grants available. Currently, there are
fund sources available from private foundations and business
corporations.
4
SHARON REBAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
SERVICES, JUNEAU, provided the Committee with a copy of her
testimony. [Copy on file]. She spoke in support of the
Healthy Families program stating that the program is simple,
family oriented and cost effective. Research provided from
projects operated in Hawaii and Arizona have demonstrated
success rates including reduced child abuse and neglect,
AFDC dependency, foster care, juvenile crime and expensive
medical treatment. Ms. Rebar urged the Committee's
consideration to incorporate the program.
SHERRIE GOLL, ALASKA WOMEN'S LOBBY, JUNEAU, stated that the
Lobby would not support any part of HB 409. She urged the
Committee to eliminate the proposed rateable reductions to
the Adult Public Assistance Program. She stressed that APA
recipients would never benefit from the programs recommended
for those on the AFDC program.
Ms. Goll advised that the propositions recommended in
Section 5 would most likely be part of the National Welfare
Reform package. She questioned spending the proposed funds
for a demonstration project "workfare" which will impact
only a few persons in the State, when in a years time every
person in the State will be able to share in those increased
earnings through federal participation.
Ms. Goll stated that the Women's Lobby does not object to
the workfare program or people being placed in unpaid
positions. Although, she noted the program would not help
to create greater self sufficiency for welfare participants.
The only obvious benefit would be for taxpayers to feel
better about people who receive welfare benefits because
they would be working off their stipends.
Ms. Goll added that studies have indicated that the workfare
program was not designed for people with children under six
years of age. She advised that the JOBS program is
currently successful and urged the Committee to reconsider
the proposed legislation.
Ms. Goll concluded, by summarizing the thoughts of the
Women's Lobby regarding the budget crisis and solutions to
address it.
1. Increasing taxes.
2. Placing a longevity bonus on a needs basis.
3. Capping the Permanent Fund Dividend.
HB 409 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
5
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 A.M.
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 18, 1994
8:.40 A.M.
TAPE HFC 94 - 67, Side 1, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94 - 67, Side 2, #000 - #598.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 8:40 A.M.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Larson Representative Hoffman
Co-Chair MacLean Representative Martin
Vice-Chair Hanley Representative Navarre
Representative Brown Representative Parnell
Representative Grussendorf Representative Therriault
Representative Foster
ALSO PRESENT
Coray Ludden, (Testified via teleconference), WRCC, Kenai;
Barbara Landis, (Testified via teleconference), Matsu; Nikki
Kinne, (Testified via teleconference), Fairbanks; Betty
Bartels, (Testified via teleconference), CITC JOBS,
Anchorage; Mary Lou Canney, (Testified via teleconference),
Fairbanks; Vickie Barling, (Testified via teleconference),
CITC JOBS, Anchorage; Sandra Newman, (Testified via
teleconference), Fairbanks; Angela Salerno, (Testified via
teleconference), Executive Director, National Association of
Social Workers, Anchorage; Louise Charles, (Testified via
teleconference), Fairbanks; Rebecca Ruffner, (Testified via
teleconference), Arizona; Virginia Allen, (Testified via
teleconference), Healthy Family, Anchorage; Edward Deaux,
(Testified via teleconference), Coordinator of South Central
Healthy Start, Anchorage; Barbara Bennett, (Testified via
teleconference), Housing and Homeless Coalition, Anchorage;
Natalie Knox, (Testified via teleconference), Catholic
Social Services, Anchorage; Karen Pearser, Section Chief,
Department of Health and Social Services; Sharon Rebar,
Catholic Community Services, Juneau; Sherrie Goll, Alaska
Women's Lobby, Juneau.
SUMMARY
HB 409 An Act relating to the maximum amount of
6
assistance that may be granted under the adult
public assistance program and the program of aid
to families with dependent children; proposing a
special demonstration project within the program
of aid to families with dependent children and
directing the Department of Health and Social
Services to seek waivers from the federal
government to implement the project; and providing
for an effective date.
HB 409 was HELD in Committee for further
discussion.
HOUSE BILL 409
"An Act relating to the maximum amount of assistance
that may be granted under the adult public assistance
program and the program of aid to families with
dependent children; proposing a special demonstration
project within the program of aid to families with
dependent children and directing the Department of
Health and Social Services to seek waivers from the
federal government to implement the project; and
providing for an effective date."
CORAY LUDDEN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), WRCC, KENAI,
spoke in opposition to HB 409 and the punitive penalty which
it proposes. She emphasized that welfare recipients would
rather work than continue to be subsidized although they are
not able to because there are no jobs available. Ms. Ludden
agreed with Representative Navarre that long range economic
planning is necessary in order to resolve the welfare
problems of Alaska.
BARBARA LANDIS, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), MATSU, spoke
in support of HB 409 and specifically urged greater funding
for fraud investigation.
NIKKI KINNE, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), FAIRBANKS,
testified against the proposed legislation reiterating that
AFDC recipients would prefer to work. She stressed that
AFDC is not a way of life although it creates a
psychologically and environmentally hazardous condition.
Ms. Kinne urged that relevant effort create a sustainable
and flexible program. She recommended encouraging welfare
participants the opportunity to devise a feasible plan
within their individual communities.
BETTY BARTELS, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CITC JOBS,
ANCHORAGE, spoke in opposition to HB 409, although she
recommended raising the vehicle ownership amount to a higher
level as proposed in the legislation. She urged continued
7
support for the JOBS Training Program. She concluded
stating that the JOBS program and the workfare program would
be in competition for proposed funds.
MARY LOU CANNEY, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), FAIRBANKS,
spoke in opposition to the proposed legislation elaborating
that persons on the welfare system have little self esteem.
She added that programs such as the JOBS training program
help to restore a healthier sense of self.
VICKIE DARLING, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CITC JOBS,
ANCHORAGE, spoke against HB 409. She testified in favor of
the JOBS Program suggesting that greater education is the
answer for the success of welfare recipients.
SANDRA NEWMAN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), FAIRBANKS,
testified in opposition to the proposed legislation.
Currently, participating in the JOBS Program, she discussed
the success which she and her family have achieved. Ms.
Newman agreed that education is the way out of poverty.
ANGELA SALERNO, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS, ANCHORAGE,
spoke in opposition to HB 409. She indicated that there are
provisions within the legislation which the Association
supports although they do not support the workfare program.
Ms. Salerno pointed out that lack of skills keep many
welfare recipients from working. The JOBS program currently
is successful, whereas, the workfare program would be costly
to establish.
To date, the JOBS Program has not been fully funded.
Currently, it is serving twenty percent of the registered
requests whereas, due to insufficient funding, the federally
funded portion serves only two percent of the population
needing that assistance.
LOUISE CHARLES, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), FAIRBANKS,
testified in opposition to the proposed legislation noting
that village people do not have the opportunity for work
because there are no jobs in those areas. She emphasized
that cuts as proposed in the legislation would hit rural
Alaskans the hardest.
REBECCA RUFFNER, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ARIZONA,
spoke in support of the Healthy Family Program amendment as
proposed by Representative Brown, pointing out that the
program would encourage ways to build family strength and
family self sufficiency. Ms. Ruffner shared the successful
endeavors of that program in other states.
VIRGINIA ALLEN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), HEALTHY
8
FAMILIES, ANCHORAGE, spoke in opposition to HB 409. She
reiterated facts as presented by Ms. Ruffner in regard to
the Healthy Families Program.
(Tape Change, HFC 94-68, Side 2).
EDWARD DEAUX, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), COORDINATOR,
HEALTHY START PROGRAM, SOUTH CENTRAL, ANCHORAGE, testified
in support of Representative Brown's amendment which would
establish a Healthy Families Program. He suggested that the
JOBS Program and the Healthy Families Program could be
consolidated for greater efficiency.
BARBARA BENNETT, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CHAIR,
HOUSING AND HOMELESS COALITION, ANCHORAGE, strongly opposed
HB 409 as it would decrease funds to the poorest of the
State. She added that it would not be acceptable to
institute an additional program "on the backs of the poor"
specifically those on Adult Public Assistance.
NATALIE KNOX, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CATHOLIC
SOCIAL SERVICES, ANCHORAGE, explained that cutting funds
from APA and AFDC dependents will have a long range
detrimental impact on families and their emotional and
physical safety.
KAREN PEARSER, SECTION CHIEF, MATERNAL CHILD AND FAMILY
HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, provided
the Committee with a handout Healthy Families
American/Healthy Families Alaska which provided costs
associated with the proposed amendment. [Copy on file].
The Healthy Families Program is a completely voluntary
program, paraprofessional based, home visitation program
that seeks to address the needs of the child within the
context of the family, recognizing the adults in the family
as primary decision makers. The objective of the program is
to prevent child abuse and neglect, assist families and
communities in identifying needs, and helping families
receive the health and social services which they need to
improve family functioning and health status.
Ms. Pearser acknowledged that costs will vary by region,
education experience levels of personnel hired and actual
attrition rates. It is expected that the evaluation costs
will be covered by federal MCH dollars provided to the
Department of Health and Social Services for systems
development work. The funding formula assumes that the
projects will be provided by local community agencies with
funding via competitive grants and contracts.
Ms. Pearser advised that there is interest on the federal
level to make these grants available. Currently, there are
9
fund sources available from private foundations and business
corporations.
SHARON REBAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
SERVICES, JUNEAU, provided the Committee with a copy of her
testimony. [Copy on file]. She spoke in support of the
Healthy Families program stating that the program is simple,
family oriented and cost effective. Research provided from
projects operated in Hawaii and Arizona have demonstrated
success rates including reduced child abuse and neglect,
AFDC dependency, foster care, juvenile crime and expensive
medical treatment. Ms. Rebar urged the Committee's
consideration to incorporate the program.
SHERRIE GOLL, ALASKA WOMEN'S LOBBY, JUNEAU, stated that the
Lobby would not support any part of HB 409. She urged the
Committee to eliminate the proposed rateable reductions to
the Adult Public Assistance Program. She stressed that APA
recipients would never benefit from the programs recommended
for those on the AFDC program.
Ms. Goll advised that the propositions recommended in
Section 5 would most likely be part of the National Welfare
Reform package. She questioned spending the proposed funds
for a demonstration project "workfare" which will impact
only a few persons in the State, when in a years time every
person in the State will be able to share in those increased
earnings through federal participation.
Ms. Goll stated that the Women's Lobby does not object to
the workfare program or people being placed in unpaid
positions. Although, she noted the program would not help
to create greater self sufficiency for welfare participants.
The only obvious benefit would be for taxpayers to feel
better about people who receive welfare benefits because
they would be working off their stipends.
Ms. Goll added that studies have indicated that the workfare
program was not designed for people with children under six
years of age. She advised that the JOBS program is
currently successful and urged the Committee to reconsider
the proposed legislation.
Ms. Goll concluded, by summarizing the thoughts of the
Women's Lobby regarding the budget crisis and solutions to
address it.
1. Increasing taxes.
2. Placing a longevity bonus on a needs basis.
3. Capping the Permanent Fund Dividend.
HB 409 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
10
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 A.M.
11
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