Legislature(2003 - 2004)
03/03/2004 05:32 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 03, 2004
5:32 PM
TAPE HFC 04 - 42, Side A
TAPE HFC 04 - 42, Side B
TAPE HFC 04 - 43, Side A
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Harris called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 5:32 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative John Harris, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair
Representative Kevin Meyer, Vice-Chair
Representative Mike Chenault
Representative Eric Croft
Representative Hugh Fate
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Mike Hawker
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Carl Moses
Representative Bill Stoltze
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Sharon Cissna; Representative Ethan
Berkowitz; Joseph Pichler, Council Member, Governor's
Council on Disabilities & Special Education, Anchorage;
Gwendolyn Lee, Mary Dyer, AWRC, Anchorage; Carl Evertshusch,
Margaret Lowe, Former Commissioner, Department of Health and
Social Services, Anchorage; Cyd Bartee, Anchorage; Kathleen
Fitzgerald, Anchorage, Donna Jordan, Matsu; Jason Smart,
Anchorage.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Mary Dyer, Executive Director, Alaska Resource Center,
Anchorage; Francine Harbour; Chelsea McDonald, Anchorage; H.
Lee, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Anchorage; Mary
Bell, Anchorage; Tim Steele, Anchorage School Board Member,
Anchorage; Bob Satin, Board Member, Alaska Communications,
Public Radio KSKA; Lisa Rieger, Vice President Alaska Legal
Services, Anchorage; Janet McCabe, Partners for Progress;
Mike Couturier, representing self, Sergeant, Anchorage
Police Department; Brian Saylor, Alaska Public Health
Association, Anchorage; Lorne Smette, Alaska Chapter of
National Association of the Mentally Ill; Patti Hong,
Anchorage; Greg Wilson, Alaska Geological Society; Trevor
Fulton, Student, University of Alaska Anchorage; Justin
Durling, Student, University of Alaska Anchorage.
GENERAL SUBJECT (S):
The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes
and handouts will be on file with the House Finance
Committee through the 23rd Legislative Session, contact 465-
2156. After the 23rd Legislative Session they will be
available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY RELATING TO HB 375 and HB 377
ANCHORAGE TELECONFERENCE
LOG SPEAKER DISCUSSION
TAPE HFC 04 - 42
SIDE A
000 Co-Chair Williams Convened the House Finance Committee at
0222 MARY DYER, EXECUTIVE Expressed concern over cuts in sexual
DIRECTOR, ALASKA assault, alcohol treatment programs
RESOURCE CENTER,
ANCHORAGE
0346 FRANCINE HARBOUR, Voiced opposition to further cuts to
ANCHORAGE disabilities and Governor's Mental Health
budget.
0635 Co-Chair Harris Responded to Ms. Harbour that there is no
need to be afraid to talk to the
legislators on the committee.
0756 CHELSEA MCDONALD, Spoke in support of Denali Kid Care
ANCHORAGE
1006 H. LEE, NATIONAL Voiced opposition to further cuts to
ALLIANCE FOR THE disabilities and Governor's Mental Health
MENTALLY ILL, budget, and to Medicaid cuts.
ANCHORAGE
1305 MARY BELL, ANCHORAGE Voiced opposition to further cuts to
disabilities.
1441 TIM STEELE, Spoke in support of additional funding
ANCHORAGE SCHOOL for education. Urged long-term,
BOARD MEMBER, sustainable funding and discussion of
ANCHORAGE adequate funding. Increase formula to
PERS and TRS.
1743 Co-Chair Harris Asked if Municipality is maxed out, could
city contribute more
1806 Mr. Steele As funding from state has been reduced,
local share has risen. Will be over the
maximum cap within federal guidelines in
FY 05-FY 06-budget cycle. Co-Chair
Harris asked could city contribute more
if assembly chooses. Mr. Steele said
would take longer to change process than
FY 06. In response to a question by Co-
Chair Harris, Mr. Steele said the reason
is state contribution is declining; still
not at the 23% level.
2049 Co-Chair Harris During his six years in legislature,
state has not lowered its funding for
education. Mr. Steele, replied level
funding for education is no longer
adequate.
2209 BOB SATIN, BOARD Testified in support of full funding for
MEMBER, ALASKA public broadcasting.
COMMUNICATIONS,
PUBLIC RADIO KSKA
2436 Representative Joule Asked how much is raised locally to fund
the station. Mr. Satin replied rely on
small percentage state funding in larger
cities, but smaller stations rely more
heavily on listeners.
2552 LISA RIEGER, VICE Spoke in support restored funding for
PRSIDENT ALASKA Alaska Legal Services.
LEGAL SERVICES,
ANCHORAGE
2713 Janet McCabe, Spoke in support of Office of Public
Partners for Advocacy new position on Wellness Court,
Progress and adding $66 thousand to OPA.
3025 Representative Expressed that he is thinking about the
Hawker issue.
3054 Representative Asked clarification of the position
Chenault request. Ms. Mccabe explained that in
arrests outside Anchorage city limits,
the court has arranged for change of
venue so DUI offenders are treated in
therapeutic court.
3239 Mike Couturier, Voiced opposition to further cuts to
representing self, mental health budget. Provide services
Sergeant at to mentally ill before decline into
Anchorage Police crisis situation. Community based
Dept. services need funding.
3557 Representative Explained that have cut $6 million off
Hawker original budget cuts, and added
discretionary funding for crisis
situations at local level. Requested
that the speaker let him know if it's not
working.
3728 Mr. Couturier Rural areas are raising funds, and need
time to set up infrastructure
3759 Brian Saylor, Alaska Expressed support for restoration of
Public Health funding for social workers. Urged
Association, amendment to increase the state revenues
Anchorage with income tax.
4146 Co-Chair Harris Replied members of the committee and
House Ways and Means have addressed the
revenue issue, which is foremost in
importance.
4347 Lorne Smette, Alaska Voiced opposition to further cuts to
Chapter of National mental health budget. Described need for
Association of the critical medical care.
Mentally Ill
TAPE HFC 04 - 42, Side B
4519 Patti Hong, Voiced support for the public health
Anchorage nursing program.
4253 Greg Wilson, Alaska Testified in support of the Division of
Geological Society Geological Development and Survey
component and stressed the importance
toward long-term resource development.
3919 Representative 9 percent increase over last year.
Foster
3906 Mr. Wilson Clarified that geological development is
being reduced.
3733 Co-Chair Harris Responded to a questioned regarding the
possibility of an informal forum to
discuss issues regarding mental health
services. He noted that there would be
little time to develop a forum, but
recommended that individual members be
contacted.
3436 Representative Noted that Medicaid spending was
Hawker increased by $20 million.
3326 Representative Observed that funding for the Department
Foster of Health and Social Services has
increased over the years.
3247 Representative Observed that Department of Health and
Hawker Social Services spending was over $100
million more than in FY03.
3208 JOSEPH PICHLER, Voiced opposition to further cuts to
COUNCIL MEMBER, mental health budget. He observed that
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL there were 300 people in Juneau to
ON DISABILITIES & testify regarding the Key Campaign in
SPECIAL EDUCATION, support of mental health services.
ANCHORAGE
2811 GWENDOLYN LEE, Voiced opposition to further cuts to
ANCHORAGE mental health budget and support for
persons with disabilities. She emphasized
that community based services saves the
state money in the long run. Expressed
concern with reductions to senior
services. Voiced opposition to the cuts
in Medicaid Services. Called for an
action plan to solve the fiscal crisis.
2442 Representative Acknowledged the Key Campaign's
Hawker commitment to solving the state's fiscal
crisis.
2302 Ms. Lee Pointed out that institutionalization
costs far more.
2252 Representative Stressed that the intent is not to return
Stoltze to institutionalization.
2236 Representative Croft Pointed out that the Department of Health
and Social Services' budget has been
reduced by $30 million in general fund,
10 in federal funds, and $20 in other
funds. 7.8 actual reductions.
2032 Representative Argued that Department of Health and
Hawker Social Services spending has been
increasing in the state.
2029 CARL EVERTSHUSCH, Voiced opposition to further cuts to the
KEY COALITION, mental health budget and cuts in Medicaid
ANCHORAGE services. Noted support for additional
revenue measures.
1741 Co-Chair Harris Observed that the revenue issue is
strongly debated and expressed his hope
for a solution.
1648 MARGARET LOWE, Pointed out that there have been
ANCHORAGE improvements in special education
services in schools and stressed their
success. Noted support for additional
revenue measures and stated that she is
willing to give up her permanent fund
dividend. Stressed that services need to
be organized and supported by the state.
1240 CYD BARTEE, Voiced opposition to further cuts to the
ANCHORAGE mental health budget. She observed that
her son would have to be
institutionalized without state
assistance. Observed that her child
receives wrap around services and noted
support for additional revenue measures
and her willingness to give up her
permanent fund dividend.
821 Ms. Bartee In response to comments by Vice-Chair
Meyer, noted that autistic children can
greatly improved. She explained that wrap
around services coordinate her son's
services.
559 KATHLEEN FITZGERALD, Noted that her daughter, who is autistic,
ANCHORAGE has improved through state supported
waivers. Noted support for additional
revenue measures and a long-term
solution.
TAPE HFC 04 - 43, Side A
132 BARBARA JORDON, Voiced opposition to further cuts to the
MATSU mental health budget. She stressed that
her special needs children benefited from
involvement in the Infant Learning
Program and waivers. Noted support for
additional revenue measures. Stressed
that early intervention works and that
for every one dollar spent, four are
saved.
1246 JASON SMART, Voiced opposition to further cuts to the
ANCHORAGE mental health budget and support for
waiver services. Noted support for
additional revenue measures.
1932 TREVOR FULTON, Spoke in support of additional funding
ANCHORAGE for the University. He noted recent
improvements to the University. He
stressed the need to put funding for the
University in the operating budget as
opposed to the capital budget.
2613 Co-Chair Harris Stressed support for the University, but
emphasized that all the needs of the
state need to be balanced.
2756 JUSTIN DURLING, Voiced support for funding for the
ANCHORAGE University and observed that tuition
rates have increased.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM
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