Legislature(2005 - 2006)
03/30/2005 03:16 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB67 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 30, 2005
3:16 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Chenault called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 3:16:42 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Chenault, Co-Chair
Representative Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Stoltze, Vice-Chair
Representative Eric Croft
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Mike Hawker
Representative Jim Holm
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Mike Kelly
Representative Carl Moses
Representative Bruce Weyhrauch
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Eric Swanson, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Administration; Sue Stancliff, Staff,
Representative Kelly; Eddy Jeans, Director, Education
Support Services, Department of Education and Early
Development; Jim Derringer, Staff, Representative Holm;
Janet Clarke, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Finance
and Management Services, Department of Health and Social
Services; Tom Lawson, Director, Administrative Services,
Department of Fish and Game:
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
There were no teleconference testifiers.
SUMMARY
HB 66 "An Act making appropriations for the operating
and capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; and providing
for an effective date."
HB 66 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
HB 67 "An Act making appropriations for the operating
and loan program expenses of state government, for
certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making
appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing
for an effective date."
HB 67 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
HOUSE BILL NO. 66
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; and providing for
an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 67
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government, for certain
programs, and to capitalize funds; making
appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution
of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget
reserve fund; and providing for an effective date."
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
Representative Holms MOVED to ADOPT Amendment DOA-4,
Technology Services. This would allow a fund source switch
of $500, from general funds to the Information Services
Fund.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Representative Holms MOVED to ADOPT Amendment DOA-5, which
would eliminate an increment of $45 thousand for an
additional Administrative Clerk II in the Alaska Public
Offices Commission. Representative Croft OBJECTED. He noted
that the increment was approved at the subcommittee level.
Representative Holms explained that the intent is to limit
addition of personnel. The funding level would remain flat.
ERIC SWANSON, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION explained that the amendment
would fund the Commission at the Governor's requested level.
He felt that the funding level would be sufficient to carry
out their mission.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Representative Croft MOVED to ADOPT Amendment DOA-6, which
would allocate $200 to the Department of Administration,
Centralized Administration Services, Finance. He noted that
the amendment reflects the Governor's initial request of
$1.8 million.
Representative Meyer OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
Representative Croft observed that the amendment would
return the component to the Governor's original request.
Representative Holms did not object to the amendment. He
explained that the intent of the reduction was to shift
funds to other areas.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Representative Croft MOVED to ADOPT Amendment COM-4.
Department: Commerce, Community, & Economic Dev.
Appropriation: Executive Administration
Allocation: Commissioners Office
Fund Source: 1004 General Fund
Amount: $49,000
Explanation:
This decrement deletes $49,000 of unrequested travel
funds.
Representative Chenault OBJECTED.
Representative Croft noted that the amendment would delete
additional travel funds.
SUE STANCLIFF, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE KELLY, explained that
the Subcommittee shifted funds. The Commissioner moved funds
between RBU's, only $31 thousand was reflected [in the
travel component]. The Subcommittee decided to reflect the
actual cost of travel and reduced the travel budget by $30
thousand.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
3:28:04 PM
Representative Joule MOVED to ADOPT Amendment COM-5.
Add:
Department: Commerce, Community and Economic Dev.
Appropriation: State Revenue Sharing & Safe Communities
Allocation: State Revenue Sharing
Fund source: 1004 General Funds
Amount: $15,000,000
Allocation: Safe Communities
Fund source: 1004 General Funds
Amount: $35,000,000
Total amt. of amendment: $50,000,000
Description: Local governments have been hampered in
providing local services since the elimination of State
Revenue sharing and safe communities funding in FY04.
Many communities are having problems meeting the most
basic of obligations such as insurance coverage for
community owned facilities. Many basic services are
also in jeopardy. Small communities are having
difficulties maintaining the road between the airport
and the village which not only hampers deliveries of
supplies, but puts residents at risk in case there is
need to do an emergency evacuation due to medical
reasons. Local government operations are jeopardized
in communities without sufficient funding to provide a
salary for the skeletal administrative staff necessary
to address the delivery of local government services.
Government is most meaningful when decision-making is
closest to the people affected. The state does not
have the resources to provide direct services to
residents everywhere. It is important to assist local
residents with the financial resources necessary to
provide services for themselves.
Representative Chenault OBJECTED for the purpose of
discussion.
Representative Joule stressed that the state's resources
were once shared with communities. He noted the high cost of
insurance, and taxes. Municipal Assistance, revenue sharing
and the Safe Community Program, which assisted communities
with these issues, have been reduced. He expressed concern
that municipalities would begin to shut down without
assistance.
3:31:43 PM
Representative Hawker noted that he supports state support
to communities, but expressed concern with the straight
general fund support.
Representative Hawker MOVED to AMEND Amendment COM-5: Change
the funding source to 1041, Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve
Account, for Safe Communities and reduce the amount of the
amendment to $35 million.
Representative Stoltze OBJECTED.
Representative Hawker spoke in support of the amendment to
the amendment. He stressed that the amendment would help
communities with the PERS issue. The Safe Communities
Program contains restrictions regarding the use of funds and
provides a priority for their use. He maintained that the
amendment would stand within the priorities. The legislature
recognized with AS 29.63.50 that communities might need
help. He stressed that Subsection (d) of states that:
section may not be construed to require a municipality to
fund all requests it receives for services in a category
with a higher ranking of priority before funding services in
a category with a lower ranking of priority. He concluded
that the amendment would support communities of the state
and give them flexibility in addressing these issues.
3:37:28 PM
Representative Joule MOVED to DIVIDE the question into three
parts:
1. Fund revenue sharing
2. Identify the funding source
3. Identify the funding level
Representative Meyer OBJECTED to dividing the question. He
maintained that the issue of revenue sharing must be tied to
the fund source.
Representative Chenault observed that a vote on the
amendment to the amendment would be a vote on the fund
source.
Representative Croft argued in support of dividing the
question.
3:40:22 PM
Representative Stoltze pointed out that if the amendment to
the amendment fails, the original question would remain.
Representative Joule explained that his intent is to support
revenue sharing, but at a higher level: $50 million.
Representative Meyer WITHDREW his objection to dividing the
question. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Representative Joule WITHDREW his Motion to Divide the
Question. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Representative Joule MOVED to ADOPT an amendment to
Representative Hawker's amendment to COM-5: delete "$35" and
insert "$50" million. He spoke in support of the amendment.
He pointed out that the Committee worked on percent of
market value (POMV) legislation, which would have supported
a 5% pay out to communities. The pay out would have been $70
million.
Representative Hawker stated that although he wished to
support the amendment to the amendment, he did not think
that the amount would be supported [by the majority of
members].
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to amend the
amendment to COM 5: increase the funding level to $50.
IN FAVOR: Joule, Moses, Croft
OPPOSED: Holm, Kelly, Stoltze, Weyrauch, Foster, Hawker,
Meyer, Chenault
The MOTION FAILED (3-8).
3:47:52 PM
Representative Croft observed that the smallest communities
would be eliminated from the funding. He maintained that
some of the state's oil wealth should be shared with the
state's communities, but did not support the use of the
Permanent Fund without a vote of the people. He noted that
unincorporated communities also provide valuable services to
their constituents.
Representative Hawker spoke to the issue of using permanent
fund earnings without a vote of the people. He emphasized
that the Fund was created to give future legislatures the
greatest, unrestricted, latitude to use the funds as they
deemed needed. This was the intent of the people who voted
to create the fund. He stressed the art of the possible, as
opposed to everything that one would wish done. He felt that
the amendment would be provide the best chance of success.
Representative Joule stressed that the small communities
would not be covered.
Representative Croft objected to the amendment to the
amendment because the use of the public's funds would go
only to the incorporated communities.
A roll call vote was taken on Representative Hawker's Motion
to amend Amendment COM-5: change the funding source to 1041,
Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve Account.
IN FAVOR: Moses, Weyrauch, Foster, Hawker
OPPOSED: Joule, Kelly, Stoltze, Croft, Holm, Chenault,
Meyer
The MOTION FAILED (4-7).
3:52:52 PM
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt COM-5.
FAVOR: Weyrauch, Joule, Moses, Croft
OPPOSED: Holm, Kelly, Stoltze, Foster, Hawker, Meyer,
Chenault
The MOTION FAILED (3-8).
3:59:20 PM
Representative Weyhrauch MOVED to ADOPT DEED-2: Charter
school funding.
(b) The sum of $250,000 is appropriated from the
general fund to the Department of Education and Early
Development for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006,
for payment as grants to each school district that
operates a charter school with an average daily
membership of 150 or less for support of those charter
schools in those districts. The amount appropriated
for grants by this subsection is to be allocated among
eligible school districts in the proportion that the
average daily membership of eligible charter schools in
a district bears to the total average daily of all
eligible charter schools in all school districts that
operate an eligible charter school.
Representative Croft spoke in support of the amendment.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT Amendment DEED-3.
AGENCY: Education and Early Development
APPROPRIATION: Alaska Library & Museums
ALLOCATION: Library Operations
Add: 187.0 General Fund 1004
Explanation:
$62,000 covers the FY06 cost of staff reclassification
that became effective January 2005. The Governor
requested this amount along with 30.0 to cover FY05
costs. $125,000 is for contractual costs and for
acquisition and materials.
ALLOCATION: Archives
Add: 70.0 General Fund 1004
1 PFT
Explanation:
Electronic records management.
ALLOCATION: Museum Operations
Add: 50.0 General Fund 1004
Explanation:
Provides funds for acquisition of historically valuable
artifacts.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
4:01:39 PM
Representative Joule MOVED to ADOPT Amendment DEED-4.
Add:
Department: Education
Appropriation: Teaching and Learning Support
Allocation: Student and School Achievement
Fund source: 1004 General Funds
Amount: $5,000,000
Description: Numerous studies have demonstrated the
value of pre-K funding in the performance of students
academically, socially, and economically. These funds
would be for pilot program grant funding to allow
school districts to develop pre-K programs based upon
models utilized in other parts of the country. These
demonstration programs would allow the Department of
Education to track and document student achievement of
children receiving a quality pre-K program throughout
their academic career. Other studies have also
demonstrated higher earning potential, less
incarceration, and fewer applicants for public
assistance among graduates of pre-K programming.
Vice-Chair Meyer OBJECTED.
Representative Joule spoke in support of the amendment. He
noted that the state of Alaska once funded pre-K education.
He stressed that pre-K education works. He noted that the
amendment would allow the department to look at programs
around the state.
Representative Chenault acknowledged that early intervention
is important, but stressed that class size is needs to be
addressed. He maintained his objection and stated that he
needed additional information regarding the success of past
programs.
Representative Joule noted that in some communities pre-K
support was used for K-12 support. He noted that a school in
his district, which does provide pre-K support, has
demonstrated the success of early intervention.
Representative Croft spoke in support of the amendment. He
maintained that the number one priority [education] should
be funded.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt DEED-4.
FAVOR: Weyrauch, Joule, Moses, Croft
OPPOSED: Holm, Kelly, Stoltze, Foster, Hawker, Meyer,
Chenault
The MOTION FAILED (3-8).
4:09:29 PM
Representative Joule MOVED to ADOPT Amendment DEED-5.
Department: Education
Appropriation: Teaching and Learning Support
Allocation: Student and School Achievement
Fund source: 1004 General Funds
Amount: $5,000,000
Description: This funding would provide the necessary
discretionary grant funding for the Department of
Education and Early Development to provide grants to
school districts exploring alternate delivery models
for secondary education coupled with the necessary
research/tracking component to assess the effectiveness
of the delivery model. Many districts have expressed
interest and/or begun efforts to address delivery
problems for educational offerings in small village
high schools. In some districts, the programs are
designed around a boarding school approach such as
Nenana and Galena. Other districts are looking at
magnet school approaches with specialty offerings to
emphasize program areas that are not adequately
addressed with small high school populations, and are
needed to better prepare young people for post
secondary education and training.
Representative Chenault OBJECTED.
Representative Joule spoke in support of the amendment. He
stressed the importance of supporting education and observed
that the grant process has been successful. The amendment
would help identify what is working at the high school level
and reduce the drop out level.
Representative Chenault noted that some districts might want
to do further research as to the best delivery mode. He felt
that there were other models for school districts to use. He
felt that sufficient delivery models already exist.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to adopt COM-5.
FAVOR: Weyrauch, Foster, Joule, Moses, Croft
OPPOSED: Holm, Kelly, Stoltze, Hawker, Meyer, Chenault
The MOTION FAILED (4-7).
4:15:45 PM
Representative Croft MOVED to ADOPT Amendment DEED-6:
ADD:
Department: Education and Early Development
Appropriation: Teaching and Learning Support
Allocation: Head Start Grants
Fund Source: 1004 General Fund
Amount: $450,000
Description: This amendment will provide additional
general funds to the grants line of the Head Start
program in order to place 50 more eligible, wait-listed
children in Head Start programs in the coming year.
National studies show that children who participate in
quality preschools are more likely to graduate from
high school than other children, need less expensive
special or remedial services and, as adults, are more
likely to attend college and be employed.
Representative Meyer OBJECTED.
Representative Croft spoke in support of the amendment. He
stressed that the Head Start Program has been successful and
maintained the money would be well worth it if one child
were prevented from going to prison.
EDDY JEANS, DIRECTOR, EDUCATION SUPPORT SERVICES, DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT, explained that the issue
came up during subcommittee hearings. The dilemma is that
state funds go to providers and the money is used to apply
for an additional federal match. There is no guarantee that
additional state dollars would result in matching federal
grants. There is no guarantee that the funds would be used
[for the Head Start Program.}
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Joule, Moses, Croft
OPPOSED: Holm, Kelly, Stoltze, Weyrauch, Foster, Hawker,
Meyer
Representative Chenault was absent from the vote.
The MOTION FAILED (3-7).
4:18:30 PM
Representative Meyer MOVED to ADOPT DEC-2.
AGENCY: Environmental Conservation
APPROPRIATION: Administration
ALLOCATION: Agency-Wide Unallocated Reduction
Fund Change
($11.1) G/F Match 1003
$18.5 General Fund 1004
($ 7.4) GF/Program Rcpts 1005
Explanation:
Technical correction of GF funding sources for the
purpose of spreading the agency-wide unallocated
reduction in travel.
Representative Croft OBJECTED.
Representative Meyer explained that the amendment would
allow a fund shift. The subcommittee reduced travel by $25
thousand. The Amendment would spread out the reduction by
fund source.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
4:19:30 PM
Representative Holms MOVED to ADOPT Amendment F&G-2, which
would add $150.0 in interagency receipts for Wildlife
Conservation Shooting Ranges.
Representative Stoltze OBJECTED.
Representative Holms noted that the amendment would provide
authorizations for schools to spend or collect funds for the
use of the ranges. Some schools could pay. There may also be
some education funds available. The Alaska State Troopers
have also indicated interest in using the ranges from
midnight to 7 am.
Representative Joule questioned which communities would be
impacted. Representative Holms responded: Juneau, Anchorage,
and Fairbanks.
Representative Joule questioned if school participation in
the shooting ranges would be considered as interagency
receipts.
Representative Croft questioned which agencies would be
involved.
JIM DERRINGER, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE HOLM, clarified that
state troopers would be allowed to use the facility and pay
for its use. High school kids use the facility from 3 - 7 pm
and pay $5 dollars an hour. It may be possible to increase
these fees.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
4:23:42 PM
Representative Holms MOVED to ADOPT F&G-3, which would
rename the Wildlife Conservation Shooting Ranges to Hunter
Education Shooting Ranges.
Representative Chenault OBJECTED for the purpose of
discussion.
Mr. Derringer explained that the amendment would allow
application for grants that are on an educational manner.
Representative Croft thought that some of the money being
used to fund the ranges was limited to wildlife
conservation. Mr. Derringer clarified that there is
approximately $8 million in Pittman-Roberston federal funds,
$7.5 million of which is utilized for wildlife conservation
projects. The remaining $500 thousand is specifically
targeted to higher education and can be used to conduct
classes, but could not be used for operation of the range.
The Pittman-Roberston funds come from the sale of
ammunition.
TOM LAWSON, DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND GAME, clarified that the federal funds could be
used for the shooting ranges in Fairbanks and Juneau are
indoors.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
4:27:46 PM
Representative Croft MOVED to ADOPT Amendment GOV-1:
To page 14 after line 7 and page 29 after line 31
insert the following intent language:
"It is the intent of this Legislature that none of the
monies appropriated in either the Office of the
Governor or the Department of Public Safety is to be
spent for a jet, no matter what the stated purpose,
without prior legislative approval."
Representative Chenault OBJECTED.
Representative Croft spoke in support of the amendment. He
explained that the intent would be specifically reject the
appropriation [to fund a jet for the Office of the
Governor].
Representative Stoltze noted that the Subcommittee took out
the funding for the jet. He pointed out that the Governor
could veto the intent language and felt that it was
unnecessary and would not have the force of law.
Representative Hawker observed that the amendment would not
prevent other departments from purchasing a jet.
Representative Croft spoke in support of the amendment. He
expressed concern that without specific intent that the jet
could still be purchased.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Foster, Joule, Croft
OPPOSED: Holm, Kelly, Stoltze, Hawker, Meyer, Chenault
Representatives Moses and Weyrauch were absent from the
vote.
The MOTION FAILED (3-6).
4:32:28 PM
Representative Chenault MOVED to ADOPT Amendment HSS-2 as
amended below:
AGENCY: Health & Social Services
APPROPRIATION: Public Assistance
ALLOCATION: Tribal Assistance Programs
Delete: Tribal Assistance Programs
Add: Alaska Native Assistance Programs
Explanation:
This is a name change only. Renaming this allocation to
the Alaska Native Assistance Programs will avoid future
State sovereignty issues.
Representative Chenault explained that the amendment was
technical. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Amendment HSS-3 was HELD.
Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT Amendment HSS-4:
ADD:
Department: Department of Health & Social Services
Appropriation: Departmental Support Services
Allocation: Agency-Wide Unallocated Reduction/
Reversal
Fund Source: 1003 General Fund Match
Amount: $ 3,180.0
Description:
The HFBS directed the Department to use the FY 05 TANF
high performance bonus to reduce qualified general fund
expenditures in the existing budget and placed the
unallocated reduction of $3,180.0 as a placeholder in
the budget pending identification of qualified costs.
This has proven to be difficult given the criteria for
TANF spending.
This amendment reverses the unallocated reduction and
in doing so holds the TANF high performance bonus in
reserve.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT Amendment HSS-5:
Add:
Department: Health and Social Services
Appropriation: Behavioral Health
Allocation: Ak. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Program
Fund source: 1007 Interagency Receipts
$500,000 IAR
Amount: 1004 General Funds
$596,000 GF
Representative Kelly OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
He stated that he would support the amendment, but stressed
the need to address the underlying problem.
Representative Kelly WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
4:36:53 PM
Representative Meyer MOVED to ADOPT HSS-3, which would add
$500 thousand in general funds to Public Health, Community
Health Grants, which would free the same amount of Tobacco
Education/Cessation funds.
Representative Stoltze OBJECTED for the purpose of
discussion.
Representative Meyer noted that 20 percent of tobacco
[cessation] funds were to go to cessation and prevention
programs. He objected to the movement of a portion of this
money to community health grants. He noted that the
cessation and prevention programs are working.
Representative Stoltze WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
Representative Hawker OBJECTED for the purpose of
discussion. He observed that he had previously objected to
the amendment, but had been convinced of its validity.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
4:40:17 PM
Representative Joule MOVED to ADOPT Amendment HSS-6:
Add:
Department: Health and Social Services
Appropriation: Behavioral Health
Allocation: Behavioral Health grants
Fund source: 1004 General Funds
1007 Interagency Receipts
Amount: $4,500,000 general funds
$1,500,000 IAR
Description: Funding is requested to develop a
comprehensive alcohol and substance abuse prevention
package, aimed primarily at Alaska's youth. Current
funding available for alcohol and substance abuse
efforts is directed primarily at treatment. This
funding would enable the Department to get ahead of the
abuse curve by addressing the problems facing Alaskan
youth and thus discourage them from attempted escape
through alcohol and substance abuse. This amendment
combines funding the Governor proposed in both the FY06
budget and the FY05 supplemental for FY06 spending.
The source of the Interagency receipts is the TANF high
performing bonus.
Representative Chenault OBJECTED for the purpose of
discussion.
Representative Joule spoke in support of the amendment. He
acknowledged the use of general funds, but emphasized the
importance of prevention. He stressed that prevention is the
highest priority, but that spending goes to adults in
treatment and intervention.
Representative Hawker acknowledged the seriousness of the
issue. He expressed concern that funds are being proposed
for expenditure without proper planning. He stressed that
success requires planning, which did not occur. Counselors,
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and the Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Advisory Board were not involved in the planning
process. A tactical approach was not developed or a
coordinated plan. He indicated that the issue should be
looked into for future years. He also expressed concern that
the entire amount would come from general funds and that
there are no alcohol funds being proposed for involvement.
Alcohol taxes result in $30 million a year; only half of
which are spent on alcohol programs.
4:46:38 PM
Representative Croft stressed that the funding would go
toward prevention. He spoke in support of the amendment. He
noted that there are very few dedicated funds.
Representative Joule recalled the difficulty incurred in
raising the alcohol tax. He emphasized that the funding
would be used to reach children, which are subjected to peer
pressure. He spoke in support of the amendment, and stressed
the need to start with our youth, in order to save funds
with the adult population.
4:52:45 PM
Representative Holms acknowledged the need, but questioned
the timing of the amendment. He stressed that the amendment
is process oriented. He spoke in support of programs with
defined results.
Representative Joule questioned if there is a way to provide
measurable results and if the department would be willing to
do so.
JANET CLARKE, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, DIVISION OF FINANCE
AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL
SERVICES, noted that the Department included the proposal as
part of its prevention and early intervention initiative.
The proposal was modeled on ones used by other states and
entities, which have demonstrated results. She stressed that
they are not bureaucratic, but are based on sound evidence
from federal agencies.
Representative Croft noted that the amendment represents the
Governor's initiative for grants in specific areas, targeted
to children. He spoke in support of the amendment.
Representative Hawker reiterated that there was not an
adequate planning process, and stressed the need for
accountability. He noted that the Department is deficient in
measuring the performance. He maintained that there is an
anachronistic system for managing grants. He stated that he
would like to see more planning and accountability for the
funds.
5:02:21 PM
Representative Kelly expressed concern that outcomes ignore
high unemployment rates. He maintained that that the problem
cannot be addressed in areas with high unemployment, until
those issues are addressed.
Representative Joule acknowledged the concerns of
Representative Kelly and concluded that the problem [of
alcohol] needs to be addressed on many fronts. He reiterated
that the best way to build a foundation for hope is "through
our young people". People need to be accountable, but
sometimes it is hard to change. Systems need to occur in
order to shift our youth; it is only the first part.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Foster, Joule, Weyrauch, Croft
OPPOSED: Hawker, Holm, Kelly, Stoltze, Meyer, Chenault
Representative Moses was absent from the vote.
Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT Amendment HSS-7:
ADD
Department: Health and Social Services
Appropriation: Public Health
Allocation: Women, Children and Family Health
Amount: 500,000 General Fund (Fund 1004)
DESCRIPTION: Continue to meet demand for Breast and
Cervical Health Checks.
Provides for Breast & Cervical Health Checks (pelvic
exam, mammogram, PAP test) to the 7,200 that are
currently eligible women. Eligibility is based on income
at or below 250% of federal poverty level and no health
insurance.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Amendment HSS-8 was WITHDRAWN.
5:08:47 PM
Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT HSS-9:
ADD:
Department: Department of Health & Social Services
Appropriation: Public Assistance
Allocation: Public Assistance Field Services
Fund Source: 1108 Statutory Designated Program
Receipts
Amount: $ 110.0
Description: Alaska Native Medical Center Support
Representative Hawker explained that the amendment would
allow the state of Alaska to receive money from Alaska
Native Medical Center (ANMC) for [two] staff to work with
employees at ANMC [to improve the processing of Medicaid
applications.] He explained that the funds would be federal.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:11 PM
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