Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519

03/17/2006 01:30 PM House FINANCE


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01:34:52 PM Start
01:34:52 PM HB366
05:25:36 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= HB 365 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+= HB 366 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+ Public Testimony: TELECONFERENCED
1:30 pm - Juneau
4:00 pm - Fairbanks
                  HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE                                                                                       
                      March 17, 2006                                                                                            
                         1:34 P.M.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CALL TO ORDER                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Chenault called the House Finance Committee meeting                                                                    
to order at 1:34:52 PM.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Mike Chenault, Co-Chair                                                                                          
Representative Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair                                                                                            
Representative Richard Foster                                                                                                   
Representative Mike Hawker                                                                                                      
Representative Reggie Joule                                                                                                     
Representative Mike Kelly                                                                                                       
Representative Beth Kerttula                                                                                                    
Representative Carl Moses                                                                                                       
Representative Bill Stoltze, Vice-Chair                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Jim Holm                                                                                                         
Representative Bruce Weyhrauch                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
ALSO PRESENT                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
JUNEAU                                                                                                                      
Erin  Willis;  Virginia  Palmer, Caregiver;  Peggy  Brown,                                                                      
Executive Director, Alaska Network on  Domestic Violence &                                                                      
Sexual  Assault; Max  Mielke, United  Association of  Pipe                                                                      
fitters; Tim Burch, Student, University of Alaska; Lindsey                                                                      
Forest for Sophie Stradley, Students, University of Alaska-                                                                     
Southeast (UAS); Bob Doll, City Council & Better Ferries for                                                                    
Alaska; Kean D. Nuttall, Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Denali                                                                      
Wentz, Big Brothers, Big  Sisters; Nancy Davis, Registered                                                                      
Nurse  (RN)  &  Public  Health (PH)  Professional;  Angela                                                                      
Solerno, Mental Health Advisory Board on Alcohol; Marianne                                                                      
Mills, Alaska Geriatric  Exchange Network (AGENET); Joanne                                                                      
Schmidt, Alaskan Commission on Aging;  Emily Ferry, Alaska                                                                      
Transportation Priorities Project; Mary Hakala, Alaska Kids                                                                     
Count Network; Laurie Heagy,  Glacier Valley Teacher; Bart                                                                      
Watson; Barbe  McClung, Self;  Andrea Doll,  Self; Harriet                                                                      
Milks, Juneau Community Charter School (JCCS); Jerry Cune,                                                                      
United  Fisherman of  Alaska (UFA);  Carl Rose,  Executive                                                                      
Director, Alaska Association of School Boards (AASB); Candy                                                                     
Wierzelewski, Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Frankie Pillifant;                                                                     
Ben Goldrich, Marine  Engineers Association; Larissa Roop,                                                                      
Adult Education; Carin Smolin, Adult Education Association;                                                                     
Mike  Pavell, Adult  Education;  Cachet Garrett,  Student,                                                                      
University of Alaska Southeast; Darrelleno Violet Kartson,                                                                      
Big  Brothers,  Big   Sisters;  Barbara  Thurston,  Juneau                                                                      
Community  Charter  School;  Kevin  Gadsey,  SAIL;  Pamela                                                                      
 Mueller-Guy, SAIL; Christopher Cox,  University of  Alaska                                                                     
 Student; Martha Penrose,  Board Member,  Pioneer Homes of                                                                      
 Alaska; James  Waste,  Executive Director,  Alaska  Public                                                                     
 Broadcasting; Sioux Douglas,  Alaska Public  Broadcasting;                                                                     
 Darryl Tseu, Inlanboatmen's Union; Linda  Frame, Arts for                                                                      
 Kids; Walter  Majoros,  Executive Director,  Juneau Youth                                                                      
 Services; Suzanne Cohen,  Community Charter Schools; Andi                                                                      
 Story, Juneau  School Board;  Rosemary Hagevig,  Executive                                                                     
 Director,  Catholic  Community  Services;  William  Judy,                                                                      
 Community Charter  Schools; Brenda  Taylor; Mark  Johnson,                                                                     
 Emergency Medical  Services   (EMS); Lori  Hoover,  Alaska                                                                     
 Statewide Mentor Program                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
 PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
 FAIRBANKS                                                                                                                  
 Representative David Guttenberg; Tom Haskins; Bob Johnston,                                                                    
 Adult Learning Programs of Alaska; Richard Kacsur,  ACCESS                                                                     
 Alaska; Jean Williams, ACCESS Alaska; David Jacobson; Bobby                                                                    
 Fithian, Alaska Professional Hunter; Bryon Haley,  Chitina                                                                     
 Dip netters; Michael Ingham,  Alaska Army National  Guard;                                                                     
 Charlie Green, Hospice, Tanana Valley; Taber Rehbaun, Arctic                                                                   
 Alliance for People;  Big Brothers,  Big Sister;  Jeanette                                                                     
 Graso, NAMI Alaska; Joe Letarte; Torie Foote; Suzanne Price,                                                                   
 Director, Fairbanks  Community Behavioral  Health  Center;                                                                     
 Nancy Kelly, Pioneer Home; Joe Hayes, University of Alaska-                                                                    
 Fairbanks (UAF); Lori Markkanen, Fairbanks Resource Agency;                                                                    
 Dan LaBrosse, ACCESS Alaska; Dan Johnson, Interior  Region                                                                     
 EMS; Drenda Tigner, Presbyterian Hospitality House; Cheryl                                                                     
 Keepers, North Star Borough; Carrie Dershin, HSS Commission                                                                    
 Joseph  Blanchard,  President,  Student  Government, UAF;                                                                      
 Colleen Shin, Alaska Center for Children and Adults (ACCA)                                                                     
 Joan Johnson; Murray Richmond; Lou Gross, North Star Council                                                                   
 on Aging; Jackie Debevec, Arctic Alliance for People; Terry                                                                    
 Strle, United Way; Elrita Magoffin; Luke Hopkins, North Star                                                                   
 Borough Assembly;  Tim Sharp,  Business Manager,  Laborers                                                                     
 Local 942; Ron Sommerville, Vice Chair, Board of Game; Dick,                                                                   
 Burley, Board of Game; Cliff  Judkins, Board of Game; Ben                                                                      
 Grussendorf, Board of Game; Ted Spraker, Board of Game                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
 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 24th Legislative Session, contact 465-                                                                    
6814. After the 24th Legislative Session they will be                                                                           
available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
 Statewide Testimony:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                     JUNEAU & FAIRBANKS                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
        HB 365-APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS                                                                           
            HB 366-APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
TIME        SPEAKER         DISCUSSION                                                                                      
1:34:52 PM Co-Chair         Co-Chair Chenault called the House                                                                
            Chenault        Finance Committee meeting to order to                                                               
                            take testimony on HB 365 & HB 366.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                            JUNEAU                                                                                          
1:36:09 PM ERIN WILLIS      Spoke in support of funding for K-12                                                              
                            education programs.   She  stated that                                                              
                            she  was  the  vice president  of  the                                                              
                            Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at her                                                             
                            school  and   expressed   concern  for                                                              
                            adequate  funding   to   provide  good                                                              
                            teacher/student ratios.                                                                           
1:38:28 PM VIRGINIA         Advocated for flexible long-term care                                                             
            PALMER,         programs.  She relayed difficult                                                                    
            CAREGIVER       circumstances in her life related to                                                                
                            Alzheimer's disease,  and  the support                                                              
                            provided by caregiver programs.                                                                     
                                                                                                                              
1:41:17 PM  PEGGY BROWN,    Testified in  support  of  funding for                                                            
            EXECUTIVE       programs serving victims of domestic                                                                
            DIRECTOR,       violence and sexual assault.  She                                                                   
            ALASKA NETWORK  emphasized the amount of need for these                                                             
            ON DOMESTIC     services in the state and urged                                                                     
            VIOLENCE &      funding.  She noted that additional                                                                 
            SEXUAL ASSAULT funding would help to meet these needs.                                                            
1:43:50 PM MAX MIELKE,      Testified in opposition to the wage                                                               
            UNITED          setting practices.  He noted the amount                                                             
            ASSOCIATION OF  of public projects, as compared to the                                                              
            PIPEFITTERS     personnel available and urged adequate                                                              
                            wages and hiring practices.                                                                       
1:46:08 PM TIM BURCH,       Spoke in support of the Governor's                                                                
            STUDENT,        increments for the University.  He                                                                  
            UNIVERSITY OF   commended  the  legislature   for  its                                                              
            ALASKA          consistent support of the University.                                                             
1:48:42 PM  LINDSEY FOREST  Emphasized  the   importance  of   the                                                            
            FOR SOPHIE      University and urged support.  She                                                                  
            STRADLEY,       stated that all campuses need the                                                                   
            STUDENTS,       funding in order to provide excellent                                                               
            UNIVERSITY OF   education.                                                                                        
            ALASKA-                                                                                                             
            SOUTHEAST                                                                                                           
            (UAS)                                                                                                               
1:49:30 PM  BOB DOLL, CITY  Testified in support of funding for the                                                           
            COUNCIL &       Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS).                                                                
            BETTER FERRIES  He spoke  to  the significance of  the                                                              
            FOR ALASKA      service to Alaskans and its potential                                                               
                            earnings of $15 million for the State.                                                              
                            He noted that  more remote communities                                                              
                            would  suffer from  any  reduction  in                                                            
                            funds  and proposed recapitalization of                                                             
                            the program.                                                                                      
 1:52:55 PM KEAN D.         Advocated in support of the Governor's                                                            
             NUTTALL, BIG   proposed Youth Success  Initiative.  He                                                             
             BROTHERS, BIG  introduced   his  little  brother   and                                                             
             SISTERS        discussed the benefits of the Big                                                                   
                            Brothers/Big  Sisters   program,  which                                                             
                            serves  1700 youth statewide.  He  also                                                             
                            emphasized   the   importance  of   the                                                             
                            University and urged support.                                                                       
                                                                                                                              
 1:55:12 PM  DENALI WENTZ,  Advocated  support for  the  Governor's                                                           
             BIG BROTHERS,  proposed Youth Success  Initiative.  He                                                             
             BIG SISTERS    spoke about the ways in which the Big                                                               
                            Brothers/Big Sisters programs supported                                                             
                            him  and  other  youth  throughout  the                                                             
                            State.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
 1:55:53 PM  NANCY DAVIS,   Testified in support of funding for the                                                           
             REGISTERED     nurses salary increase, as well as                                                                  
             NURSE (RN) &   including  nurses in the  Department of                                                             
             PUBLIC HEALTH  Corrections  budget.   She stated  that                                                             
             (PH)           adequate funding was necessary to                                                                   
             PROFESSIONAL   recruit the  number of nurses needed to                                                             
                            meet the needs in  the State.  She also                                                             
                            advocated  for  increased  funding  for                                                             
                            specific segments of  the public health                                                             
                            system.                                                                                           
 1:59:01 PM ANGELA          Testified in support of the Bring the                                                             
             SOLERNO,       Kids Home Initiative.  She explained                                                                
             MENTAL HEALTH  the benefit of the program in providing                                                             
             ADVISORY BOARD home  care  for  youth  with  emotional                                                             
             ON ALCOHOL     conditions.  She asked that the entire                                                              
                            $2.5  million for  community behavioral                                                             
                            health funding be fully met.                                                                      
 2:02:01 PM MARIANNE        Advocated for flexible long-term care                                                             
             MILLS, ALASKA  programs.   She emphasized the benefits                                                             
             GERIATRIC      of the program for vulnerable, elderly                                                              
             EXCHANGE       Alaskans in need of home care. She gave                                                             
             NETWORK        figures of how many elderly Alaskans                                                                
             (AGENET)       required home care and stated that                                                                  
                            program   prevents   costs   for   more                                                             
                            expensive long-term care.                                                                           
                                                                                                                              
 2:04:56 PM JOANNE          Advocated for flexible long-term care                                                             
             SCHMIDT,       programs and expressed its importance                                                               
             ALASKAN        to Alaskans with Alzheimer's disease                                                                
             COMMISSION ON  and/or  dementia.   She noted that  the                                                             
             AGING          program offsets the cost of more                                                                    
                            expensive long-term care.                                                                           
                                                                                                                              
 2:06:30 PM  EMILY FERRY,   Testified  in support  of full  funding                                                           
             ALASKA         for the Alaska ferry system. She                                                                  
            TRANSPORTATION  emphasized that the  cost reflected in                                                              
            PRIORITIES      the budget would be repaid by fifty                                                                 
            PROJECT         percent by revenue generated through                                                                
                            the  program.     She   proposed  that                                                              
                            increased   funding   would   increase                                                              
                            revenue, and proposed that the funding                                                              
                            from the Juneau road extension be used                                                              
                            for the  ferry  system.   She noted  a                                                              
                            study that demonstrated that a road out                                                             
                            of Juneau would  actually increase the                                                              
                            operating costs for the ferry system.                                                             
2:09:45 PM  MARY HAKALA,    Spoke in  support of funding  for K-12                                                            
            ALASKA KIDS     education programs.  She requested an                                                               
            COUNT NETWORK   increase in funding, since the proposed                                                             
                            foundation   funding  would   actually                                                              
                            result in  cuts  to  school districts.                                                              
                            She advocated  specifically for Juneau                                                              
                            schools.                                                                                          
2:13:00 PM  LAURIE HEAGY,   Spoke in  support of funding  for K-12                                                            
            GLACIER VALLEY  education programs.   She  spoke about                                                              
            TEACHER         specific school programs supported by                                                               
                            grants and private funding, noting the                                                              
                            importance of art  education for young                                                              
                            children.                                                                                         
2:16:20 PM BART WATSON      Testified in support of full funding                                                              
                            for the  Alaska Marine Highway system.                                                              
                            He   expressed  concern   over  recent                                                              
                            service   management    declines   and                                                              
                            emphasized the importance to Southeast                                                              
                            Alaskans.  He  pointed to the services                                                              
                            in Norway as a  good example of better                                                              
                           management.                                                                                        
2:20:10 PM  BARBE MCCLUNG,  Advocated for  flexible long-term care                                                            
            SELF            programs.  She expressed the importance                                                             
                            of  the program  in  providing support                                                              
                            that  helped her  family  deal with  a                                                              
                            long-term illness for  an elder.   She                                                              
                            emphasized the  cost savings  of those                                                              
                            services                                                                                            
                                                                                                                              
2:23:54 PM  ANDREA DOLL,    Testified in support of funding for Big                                                           
            SELF            Brothers/Big Sisters through the Youth                                                              
                            Success Initiative.  She expressed the                                                              
                            importance   of    the    program   to                                                              
                            communities and individuals.                                                                      
2:26:01 PM  HARRIET MILKS,  Testified in  support  of  funding for                                                            
            JUNEAU CHARTER  charter  schools.     She  stated  her                                                              
            SCHOOL (JCS)    appreciation for past  funding for her                                                              
                            school  and  emphasized  that  charter                                                              
                            schools   are    important   to    the                                                              
                            educational community.                                                                            
2:28:02 PM JERRY CUNE,      Testified in support of full funding                                                              
            UNITED          for the Department of Fish and Game                                                               
             FISHERMAN OF   budget.    He  also  proposed  restored                                                             
             ALASKA (UFA)   funding  for the  Commissioner's office                                                             
                            in anticipation of federal initiatives.                                                             
                            He  noted  that  if salary  adjustments                                                             
                            were not funded, funding would be taken                                                             
                            from programs.                                                                                    
 2:30:43 PM CARL ROSE,      Spoke in support of full funding for K-                                                           
             EXECUTIVE      12 education programs.  He noted that                                                               
             DIRECTOR,      although, they support the $90 million                                                              
             ALASKA         increase, they also wish to address the                                                             
             ASSOCIATION OF cost  differential  that  exists.    He                                                             
             SCHOOL BOARDS  added    concern   regarding   adequate                                                             
             (AASB)         funding for the Governor's proposed                                                                 
                            Youth Success Initiative. He emphasized                                                             
                            the  importance  of  that  program  for                                                             
                            prevention of youth problems.                                                                     
 2:34:48 PM CANDY           Advocated support for the Governor's                                                              
             WIERZELEWSKI,  proposed Youth Success Initiative.  She                                                             
             BIG BROTHERS,  noted  that the  program would like  to                                                             
             BIG SISTERS    continue building on its 30-year                                                                    
                            history.    She  relayed  her  personal                                                             
                            experience  in  the   success  of  that                                                             
                            program.                                                                                          
 2:37:34 PM FRANKIE         Spoke in support of funding for K-12                                                              
             PILLIFANT      education programs.  She emphasized the                                                             
                            need  for  improvements  in  classrooms                                                             
                            possible through adequate funding.  She                                                             
                            also  expressed support of  funding for                                                             
                            the Marine Highway System.                                                                        
 2:40:12 PM BEN GOLDRICH,   Testified in favor of continued funding                                                           
             MARINE         for the Alaska Marine Highway System.                                                               
             ENGINEERS      Public transportation must be fully                                                                 
             ASSOCIATION    funded.  He added that the challenge                                                                
                            faced  is to  provide  essential public                                                             
                            transportation  in  a   cost  effective                                                             
                            manner.   He requested that experiments                                                             
                            be  stopped and  that the State  should                                                             
                            not  spend money on new roads  that end                                                             
                            at dead ends.   He pointed out the mess                                                             
                            of  the road proposal out of Juneau and                                                             
                            stated  that  the  Lynn Canal  road  is                                                             
                            politically motivated.                                                                            
 2:45:29 PM LARISSA ROOP,   Requested the $1 million dollar funding                                                           
             ADULT          allocation for the Adult Education                                                                  
             EDUCATION      Center.  She spoke to the General                                                                   
                            Education  Diploma  (GED)  funding  and                                                             
                            benefits that she received from being a                                                             
                            high school drop out.                                                                             
 2:47:13 PM CARIN SMOLIN,   Encouraged the $1 million dollar                                                                  
             ADULT          increase for the Adult Education                                                                    
             EDUCATION      program.  GED graduates account for 20%                                                             
             ASSOCIAITON    of the Alaska High School graduates.                                                                
                            Adult  basic education  students retain                                                           
                            their jobs.   Those students go  on to                                                              
                            further education.    Funding prepares                                                              
                            Alaskans for employment in the State.                                                             
2:49:22 PM  MIKE PAVELL,    Encouraged funding for the  $1 million                                                            
            ADULT           dollar increase for Adult Education                                                                 
            EDUCATION       Program.                                                                                          
2:51:08 PM CACHET           Emphasized the importance of the                                                                  
            GARRETT,        University and urged support.                                                                     
            STUDENT,                                                                                                            
            UNIVERSITY OF                                                                                                       
            ALASKA                                                                                                              
            SOUTHEAST                                                                                                           
2:54:54 PM DARRELLENO       Advocated in support of the Governor's                                                            
            VIOLET          proposed Youth Success Initiative. She                                                              
            KARTSON, BIG    expressed  the  personal  support  she                                                              
            BROTHERS, BIG   received through the program.                                                                       
            SISTERS                                                                                                           
2:56:51 PM BARBARA          Spoke in support of funding for K-12                                                              
            THURSTON,       education programs. She noted that the                                                              
            JUNEAU          proposed funding would result in cuts                                                               
            COMMUNITY       in schools and urged increased funding.                                                             
            CHARTER SCHOOL  She also requested  that the Committee                                                              
                            add a small charter school grant to the                                                             
                            budget, and suggested that the current                                                              
                            funding  formula   did   not  function                                                              
                            properly.                                                                                         
3:00:55 PM  KEVIN GADSEY,   Testified in support of funding for the                                                           
            SAIL            Youth in Transition and the Interpreter                                                             
                            program.   He expressed his  belief in                                                              
                            the  success   of   the   program  and                                                              
                            requested  that   the   State  provide                                                              
                            funding to supplant cuts in the federal                                                             
                            budget.                                                                                           
3:04:37 PM PAMELA           Testified in support of Home and                                                                  
            MUELLER-GUY,    Community  based waiver  services  for                                                              
            SAIL            persons with disabilities.  As a deaf                                                               
                            person, she  expressed the  benefit of                                                              
                            Interpreter  Referral   services   and                                                              
                            encouraged passage of the $200 thousand                                                             
                            increment included in the budget.                                                                 
3:08:32 PM CHRISTOPHER      Spoke in support of the Governor's                                                                
            COX,            increments for the University. He noted                                                             
            UNIVERSITY OF   his positive educational experience at                                                              
           ALASK STUDENT   UAS and urged full funding.                                                                        
3:10:41 PM MARTHA           Testified in support of full funding                                                              
            PENROSE, BOARD  for the Pioneer Homes of  Alaska.  She                                                              
            MEMBER,         noted her experience on the advisory                                                                
            PIONEER HOMES   board for the organization and spoke of                                                             
            OF ALASKA       the excellent care provided to seniors                                                              
                            through the homes.  She emphasized the                                                              
                            need for adequate  funding to continue                                                              
                           that care.                                                                                         
3:14:39 PM  JAMES WASTE,    Encouraged    support    for    public                                                            
             EXECUTIVE      broadcasting. He noted that local                                                                   
             DIRECTOR,      involvement was critical to the public                                                              
             ALASKA PUBLIC  broadcasting   services    in   Alaska,                                                             
             BROADCASTING   particularly in rural areas.                                                                      
 3:18:07 PM  SIOUX DOUGLAS, Testified  in support  of full  funding                                                           
             ALASKA PUBLIC  for Public Broadcasting.  She noted her                                                             
             BROADCASTING   past  experience  in child  development                                                             
                            work  and   the  importance  of  public                                                             
                            communications services. She emphasized                                                             
                            the  importance  of services  in  rural                                                             
                            areas.                                                                                            
 3:20:24 PM  DARRYL TSEU,   Testified  in  support of  funding  for                                                           
             INLANBOATMEN'S charter  schools, requesting a  special                                                             
             UNION          appropriation.  He also testified in                                                                
                            support of  full funding for the Alaska                                                             
                            Marine Highway System.                                                                            
 3:22:57 PM  LINDA FRAME,   Spoke  in support  of funding for  K-12                                                           
             ARTS FOR KIDS  education programs.   She recounted her                                                             
                            experience in  implementing the new art                                                             
                            curriculum in  for K-5.   She expressed                                                             
                            the importance of creativity within the                                                             
                            school   system   and  emphasized   the                                                             
                            difficulties  of  cutting art  programs                                                             
                            due to cost differentials.                                                                        
 3:27:41 PM WALTER          Testified in support of funding for                                                               
             MAJOROS,       behavioral health services, including                                                               
             EXECUTIVE      the Bring the Kids Home initiative.  He                                                             
             DIRECTOR,      emphasized the importance to add full                                                               
             JUNEAU YOUTH   funding  to  the initiative.   He  also                                                             
             SERVICES       urged funding for programs supporting                                                               
                            treatment  of  Fetal  Alcohol  Syndrome                                                             
                            (FAS).                                                                                            
 3:30:51 PM  SUZANNE COHEN, Testified in  support of funding grants                                                           
             COMMUNITY      to charter schools and expressed her                                                                
             CHARTER        appreciation for past funding.  She                                                                 
             SCHOOLS        also spoke in support of funding for K-                                                             
                            12 education programs.                                                                            
 3:32:19 PM ANDI STORY,     Testified for increased funding above                                                             
             JUNEAU SCHOOL  the  $90 million for  public education.                                                             
             BOARD          She noted the impact on adequate public                                                             
                            education on  the Alaskan workforce and                                                             
                            expressed her experience as a member of                                                             
                            her  local  school board.   She  stated                                                             
                            that the  current funding would lead to                                                             
                            $2  million  dollars in  cuts  for  her                                                             
                            district,   creating  even   a   larger                                                             
                            student/teacher ratio.                                                                            
 3:35:20 PM ROSEMARY        Testified in support of funding for the                                                           
             HAGEVIG,       Phoenix    Program,   providing   early                                                             
             EXECUTIVE      intervention for at risk families.  She                                                             
             DIRECTOR,      noted support-reinstating funding for                                                               
             CATHOLIC       the Healthy Marriage programs.                                                                    
             COMMUNITY                                                                                                          
            SERVICES                                                                                                          
3:38:47 PM  WILLIAM JUDY,   Testified in support of a supplemental                                                            
            COMMUNITY       appropriation for small charter school                                                              
            CHARTER         grants.  He noted the high level of                                                                 
            SCHOOLS         parent involvement and fund raising in                                                              
                            those schools.                                                                                    
3:41:20 PM  BRENDA TAYLOR   Spoke in  support of funding  for K-12                                                            
                            education programs.  She expressed her                                                              
                            concern that the  $5 million  had been                                                              
                            cut  from  the  mentoring  project,  a                                                              
                            project started with federal funds. She                                                             
                            noted that teachers  often spent their                                                              
                            own  funds   in   order   to  purchase                                                              
                            supplies,  making  prospects  for  new                                                              
                            teachers more difficult.                                                                          
3:46:59 PM  MARK JOHNSON,   Testified in  support of  increases in                                                            
            EMERGENCY       funding for public health services, as                                                              
            MEDICAL         well as for emergency health services.                                                              
            SERVICES (EMS)  He  noted  that the  majority  of  EMS                                                              
                            workers were currently volunteers.                                                                
3:48:39 PM  LORI HOOVER,    Testified  in   support  of  restoring                                                            
            ALASKA          funding for the Mentoring Program.  She                                                             
            STATEWIDE       emphasized that the program provided                                                                
            MENTOR PROGRAM  support statewide  to  nurture quality                                                              
                            teachers  and would  help  retain  new                                                              
                            teachers.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                            FAIRBANKS                                                                                      
4:07:06 PM Co-Chair         Pointed out that testimony would be                                                               
            Chenault        taken from Fairbanks.                                                                             
4:07:28 PM TOM HASKINS      Testified in support of increased                                                                 
                            funding  for   the  Pioneer   Home  in                                                              
                            Fairbanks with a larger facility.                                                                 
4:09:30 PM BOB JOHNSTON,    Spoke in favor of funding GED programs.                                                           
            ADULT LEARNING                                                                                                      
            PROGRAMS OF                                                                                                         
            ALASKA                                                                                                              
4:10:37 PM RICHARD          Testified in favor of funding for                                                                 
            KACSUR, ACCESS ACCESS Alaska.                                                                                     
            ALASKA                                                                                                              
4:11:01 PM JEAN WILLIAMS, Testified in support of ACCESS Alaska.                                                              
            ACCESS ALASKA                                                                                                       
4:11:49 PM  DAVID JACOBSON  Spoke  in  support  of   Representative                                                           
                            Weyhrauch's amendment, which would add                                                              
                            more funds into interpretive services.                                                            
4:13:40 PM  BOBBY FITHIAN,  Encouraged   support    for   wildlife                                                            
            ALASKA          conservation.  (Faxed comments.)                                                                  
            PROFESSIONAL                                                                                                        
            HUNTER                                                                                                              
4:15:49 PM  BRYON HALEY,    Testified in  support of  full funding                                                            
            CHITINA         for the Department of Fish and Game.                                                              
            DIPNETTERS                                                                                                          
4:16:29 PM MICHAEL          Urged support for full funding for                                                                
             INGHAM, ALASKA Adult  Basic Education program and  the                                                             
             ARMY NATIONAL  number of  recruits that come from that                                                             
             GUARD          program.                                                                                          
 4:17:09 PM  CHARLIE GREEN, Testified in support of restoring funds                                                           
             HOSPICE,       for Human Services Community Matching                                                               
             TANANA VALLEY  Grant Program to the amount recommended                                                             
                            in the Governor's budget.                                                                         
             TABER REHBAUN, Urged   restoration   of    funds   for                                                             
             ARCTIC         Community Matching Block Grant and                                                                  
             ALLIANCE FOR   continued support for the Youth Success                                                             
             PEOPLE; BIG    Initiative.                                                                                       
             BROTHERS, BIG                                                                                                      
             SISTER                                                                                                             
 4:24:17 PM JEANETTE        Testified in support of fully funding                                                             
             GRASO, NAMI    the Governor's proposal for Bring the                                                               
             ALASKA         Kids Home program.                                                                                
 4:25:39 PM JOE LETARTE     Testified in support of funding for                                                               
                            state park and recreation areas.                                                                  
 4:27:55 PM TORIE FOOTE     Spoke in support of full funding for                                                              
                            the University and community matching                                                               
                            grant program.                                                                                    
 4:29:16 PM  SUZANNE PRICE, Testified  in  support of  funding  for                                                           
             DIRECTOR,      children's services in the Bring Kids                                                               
             FAIRBANKS      Home budget.                                                                                      
             COMMUNITY                                                                                                          
             BEHAVIORAL                                                                                                         
             HEALTH CENTER                                                                                                      
 4:30:41 PM  NANCY KELLY,   Spoke in  support of funding more staff                                                           
             PIONEER HOME   for all the Pioneer Homes in Alaska.                                                              
 4:31:46 PM JOE HAYES,      Testified in support of maintaining                                                               
             UNIVERSITY OF  funding  for the  University of  Alaska                                                             
             ALASKA-system.                                                                                                   
             FAIRBANKS                                                                                                          
             (UAF)                                                                                                              
 4:33:03 PM LORI            Testified in support of Home and                                                                  
             MARKKANEN,     Community based waiver services for                                                                 
             FAIRBANKS      persons with disabilities.  She also                                                                
             RESOURCE       testified in support of expanding                                                                   
             AGENCY         Medicaid support.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                              
 4:35:06 PM  DAN LABROSSE,  Spoke   in  support  of   funding  sign                                                           
             ACCESS ALASKA  language services.                                                                                
 4:36:35 PM  DAN JOHNSON,   Testified in support of funding for EMS                                                           
             INTERIOR       services.  He noted that funding in the                                                             
             REGION EMS     past has been flat.                                                                               
 4:38:17 PM  DRENDA TIGNER, Spoke in favor of funding Youth At Risk                                                           
             PRESBYTERIAN   Initiative.                                                                                       
             HOSPITALITY                                                                                                        
             HOUSE                                                                                                              
 4:40:53 PM CHERYL          Spoke to the shortfalls in their                                                                  
             KEEPERS, NORTH operating budget. Ms. Keepers testified                                                             
             STAR BOROUGH   in  support of meeting  essential human                                                           
                            service needs.                                                                                    
4:43:28 PM CARRIE           Spoke in favor of equal access to                                                                 
            DERSHIN, HSS    health care  as provided in  the human                                                              
            COMMISSION      services grant.                                                                                   
4:46:39 PM JOSEPH           Testified in support of funding for                                                               
            BLANCHARD,      University of Alaska - Fairbanks.                                                                 
            PRESIDENT,                                                                                                          
            STUDENT                                                                                                             
            GOVERNMENT,                                                                                                         
            UAF                                                                                                                 
4:47:53 PM  COLLEEN SHIN,   Spoke in  favor  of  full  funding the                                                            
            ALASKA CENTER   Governor's increment for FASD programs                                                              
            FOR CHILDREN    and for the Community Services matching                                                             
            AND ADULTS      block grants.                                                                                       
            (ACCA)                                                                                                            
4:52:40 PM  JOAN JOHNSON    Testified  in  support  for  Community                                                            
                            Services matching block grants.                                                                   
4:52:58 PM MURRAY           Testified in support of continued                                                                 
            RICHMOND        funding for PBS and NPR.                                                                          
4:54:25 PM LOU GROSS,       Testified in support of funding for the                                                           
            NORTH STAR      Community Matching Grant.                                                                         
            COUNCIL ON                                                                                                          
            AGING                                                                                                               
4:57:49 PM JACKIE           Asked that the Community Matching Block                                                           
            DEBEVEC,        Grant be restored.                                                                                
            ARCTIC                                                                                                              
            ALLIANCE FOR                                                                                                        
            PEOPLE                                                                                                              
5:00:29 PM  TERRY STRLE,    Testified in support of funding for the                                                           
            UNITED WAY      Community Matching Block Grant.  She                                                                
                            explained the grant process.                                                                      
5:02:19 PM ELRITA           Testified in support of funding new                                                               
            MAGOFFIN        positions at the Fairbanks Pioneer                                                                  
                            Home.                                                                                             
5:06:17 PM  LUKE HOPKINS,   Testified  in  support  of  the  Human                                                            
            NORTH STAR      Services Matching Grant.                                                                          
            BOROUGH                                                                                                             
            ASSEMBLY                                                                                                            
5:10:22 PM TIM SHARP,       Testified in favor of funding wage and                                                            
            BUSINESS        hour investigators.                                                                               
            MANAGER,                                                                                                            
            LABORERS LOCAL                                                                                                      
            942                                                                                                                 
5:12:15 PM RON              Addressed the Governor's proposal of                                                              
            SOMMERVILLE,    $3.3    million    for    wild    life                                                              
            VICE CHAIR,     conservation.  Mr. Sommerville spoke to                                                             
            BOARD OF GAME   the Board's attempt to balance Alaska's                                                             
                            predator/prey   relationships.      He                                                              
                            stressed that is required by State law.                                                           
5:14:51 PM  DICK, BURLEY,   Discussed surveys needed  to implement                                                            
            BOARD OF GAME   the  programs needed  to  balance  the                                                              
                            predator/prey ratio.  He asked for re-                                                            
                            instatement of departmental money.                                                                
 5:16:59 PM  CLIFF JUDKINS, Spoke  of an  imbalance in  game and  a                                                           
             BOARD OF GAME  need for predator control and the money                                                             
                            necessary to support those programs.                                                              
 5:19:38 PM BEN             Discussed the need to meet subsistence                                                            
             GRUSSENDORF,   needs and for the intensive game                                                                    
             BOARD OF GAME  management needed for keeping the                                                                   
                            balance.                                                                                          
 5:22:03 PM  Representative Thanked  Mr. Grussendorf for his  years                                                           
             Foster         of public service.                                                                                
 5:22:23 PM  TED SPRAKER,   Spoke   of   the   need  for   predator                                                           
             BOARD OF GAME  management and the need for more                                                                    
                            funding for the Department of Fish and                                                              
                            Game.                                                                                             
 5:23:26 PM  Representative Asked  about the change  in regulations                                                           
           Kelly          due to a recent court case.                                                                         
 5:23:49 PM Mr. Burley      Responded that the regulations are                                                                
                            okay. The Board has submitted more                                                                  
                            information to the Courts.                                                                        
 5:24:58 PM Representative Inquired about enforcement information.                                                            
             Joule                                                                                                              
 5:25:36 PM  Mr. Somerville Replied  that the Board  is considering                                                           
                            adopting    a    resolution   regarding                                                             
                            enforcement.  He added that regulations                                                             
                            mentioned  before  were  adopted  by  a                                                             
                            previous board and  were too stringent.                                                             
                            They are being reviewed.                                                                          
                            ADJOURNMENT                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                            The meeting was adjourned at 5:28 P.M.                                                            

Document Name Date/Time Subjects