Legislature(2019 - 2020)ADAMS ROOM 519
02/20/2020 05:00 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB205 || HB206 | |
| Public Testimony: Fairbanks | |
| Public Testimony: Homer, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Mat-su, Seward | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 205 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 206 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 20, 2020
5:03 p.m.
5:03:18 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Foster called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 5:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair
Representative Jennifer Johnston, Co-Chair
Representative Dan Ortiz, Vice-Chair
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Gary Knopp
Representative Bart LeBon
Representative Kelly Merrick
Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard
Representative Adam Wool
Representative Cathy Tilton (via teleconference)
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Austin Brown, Interim CEO, Fairbanks Rescue Mission; Brenda
McFarlan, Employee, Fairbanks Rescue Mission; Mathew
Carrick, Fairbanks Citizen, Juneau; Cheryl Kilgore,
Interior Community Health, Juneau; Rachel Lord, Self,
Juneau; Paul Larentz, Self, Juneau; Representative Steve
Thompson; Representative Grier Hopkins.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Garrett Armstrong, Self, Fairbanks; Susan Henrichs, Self,
Fairbanks; Lesa Meath, Self, Fairbanks; Tammy Smith, Self,
Fairbanks; Rick Spencer, Self, North Pole; Abel Bult-Ito,
Faculty Union of United Academics, University of Alaska,
Fairbanks; Gerald Keyse, Self, Fairbanks; Misty Cole, Self,
Kenai; Michael Jeffery, Self, Barrow; Nici Simms, Self,
Juneau; Lara Law, Southeast Alaska Independent Living
(SAIL), Haines; David Hurlbut, Self, Juneau; Jeannie
Creamer-Dalton, Self, Fairbanks; Sharon Baring, Self,
Fairbanks; David Frey, Self, Fairbanks; Julie Saunders,
Self, Fairbanks; Jaclyn Cheek, Self, Fairbanks; Bert
Houghtaling, Self, Big Lake; Grant Echohawk, KRBD,
Ketchikan LIO; Leila Kheiry, KRBD, Ketchikan LIO; Donald
Westlund, Self, Ketchikan LIO; Phil Doherty, Executive
Director, Southeast Alaska Regional Dive Fisheries
Association (SARDFA), Ketchikan LIO; Holly Kenoyer, KRBD,
Ketchikan LIO; Mary Forbes, Self, KODIAK; Robyn Cassidy,
Self, KODIAK; Cheri Smith, Executive Director, Leeshore
Center, Kenai; David Brighton, President, Kenai Peninsula
Education Association, Kenai; Wayne Aderhold, KBBI/Kachemak
Bay Broadcasting, Homer; Rachel Breithaupt, Self,
Ketchikan.
SUMMARY
HB 205 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
HB 205 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
HB 206 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
HB 206 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
Co-Chair Foster reviewed the meeting agenda. He explained
the public testimony process and provided the call in
number and House Finance Committee email address.
HOUSE BILL NO. 205
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing 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."
HOUSE BILL NO. 206
"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."
5:03:46 PM
Co-Chair Foster detailed the agenda of the evening's
meeting. He announced the different ways that the public
could participate in public testimony.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: FAIRBANKS
5:07:40 PM
GARRETT ARMSTRONG, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
expressed broad budget concerns. He spoke against the $30
million cuts to education. He stated that he was a teacher,
so felt that he job could be at risk. He noted that it
could cause stress on students. He felt that there should
be more funding for the University of Alaska Fairbanks
(UAF).
5:09:22 PM
SUSAN HENRICHS, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke
in support of a reasonable level of funding for public
service. She testified in support of funding for UAF. She
also stated that she would be willing to pay taxes and
accept a smaller Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). She felt
that the UAF compact did not sufficiently fund the
university. She remarked that it would be difficult to
serve the students statewide. She stressed that UAF had the
ability to improve its enrollment, due to its unique
location and education system. She felt that UAF could have
a better and robust level of funding.
Co-Chair Foster noted Representative Thompson and
Representative Hopkins in the audience.
5:12:04 PM
AUSTIN BROWN, INTERIM CEO, FAIRBANKS RESCUE MISSION, shared
that he had experienced periodic times of homelessness in
his life. He advocated for retaining the full amount for
the basic homeless assistance funding. He felt that
programs would be eliminated to survive the cuts. He
stressed that homelessness would increase, and thereby
overwhelming local services. He encouraged collaboration
with various stakeholders.
Co-Chair Johnston wondered where there should be an
emphasis in homelessness or an increased PFD.
Mr. Brown felt that he would advocate for direct homeless
assistance programs. He remarked that there could be a
continued burden on the community.
Representative Carpenter wondered whether the Fairbanks
Rescue Mission had fundraisers, and whether it received a
percentage of its total from local donations.
5:16:02 PM
Mr. Brown replied that there was a support base of
approximately 1200 individuals and organizations in the
community. He shared that there were three veteran
programs; a recycling program; a Mental Health Trust
Authority resource for rapid rehousing; Habitat for
Humanity; and a development of tiny homes for sustainable
housing.
Representative Carpenter wondered how the Fairbanks Rescue
Mission would request help from the community, should there
be a reduction in resources from the state.
Mr. Brown replied that the Fairbanks Rescue Mission was
already connecting with the community. He shared that they
used the radio stations and on different platforms in the
community. He stated that the community made up the
difference of the $58,000 reduction from the year prior. He
stated that there was still a hope that the community would
continue to respond.
5:18:03 PM
BRENDA MCFARLAN, EMPLOYEE, FAIRBANKS RESCUE MISSION, shared
her story. She stressed that her family was able to prosper
in Fairbanks due to the "safety net" that an extended
family member was able to assist in their time of need. She
stressed that no one wanted to go to a rescue mission,
because it was a last resort.
Representative Wool wondered whether the Mental Health
Budget would have restored funds.
Co-Chair Foster replied that the original funding was $7.8
million, but was reduced by $500,000 in the governor's
proposed budget had $7.3 million. The Mental Health Board
recommended $8.15 million to leverage their own funds. He
stated that the most recent Mental Health Budget included
$8.15 million, therefore it was restored.
Representative Wool wondered whether the recommendation was
larger to make up the gap in the UGF.
Co-Chair Foster stated that it was larger than the
governor's recommendation.
5:23:53 PM
MATHEW CARRICK, FAIRBANKS CITIZEN, JUNEAU, advocated for
reduced PFD and exploration of broad based taxes. He also
spoke in support of keeping the CBR at full capacity. He
testified in support of funding for UAF. He did not feel
that "treading water" would advance the state. He
specifically felt that there should be a reduction in the
deferred maintenance backlog at UAF. He spoke to the issue
of food security. He felt that there should be some
conversations with those in the agriculture industry.
5:26:05 PM
CHERYL KILGORE, INTERIOR COMMUNITY HEALTH, JUNEAU, spoke in
support of examining the Medicaid budget, and consider the
people that rely on Medicaid. She felt that the $3000 in
the PFD did not come close to offsetting a complication
that might occur at a hospital. She spoke in support of a
reduced or eliminated PFD. She stated that she had worked
in the health care industry for a long time. She shared
that many of her family members had attended the University
Alaska system. She stressed that many people in Alaska
lived in poverty. She remarked that the Interior Community
Health Center had a positive impact on those that come to
the center. She noted the strong health outcomes of the
patients. She remarked that the center focused on
prevention and intervention. She noted that many patients
had various problems in their lives. She stressed that her
center relied on the entire health care system to assist
the patients. She restated that the center was the safety
net, and the entire community helped in the care of the
patients. She stressed that the center does a good job of
keeping people out of the hospital.
5:31:31 PM
Representative LeBon recognized the accomplishments of Ms.
Kilgore. She wondered whether the Interior Community Health
Center received an award.
Ms. Kilgore stated that the center had received an award in
2018 for the top ten percent of health outcomes in the
country. She stressed that there were many factors that
come into receiving that award.
Representative Wool stated that he had been a patient at
the health center, and emphasized that the health center
provided a sliding scale of payment for services.
5:33:46 PM
LESA MEATH, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), echoed
the comments of previous testifiers, focusing on compassion
for all Alaskans. She spoke in support of funding the
Alaska Marine Highway System. She spoke in support of the
Interior Community Health Center and the Fairbanks Rescue
Mission. She spoke in support of suicide prevention and
educational opportunities for at risk youth. She testified
in support of funding for education funding. She noted that
there was always an attempt to recruit and retain educators
in the state. She felt that Alaska needed to work to be
attractive for potential teachers. She noted the issue of
the schools that were not in the road system, and the
infrastructure issues in those communities. She felt that
there were many students and families that should be given
the best opportunities. She supports the education tax and
a cap to the PFD. She opposed any retroactive payments to
the PFD.
5:38:01 PM
TAMMY SMITH, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), echoed
the comments of Ms. Meath. She stated that she was a
teacher, and spoke in support of funding for education. She
strongly supported funding for UAF. She also spoke in
support of funding for health care programs. She felt that
strong public schools were important. She shared that there
was a reduction in resources, and stressed the issue of
recruitment and retention. She remarked that there should
be an effort to make the educational positions more
attractive for potential applicants. She felt that there
should be an examination of funding public education for
all students in the state, both urban and rural schools.
She felt that the elimination of the one-time finding would
result in further erosion of the school system.
5:42:54 PM
RICK SPENCER, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of a state income tax. He echoed the statements
of the previous testifiers. He felt that additional revenue
would help with the state's budget issues.
Representative Carpenter wondered whether Mr. Spencer was
employed in the private sector.
Mr. Spencer was currently retired, but paid income tax. He
was previously employed as a power lineman in the private
sector.
5:45:08 PM
ABEL BULT-ITO, FACULTY UNION OF UNITED ACADEMICS,
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
advocated for K-12 education funding. He spoke in support
of funding for the University of Alaska. He appreciated the
additional $10 million, so the cuts may not be as
detrimental. He remarked that the university may need to
cut dozens of programs. He shared that, despite the
adversarial issues, he was very proud of the faculty in the
university system. He was also grateful for the students
who were ready to learn and achieve at the university.
5:47:54 PM
GERALD KEYSE, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for care coordination for the
disabled. He testified in support of funding for
transportation for senior disabled citizens. He remarked
that cutting for the senior disabled would result in
difficult lives for many people. He wondered why there were
so many cuts to programs that impacted him. He felt that
care for seniors should be a higher priority. He supported
the governor, but hoped that he could get some direction in
helping the senior population. He remarked that there
should also be funding for UAF.
Representative Josephson noted that there was a public
transportation grant funded through the capital budget for
many years that did not survive FY 2020. He shared that his
office was examining that funding.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: HOMER, KENAI, KETCHIKAN, KODIAK, MAT-SU,
SEWARD
5:51:24 PM
MISTY COLE, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), spoke against
funding for Medicaid expansion. She spoke in support of
fully funding the PFD, and felt that a change to the PFD
should be put to the vote of the people. She asked that
there be responsible cuts to the budget. She spoke against
taxes and exploration of additional revenue. She also spoke
against a binding caucus in the legislature.
5:54:18 PM
MICHAEL JEFFERY, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference), spoke
against the suicide prevention program. stated that he had
worked with various organizations that address Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). He stressed that the
therapeutic court was important for people that want to
turn their lives around. He remarked that a holistic
approach was important in the criminal justice system. He
also spoke in support of public education and the
university. He stated that he was in support of an income
tax in order to fund the necessary services. He also spoke
in support of public media.
Representative Sullivan-Leonard thanked Mr. Jeffery for his
years of service. She stressed that he always gave wise
counsel.
Mr. Jeffery thanked Representative Sullivan-Leonard.
Representative Knopp wondered whether there was an impact
to public radio in Barrow from the previous year's budget
cuts.
Mr. Jeffery replied that his community had made steps
forward to keep the radio on. He stated that there may not
be a staff, but did not know the details of public radio in
his community.
Co-Chair Johnston noted the high cost of living in Mr.
Jeffery's community. She wondered whether the community
would support a smaller PFD.
Mr. Jeffery replied that he was speaking for himself, so he
did not want to speak to what the community would prefer
for the PFD.
6:00:47 PM
NICI SIMMS, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke
against the Juneau Area Mental Health Initiative (JAMHI).
She stated that it was too easy to receive the checks from
JAMHI. She remarked that people were able to receive money
too easily. She felt that many people were taking advantage
of the money. She remarked that the PFD was a mistake. She
felt that doctors would stop participating in Medicaid. She
encouraged the committee to examine other options. She
remarked that Alaska was attracting the wrong kind of
people.
6:05:50 PM
LARA LAW, SOUTHEAST ALASKA INDEPENDENT LIVING (SAIL),
HAINES (via teleconference), spoke in support of fully
funding the Mental Health Budget. She testified in support
of senior transportation services. She shared anecdotes
about those that use the transportation system. She
remarked that the taxi voucher program allows for the
participants to run errands without relying on other
people. She also spoke in support of funding for the Public
Guardians.
6:08:43 PM
DAVID HURLBUT, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke
against use of the PFD to pay for state services. He spoke
against putting the burden of paying for state government
on families. He stressed that the PFD gave back to the
people of the state. He felt that the elimination of an
income tax was the biggest mistake.
6:14:01 PM
Ms. Law continued with her testimony. She urged support of
funding for the Public Guarding budget. She stated that
SAIL coordinated regularly with guardians, and shared that
many participants lived in horrible circumstances. She also
spoke in support of funding for telehealth systems.
6:16:45 PM
RACHEL LORD, SELF, JUNEAU, shared that she was a resident
of Homer. She spoke in support of funding for rural and
road system public safety; court system; marine highway
service; K-12 education; the university system; a health
care service that provides safety nets; public media; and
regulatory programs. She encouraged bold leadership. She
felt that the state was out of time. She remarked that
there should be a broad approach, including use of the
permanent fund. She also spoke in support of a broad based
tax, specifically an income tax. She cautioned against a
statewide sales tax. She spoke in support of an oil tax
assessment.
6:20:10 PM
PAUL LARENTZ, SELF, JUNEAU, shared that he lived in
Ketchikan. He spoke in support of funding the Alaska Marine
Highway System. He stated that he had worked for the ferry,
and remarked that there were many people who were waiting
to work on the ferry. He remarked that there was a need for
skilled workers if and when the ferry begins to function
again. He remarked that there was a major impact to
Southeast Alaska while the ferries were not operating. He
shared that he had many different job offers, but was
scared to take any of the offers.
Representative Josephson wondered whether there was 100 of
the 450 workers actively working.
Mr. Larentz replied that out of 450 people employed by the
unit, only 100 were working.
Representative Josephson wondered what the other 350 people
doing.
Mr. Larentz replied that some were pursuing other jobs. He
stated that he was also examining other jobs working in the
sea. He was not sure the direction of the current ferry
system.
Representative Sullivan-Leonard surmised that it was
currently the "slow time" for ferry traffic.
Mr. Larentz replied in the affirmative, but he normally had
at least three vessels running.
Representative Sullivan-Leonard wondered whether the full
450 employees would be working.
Mr. Larentz replied that there would be approximately 250
to 300 working.
6:24:36 PM
JEANNIE CREAMER-DALTON, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the
Historic Sternwheeler. She remarked that the boat had been
a museum, so there was a process to restore that boat. She
did not know whether the budget had anything to fund
historic objects. She shared that the National Park Service
agreed to help the funding for the sternwheeler.
6:27:48 PM
SHARON BARING, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for education from Pre-K through the
university system. She also spoke in support of funding for
the Alaska Marine Highway System. She spoke in support of
keeping the PFD at $1600. She also spoke in support of an
income tax. She testified in support of public media. She
commented that Nevada chose to invest heavily in their
education during their economic downturn.
Representative Carpenter wondered whether Ms. Baring was
employed in the private or public sector.
Ms. Baring replied that she was employed in the public
sector.
Representative Wool noted that Ms. Baring was the school
nurse at his children's school.
6:30:50 PM
DAVID FREY, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke
against large PFDs. He felt that the permanent fund was
meant for future generations, and it should not be taken
for the current year. He spoke in support of a "reasonable"
PFD. He wanted a thoughtful and balanced approach to the
budget. He felt that the budget should include sources of
new revenue. He spoke in support of an income tax, which
would be a percentage of everyone's federal income tax
liability. He stated that the income tax would also gain
revenue from the out of state workers who currently
benefitted from Alaska's infrastructure, but who paid
little or nothing in tax. He testified in support of
increasing the gasoline tax. He felt that there should be
an increase to the oil industry tax. He spoke against cuts
to current state services, especially K-12 education and
the university. He shared that he was self-employed in the
private sector in the tourism industry. He stressed that
his business depended on infrastructure in the state.
6:33:21 PM
JULIE SAUNDERS, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for correctional officer
recruitment. She shared that she had been employed as a
correctional officer and had left her service when she was
married due to the dangerous nature of the job. She stated
that recruitment was not focused towards the long-term. She
believed it needed to more closely mirror law enforcement
recruitment.
6:35:37 PM
JACLYN CHEEK, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified about her concern that the current year would
take a similar turn to resemble the past session. She
stressed that the ferry system had crumbled, the
accreditation University had been threatened, elders could
not afford to live in the Pioneer Homes, public safety was
poorly supported, and people on Medicare had lost dental
coverage for months. She did not have a miracle solution
for the budget, but she was scared for the state's schools,
teachers, and others. She did not support the governor's
budget that would drain savings. She thought the endless
cuts and special sessions needed to end. She supported
legislation to bring in more revenue via income tax or a
change in [oil] tax credits. She supported a budget that
funded the public system and protected vulnerable citizens.
6:38:29 PM
BERT HOUGHTALING, SELF, BIG LAKE (via teleconference),
found it disturbing that six people in the House would
decide what would happen in every district. He thought the
binding caucus was extortion and blackmail. He thought
there were special interests guiding the budget. He did not
support the use of the PFD to fund government. He stated
that government had been growing for decades. He thought
the Department of Health and Social Services budget had
grown $3.5 billion in the last year. He discussed the
broken ferries due to decades of underfunding. He wondered
why funding had not been provided in the past. He did not
think the governor had personally broken the ferries. He
thought it was disturbing the legislature was trying to
bypass the PFD statutory formula. He stated that until the
past year the budget had never paid for the PFD - he
thought the statutory formula should be followed where the
money was transferred from the Earnings Reserve Account. He
believed there was adequate funding to backpay the past PFD
and pay the current full PFD.
6:41:09 PM
GRANT ECHOHAWK, KRBD, KETCHIKAN LIO (via teleconference),
testified in support of public radio and shared the vital
nature of the service to outlying communities. He shared
that many outlying communities had limited access to
internet and resources. He stated that the AMHS terminal
had limited access to resources. He supported the ability
to communicate vital information to outlying communities,
including emergency services, news, streaming local
basketball games, and other. He believed it was necessary
to provide a platform to allow the community to be
informed, to receive safety updates, and to participate
with one another. He noted there had been a cut the past
year. He appreciated the money in the current budget.
Ultimately, he wanted to ensure public radio was at the top
of the list. He supported the AMHS and stressed the need to
develop a solution to get the system running and to put
people back to work. He underscored that putting people out
of work was a very short-term solution that created long-
term problems. He stated that the individuals invested in
communities when they were back to work. He continued to
address the benefits of the ferry system. He spoke to truly
diversifying the state's industry to reduce reliance on oil
and mining. He pointed out that there were many other
industries with alternative fuel options. He thanked the
committee for its time.
6:45:20 PM
LEILA KHEIRY, KRBD, KETCHIKAN LIO (via teleconference),
testified in support of public radio as a vital resource
for maintaining connections in Alaska. She stressed that
many small communities relied on their community radio
stations for emergency and safety information, along with
local, statewide, and national news. She listed the merits
of the service. Many communities would be cut off without
the service, which made public radio a key state service.
She discussed cuts from the prior year meant that the
station was already at bare bones services. The station had
increased its fundraising by adding another pledge drive,
raffle, and auction. The station had a staff of four and
the current level of fundraising was unsustainable. She
supported a proposal to add some money to the state budget
for public radio, which would go a long way towards
providing necessary services.
Vice-Chair Ortiz thanked Ms. Kheiry for her testimony. He
asked if funding cuts in the previous year had impacted
other stations throughout the state.
Ms. Kheiry replied that the smaller stations throughout the
state were really struggling to hang on. Many stations were
trying to make it through the year with the hopes of being
able to increase their funding for the coming year. She
stated a second year of cuts would identify which stations
were able to survive and which stations would have to close
their doors or severely cut services.
6:48:06 PM
DONALD WESTLUND, SELF, KETCHIKAN LIO (via teleconference),
thought that $18.7 million was positive, but it was not
enough to bring AMHS services up to the needed amount. He
thanked the committee for its time. He stated that DOT was
allocating $365 million to widen the Seward Highway. He
noted there had been an avalanche that had required
overtime workers to clear the road. He stressed that the
state could not even keep its ferries on the road. He
considered what would happen if the avalanche had not been
cleared and the roads had been closed until the snow
melted. He supported increasing the motor fuel tax. He
disagreed with the governor's stance on the PFD; he
preferred no dividend in order to have services like
healthcare, ferries, and other. He stated that DOT was
spending $12 million to put a roundabout in Anchorage,
while it was allocating $18.7 million to fix the ferry
system. He believed another $50 million was needed to get
the ferry system back to reasonable service.
6:50:46 PM
PHIL DOHERTY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SOUTHEAST ALASKA REGIONAL
DIVE FISHERIES ASSOCIATION (SARDFA), KETCHIKAN LIO (via
teleconference), shared information about the association.
The value of the combined fisheries for geoducks, sea
cucumbers, and red sea urchins was between $10 to $12
million per year. He shared that divers paid a mandated
assessment tax of 7 percent in the geoduck fishery to pay
for federal and Department of Environmental Conservation
shellfish requirements and the Department of Fish and
Game's assessment and management of the fishery. The 7
percent was in addition to the 3 percent state fish tax. He
provided additional information about the fishery. Upwards
of 95 percent of the geoducks were sold to the live Chinese
market. Divers spent $150,000 per year from the assessment
tax to collect paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) samples.
The association hired divers to collect samples weekly,
which were sent to Anchorage for testing. Since the
inception of the geoduck clam fishery, the state had not
charged for the PSP analysis at the lab. He noted that
SARDFA had always paid for the shipping of the samples.
Under the governor's budget, the state would charge lab
fees. He stressed that if the fees were charged the geoduck
assessment tax would not be enough to cover the cost and
the fisheries could close.
Mr. Doherty stressed that the governor's proposed budget
would decrease the DFG dive fisheries budget by $19,900.
The association assumed it would have to make up the amount
or lose fishing opportunities. He underscored that SARDFA
already paid over $100,000 for DFG to manage the resource.
He emphasized they were the only fisheries in the state to
directly subsidize DFG. He highlighted that an increase of
20 percent to its budget, while no other fishery was paying
its way did not make sense. He urged the committee to deny
the cut in the DFG budget.
Vice-Chair Ortiz asked Mr. Doherty to repeat the fees
SARDFA paid.
Mr. Doherty complied. He detailed that SARDFA paid slightly
over $100,000 to DFG annually. He provided additional
detail on the process. The amount did not cover 100 percent
of the department's management fees, but it was close. He
shared that DEC money pertained only to the geoduck
fishery. He explained that geoducks were required to pass
PSP levels. The association spent $150,000 per year to
collect the PSP samples, $19,500 for water quality samples,
$3,500 per year for DEC to reclassify the areas, $18,000 to
certify areas for inorganic arsenic testing, $25,000 per
year on geoduck money for management, and administrative
costs of about $50,000 for a total of $266,000 per year,
which was more than the fishery brought in over the past
several years in assessment tax. The fishery would close if
it was taxed for the PSP lab testing.
Representative Merrick asked what year the state started
paying for the PSP testing.
Mr. Doherty replied that the geoduck fishery started in the
late 1980s and the fishery started testing at that time.
The association had always paid to collect the samples,
while the state had always paid for the PSP testing at the
lab.
6:56:56 PM
HOLLY KENOYER, KRBD, KETCHIKAN LIO (via teleconference),
spoke in support of public radio broadcasting. She thanked
the legislature for its efforts to fund public broadcasting
in the past year. She asked the committee to consider
funding for public broadcasting in the current year. She
shared that she had stopped in to say hello to her mom on
the way to testify. Her mom had asked her to be quiet while
she was listening to state and local news. She shared that
she used the public radio for election updates, basketball
games, music, poetry, news, weather, water quality and
more. She stressed that public broadcasting connected all
communities in Alaska. She shared that it was community
broadcasting.
Vice-Chair Ortiz thanked Ms. Kenoyer for taking time to
share her story about public radio.
6:59:39 PM
MARY FORBES, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke in
support of public broadcasting. She shared that the loss of
$77,000 in the past year had put station's future in
jeopardy. The station relied on the funding for day to day
operations. Additionally, loss of the funding put the
station's federal funding in jeopardy as well. The
governor's cuts had impacted the borough and city council,
which had also cut funding for the station. She stressed
that the snowballing effects were increasingly difficult to
make up. The station was doing its best to try to make up
the difference, but any state funding would help. She
shared that communities and villages relied on public radio
for vital communications, news, weather, the fisheries
report, and more.
7:01:14 PM
ROBYN CASSIDY, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), stated
there were many items she wanted to see increased in the
current budget including a fully functioning ferry system,
Pre-K, K-12 education, the University, a robust public
broadcasting system, school bond debt reimbursement,
healthcare, funding for wildfires and melting permafrost.
She shared that the headline in the local paper that day
had been looking at increasing property taxes due to the
governor's cuts. She supported ending the credits to oil
corporations. She thought the time for funding roads and
bridges to nowhere had passed. She appreciated a reduced
PFD in the previous year. She suggested asking the D.C.
representatives for funding for the ferry system, but she
understood that federal agencies looked at the PFD program
as an excuse to withhold funds from Alaska. She believed
the state was overdue in finding new revenue resources. She
did not believe a lotto would be sufficient. She was more
than willing to pay for continuing and sustainable
services.
7:04:22 PM
CHERI SMITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEESHORE CENTER, KENAI
(via teleconference), the center provided emergency shelter
and advocacy services to victims of domestic violence and
sexual assault. The center was also a member program of the
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She
was grateful to the governor and legislature for
understanding the mission of the Council on Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault within the Department of Public
Safety. The counsel was the funding agency for all victims'
service programs throughout the state. She listed all of
the services the center had provided in the past year. She
thanked the legislature for its help ensure there was
adequate funding for domestic violence and sexual assault
services.
7:06:19 PM
DAVID BRIGHTON, PRESIDENT, KENAI PENINSULA EDUCATION
ASSOCIATION, KENAI (via teleconference), testified on the
importance of education. He thanked the governor and
legislature for fully funding K-12 education in the current
budget. He stated that fully funding the Base Student
Allocation (BSA) without including the onetime $30 million
from the previous year was a burden on the school district.
The administration was working to ensure there were no
cuts; they would be spending some fund balance to protect
students' education in the current year; however, they were
worried about the following year. He spoke to forward
funding education and its importance in keeping teachers in
Alaska. He asked the legislature to continue forward
funding education in the future in order to retain
teachers. He noted that under the Teachers' Retirement
System (TRS) teachers were fully vested after five years
and could leave Alaska to teach elsewhere. He spoke to the
importance of retaining teachers in order to benefit
students in Alaska.
7:08:23 PM
WAYNE ADERHOLD, KBBI/KACHEMAK BAY BROADCASTING, HOMER (via
teleconference), shared that financial support for public
broadcasting was needed and appreciated as stations
continued to progress towards self-sufficiency through
membership and underwriting from local businesses.
Listeners depended on public radio for national, statewide,
and local programming that was not available from other
sources. He highlighted that the station provided live
broadcast and online streaming of borough assembly and city
council meetings in an effort to enable an informed
electorate. The station had formalized its association with
the city and borough emergency departments to be directly
involved in information gathering during any type of public
emergency or natural disaster. He provided additional
detail. He appreciated the funding in the budget to support
public radio.
Co-Chair Johnston reviewed the email address for public
testimony.
7:11:34 PM
AT EASE
7:32:29 PM
RECONVENED
RACHEL BREITHAUPT, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
shared that she was a former school board member and social
worker for the state. She spoke in support of full funding
for schools and students who needed special attention
including "pullouts" and in-classroom para-professionals.
She believed teachers needed to be paid appropriately in
order increase teacher retention. She supported full
funding for Pioneer Homes and senior benefits. She shared
that she spent much time helping individuals get affordable
housing and healthcare. She stressed it was very
challenging for many Alaskans. She implored the legislature
to save the AMHS. She stressed the desperate need in
Southeast communities for the state subsidized ferry
system. She pointed to small communities who were currently
experiencing food shortages because ferry service had
stopped. She discussed the importance of doing things
together. She asked the committee to continue to consider
vulnerable populations during the budget process.
HB 205 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 206 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Foster shared the email address for public
testimony. He reviewed the schedule for the following day.
ADJOURNMENT
7:32:29 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
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