Legislature(2019 - 2020)ADAMS ROOM 519
02/21/2020 05:00 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB205 || HB206 | |
| Public Testimony: Anchorage | |
| 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 21, 2020
5:07 p.m.
5:07:04 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Foster called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 5:07 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair
Representative Jennifer Johnston, Co-Chair
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Gary Knopp
Representative Bart LeBon
Representative Kelly Merrick (via teleconference)
Representative Dan Ortiz, Vice-Chair (via teleconference)
Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard
Representative Adam Wool
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Cathy Tilton
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Charles McKee, Self, Anchorage; Deena Bishop, ASD,
Anchorage; Starr Marsett, President, Anchorage School
Board, Anchorage; Dave Carter, Self, Anchorage; Laura
Bonner, Self, Anchorage; Patti Calonder, Self, Anchorage;
Andy Holleman, ASD/Self, Anchorage; Katherine Goodell,
Self, Anchorage; William Goodell, Self, Anchorage; Crystal-
Ann Berwick, Self, Anchorage; Chris Tower Zafren, Self,
Anchorage; Sandra Quimby, Self, Eagle River; Steve Heimbel,
Self, Anchorage; Janet McCabe, Partners for Progress,
Anchorage; Suzi Pearson, AWAIC, Anchorage; Rick Goodfellow,
Self, Anchorage; Ron Wilson, AKTCA, Anchorage; Jake
Metcalf, Executive Director, ASEA Local 52, Anchorage; Pam
Kelley, Executive Director, Alzheimer's Resource - AK,
Anchorage; Jessie Gwen Kennedy, Alaska Public Media,
Anchorage; Steve Petratis, Self, Anchorage; Andres Widmer,
Self, Anchorage; Marnie Hartill, Self, Anchorage; Gary
McDonald, Self, Anchorage; Carrie Harris, Self, Anchor
Point; Caroline Bolar, Self, Anchorage; Michael Bailey,
HOPE/AADD, Anchorage; Cris Eichenlaub, Self, Eagle River;
Adam Babcock, Self, Anchorage; Bryan Emerson, Director of
Public Relations, Civil Air Patrol, Mat-Su; Gary Voss,
Self, Juneau; Jeff DeFreest, Lieutenant Colonel, Alaska
Civil Air Patrol, Juneau; Robert Carlson, Self, Bethel;
Diana Kuest, Self, Anchorage; Philip Moser, Self, Juneau;
Kenny Morgan, Self, Bethel; Patricia Gilbert, Assembly of
Wrangell and School Board, Wrangell; Terri Walker,
Superintendent, Northwest Arctic Borough School District,
Kotzebue; Margaret Hansen, Northwest Arctic Borough School
District, Kotzebue; Lucy Robinson, Wrangell Parks and Rec,
Wrangell; Gayle Gross, Self, Wrangell; Anne Morrison,
Wrangell Assembly, Wrangell; Mike Lockabey, Self, Wrangell;
Kate Thomas, Parks and Recreation Office, Wrangell; Alan
Reeves, Commercial Fisherman, Wrangell; Tania Harrison,
Self, Cordova; Marc Carrel, Self, Cordova; Karl Becker,
self, Cordova; Roxanne Brower, North Slope Borough
District, Barrow; Fadil Limani, Deputy Finance Director,
North Slope School District, North Slope; Mayor Steve
Prysunka, Mayor, Wrangell; Lisa Von Bargen, Wrangell
Borough Manager, Wrangell; Greg Weaver, Self, Wasilla.
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."
5:08:11 PM
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: ANCHORAGE
5:11:10 PM
CHARLES MCKEE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), was
referencing a specific statute related to a State of Alaska
public corporation. He referenced a lawsuit from September
2019 pertaining to various drug companies. He had presented
a case to the board and the trustee had shown interest in
putting the claim in an injunction. He addressed trust law
and stated that all crimes were commercial. He shared that
he was listed in CourtView. He asserted that situation
occurred because the state had stolen money out of his
social security account.
Co-Chair Foster provided the House Finance Committee email
address for the public.
5:14:28 PM
DEENA BISHOP, ASD, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of school funding. She detailed that
the current budget funded education at the FY 18 level
prior to HB 287's authorization of funding outside the
formula. The elimination of the HB 287 funding had created
a $10.8 million deficit for the Anchorage School District.
She discussed the high annual inflation growth. The
district was required to submit its budget to the assembly
by the first Monday in March. The school board had approved
a balanced budget during the current week, which required
increased class size and the elimination of teacher
positions. She spoke to reductions that had consistently
occurred in the district over the years. She stressed that
the 50 percent reduction in school bond debt shifted an
additional $20 million to Anchorage residents. She urged
the legislature to provide reliable and predictable
education funding. She stressed that children were the
state's most valuable resource.
Representative Josephson thanked Ms. Bishop for her
testimony. He thought an argument may be made that the
resources being requested were duplicative to funds in a
separate piece of legislation. He asked if Ms. Bishop could
dispel the argument.
Ms. Bishop asked if Representative Josephson was
referencing a committee substitute for SB 6. She detailed
that the bill funded additional resources to the ASD as the
district had provided operational funds to preschools.
Under the legislation, the average daily membership for
Anchorage would increase. The bill focused the resources
the district had.
Representative Josephson asked how Ms. Bishop would respond
to a claim that the district did not need a restoration of
one-time funding because SB 6 would cover it.
Ms. Bishop answered that the amount of money the ASD
anticipated for preschool was $2 million and the reduction
from HB 287 was $10.8 million. There was still a delta in
the negative.
Co-Chair Foster thanked Ms. Bishop for her testimony. He
discussed early funding of education versus forward
funding. He asked when the district needed the state to
pass the education budget in order to avoid passing out
pink slips to teachers. He asked if the date was May 1.
Ms. Bishop answered that the ASD had a budget deadline of
March, while other school districts had an April 1
timeline. She shared that May 15 was the last possible day
the district could give pink slip notifications. She
relayed that a budget passed by March would be suitable for
ASD and April for other districts.
5:20:49 PM
STARR MARSETT, PRESIDENT, ANCHORAGE SCHOOL BOARD, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), testified in support of funding for
education. She reviewed the number of full-time positions
the district had been forced to reduce due to flat funding
from 2013 to 2020. She noted it did not include the new
cuts the district would have to make in the following year.
She highlighted that the district had incurred increases in
salaries, health benefits, and utilities by $19 million in
the current year. The district's current budget deficit was
$19.5 million. She asked the legislature to provide the
funding necessary to meet the students' needs. She asked
the legislature to adjust the Base Student Allocation (BSA)
to reflect the cost of living index. She asked the
legislature to make education a priority.
Representative Sullivan-Leonard considered the population
difference in the past three years due to net migration.
She asked if the school district was seeing large numbers
of reductions or a trickle effect.
Ms. Marsett answered that the reduction was slowing down.
Some of the losses in instruction were due to a reduction
in student population. They were not seeing the reductions
they had seen in past years.
5:23:48 PM
DAVE CARTER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), thought
it seemed like Groundhog Day. He believed there would be
people testifying for legitimate revenue and spending for
legitimate public expenses. He focused his attention on
thinking inside the box. He referenced voting yes for
Alaska's fair share. He spoke about an average of $3.8
million per year from 2009 to 2013 from Prudhoe Bay
production revenue. He stated that after SB 21 the state
had lost an average of $200 million per year in production
tax revenue. He stated the good news was a citizens'
initiative on the ballot. He stated that the oil was owned
collectively. He thought it was a public education issue.
He hoped legislators would vote for Alaska's fair share. He
provided the web address.
5:26:00 PM
LAURA BONNER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway System
(AMHS). She believed the committee had increased AMHS
funding above the governor's request, which she supported,
but hoped it was not too little too late. She stressed that
the ferry system provided critical infrastructure to
coastal communities. She supported University education and
research funding, K-12, Medicaid, public broadcasting,
corrections, public safety, and judicial systems. She spoke
to underfunding of the AMHS over the years. She was
concerned about the Department of Law expenses related to
outside legal teams and no-bid contracts. She supported
changing the outdated PFD statute. She stated that there
was not a spending problem but a revenue problem.
5:28:41 PM
PATTI CALONDER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for disabilities services.
She had seen funding decline and was concerned that she and
her friends would be negatively impacted by spending cuts.
She supported reducing the waitlist to allow more Alaskans
access to care and services. She highlighted the importance
of stable and predictable funding. She emphasized that
Alaskans were waiting so long for services that some died
while on the waitlist. She stressed that Alaskans needed
access to services in order to be productive and lead
meaningful lives.
5:30:35 PM
ANDY HOLLEMAN, ASD/SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of education funding. He appreciated
that in the past several years the legislature had come to
understand the necessity of early education funding in
order to allow districts to plan. He explained that forward
funding a year in advance would mean it would not matter
when in session the funding was decided upon. He relayed
that districts were being asked to target more and more
students who were not reaching proficiency. He stated that
as long as the Base Student Allocation (BSA) remained flat,
districts would be faced with cutting successful programs.
The goal was to keep successful programs running and to
look for other ways to increase student proficiency. He
discussed that with inflation it became harder and harder
to keep programs going. He discussed a program the
community did not want to lose. Everything provided meant a
great deal to a portion of students. There needed to be
more variety to reach all kids. He suggested covering
inflation from year to year. He remarked that if the
legislature needed to consider a cut it was legitimate but
hoped for advanced notice to allow districts to prepare.
Co-Chair Foster acknowledged Vice-Chair Ortiz on the line.
5:33:37 PM
KATHERINE GOODELL, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of public television and radio. She
shared that her son had been raised on Sesame Street and
Mr. Rogers and she was glad to see quality preschool
programming still being offered on public television. She
appreciated the unbiased reporting on public radio on a
daily basis. The programming on public radio television
served the young and old in rural and urban communities.
She asked the committee to consider full funding for the
valuable service.
5:34:46 PM
WILLIAM GOODELL, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of public radio. He shared that he used
public radio for local and national news. Public radio was
the only source providing fish radio out of Kodiak, which
allowed him to keep track of his family fishing in Kodiak.
He discussed the great public programming, continuing
education, weather reports for boating safety, and other.
He believed it was a public service that needed //
5:37:31 PM
CRYSTAL-ANN BERWICK, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of Alaska Public Media. She
appreciated legislators who voted to fund public
broadcasting prior to the governor's vetoes. She thanked
the legislature for the $1 million in the current budget
proposal. She implored the committee to fully restore the
$2.7 million taken from the public communication budget.
She listed various programming including Gavel to Gavel,
360 North, news, and other. She stressed that public
broadcasting allowed her to stay connected. She feared that
a lack in state support would lead to a deterioration of
content and quality of the news. She asked the legislature
to keep public media strong with full funding.
5:39:26 PM
CHRIS TOWER ZAFREN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
discussed the joint efforts to maintain a quality level of
life in Alaska. She supported forward funding for education
and maintaining the Alaska Marine Highway System. She
highlighted her support for public broadcasting. She stated
that public media provided much needed and valued service
to Alaskans. She detailed that it provided listeners with
balanced and well-researched information. She believed
Alaska's public media was some of the best in the country.
She asked the legislature to continue to support public
media.
5:41:40 PM
SANDRA QUIMBY, SELF, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference),
shared that her father had worked on the Tustumena in the
1970s providing radio communications. She shared additional
detail. She stressed the need for all Alaskans to have
transportation allowing them with access to goods and
services. The mission of the Alaska Marine Highway System
(AMHS) was to provide transportation for residents where
roads could not be built to connect them with other areas
of the state. She stressed that the AMHS was vital. She
spoke to the need for access to business service and
economic opportunities. She highlighted that access to
medical care was just one of the goods and services
provided by the ferry system. She explained that part of
the responsibility of government was to provide services
that individuals could not afford individually.
5:44:08 PM
STEVE HEIMBEL, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support a restoration of full funding for public
broadcasting. He outlined why public broadcasting public
broadcasting in Alaska was in a leadership position across
the country and globally. He highlighted that Arctic
research was about three years ahead of what was heard in
national venues. He detailed that the public broadcasting
system was the most complete regional information service
in the U.S. He urged the committee to consider the funding
an investment in a positive future for the state. The
investment was necessary in order to grow and yield a
return.
5:46:05 PM
JANET MCCABE, PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), shared that the organization ran a reentry
center in Anchorage. The organization worked in partnership
with the Department of Corrections. She thanked the
legislature for current and past funding for reentry
services provided via contract with the Department of
Health and Social Services. She provided information about
the center that was located in near proximity to a prison.
The center provided temporary housing, employment
assistance, and supportive services. There had been a 5
percent drop in recidivism since 2015. She asked the
legislature to continue the funding for reentry services.
5:47:49 PM
SUZI PEARSON, AWAIC, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
expressed gratitude for the legislature's and governor's
continued support for the mission of the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) within the
Department of Public Safety. She shared that AWAIC's 52
beds provided the only emergency shelter for victims of
domestic violence in Anchorage. The program included
transitional housing and helping families secure safe
permanent housing. She thanked the legislature for its
support of the critical and essential services.
5:48:58 PM
RICK GOODFELLOW, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
shared that he and his wife ran the classical radio station
in Anchorage. He stated that the public radio station in
Anchorage was his biggest competitor. He emphasized that
making further reductions to the public broadcasting budget
would be a grave mistake. He would personally benefit, but
the social damage that would be done would be unthinkable.
He stressed that public broadcasting was important in
Anchorage and vital in rural areas. He believed that
further cuts to public broadcasting was unconscionable.
5:50:24 PM
RON WILSON, AKTCA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of the Court System's request for
additional funding for the therapeutic courts. He
highlighted the success of the courts. He had participated
in the felony drug court in 2010 and he lauded its success.
He was a homeowner and property owner and had not
reoffended after going through the program. He shared
information about his participation in the program and had
learned to live without alcohol and substances.
5:52:07 PM
JAKE METCALF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASEA LOCAL 52, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), thanked the legislature for taking
public testimony. The union had over 80,000 members in
Alaska. He stressed that the union's members got the job
done. Union members provided essential services that
Alaskans relied on were done every day. The union had
recently visited the Pioneer Home on Valentine's Day. The
stories they had heard were heartbreaking and heartwarming.
He shared that his grandfather had lived in the Pioneer
Home prior to oil money. He stated that state employee
salaries were not keeping up with private industry. He
shared a story about losing an employee to private
employment due to the vast salary difference. He
appreciated all of the work the legislature was doing for
Alaskans. He hoped they would not kick the can down the
road.
5:55:14 PM
PAM KELLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALZHEIMER'S RESOURCE - AK,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), advocated for funding for
nutrition, transportation, senior support, and family
caregiver support under the Department of Health and Social
Services. Alaska was no different than any other location
in terms of people and needs. She stated that sometimes a
little public support was needed like Meals on Wheels,
providing parenting help, care for individuals with a
chronic illness. She urged the legislature to move forward
with the flat funding in the budget in order for seniors to
be well cared for.
5:58:09 PM
JESSIE GWEN KENNEDY, ALASKA PUBLIC MEDIA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), shared that she was a small business owner
and on the board of Alaska Public Media. The organizations
were independent, but they were a system. She shared that
there were strong education programs serving various areas.
She had learned that journalism was the fourth pillar of
democracy. There was aging technology in the state - she
noted it was not the time to take money away from public
media. She was not a proponent of full funding PFDs. She
believed the money was for civic engagement for the state's
future.
6:00:42 PM
STEVE PETRATIS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in strong support of public media. He shared that he worked
throughout the state and in other locations. He found it
important to have state, national, and international news
wherever he traveled. He encouraged support for Alaska
public radio.
6:02:10 PM
ANDRES WIDMER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
advocated for services for people who experience
disabilities. He reviewed various items assistance provided
to individuals. There were many individuals with
disabilities who did not have appropriate funding and were
unable to get out of their house. He highlighted classes
individuals could take and employment that allowed
individuals to be productive members of their communities.
He asked for stable and predictable funding.
6:03:58 PM
MARNIE HARTILL, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of the bill and encouraged forward funding of
education. She thanked the committee for its efforts in
forward funding education in recent years. She shared that
forward funding was a win for students, teachers, and
parents; it provided stability to help schools succeed. She
stressed that forward funding was no additional cost but
offered continuity in the system. She was deeply concerned
with the success of each student. She addressed the cut to
the school bond debt reimbursement that was harmful to
schools. Over the past five years she had watched dozens of
her colleagues leave to teach out of state. She shared that
teachers got to work at 7:00 a.m. worked through lunch and
took work home. She stressed that Alaska could not recruit
and retain educators. Children were coming to school with
more adverse experiences than in the past. She thanked the
committee for listening and for its service.
6:07:43 PM
GARY MCDONALD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of public broadcasting. He reviewed various
programs including documentaries and other. He thanked the
committee for its time.
6:08:28 PM
CARRIE HARRIS, SELF, ANCHOR POINT (via teleconference), was
against the budget. She thanked her Representative Sarah
Vance and Governor Dunleavy for supporting their
constituents. She thought taking the PFD and thinking about
taxing was lazy budgeting. She supported funding for the
police department and other. She supported cutting
everything else by 50 percent. She supported a lotto. She
thought that stealing peoples' PFDs to fund public radio
made state roads more dangerous. She stated that
legislators had been lazy. She stressed that the PFD did
not belong in the budget. She thought it was sad that
public radio was put ahead of the PFD.
6:12:20 PM
CAROLINE BOLAR, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
shared that she had lived in Alaska for 50 years. She
thought the state should not have given oil money away. She
detailed that about $338 billion had been spent since the
PFD had started. She did not have a problem with the PFD
and recognized that it helped many people; however, she did
not believe it should be considered the "be all." She
pointed out that the state constitution required the
funding for K-12 education. She shared a story about a man
who had come to Alaska to work in public broadcasting. She
stated that public broadcasting connected the state. She
asked the legislature to maintain funding for public
broadcasting. She agreed roads were needed. She did not
support that the governor's policy was to cut with no new
taxes. She considered what the future would look like if
the state's young people did not get an education. She
considered what people wanted for their own future.
6:16:38 PM
MICHAEL BAILEY, HOPE/AADD, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
shared that he had lived in Alaska for 25 years. He had
worked in the seafood industry and had visited many remote
areas in the state in the past. He noted that the Medicaid
portion of the budget came under much contention. He
detailed that many of the reductions in the past year had
turned out to not be realistic. He pointed out that
currently 35 percent of Alaskans were on Medicaid. He
considered the need in rural areas related to access to
health. He elaborated that he had been stuck in Dutch
Harbor for a week - without access to care the communities
would not be in good shape. He asked the legislature to
look at the General Fund portion of the budget related to
Medicaid. He stressed that care needed to be taken to not
undermine the infrastructure. He stated that during the
time of rate freezes and other, there were fewer people
being served under the home and community based system,
while the waitlist continued to increase. He requested
stabilizing home and community based services without
further reductions.
6:20:55 PM
CRIS EICHENLAUB, SELF, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference),
believed the state was grossly mismanaging its resources.
He stated that the previous governor had committed to
Medicaid expansion against the will of the people. He
stressed the need to develop and manage resources in a more
efficient manner. He supported Governor Dunleavy's idea of
a lotto. He supported the Pick.Click.Give program. He asked
the legislature to repeal SB 26. He supported a full PFD.
The private sector had been taking a pounding because PFDs
had been reduced. He did not know what formula the
legislature was using to pay the PFD. He thought the
numbers kept changing; it appeared to be arbitrary. He
cited an advisory vote where 83 percent of the people had
requested that the PFD should be left alone. He supported
outlawing the binding caucus. He asked the legislature to
manage the state's resources for the people.
6:25:54 PM
ADAM BABCOCK, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
vocalized support for public media and radio. He had heard
the governor on the radio the other day state that Alaskans
may be leaving Alaska because of a lower PFD. He thought
the notion was laughable. He shared that he had lived most
of his life in the Lower 48 and none of the places he had
lived paid people to live there. He viewed the PFD as a
superfluous bonus. He thought the whole notion of the PFD
was irresponsible. He stressed that people would move out
of state because the governor was destroying the public
education system, public media, and critical infrastructure
like the AMHS. He pointed out the federal gutting of
environmental protections. He stressed the state relied on
the items for a stable economy. He supported protecting the
education system and other services that made Alaska a
great place to live. He was amenable to taxes if they were
necessary. He asked the legislature to fund public media,
education, AMHS, and the protection of the state's natural
resources.
6:29:23 PM
BRYAN EMERSON, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS, CIVIL AIR
PATROL, MAT-SU (via teleconference), spoke in support of
the Civil Air Patrol that performed homeland security,
disaster relief, and drug interdiction missions at the
request of federal, state, and local agencies. He stressed
that the organization also played a leading role in
aerospace education. The organization had approximately 500
senior volunteers in Alaska who served as mentors to 200
young cadets. In FY 19 the Alaska unit flew 131 hours of
search and rescue resulting in 35 finds and 2 lives saved.
The elimination of state funding resulted in all 16 of the
Alaska units becoming responsible to pay for their own
utilities estimated at $110,000 and facility maintenance.
He reported that the Seward and Homer facilities had been
placed in cold storage. He reported that the unit had to
somehow pay insurance premiums for facilities in the amount
of $14,300. The unit had undergone significant cost saving
measures in recent years. He emphasized that its work would
be significantly hindered without state funding.
6:31:12 PM
GARY VOSS, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), shared cost-
cutting ideas. He explained there were many different ways
to vote in an election. He suggested eliminating paper and
use of the REAL ID. He suggested filling Juneau's Egan
Highway medians with native plants and flowers to eliminate
the need for mowing and cutting grass. He thanked the
committee for its time.
6:33:33 PM
JEFF DEFREEST, LIEUTENANT COLONEL, ALASKA CIVIL AIR PATROL,
JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke in support of the Civil
Air Patrol. He requested that funding be restored into the
budget. The unit was comprised of volunteers only. He
indicated the Civil Air Patrol had three missions including
search and rescue and disaster relief, aerospace education,
and the youth cadet program. State funding was used for
utilities in the organization's facilities in 16 squadrons
across the state. The funding kept the aircrafts warm and
ready for quick response time to emergencies. He thanked
the subcommittee that proposed adding back $250,000 for the
FY 21 budget. He thanked the committee for its work.
6:35:54 PM
ROBERT CARLSON, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), believed
the Permanent Fund Dividend should not be in the budget. He
read a quote by Speaker Edgmon rejecting the idea of taking
funds from future generations just to receive a large PFD
at present. He discussed that much of the oil resource in
the state had been used to fund state projects and
services. He thought much of the funding had been used
wisely for airports, roads, state services including law
enforcement and education. He noted that a good deal of the
funds had been wasted on things like "the gas line fiasco,"
the Knik Arm Bridge, and other. He continued that a very
small amount of the total revenue from oil had gone into
the Permanent Fund. He reported that about $30 billion had
been distributed in the PFD program. He highlighted that if
the PFD money had been reinvested in the Permanent Fund,
the Permanent Fund would be twice its current size and
funding shortages would not currently exist. He provided
additional testimony about why the PFD should not be in the
budget.
6:40:03 PM
DIANA KUEST, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of a full PFD. She also supported a vote to put the
PFD into the constitution. She spoke in opposition to SR 2
related to the security issues of the northern Arctic
region through the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She
thought the issue should be left to the military at the
federal level.
6:43:03 PM
PHILIP MOSER, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), thought
the state budget represented a failure in terms of creating
a wealth fund that was self-sustaining. He mentioned that
people in places such as Hoonah and Angoon were feeling a
failure of the state to return their investment that they
had contributed including time and money. He noted the
state overspending. He thought it was time to question the
integrity and value in having a PFD. He noted the state had
a large amount of cash. He spoke of Norway's investment
fund. He thought it was a travesty that the state could not
pay for basic services. He favored increasing the budget
for the state to be able to provide basic services.
6:46:26 PM
KENNY MORGAN, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), wanted to
see the budget balanced. He wanted his PFD left alone. He
supported forward finding of education.
6:47:20 PM
PATRICIA GILBERT, ASSEMBLY OF WRANGELL AND SCHOOL BOARD,
WRANGELL (via teleconference), spoke of investing in
Alaska's students. She spoke of student's being behind
which had a negative impact on their lives. She noted the
importance of addressing childhood trauma in order to
promote education. She spoke in favor of adequate and
effective child protective services. She mentioned that the
Petersburg office handled cases for 3 communities including
Wrangle, Petersburg, and Kake. She spoke of the case load
versus the number of OCS front line counselors.
6:51:22 PM
TERRI WALKER, SUPERINTENDENT, NORTHWEST ARCTIC BOROUGH
SCHOOL DISTRICT, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of HB 236 which increased the base student
allocation. She provided numbers in the bill. She also
recommended forward funding of education. She reported that
the teacher pool had dwindled. She spoke of the importance
of securing qualified teachers. She supported inflation-
proofing the Permanent Fund yearly.
6:53:50 PM
MARGARET HANSEN, NORTHWEST ARCTIC BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT,
KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), spoke in support of school
bond debt reimbursement. She also asked that the sunset
date be extended for TVEP funding.
6:56:26 PM
LUCY ROBINSON, WRANGELL PARKS AND REC, WRANGELL (via
teleconference), provided information regarding her
affiliation. She relayed that one of the most vulnerable
sections of Alaska's population was were elementary and
middle school aged youth. She reported that in the fall of
2019 administrators, teachers, ministers, and service
workers identified a growing number of children in crisis.
In the face of diversity, the community of Wrangell rallied
creating winter programing for youth helping to implement
structured activities while school was on holiday. Although
it was a great effort, she thought it was a band aid for
the current situation. The severity of the community's
situation without OCS and proper Health and Social Services
in Wrangell was heart-wrenching. She opined that the lack
of services and outreach programs that were available was
despicable. The community could only do so much with what
it had. She spoke of the many benefits hove having a social
worker in Wrangell. She believed the crisis in Wrangell
would not end without additional funding help from the
state.
6:58:39 PM
GAYLE GROSS, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the AMHS. She thought Coastal Alaska was
experiencing calamity. She asked members to consider
properly funding the system. The Alaska Marine Highway
System was an integral part of the state and provided a
safety measure for Coastal Alaska. She urged members to get
the system running again.
7:00:21 PM
ANNE MORRISON, WRANGELL ASSEMBLY, WRANGELL (via
teleconference), supported the Office of Children's
Services. She indicated the case load in her area was much
too large. She reviewed the negative impacts to children
when social workers had too many cases. She continued to
provide statistics around caseloads.
7:02:45 PM
MIKE LOCKABEY, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), spoke
in favor of supporting the AMHS. He also supported funding
for the Wrangell Fish and Game Office. He listed what the
office currently did and the programs that would be
affected. He noted that the staff within the fish and game
office in Wrangell were beneficial to the community. The
loss of jobs would also have a negative effect on the
community.
7:05:40 PM
KATE THOMAS, PARKS AND RECREATION OFFICE, WRANGELL (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the Office of
Children's Services. She indicated that the Parks and
Recreations office provided activities for elementary and
middle school aged youth. In the fall of 2019, a growing
number of children in crisis were identified. The magnitude
of the children's' situation varied greatly. A taskforce
was formed in the community to help certain youths because
of a lack of professional help in the community. She asked
legislators to reinstate funding for OCS, as it was greatly
needed.
7:07:48 PM
ALAN REEVES, COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN, WRANGELL (via
teleconference), was a commercial fisherman. He spoke of
the community diversifying. He talked about a Health nurse
being moved from the community a few years prior. He
opposed closing the Wrangell Fish and Game office. He
thought by closing the office, a domino effect would
result. He asked that the office be left open to take care
of Wrangell's business.
7:09:49 PM
TANIA HARRISON, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke
in favor of funding the AMHS and public broadcasting. She
supported a reduced PFD and an income tax.
7:10:32 PM
MARC CARREL, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of restoring funding for the AMHS. He noted some of
the benefits of the ferry system. He talked about the local
economy suffering as a result of the loss of ferry service.
He spoke in support of public broadcasting. He favored a
reduced PFD and a state income tax to pay for the vital
services of the state.
7:11:50 PM
KARL BECKER, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of funding Public Broadcasting, as it was a valuable
service. He also advocated full funding for the AMHS. He
reported that it was the first time in 40 years that he had
not had a ferry in the winter in Cordova. He thought the
ferry system was a major economic driver for the town. The
ferry system was a main part of life in his community. He
favored a state income tax. He hoped for a steady revenue
stream. He thanked the committee.
7:13:18 PM
ROXANNE BROWER, NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH DISTRICT, BARROW (via
teleconference), spoke in support for the district's
residential learning center program. The governor's budget
for the Department of Education and Early Development
included funding to help begin the district's 20 bed
program. The budget subcommittee for DEED approved the
funding and the school district asked the House Finance
Committee and the entire legislature for support. The
school district was excited to see the dream become a
reality. Building the residential program including
distance delivery courses would offer the most economical,
efficient, and effective way of providing quality education
needed by students. She also noted the district's support
for forward funding K-12 education. It was especially
helpful for retaining quality teachers. The district also
supported SB 74 that would expand access for school
district broadband services. She reported that the
district's state funding had dropped by 50 percent in the
last 5 years due to state economic challenges. However, the
needs of the schools in the district were greater presently
than they had ever been. She requested support for school
bond debt reimbursement. She thanked members for their
time.
7:16:01 PM
FADIL LIMANI, DEPUTY FINANCE DIRECTOR, NORTH SLOPE SCHOOL
DISTRICT, NORTH SLOPE (via teleconference), asked for
funding to restore the Kaktovik school after the fire that
occurred. He noted that a residential high school program
would make delivery more cost effective. He urged funding
for the school. He spoke in favor of forward finding for
schools. He emphasized the importance of forward funding in
terms of retaining teachers. He thanked the committee.
7:18:58 PM
MAYOR STEVE PRYSUNKA, MAYOR, WRANGELL (via teleconference),
asked for funding for the OCS position in Wrangell. He
indicated the only case worker was in Petersburg. The
school district recently expressed concern over some high
school student contemplating self-harm. He noted the
community's frustration with not having an OCS worker in
the community. He had a meeting with the city manager and
the OCS case worker from Petersburg. She reported having a
caseload of over 60 children. The state recommended that a
worker carried about 13 cases as a manageable load.
Further, she had been asked to take on cases out of Juneau
and Sitka. She was currently responsible for Juneau, Sitka,
Kake, Petersburg, and Wrangell. It was completely
unmanageable for her. He hoped the committee would consider
returning funding to OCS to help ensure that Wrangell's
children were safe. He thanked the committee.
`
7:22:06 PM
LISA VON BARGEN, WRANGELL BOROUGH MANAGER, WRANGELL (via
teleconference), spoke in opposition to the budget
reduction for the Wrangell Fish and Game office. She spoke
of the commercial fishing fleet being negatively affected.
She urged the restoration of funding.
7:23:19 PM
GREG WEAVER, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), was
completely disabled. He supported Governor Dunleavy and the
cuts to the AMHS. He suggested that the legislature needed
to make additional cuts. He thought if people could not
afford to live somewhere, they should relocate. He had
traveled all over the state. He concluded that he
appreciated the drastic cuts to the budget. He also
supported a capital move. He thought it was a matter of
choice. He wished that more people on the state boards and
commissions were from places on the road system.
7:26:59 PM
AT EASE
7:30:11 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Johnston indicated there was no one else online.
She relayed the agenda for the following day.
HB 205 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 206 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
7:31:33 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
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