Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/28/1994 01:25 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 28, 1994
1:35 P.M.
TAPE HFC 94 - 95, Side 1, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94 - 95, Side 2, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94 - 96, Side 1, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94 - 96, Side 2, #000 - #577.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:35 P.M.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Larson Representative Hoffman
Co-Chair MacLean Representative Martin
Vice-Chair Hanley Representative Navarre
Representative Brown Representative Parnell
Representative Grussendorf Representative Therriault
Representative Foster
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Fran Ulmer; Representative Jim Nordlund;
Representative Eldon Mulder; Senator Judy Salo;
Representative John Davies; Representative Ramona Barnes;
Melva Krogseng, Staff, Representative Barnes; Mike Greany,
Director, Legislative Finance Division; J. Frank Prewitt,
Commissioner, Department of Corrections; Diane Schenker,
Special Assistant, Department of Corrections; Shirley
Minnick, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Corrections; Ron Lind, Director,
Administrative Services, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities.
SUMMARY
HB 370 An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and to
capitalize funds; and providing for an effective
date.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES BUDGET
CLOSEOUTS
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
REPRESENTATIVE RAMONA BARNES, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, stated
1
that the Department of Corrections' Subcommittee achieved
the target reduction of $5,819.9 million dollars specified
by the House Finance Committee including a transfer of
$1,966.4 million dollars to the Department of Health and
Social Services and new program receipt authority for new
revenues which would be added in the amount of $1,584.6
million dollars. Speaker Barnes provided the Committee with
an overview of the Subcommittee's work including budget
increments and decrements. [Copy on file].
Speaker Barnes stated that all requests for repair,
maintenance, or building materials would be denied and would
be considered in the capital budget. All requests for
training funds would be denied pointing out that training
should be addressed by the Correctional Academy. Tuition
and registration fees would be deleted in all institution
components emphasizing that employees should pay their own
registration and fees.
Speaker Barnes understood that the DOC Subcommittee budget
would reflect an impact to the Department of Corrections
status quo in comparison to the current fiscal year budget
or the budget recommended by the Governor.
Co-Chair MacLean asked the impact of deleting the alcohol
and drug abuse component. Representative Hanley commented
that the $700 thousand dollars which was originally in the
Department of Corrections' budget had been RSA'd to the
Department of Health and Social Services' budget.
Representative Grussendorf advised that the newly introduced
crime bills should be considered in this years' fiscal
budget for the Department. Speaker Barnes replied that the
current budget process is not responsible to fund new
legislation and that it should be funded through fiscal
notes. She added that the new crime legislation would not
affect the FY95 budget.
Speaker Barnes remarked that the 50 new beds at Spring Creek
would be maximum security beds. Project Hope was intended
to house offenders who had up to two years of their sentence
left and who do not require the security level.
Representative Barnes stated that the classification system
currently being used by the Department could not release
enough offenders to Project Hope. She added, that when
Project Hope becomes fully utilized, the beds will cost the
State $35 dollars per day as opposed to the current daily
cost of $113 dollars.
Representative Brown MOVED to WITHDRAW Amendment #1. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was withdrawn.
2
Representative Navarre MOVED to HOLD Amendment #2. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was held.
Representative Navarre MOVED to HOLD Amendment #3. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was held.
Representative Brown MOVED to HOLD Amendment #4. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was held.
Representative Navarre MOVED to HOLD Amendment #5. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was held.
Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #6 which would
restore the reductions made by the House Finance
Subcommittee and would add funding to the level requested by
the Governor's amended budget for the Department of
Corrections.
J. FRANK PREWITT, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS,
pointed out that two weeks ago, the Department of
Corrections facilities hit a record high, holding 350 more
prisoners than the FY94 funded maximum capacity. During the
last ten years, the inmate population has grown at the rate
of 8.2% per year. In the past twelve months the growth rate
has increased to 11.6% per year. He elaborated that a hard
bed has not been added to the system since 1988.
Commissioner Prewitt advised that practices occurring within
the state prison system are at an "emergency capacity". He
elaborated that "emergency capacity" is the point when a
correctional system begins to break down. Commissioner
Prewitt listed signs of emergency capacity:
1. Staff burnout.
2. Inmate tension.
3. Building and security equipment deteriorating
faster than repairs can be made.
4. Incidents of violence.
Commissioner Prewitt commented that the Governor's proposed
budget would add 261 high, medium and low custody beds to
the system. The Governor's budget would also take an
aggressive stand on alcohol treatment needed during
incarceration. That budget would keep the system out of
crisis for one to two years. He stressed that adopting the
budget proposed by the subcommittee would close prisons and
probation offices which would be an assault on public
safety. Commissioner Prewitt urged the Committee to amend
the proposed subcommittee budget or to adopt the Governor's
3
recommended budget.
Discussion followed among Committee members, Commissioner
Prewitt and Speaker Barnes regarding Project Hope and the
number of beds held at that institution and the general
overcrowding conditions occurring throughout the Alaska
State prison system.
Representative Barnes pointed out that the misdemeanant
population has been on the rise for many years. She felt
that there are a number of ways to bring down that number,
specifically by opening the Palmer Center.
(Tape Change, HFC 94-95, Side 2).
Commissioner Prewitt clarified that the conditions which
drive the Department of Corrections budget are supply and
demand. He added that beds at Project Hope will be full.
The needs submitted by the Department are over and above the
120 inmates who can be placed at Project Hope. He added
that the Department does not have the ability to classify
offenders at Project Hope. Those offenders have to go there
voluntarily, consequently those beds are designated at
minimum custody. The furlough policy makes an offender
eligible to go to Project Hope when they have served one
third of their sentence and are within three years of
release. Commissioner Prewitt pointed out that Project Hope
is competing for the same type of offenders as the half way
houses.
Commissioner Prewitt stressed that zoning for a misdemeanant
facility is not the problem, whereas, the need of beds in
any facility is the issue. He felt that without these beds
there will be a crisis.
Speaker Barnes proposed to hold open the section of the
budget dealing with soft bed funding and the possibility of
fund allocations to Wildwood Correctional Institute.
Representative Navarre suggested that the incremental cost
of the Wildwood beds would be $41 dollars per day which does
not address the overcrowding currently existing within the
Department.
Commissioner Prewitt expressed his commitment to Project
Hope, pointing out that there are over forty people at that
facility. He added that the project is presently involved
in mental health litigation. Speaker Barnes indicated that
the problem within the Department of Corrections is with the
classification system used. She expounded that the system
used in Alaska is the highest cost in the world, and pointed
out that the Commissioner has furlough policies and matrix
systems which have been rewritten under that classification
4
system. She thought that the system could not address the
concerns of the Committee and should be rewritten to
simplify it.
MELVA KROGSENG, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BARNES, read a letter
to Dr. Robert Levinson from Robert Spinde, Chief
Classification Officer addressing the classification process
and the revised furlough policy. [Copy on file]. The
letter indicated that the furlough policy was implemented
because of Legislative action.
Representative Grussendorf asked the funding needed to
effectively run the Department of Corrections. Commissioner
Prewitt explained that "a prison is a city under marshall
law" and added that the budget proposed by the Governor
would take the Department out of a crisis posture for one
year. He pointed out that currently a contempt motion has
been made for the overcrowding condition in Alaska prisons.
If the Governor's budget is adopted, the system could be
placed to "full". Commissioner Prewitt concluded that there
is an 8%-10% growth occurring each year in Alaska.
Discussion followed among Committee members and the
Commissioner regarding the high prison costs in Alaska as
compared to Missouri. Commissioner Prewitt pointed out that
the State does not spend a higher percentage of the
operating budget than other states on corrections. Alaska
spends only five (5%) percent of the budget.
REPRESENTATIVE FRAN ULMER acknowledged that the Department
of Corrections is currently in a crisis situation and that
the court decision pending could demand that prisoners be
released because of over crowding. She emphasized that the
Legislature has been informed of the ramifications of the
pending actions.
Commissioner Prewitt responded to the classification system
inquiry pointing out that the Department was specifically
told not to use Project Hope for misdemeanant offenders.
He added that the purpose of the classification system is
to lower custody of offenders in order that more people
released would be able to go out into the community. The
same result has been accomplished with the furlough policy.
He commented that the furlough policy has come under
criticism now as sex offenders are being treated and
released. Project Hope has not been fully utilized because
of concerns regarding public safety and offender
reformation. Project Hope has no walls and no fences and
the Department can send only the offenders who volunteer for
that program. Commissioner Prewitt added that he is
committed to fully utilizing Project Hope.
5
(Tape Change, HFC 94-96, Side 1).
Representative Ulmer pointed out that the Correction's
Subcommittee never adequately addressed the Governor's FY95
amended budget. The Commissioner was not given an
opportunity to have a hearing on that budget. She
emphasized that the services provided by the Department of
Corrections are not optional.
Representative Ulmer summarized that the cap provided by the
Subcommittee is too low and she urged that the Committee
reconsider the cap.
Representative Brown MOVED to reduce the allocation made in
Amendment #6 by $1 million dollars. She emphasized that
there are not enough funds in the Department's budget to
address the major crime bills already passed out of the
House of Representatives. Representative Brown WITHDREW the
MOTION to MOVE the amendment. Amendment #6 was HELD for
further consideration.
Representative Navarre MOVED to amend Amendment #5 changing
the total restoration to $158 million dollars which would
cover the cost of two assistant superintendent positions.
The $883 thousand dollars would be allocated for the
additional fifty-nine beds. He added that Amendment #5
would not be offered if there was agreement on Amendment #6.
Representative Hanley discussed the mental health services
for corrections. He noted that Amendment #7 would restore
the $1,966.4 GF/MHTIA to the Department of Corrections'
budget whereas Amendment #8 would remove an additional
$337.7 GF/MHTIA from the Department of Corrections' budget
(associated with the deleted positions) and insert $2,301.1
GF/MHTIA in the Department of Health and Social Services'
budget. Correctional mental health services would then be
provided by Health and Social Services.
Commissioner Prewitt spoke to the problems within the
Department having dual supervision. There is a balance in
the Department between public safety, protection of the
public and reformation of the offenders. All programs would
have to be done within security constraints. He asked that
the Committee support Amendment #7 which would keep the
component within the Department of Corrections.
Representative Ulmer supported the component being kept in
the Department of Corrections. Mel Krogseng noted that
Speaker Barnes supported keeping the entire component in the
Department of Health and Social Services and urged support
of Amendment #8. She indicated support also for an
additional allocation of $334.7 to the Department's budget.
6
Discussion followed among Committee members and the
Commissioner regarding the current treatment facilities.
Representative Hoffman MOVED to adopt Amendment #7.
Representative Hanley OBJECTED.
A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION.
IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Martin, Navarre, Brown, Foster,
Grussendorf.
OPPOSED: Parnell, Therriault, Hanley, Larson,
MacLean.
The MOTION PASSED (6-5).
Amendment #8 was WITHDRAWN. There being NO OBJECTION, it
was so ordered.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
Representative Navarre MOVED to adopt Amendment #1 which
would add $2,500.0 to the Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOTPF) for statewide maintenance and
operations and would reduce the Department of Environmental
Conservations' budget by $2,500.0 million dollars for the
underground storage tank assistance program. Representative
Therriault OBJECTED.
A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION.
IN FAVOR: Navarre, Brown, Grussendorf, Hoffman.
OPPOSED: Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Foster,
Hanley, MacLean, Larson.
The MOTION FAILED (4-7).
Representative Navarre noted a change to Amendment #2 which
would apply $1.0 million dollars to the budget deficit and
$1.5 million dollars to the underground storage tank
program, a total reduction to the storage tank program of
$2.5 million dollars.
Representative Navarre MOVED to adopt Amendment #2.
Representative Therriault OBJECTED.
A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION.
IN FAVOR: Navarre, Parnell, Brown, Foster,
Grussendorf, Hanley, Hoffman, MacLean.
OPPOSED: Therriault, Martin, Larson.
7
The MOTION PASSED (8-3).
Representative Navarre MOVED to WITHDRAW Amendment #3.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was withdrawn.
Representative Navarre MOVED to adopt Amendment #4 which
would allocate $1,500.0 million dollars to DOTPF's statewide
maintenance and operations and would reduce that amount from
the Alaska Tourism Marketing Council in the Department of
Commerce and Economic Development (DCED).
(Tape Change, HFC 94-96, Side 2).
MIKE GREANY, DIRECTOR, LEGISLATIVE FINANCE DIVISION,
explained that carry forward funds had been removed from the
House recommendation in the amount of $33.8 million dollars
from the Legislative budget. He added that carry forwards
would be contained in the reappropriation legislation.
Representative Navarre MOVED to change the source of the
reduction proposed in Amendment #4 to the Legislative
operating budget.
Representative Brown asked the reason for a $3 million
dollar increase to the Legislative budget for administrative
services. Mr. Greany replied that a new director for the
Legislative Affairs Agency was approved by the Legislature
which would eliminate the former executive administrative
component, combining that with administrative services.
Consequently, there now is one component rather than three
separate ones.
Representative Parnell pointed out that $8 million dollars
would be dropped from the Legislative budget.
Representative Navarre pointed out that the total amount
available to the Legislature in FY93 was $38 million
dollars, with $8 million carried forward. He noted that
$30.6 million dollars was spent by the Legislature in FY93.
He added that the FY95 budget recommends $33.8 million
dollars as the available base. Mr. Greany replied that the
reappropriation bill would be the appropriate vehicle to
make the reduction recommended by Representative Navarre.
Discussion followed among Committee members and Mr. Greany
regarding legislative carry forward monies. Representative
Hanley suggested that there be full discussion of the
Legislative budget before making the recommended reductions.
Representative Navarre MOVED to WITHDRAW Amendment #4.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was withdrawn.
Representative Navarre MOVED to WITHDRAW Amendment #5 which
would add to statewide maintenance and operations $1,000.0
8
million dollars and would reduce design and construction by
$1,000.0 million dollars. Representative Brown OBJECTED to
withdrawing the amendment. Representative Navarre MOVED to
change the amount proposed in Amendment #5 to $300 thousand
dollars and asked the impact to the program with that
reduction.
RON LIND, DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, explained that
currently there is $4.4 million dollars in the design and
construction component in the operating budget.
Representative Foster OBJECTED to removing money from the
design and construction component.
Representative Brown REMOVED her OBJECTION to withdrawing
the amendment. Representative Navarre MOVED Amendment #5
explaining the extensive need for further maintenance and
operation of roads throughout the state. Mr. Lind pointed
out that the funding for design and construction had been
established in each separate region.
A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION.
IN FAVOR: Parnell, Therriault, Brown, Foster,
Hanley, Hoffman, Martin, Navarre,
MacLean, Larson.
OPPOSED: Foster.
The MOTION PASSED (10-1).
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:35 P.M.
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 28, 1994
1:35 P.M.
TAPE HFC 94 - 95, Side 1, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94 - 95, Side 2, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94 - 96, Side 1, #000 - end.
TAPE HFC 94 - 96, Side 2, #000 - #577.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Larson called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:35 P.M.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Larson Representative Hoffman
Co-Chair MacLean Representative Martin
9
Vice-Chair Hanley Representative Navarre
Representative Brown Representative Parnell
Representative Grussendorf Representative Therriault
Representative Foster
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Fran Ulmer; Representative Jim Nordlund;
Representative Eldon Mulder; Senator Judy Salo;
Representative John Davies; Representative Ramona Barnes;
Melva Krogseng, Staff, Representative Barnes; Mike Greany,
Director, Legislative Finance Division; J. Frank Prewitt,
Commissioner, Department of Corrections; Diane Schenker,
Special Assistant, Department of Corrections; Shirley
Minnick, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Corrections; Ron Lind, Director,
Administrative Services, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities.
SUMMARY
HB 370 An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and to
capitalize funds; and providing for an effective
date.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES BUDGET
CLOSEOUTS
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
REPRESENTATIVE RAMONA BARNES, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, stated
that the Department of Corrections' Subcommittee achieved
the target reduction of $5,819.9 million dollars specified
by the House Finance Committee including a transfer of
$1,966.4 million dollars to the Department of Health and
Social Services and new program receipt authority for new
revenues which would be added in the amount of $1,584.6
million dollars. Speaker Barnes provided the Committee with
an overview of the Subcommittee's work including budget
increments and decrements. [Copy on file].
Speaker Barnes stated that all requests for repair,
maintenance, or building materials would be denied and would
be considered in the capital budget. All requests for
training funds would be denied pointing out that training
should be addressed by the Correctional Academy. Tuition
and registration fees would be deleted in all institution
components emphasizing that employees should pay their own
registration and fees.
10
Speaker Barnes understood that the DOC Subcommittee budget
would reflect an impact to the Department of Corrections
status quo in comparison to the current fiscal year budget
or the budget recommended by the Governor.
Co-Chair MacLean asked the impact of deleting the alcohol
and drug abuse component. Representative Hanley commented
that the $700 thousand dollars which was originally in the
Department of Corrections' budget had been RSA'd to the
Department of Health and Social Services' budget.
Representative Grussendorf advised that the newly introduced
crime bills should be considered in this years' fiscal
budget for the Department. Speaker Barnes replied that the
current budget process is not responsible to fund new
legislation and that it should be funded through fiscal
notes. She added that the new crime legislation would not
affect the FY95 budget.
Speaker Barnes remarked that the 50 new beds at Spring Creek
would be maximum security beds. Project Hope was intended
to house offenders who had up to two years of their sentence
left and who do not require the security level.
Representative Barnes stated that the classification system
currently being used by the Department could not release
enough offenders to Project Hope. She added, that when
Project Hope becomes fully utilized, the beds will cost the
State $35 dollars per day as opposed to the current daily
cost of $113 dollars.
Representative Brown MOVED to WITHDRAW Amendment #1. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was withdrawn.
Representative Navarre MOVED to HOLD Amendment #2. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was held.
Representative Navarre MOVED to HOLD Amendment #3. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was held.
Representative Brown MOVED to HOLD Amendment #4. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was held.
Representative Navarre MOVED to HOLD Amendment #5. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was held.
Representative Brown MOVED to adopt Amendment #6 which would
restore the reductions made by the House Finance
Subcommittee and would add funding to the level requested by
the Governor's amended budget for the Department of
Corrections.
J. FRANK PREWITT, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS,
11
pointed out that two weeks ago, the Department of
Corrections facilities hit a record high, holding 350 more
prisoners than the FY94 funded maximum capacity. During the
last ten years, the inmate population has grown at the rate
of 8.2% per year. In the past twelve months the growth rate
has increased to 11.6% per year. He elaborated that a hard
bed has not been added to the system since 1988.
Commissioner Prewitt advised that practices occurring within
the state prison system are at an "emergency capacity". He
elaborated that "emergency capacity" is the point when a
correctional system begins to break down. Commissioner
Prewitt listed signs of emergency capacity:
1. Staff burnout.
2. Inmate tension.
3. Building and security equipment deteriorating
faster than repairs can be made.
4. Incidents of violence.
Commissioner Prewitt commented that the Governor's proposed
budget would add 261 high, medium and low custody beds to
the system. The Governor's budget would also take an
aggressive stand on alcohol treatment needed during
incarceration. That budget would keep the system out of
crisis for one to two years. He stressed that adopting the
budget proposed by the subcommittee would close prisons and
probation offices which would be an assault on public
safety. Commissioner Prewitt urged the Committee to amend
the proposed subcommittee budget or to adopt the Governor's
recommended budget.
Discussion followed among Committee members, Commissioner
Prewitt and Speaker Barnes regarding Project Hope and the
number of beds held at that institution and the general
overcrowding conditions occurring throughout the Alaska
State prison system.
Representative Barnes pointed out that the misdemeanant
population has been on the rise for many years. She felt
that there are a number of ways to bring down that number,
specifically by opening the Palmer Center.
(Tape Change, HFC 94-95, Side 2).
Commissioner Prewitt clarified that the conditions which
drive the Department of Corrections budget are supply and
demand. He added that beds at Project Hope will be full.
The needs submitted by the Department are over and above the
12
120 inmates who can be placed at Project Hope. He added
that the Department does not have the ability to classify
offenders at Project Hope. Those offenders have to go there
voluntarily, consequently those beds are designated at
minimum custody. The furlough policy makes an offender
eligible to go to Project Hope when they have served one
third of their sentence and are within three years of
release. Commissioner Prewitt pointed out that Project Hope
is competing for the same type of offenders as the half way
houses.
Commissioner Prewitt stressed that zoning for a misdemeanant
facility is not the problem, whereas, the need of beds in
any facility is the issue. He felt that without these beds
there will be a crisis.
Speaker Barnes proposed to hold open the section of the
budget dealing with soft bed funding and the possibility of
fund allocations to Wildwood Correctional Institute.
Representative Navarre suggested that the incremental cost
of the Wildwood beds would be $41 dollars per day which does
not address the overcrowding currently existing within the
Department.
Commissioner Prewitt expressed his commitment to Project
Hope, pointing out that there are over forty people at that
facility. He added that the project is presently involved
in mental health litigation. Speaker Barnes indicated that
the problem within the Department of Corrections is with the
classification system used. She expounded that the system
used in Alaska is the highest cost in the world, and pointed
out that the Commissioner has furlough policies and matrix
systems which have been rewritten under that classification
system. She thought that the system could not address the
concerns of the Committee and should be rewritten to
simplify it.
MELVA KROGSENG, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BARNES, read a letter
to Dr. Robert Levinson from Robert Spinde, Chief
Classification Officer addressing the classification process
and the revised furlough policy. [Copy on file]. The
letter indicated that the furlough policy was implemented
because of Legislative action.
Representative Grussendorf asked the funding needed to
effectively run the Department of Corrections. Commissioner
Prewitt explained that "a prison is a city under marshall
law" and added that the budget proposed by the Governor
would take the Department out of a crisis posture for one
year. He pointed out that currently a contempt motion has
been made for the overcrowding condition in Alaska prisons.
If the Governor's budget is adopted, the system could be
13
placed to "full". Commissioner Prewitt concluded that there
is an 8%-10% growth occurring each year in Alaska.
Discussion followed among Committee members and the
Commissioner regarding the high prison costs in Alaska as
compared to Missouri. Commissioner Prewitt pointed out that
the State does not spend a higher percentage of the
operating budget than other states on corrections. Alaska
spends only five (5%) percent of the budget.
REPRESENTATIVE FRAN ULMER acknowledged that the Department
of Corrections is currently in a crisis situation and that
the court decision pending could demand that prisoners be
released because of over crowding. She emphasized that the
Legislature has been informed of the ramifications of the
pending actions.
Commissioner Prewitt responded to the classification system
inquiry pointing out that the Department was specifically
told not to use Project Hope for misdemeanant offenders.
He added that the purpose of the classification system is
to lower custody of offenders in order that more people
released would be able to go out into the community. The
same result has been accomplished with the furlough policy.
He commented that the furlough policy has come under
criticism now as sex offenders are being treated and
released. Project Hope has not been fully utilized because
of concerns regarding public safety and offender
reformation. Project Hope has no walls and no fences and
the Department can send only the offenders who volunteer for
that program. Commissioner Prewitt added that he is
committed to fully utilizing Project Hope.
(Tape Change, HFC 94-96, Side 1).
Representative Ulmer pointed out that the Correction's
Subcommittee never adequately addressed the Governor's FY95
amended budget. The Commissioner was not given an
opportunity to have a hearing on that budget. She
emphasized that the services provided by the Department of
Corrections are not optional.
Representative Ulmer summarized that the cap provided by the
Subcommittee is too low and she urged that the Committee
reconsider the cap.
Representative Brown MOVED to reduce the allocation made in
Amendment #6 by $1 million dollars. She emphasized that
there are not enough funds in the Department's budget to
address the major crime bills already passed out of the
House of Representatives. Representative Brown WITHDREW the
MOTION to MOVE the amendment. Amendment #6 was HELD for
14
further consideration.
Representative Navarre MOVED to amend Amendment #5 changing
the total restoration to $158 million dollars which would
cover the cost of two assistant superintendent positions.
The $883 thousand dollars would be allocated for the
additional fifty-nine beds. He added that Amendment #5
would not be offered if there was agreement on Amendment #6.
Representative Hanley discussed the mental health services
for corrections. He noted that Amendment #7 would restore
the $1,966.4 GF/MHTIA to the Department of Corrections'
budget whereas Amendment #8 would remove an additional
$337.7 GF/MHTIA from the Department of Corrections' budget
(associated with the deleted positions) and insert $2,301.1
GF/MHTIA in the Department of Health and Social Services'
budget. Correctional mental health services would then be
provided by Health and Social Services.
Commissioner Prewitt spoke to the problems within the
Department having dual supervision. There is a balance in
the Department between public safety, protection of the
public and reformation of the offenders. All programs would
have to be done within security constraints. He asked that
the Committee support Amendment #7 which would keep the
component within the Department of Corrections.
Representative Ulmer supported the component being kept in
the Department of Corrections. Mel Krogseng noted that
Speaker Barnes supported keeping the entire component in the
Department of Health and Social Services and urged support
of Amendment #8. She indicated support also for an
additional allocation of $334.7 to the Department's budget.
Discussion followed among Committee members and the
Commissioner regarding the current treatment facilities.
Representative Hoffman MOVED to adopt Amendment #7.
Representative Hanley OBJECTED.
A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION.
IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Martin, Navarre, Brown, Foster,
Grussendorf.
OPPOSED: Parnell, Therriault, Hanley, Larson,
MacLean.
The MOTION PASSED (6-5).
Amendment #8 was WITHDRAWN. There being NO OBJECTION, it
was so ordered.
15
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
Representative Navarre MOVED to adopt Amendment #1 which
would add $2,500.0 to the Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOTPF) for statewide maintenance and
operations and would reduce the Department of Environmental
Conservations' budget by $2,500.0 million dollars for the
underground storage tank assistance program. Representative
Therriault OBJECTED.
A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION.
IN FAVOR: Navarre, Brown, Grussendorf, Hoffman.
OPPOSED: Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Foster,
Hanley, MacLean, Larson.
The MOTION FAILED (4-7).
Representative Navarre noted a change to Amendment #2 which
would apply $1.0 million dollars to the budget deficit and
$1.5 million dollars to the underground storage tank
program, a total reduction to the storage tank program of
$2.5 million dollars.
Representative Navarre MOVED to adopt Amendment #2.
Representative Therriault OBJECTED.
A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION.
IN FAVOR: Navarre, Parnell, Brown, Foster,
Grussendorf, Hanley, Hoffman, MacLean.
OPPOSED: Therriault, Martin, Larson.
The MOTION PASSED (8-3).
Representative Navarre MOVED to WITHDRAW Amendment #3.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was withdrawn.
Representative Navarre MOVED to adopt Amendment #4 which
would allocate $1,500.0 million dollars to DOTPF's statewide
maintenance and operations and would reduce that amount from
the Alaska Tourism Marketing Council in the Department of
Commerce and Economic Development (DCED).
(Tape Change, HFC 94-96, Side 2).
MIKE GREANY, DIRECTOR, LEGISLATIVE FINANCE DIVISION,
explained that carry forward funds had been removed from the
House recommendation in the amount of $33.8 million dollars
from the Legislative budget. He added that carry forwards
would be contained in the reappropriation legislation.
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Representative Navarre MOVED to change the source of the
reduction proposed in Amendment #4 to the Legislative
operating budget.
Representative Brown asked the reason for a $3 million
dollar increase to the Legislative budget for administrative
services. Mr. Greany replied that a new director for the
Legislative Affairs Agency was approved by the Legislature
which would eliminate the former executive administrative
component, combining that with administrative services.
Consequently, there now is one component rather than three
separate ones.
Representative Parnell pointed out that $8 million dollars
would be dropped from the Legislative budget.
Representative Navarre pointed out that the total amount
available to the Legislature in FY93 was $38 million
dollars, with $8 million carried forward. He noted that
$30.6 million dollars was spent by the Legislature in FY93.
He added that the FY95 budget recommends $33.8 million
dollars as the available base. Mr. Greany replied that the
reappropriation bill would be the appropriate vehicle to
make the reduction recommended by Representative Navarre.
Discussion followed among Committee members and Mr. Greany
regarding legislative carry forward monies. Representative
Hanley suggested that there be full discussion of the
Legislative budget before making the recommended reductions.
Representative Navarre MOVED to WITHDRAW Amendment #4.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was withdrawn.
Representative Navarre MOVED to WITHDRAW Amendment #5 which
would add to statewide maintenance and operations $1,000.0
million dollars and would reduce design and construction by
$1,000.0 million dollars. Representative Brown OBJECTED to
withdrawing the amendment. Representative Navarre MOVED to
change the amount proposed in Amendment #5 to $300 thousand
dollars and asked the impact to the program with that
reduction.
RON LIND, DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, explained that
currently there is $4.4 million dollars in the design and
construction component in the operating budget.
Representative Foster OBJECTED to removing money from the
design and construction component.
Representative Brown REMOVED her OBJECTION to withdrawing
the amendment. Representative Navarre MOVED Amendment #5
explaining the extensive need for further maintenance and
operation of roads throughout the state. Mr. Lind pointed
out that the funding for design and construction had been
17
established in each separate region.
A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION.
IN FAVOR: Parnell, Therriault, Brown, Foster,
Hanley, Hoffman, Martin, Navarre,
MacLean, Larson.
OPPOSED: Foster.
The MOTION PASSED (10-1).
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:35 P.M.
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