Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/31/2008 06:00 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB311 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 311 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 31, 2008
6:13 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Meyer called the House Finance Committee meeting to
order at 6:13:44 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Representative Mike Chenault, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Stoltze, Vice-Chair
Representative Harry Crawford
Representative Les Gara
Representative Mike Hawker
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Bill Thomas Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Mike Kelly
Representative Mary Nelson
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Cynthia Henry, Vice Chair, University, Board of Regents,
Fairbanks; Kathy Morgan, Tok Community Umbrella Corporation,
Tok; Jeff Hermans, Division of Forestry, Department of
Natural Resources, Anchorage; Doug Penn, Area wide
Principle, Chugiak School District, Chugiak; Jason Gazewood,
Lawyer, Board Member for Fairbanks Counseling Adoption,
Fairbanks; Michelle Dewitt, Director, Tanana Women's
Coalition (TWC), Bethel; Dave Trantham, Self, Bethel; Ed
Zastrow, President of the Local AARP Chapter, Alaska
Commission on Aging, Ketchikan; Bob Weinstein, Mayor, City
of Ketchikan
GENERAL SUBJECT(S):
The following overview was taken in log note format.
Handouts will be on file with the House Finance Committee
through the 25th Legislative Session, contact 465-6814.
After the 25th Legislative Session they will be available
through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.
STATEWIDE PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THE CAPITAL BUDGET
TIME SPEAKER DISCUSSION
6:15:20 PM CYNTHIA HENRY, Testified in support of maintenance
VICE CHAIR, funding of $40 million dollars to be
UNIVERSITY, used for the University renovation and
BOARD OF renewal projects. The funding would be
REGENTS, used to address major maintenance
FAIRBANKS including roof repairs and mechanical
needs.
She worried about the reduction
proposed in the Senate, which would
place the University in a difficult
situation. The public expects the
University to maintain their
facilities; it is difficult to attract
new students if the facilities are not
kept up.
Ms. Henry urged favorable consideration
of the number proposed by the Governor.
6:18:30 PM Vice-Chair Requested additional comments on
Stoltze funding requests for the sport complex.
6:19:04 PM Ms. Henry Clarified that the sports center was
not considered a priority at present
time; instead, the science building at
University of Alaska-Fairbanks (UAF) is
the highest priority. She maintained
that academics are easier to sell
potential students. The Board has not
taken a position on the sports facility
and reiterated that the University's
number one priority is the Biological
Sciences building.
6:20:12 PM Representative Inquired regarding requested funding
Thomas for the $45 million dollar research
vessel. Co-Chair Meyer noted those
were federal funds.
6:21:41 PM KATHY MORGAN, Testified in support of funding for the
TOK COMMUNITY Upper Tanana Valley Renewable Energy
UMBRELLA Initiative capital improvement project.
CORPORATION She indicated concerns for fire safety
protection in that community, which
would be addressed by removing the
fuel.
The funding would provide for equipment
and materials for removing fuel and
then using it to heat public buildings.
She summarized that funding the
incremental request would essentially
save the State money.
6:23:32 PM Co-Chair Asked if the request had moved through
Chenault a public meeting process in Tok. Ms.
Morgan replied there have been meetings
throughout the area, including Tok.
6:24:25 PM Co-Chair Questioned if Ms. Morgan had
Chenault discussions with any environmental
groups regarding cutting down trees for
the project. Ms. Morgan responded,
there are no organized environmental
groups in that area. The trees need to
be cut as they are creating a danger
and are past maturity.
6:25:38 PM Co-Chair Mentioned the difficulties in his
Chenault community for initiating such projects
unless endorsed by environmental
groups.
6:26:35 PM JEFF HERMANS, Testified in support of Upper Tanana
DIVISION OF Valley Renewable Energy Initiative. He
FORESTRY, noted his experience in the field. He
DEPARTMENT OF explained that wildfires threaten Tok
NATURAL and the seven surrounding villages and
RESOURCES, communities. Those fires create a
ANCHORAGE great cost to the State of Alaska and
its residents.
Mr. Hermans said that the State of
Alaska has spent over $50 million
dollars in the last 25 years on fire
suppression, which does not include
costs to the federal government.
He reiterated the importance of
supporting the Upper Tanana Valley
Renewable Energy Initiative for safety
reasons as well as creating a cost
savings for the State.
6:29:37 PM DOUG PENN, Requested funds to address the critical
AREA-WIDE roof repair needs at the Whittier
PRINCIPLE, Community School. The roof is at a
CHUGIAK SCHOOL place of continued deterioration due to
DISTRICT, the harsh winter conditions and the
CHUGIAK snow load. Now, it has become a safety
hazard to both the structural integrity
of the facility and the students.
The project was submitted to the
Department of Education and Early
Development for the past several years.
If the roof is not repaired soon, the
fear is that much greater damage will
occur to the building structure.
He requested that the budget be
approved with the Whittier roof
renovation project included.
6:31:05 PM Representative Inquired the ranking position for the
Hawker project on the Department of Education
and Early Development priority list.
Mr. Penn responded that it is currently
listed as #3 on that list.
6:31:46 PM JASON Pointed out that the Interior
GAZEWOOD, delegation has requested approximately
LAWYER, BOARD $150 thousand dollars for emergency
MEMBER FOR funds from the Capital budget for the
FAIRBANKS Fairbanks Counseling Agency.
COUNSELING He noted the organization provides
ADOPTION, services to the community in
FAIRBANKS determining ways to bring families
together through adoption services;
counseling services are also offered.
Ultimately, the organization assists
the State.
He highlighted the amount of federal
dollars, which had been lost to the
project.
6:34:18 PM MICHELLE Testified in support for a new facility
DEWITT, construction request in the amount of
DIRECTOR, $1.5 million dollars. Currently, the
TANANA WOMEN'S Center has roof damage, which has
COALITION created a dangerous situation in
(TWC), BETHEL Bethel. She urged legislative support
for the funding.
6:35:27 PM DAVE TRANTHAM, Testified in support of funding dollars
SELF, BETHEL to address the fire station roof, which
now has structural damage resulting
from the leakage.
6:36:32 PM ED ZASTROW, Addressed the lack of senior housing.
ALASKA He urged greater State support for
COMMISSION ON funding to the Alaska Housing Finance
AGING, Corporation (AHFC), an agency that can
PRESIDENT OF help address statewide needs.
THE LOCAL AARP He directed additional comments to high
CHAPTER, energy costs for fuel paid by the
KETCHIKAN senior population.
Mr. Zastrow made a plea that some sort
of energy assistance grants be provided
for the State's seniors.
6:39:39 PM BOB WEINSTEIN, Encouraged support for the House
MAYOR, CITY OF Finance Committee to look at local
KETCHIKAN infrastructure needs. Due to the high
price of fuel, it has become more
important to enhance the capital budget
for addressing local needs.
6:41:45 PM AT EASE
6:56:34 PM RECONVENE
6:56:37 PM Co-Chair Meyer Noted that there would be further
opportunities for public testimony
taken on the capital budget later in
the week.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting
was adjourned
at 6:58 P.M.
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