Legislature(2019 - 2020)FBX LIO Conf Rm
07/17/2019 02:00 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB2001 | |
| Public Testimony | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB2001 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
SECOND SPECIAL SESSION
July 17, 2019
2:03 p.m.
2:03:36 PM
[MEETING HELD AT THE FAIRBANKS LIO AND RECORDED IN JUNEAU]
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Foster called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 2:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair
Representative Tammie Wilson, Co-Chair (via teleconference)
Representative Jennifer Johnston, Vice-Chair
Representative Dan Ortiz, Vice-Chair
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Gary Knopp
Representative Bart LeBon
Representative Kelly Merrick (via teleconference)
Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard (via
teleconference)
Representative Cathy Tilton (via teleconference)
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Ben Carpenter
ALSO PRESENT
Diane Hutchison, Self, FBX LIO; Kaleene Lamb, Self, FBX
LIO; Garry Hutchison, Self, FBX LIO; Christine Robbins,
Self, FBX LIO; Nancy Sonafrank, Self, FBX LIO; Paul Doak,
Self, FBX LIO; Jessica Vaudreuil, Self, FBX LIO; Wolfgang
Falke, Self, FBX LIO; Kerri Mullis, Self, FBX LIO; Brian
Kassof, Self, FBX LIO; Elizabeth Dobbins, Self, FBX LIO;
Susan Burgess, Self, FBX LIO; David James, Self, FBX LIO;
Jasmine Nickell, Self, FBX LIO; Carolyn Loeffler, Self, FBX
LIO; Libby Dalton Slane, Self, FBX LIO; Melanie Engram,
Self, FBX LIO; Bonnie Blaydes, Soup Kitchen, FBX LIO; Marna
Sanford, Tanana Chiefs Conference, FBX LIO; Karen Taber,
Big Brother, Big Sister of AK, FBX LIO; Allison Lee, Self,
FBX LIO; Pat Ivey, Self, FBX LIO; Diana Ramstad, Self, FBX
LIO; John Davies, Self, FBX LIO; Linda Schandelmer, Self,
FBX LIO; Charles Lemke, Fairbanks Symphony, FBX LIO; Jean
James, Self, FBX LIO; Judith Grunau, Self, FBX LIO; Becky
Anderson, Self, FBX LIO; Abel Buff-Ho, Self, FBX LIO; David
Delong, Self, FBX LIO; Julie Smyth, Self, FBX LIO; Michael
Cook, Self, FBX LIO; Bernard Hoto, Self, FBX LIO; Roger
Burggraf, Self, FBX LIO; Linda Green, Self, FBX LIO;
Michael Russell Lilly, Self, FBX LIO; David McDowell, Self,
FBX LIO; Steve Ginnis, Self, FBX LIO; Erika Burr, Self, FBX
LIO; Beth Zirbes, Self, FBX LIO; Constantine Khrulev, Self,
FBX LIO; Jeanne Mars Armstrong, Self, FBX LIO; Sarah
Stanley, Self, FBX LIO; Nate Bauer, Self, FBX LIO; Rachael
Delachante, Alaska Legal Services, FBX LIO; Rob Borland,
Self, Fairbanks, Alaska; Susan Henrichs, Self, Fairbanks,
Alaska; Sue Sherif, Self, FBX LIO; Lindsay Love, Alaska
Legal Services, FBX LIO; Joyce Potter, Self, FBX LIO;
Hayden Nevill, Self, FBX LIO; Hannoh Foss, Self, FBX LIO;
Mr. Prentzel, Self, FBX LIO; Robyn Russell, Self, FBX LIO;
Teka Lamade, Self, FBX LIO; Bruno Grunau, Self, FBX LIO;
Ronald Teel, Self, FBX LIO; Terry Chapin, Self, FBX LIO;
Gordon Williams, Self, FBX LIO; Julie Maier, Self, FBX LIO;
Shoshana Kun, Fairbanks Counseling, FBX LIO; Hannah Kun,
Self, FBX LIO; Karyn Janssen, Self, FBX LIO; Bonnie
Wolstad, Self, FBX LIO; Rebecca Brice Henderson, Self, FBX
LIO; Robin Weinant, Self, FBX LIO; Jeanette Grasto, NAMI
Fairbanks, FBX LIO; Pam Bradley, Self, FBX LIO; Sharon
Alden, Self, FBX LIO; Alex Thornton, Self, FBX LIO; Alex
Ramos, Self, FBX LIO; John Corning, Self, FBX LIO; Michelle
Harpole, Self, FBX LIO; Edward Alexander, Self, FBX LIO;
Lara Lotze, Self, FBX LIO; Melanie Lindholm, Self, FBX LIO;
Anne Zuggles, Self, FBX LIO; Christopher Zimmerman, Self,
FBX LIO; Thomas Suchland, Self, FBX LIO; Martha Hood, Self,
FBX LIO; Darlene Herbert, Self, FBX LIO; Jamie Rogers,
Self, FBX LIO; Kristan Kelly, Self, FBX LIO; Kara Carlson,
Self, FBX LIO; Joshua Jason Lazarus, Self, FBX LIO; Deanna
Lazarus, Self, FBX LIO; Terrence Cole, Self, FBX LIO;
Elizabeth Seigel, Self, FBX LIO; Anne Biberman, Self, FBX
LIO; Anna Godduhm, Self, FBX LIO; Cheryl Kilgore, Self, FBX
LIO; Erik Largen, Self, FBX LIO; Sharon Lockwood, Self, FBX
LIO; Molly Proue, Self, FBX LIO; Shane Brodie, Self, FBX
LIO; Jomo Stewart, Self, FBX LIO; Daniel Gerstenfield,
Self, FBX LIO; Anne Brenner-Armstrong, Self, FBX LIO;
Kristen Schupp, Self, FBX LIO; Robert Burgess, Self, FBX
LIO; Jessica Pena, Self, FBX LIO; Michelle Ethun, Self, FBX
LIO; Brianna Wu, Self, FBX LIO; Mark Lockwood, Self, FBX
LIO; Mindy O'Neal, Self, FBX LIO; David Leslie, Self, FBX
LIO; Phoebe Rohrbacher, Self, FBX LIO; Ginny (Virginia)
Redmond, Self, FBX LIO; Jennifer Delamere, Self, FBX LIO;
Liz Lyke, FNSB Assembly Member, FBX LIO; Sveta Yamin-
Paternak, Self, FBX LIO; Sue Sprinkle, Self, FBX LIO; Lisa
Villano, Self, FBX LIO; Abigial North, Self, FBX LIO; Mary
Nebert, Self, FBX LIO; John David "JD" Ragan, Self, FBX
LIO; Cole Richards, Self, FBX LIO; Julia Gestrich, Self,
FBX LIO; Liam Toney, Self, FBX LIO; Randy Griffin, Self,
FBX LIO; Andy Durny, Self, FBX LIO; Maegan Daniello
Weltzin, Self, FBX LIO; Albert Sonafrank, Self, FBX LIO;
Theresa Tomczak, UAF Athletics, FBX LIO; Chris Miller,
Self, FBX LIO; Joe Mattie, UAF Athletics, FBX LIO; Sandra
Costa-Mattie, UAF Athletics, FBX LIO; June Rogers, Self,
FBX LIO; Artem Zhdonov, Self, FBX LIO; Ann Marie Rutkowski,
Self, FBX LIO; Senator Scott Kawasaki; Representative Adam
Wool; Representative Steve Thompson.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Lansing Hayes, Self, Wrangell; Susi Gregg Fowler, Self,
Juneau LIO; Erin Walker-Tolles, Executive Director,
Catholic Community Service, Juneau LIO; Charles Swanton,
Self, Juneau LIO; Maureen Longworth, Self, Kodiak; Terry
Haines, Self, Kodiak; Eric Linscheid, Self, Kodiak; Mila
Cosgrove, City and Borough of Juneau, Deputy City Mgr,
Juneau; Kevin Krein, Self, Juneau; Elliot Wilson, Self,
Fairbanks; Phyllis Erhart, Self, Tanana; Elise Kubo, Self,
Petersburg; Sonta Roach, Self, Shaqeluk; Jim Dowdson, Self,
Kotzebue; Mike Scott, Self, Kotzebue; Barbara Haney, Self,
North Pole; Martha Mallott, Self and Yakutat Community
Health Center, Yakutat; Daniel Lynch, Self, Soldotna; Julie
Nielsen, Self, Juneau LIO; Jason Tandler, Self, Kodiak;
Martha McKiney, Self, Kodiak; Don Crandall, Anchorage Faith
and Action Congregations Together, Anchorage; Rhonda Pitka,
Beaver Village Council, Beaver Village; Lisa Smith Fiegel,
Self, Anchorage; Howard Maxwell, Self, Fairbanks; Carly
Sween, Self, Fairbanks; Ken Griffin, Self, Wasilla; Jessica
Girard, Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, Fairbanks; Karl
Monetti, Self, North Pole; Michelle Thomas, Self, North
Pole; Williams Lambert, Self, North Pole; Rae Trainor-
Wright, Self, Fairbanks; Gale Vick, Self, Fairbanks;
Brittany Karns, Self, Fairbanks; Becca Bardo, Arctic
Alliance for People, Fairbanks; Brett Frazer, Self,
Anchorage; Irene Henry, Self, Allakaket; Joseph Stratman,
Self, Petersburg; Ken Papp, Self, Fairbanks.
SUMMARY
HB 2001 APPROP: ERA FOR PERMANENT FUND DIVIDENDS
HB 2001 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
Co-Chair Foster reviewed the agenda for the meeting.
HOUSE BILL NO. 2001
"An Act making a special appropriation from the
earnings reserve account for the payment of permanent
fund dividends; and providing for an effective date."
2:05:46 PM
Co-Chair Foster reviewed meeting protocol. He provided the
House Finance Committee email address.
Vice-Chair Johnston provided information on the
microphones.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY
2:08:33 PM
DIANE HUTCHISON, SELF, FBX LIO, stressed the issue was
bipartisan and needed a bipartisan solution. She was a
University of Fairbanks alumni. She provided information
about the history of the Permanent Fund. She read that the
all income from the fund was to be deposited in the General
Fund. The principal and the corpus of the fund was
constitutionally protected. The first Permanent Fund
Dividend (PFD) had been $50 per year; it would have been
capped by a certain time. She found it hard to believe that
a $3,000 dividend would have passed when the dividend had
been implemented. She discussed her ties to the University.
She shared a story about individuals utilizing the
University. She asked the legislature and governor to quit
playing political games and develop a compromise.
2:12:06 PM
KALEENE LAMB, SELF, FBX LIO, did not support a cut to the
dividend. She shared that she would be on the street
without the PFD. She spoke against cuts to the Medicaid
adult preventative dental program. She shared that she
worked for a grocery store. She stressed that individuals
who did not have money could not go to the dentist. She
needed coverage. She believed it was not right for
individuals to not have coverage.
2:14:52 PM
GARRY HUTCHISON, SELF, FBX LIO, identified himself as a
Republican. He shared that the University had given him the
opportunity to improve his education. He was appalled at
the governor's attack on the University. He thanked the
committee for helping with the budget that was presented to
the governor that left money for a $929 PFD. He thought it
represented a success when considering a recent $4 billion
deficit. He supported the use of the percent of market
value (POMV) draw. He stated it was not possible to fix the
budget with cuts alone. He thought the governor's actions
were outrageous.
2:16:53 PM
CHRISTINE ROBBINS, SELF, FBX LIO, testified against the
bill. She supported the governor and a full PFD. She
thought taking a portion of the PFD away was not right and
was socialism. She noted that the majority of Alaskans
voted for the governor. She supported the cuts and vetoes.
She spoke to the sacrifices all Alaskans made.
2:18:32 PM
NANCY SONAFRANK, SELF, FBX LIO, supported a reduction in
the PFD and/or taxing residents. She shared information
about her life in Alaska. She had attended the University
in Fairbanks. She strongly objected to the governor's
vetoes and the loss of funding to the Power Cost
Equalization (PCE) program. She asked the legislature to
restore cut services. She demanded a cut to the oil tax
credits. She thanked the committee for its time.
2:20:18 PM
PAUL DOAK, SELF, FBX LIO, found it disturbing the dividend
continued to come up over and over. He stressed that the
dividend had precedence and should not be changed. He
thought it needed to go to a vote of the people. He was
disappointed in legislators. He did not think it was
appropriate to live beyond someone's means. He believed in
small government and did not believe the government should
have any hand in spending the people's money. He thought
Alaska had been the last free place in the country; but it
was not any longer. He did not care about the budget but
could not pay his fuel bill if the money was taken.
2:23:30 PM
JESSICA VAUDREUIL, SELF, FBX LIO, opposed the bill. She
wanted a full PFD, primarily to fund private schools for
her children. She thought public schools were uninhabitable
places due to gender identity support and she stated there
were more pride flags than American flags. She wanted to
know why everyone had to celebrate diversity in public
schools. She wanted a full PFD.
2:26:05 PM
WOLFGANG FALKE, SELF, FBX LIO, thanked the committee for
coming to Fairbanks. He did not support all of the cuts and
the reduction in the PFD. He asked why the ranking of
Alaska's educational institutions among the lowest in the
nation and the cost per student was among the highest.
2:30:50 PM
KERRI MULLIS, SELF, FBX LIO, opposed the bill. She thought
the legislature had set into motion something that Alaska
would not recover from. She stated that it had pitted
people against one another. She did not support taking the
PFD; she thought it was theft. Her family and farm were
struggling. She shared that she used her PFD for her farm,
but it was getting tighter and tighter. She supported the
governor and his proposed constitutional amendments. She
spoke about poor school scores in the state. She thought
the state had been throwing money at the schools and
University, but it was not working. She opposed a cut to
the PFD.
2:35:47 PM
BRIAN KASSOF, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of the bill.
He was opposed to the governor's vetoes that would punish
the state and negatively impact the most vulnerable
Alaskans. He stressed the cuts would drive the state into
recession. He urged the legislators who had not been in
Juneau the past week to sit down and negotiate with
colleagues on a compromise. He pointed to the governor's
claim that there was a choice between government services
and a full PFD - he disputed the claim. He did not want the
governor's promised PFD. He wanted a functional state.
Co-Chair Foster relayed that the governor had just modified
his special session call to meet in Juneau.
2:38:37 PM
ELIZABETH DOBBINS, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of the
bill. She highlighted sections of the constitution that the
legislature shall provide for welfare of the state's
citizens. She stressed that the provisions did not mean the
welfare of the legislature, governor, or corporate
interests. She asked the legislature to restore any funding
possible. She spoke to the importance of supporting
citizens' health and welfare.
2:40:48 PM
LANSING HAYES, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), was
opposed to the bill. He relied on the PFD and wanted it to
be continued. He did not think the PFD should be fought
over or taken for residents' hands.
2:42:10 PM
SUSI GREGG FOWLER, SELF, JUNEAU LIO (via teleconference),
testified in favor of the bill. She pointed to the shocking
news of the University's downgrading by Moody's. She
clarified it meant that any borrowing would become more
expensive. She pointed out that Alaska was the only state
now without an arts council. She opposed cuts to human
services. She opposed the governor's vetoes that she
believed were a slap in the face to the legislature's work
on a compromise. She supported the smaller PFD and would
support scaling back services over a period of years if
cuts were necessary. She did not believe that was
necessary. She supported cuts to oil tax credits. She
honored the courage it took to review fiscal policy.
2:45:03 PM
ERIN WALKER-TOLLES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
SERVICE, JUNEAU LIO (via teleconference), supported the
legislation. She was concerned about the most vulnerable
Alaskans including children, seniors, individuals with
disabilities, and all Alaskans. She opposed the vetoes and
a massive PFD. The plan would cause suffering all across
the state. She believed the governor's plan would send the
state into economic chaos and would limit children's
opportunities for education, resilience, and other. She
asked the legislature to consider what it meant for the
future of Alaska. She asked for services balanced with a
reasonable PFD.
2:47:24 PM
CHARLES SWANTON, SELF, JUNEAU LIO (via teleconference),
supported the bill. He reported he was a former deputy
commissioner for the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). He
had seen many communities across the state firsthand;
however, given revenue challenges facing the state, a
$3,000 PFD was not feasible. The state had a revenue
problem. He supported a comprehensive fiscal plan for the
state. He implored the legislature to develop and complete
a plan. He asked the legislature to restore all vetoes. He
came to Alaska in 1979 as a transfer student to UAF. He
held the University as near and dear to his heart. He
stressed the system needed a review that should not involve
faculty. He thanked the committee for its time and work.
Representative Josephson asked if Mr. Swanton had looked
into the $1 million cut to DFG and habitat and subsistence.
Mr. Swanton replied that he had not been following the
budget debate with regard to DFG. His understanding was DFG
was one of the few departments that had received favorable
attention from a fiscal standpoint. He was not aware of
where the $1 million cut was directed. He addressed two
PCNs and noted that in terms of some of the work that
needed to be done, the positions could offer protection and
oversight for services and oversight. He thought the
positions offered a level of broader perspective during
directors' meetings within the department that was
beneficial.
2:53:02 PM
SUSAN BURGESS, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of the bill.
She was dismayed by the governor's vetoes and found the
cuts to the University dismaying. She supported the
compromise budget passed by the legislature. She referenced
the recent downgrade by Moody's to the University of
Alaska. She had been told by her representatives that it
was not too late to put some money back into the budget and
she hoped it was true.
2:55:07 PM
DAVID JAMES, SELF, FBX LIO, shared the importance of
education with a personal story. He opposed the governor's
cuts to the University System. His father valued higher
education greatly. He implored members to restore funding
to the University.
2:57:42 PM
JASMINE NICKELL, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001. She indicated that Alaska was a unique state. She did
not agree with the governor's approach to taking care of
Alaskans. She spoke of attending the University System
which had led to a profitable job for her. She talked about
working at a homeless youth facility in Fairbanks. She did
not think it was okay to give up on Alaska. She asked
members to fix the state's issues.
3:00:49 PM
CAROLYN LOEFFLER, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001 and the
committee substitute. She spoke in opposition to the
governor's cuts to the budget. She felt the governor's
actions were irresponsible. She believed the governor's
budget had thrown the baby out with the bathwater. She
asserted that the PFD had slowly eroded the economy. She
favored a tax and for her PFD to be taken. She supported
the legislature's bipartisan efforts.
3:03:07 PM
LIBBY DALTON SLANE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in opposition
to HB 2001. She highlighted spending statistics throughout
the country on education. She supported cuts to education.
She supported alternative sources of revenues. She did not
agree with all of the governor's vetoes and the cuts to the
University were crippling. She stressed there was not
enough money to go around anymore.
3:06:00 PM
MAUREEN LONGWORTH, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference),
testified in support of the bill. She supported a reduced
PFD and funding for the ferries, healthcare, and services.
Without the restoration of services people would be forced
to leave Alaska. She pointed out that people were afraid to
invest in Alaska. She asked the legislature to take back
the state and restore services.
3:07:32 PM
TERRY HAINES, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), testified
in support of the bill. He thought the state was turning
itself into a third world country. He stressed that the
dysfunctional budget meant no one wanted to invest in the
state. He supported the budget passed by the legislature in
the current year. He thought the state needed a fiscal plan
and broad-based tax. He supported an income tax, sales tax
or combination of both. He stated that all of Alaska's
wealth came from rural areas. He thought the state needed
to give back with PCE or other.
3:10:03 PM
ERIC LINSCHEID, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of the bill. The bill included a capital budget,
funds for services, and a reduced PFD. He asked Alaskans
what size PFD they wanted. He considered a $3,000 dividend.
He stated that there was enough to pay a $3,000 PFD for
five years and then it would be reduced to zero. He thought
there should be information on the website to help Alaskans
understand the impact of the different PFD sizes.
3:12:23 PM
MILA COSGROVE, CITY AND BOROUGH OF JUNEAU, DEPUTY CITY MGR,
JUNEAU (via teleconference), urged the committee to restore
funding to essential public services. The governor's cuts
were harmful to Alaskans and would create economic harm
likely pushing the state into another recession. The city
would lose $5.5 million in FY 20. The cuts came after the
city worked hard and long to create its budget. She
reviewed entities that would lose funding including
education, University, social services, workforce
development, and other. The city understood that budgets
were challenging, but it was irresponsible to make cuts
without determining their impacts or working with
communities. She requested the legislature to find a path
forward that balanced long-term sustainability and fiscal
responsibility.
3:15:26 PM
KEVIN KREIN, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the legislation. He opposed the governor's
vetoes. He stressed that earing a dividend could not
replace earning a living and a healthy economy; dividends
could supplement an income but could not replace one. He
did not believe Alaska's dependence on oil as its sole
source of revenue was feasible in the long-term. He
stressed the need to diversify the state's economy. He
stated that the vetoes would have long-term negative
consequences for Alaska.
3:18:10 PM
ELLIOT WILSON, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
provided two scenarios about the fiscal situation. He
suggested progressive PFDs. He shared that his PFD had
helped him substantially over the years. He detailed that
he no longer needed the PFD; however, it would help many
families who needed it. He stressed the importance of the
PFD to low income families. He voiced support for Head
Start and early education. He understood the state spent a
lot of money on the budget, but the state received large
federal matching grants.
3:22:15 PM
MELANIE ENGRAM, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of the
bill. She strongly supported an override of the governor's
vetoes and supported a PFD of about $960. She wanted to
increase revenue by reducing the oil tax credits. She
supported an income tax. She believed state spending
reductions were needed, but they needed to be done
responsibly. She supported a robust state government. She
supported funds for road construction, Head Start, and the
University.
Representative Adam Wool remarked on testimony about the
need to reduce the state's budget. He stated that about $1
billion had been cut from the budget in the past five
years. He spoke to points on the constitution and pointed
out that the PFD was not part of the constitution. He spoke
to marijuana, alcohol, and motor fuel taxes and revenue
they each brought in. He noted that the governor was
elected to run the executive branch and legislators were
all elected to the legislative branch.
3:27:29 PM
BONNIE BLAYDES, SOUP KITCHEN, FBX LIO, testified in support
of the bill. She shared that state services had helped her
with addiction, job skills, and to be a productive member
of society.
3:28:35 PM
MARNA SANFORD, TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE, FBX LIO, testified
in support of the bill. She highlighted the importance of
Medicaid. She reported the dollars put into Medicaid came
back many times over to society. She stressed opposition to
the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) reverse sweep. She
underscored that the PCE was not a giveaway. She reported
high energy costs in rural communities. She supported
libraries, public defenders, courts, community matching
grants. The services provided by the state were critical.
3:32:17 PM
Co-Chair Foster noted that Representative Tilton,
Representative Sullivan-Leonard, and Representative Merrick
were all listening on the phone.
3:32:56 PM
KAREN TABER, BIG BROTHER, BIG SISTER OF AK, FBX LIO, spoke
in support of the bill. She loved the state and loved that
it cared about its people. She spoke to the need to care
for the most vulnerable people. She supported a reversal of
the governor's vetoes.
3:34:49 PM
ALLISON LEE, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill. She spoke
in support of a viable budget compromise. She shared
information about her work in Alaska with seniors and
disabled. She spoke to the importance of work to help
individuals with health and safety. She asked the committee
to stand behind its work on a compromise budget. She
supported funds for seniors, children, and vulnerable
Alaskans. She provided a quote related to solving problems.
She thanked the committee for its hard work. She asked the
legislature to implement a tax on citizens.
3:37:26 PM
PAT IVEY, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of the bill. She
stressed the importance of funds for the University. She
noted that UAF was one of the top ten US universities of
its size. She highlighted Arctic research. She opposed cuts
to senior programs such as Meals on Wheels. She supported
the committee's efforts to restore the governor's vetoes.
She pointed out that every other entity in the U.S. that
gave dividends did not distribute them when there was no
money. Alaskans were suffering stress due to the budget
problems facing the state. She invited members to a local
event.
Representative Wool spoke to the UAF rating and pointed out
that the number one university in that category was Cal
Tech.
3:41:52 PM
PHYLLIS ERHART, SELF, TANANA (via teleconference),
supported the bill and opposed the vetoes. She opposed cuts
to Head Start, the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO)
program, the University, public services, PCE, community
matching grants, and other. She shared that all of her
children had benefitted from Head Start. She stated that
the community would lose employees due to cuts to the
University. She stressed that the elimination of PCE funds
would triple the energy bills in rural Alaska. She thanked
the committee and hoped the cuts would be reversed. She
supported working together. She wanted the legislature to
stop the abuse of power. She stressed the importance of
education and scholarship programs. She pointed out that
many people opposed the cuts.
3:45:16 PM
ELISE KUBO, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), was in
favor of the bill. She supported the arts council,
education, AMHS, the University, education grants, Head
Start, early education, and healthcare. She did not support
a $3,000 PFD, which was no substitute for consistent income
that would be lost by people losing their jobs.
3:47:05 PM
SONTA ROACH, SELF, SHAQELUK (via teleconference), supported
the bill and a restoration of the budget passed by the
legislature. She shared that she was a teacher in the
community and a business owner. She spoke to the access to
opportunity in the University system. She attended the
University of Alaska. She supported PCE that helped with
high rural energy costs. She reported she and her husband
had decided to go off the grid due to high energy costs in
the community. Entities in Alaska were expert at leveraging
funds. She did not believe the governor should have as much
control over the state - elected legislators were familiar
with their communities.
3:50:30 PM
JIM DOWDSON, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), supported
the bill. He was opposed to unstudied cuts to essential
services. He provided an example of how the cuts would
impact the community. He shared that there had been
substantial growth in the military industry in the
Fairbanks region that had created hundreds of jobs. The
military sector was attracted to the region in part of the
UAF research system. The two entities worked together
almost daily. He stated that the forefathers had created
the Permanent Fund to help with essential government
services. He urged the committee to restore budget cuts
made by the governor. He stressed that the cuts would drive
the state into a deep recession that would last for many
years.
3:53:52 PM
MIKE SCOTT, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), shared
information about his career working for various city
governments in Alaska. He supported the PCE program. He had
worked with former Governor Jay Hammond who had been an
ardent supporter of the Permanent Fund. He referenced PCE
that was about equalization. He provided information about
the history of energy programs in the state including the
past Four Dam Pool project. He believed the legislature
needed to prioritize lifeline services that were needed for
residents to live. He stressed the energy services were not
extravagant. He thought an area differential should be
applied to the PFD because $1,000 in Ambler did not buy the
same amount it would buy in Anchorage.
3:58:28 PM
DIANA RAMSTAD, SELF, FBX LIO, shared information about her
family's history in Alaska. She shared that she lived in a
dry cabin. She shared personal information about her
health. She had worked to learn to communicate, and she was
accepted into the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) to
study to become an elementary school teacher. She urged the
committee to restore the cuts affected by the vetoes. She
relayed that she had always accepted PFDs and even with her
financial hardships she planned to donate to the
University. She appreciated the ability to testify.
4:02:45 PM
JOHN DAVIES, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in favor of HB 2001.
He spoke in support of funding for the University of
Alaska. He shared that the Elementary School Education
program had received a national education accreditation and
was ranked 16th in the country. He felt that the university
system should be state funded. He remarked that the
University provided 92 percent of the workforce development
in the state. He felt that a 41 percent cut would destroy
the University. He remarked that students were choosing to
go to college elsewhere, and that the university's credit
rating had recently been downgraded.
4:06:01 PM
LINDA SCHANDELMER, SELF, FBX LIO, urged the restoration of
funding and reverse sweep so the scholarships could be
reenacted. She felt that the governor's vetoes would gut
the university system. She shared a story of how the budget
cuts were already impacting Alaskans. She spoke against
cuts to public broadcasting; she spoke in support of
funding for K-12 education programs; and opposed cuts to
the Alaska State Council on the Arts.
4:08:35 PM
CHARLES LEMKE, FAIRBANKS SYMPHONY, FBX LIO, felt that there
should be an examination of all the impacts of the budget
cuts. He shared that there was a strong music department at
UAF. He felt that further cuts and elimination of the music
department could eliminate the Fairbanks Symphony
Orchestra. He remarked that it would continue to have an
impact on many other Fairbanks music programming.
4:11:18 PM
JEAN JAMES, SELF, FBX LIO, felt that everyone needed to
vote. She noted that only approximately 23 percent of
registered voters voted for the governor. She felt that the
governor did not have the majority of Alaska's support. She
remarked that the governor had stated that he would not cut
the University budget. She urged the committee to
reestablish the budget. She stressed that there should be a
discussion about the oil tax credits. She also noted a
concern about the state's bond rating. She believed the
state needed to increase its revenues and supported an
income tax.
4:14:10 PM
JUDITH GRUNAU, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001,
and the reduction to the PFD. She encouraged the
legislature to examine other sources of revenue. She also
spoke in support of an income tax. She felt that Alaska was
one big small state. She also spoke in support of the State
Council on the Arts.
4:17:06 PM
BECKY ANDERSON, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001.
She spoke in support of saving the Alaska State Council on
the Arts. She read a statement from one of the founders of
the Alaska Council on the Arts. She remarked that without a
state commitment to the Alaska Council on the Arts, the
agency would not be eligible to secure a share of federal
arts funds. She asked the legislature to come together to
devise a more sensical budget that would not cause the
state to implode.
Representative Knopp shared that he had recently read that
the Alaska State Council on the Arts had closed its
Anchorage office. He asked what would happen if funding was
restored.
Ms. Anderson replied it was her understanding that the
office had closed but the council was in a holding pattern
hoping that funds would be reinstated into the budget.
4:22:33 PM
ABEL BUFF-HO, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in strong support of HB
2001. He shared that he is a professor at UAF and owned a
small biotech startup company with his wife. He believed
the governor's vetoes would bring the state back to the
dark ages. He pointed out that the PFD check was not a
right, but a privilege. He suggested a compromise by making
the PFD income dependent so that the governor could give
$3,000 to residents who needed it most and give $500 to
residents who did not need it. He asked the legislature to
unite and develop a reasonable compromise.
4:24:13 PM
DAVID DELONG, SELF, FBX LIO spoke in support of HB 2001. He
shared that he had two sons in the Fairbanks North Star
school system who were receiving an excellent education. He
thought the governor was perpetrating destruction on
Alaska. He emphasized that the cuts would cost the state
millions of federal matching dollars for road projects,
research funds, and other. He stressed that the PFD program
was a socialist program. He recalled that the Permanent
Fund had been established as a method to fund government
when oil money ran out. He supported discontinuing oil tax
credits.
4:27:10 PM
JULIE SMYTH, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of education
programs. She testified in opposition to education cuts and
vetoes. She shared that she was a student at UAF - she
needed to make sure she had a school to attend and could
not afford to leave the state.
Vice-Chair Johnston asked what PSH and IAC stood for.
Ms. Smyth replied that PSH stood for Permanent Supportive
Housing and IAC stood for Interior Alaska Center for
Nonviolent Living. She provided information about the
programs.
4:32:09 PM
MICHAEL COOK, SELF, FBX LIO, highlighted that the PFD had
been voted on by the people of Alaska based on the promise
that its earnings would fund government. He stressed it was
important to keep that process. He supported the
legislature's original budget. He listed important items
needed by the industries of Alaska. He stated that the
socialistic model of issuing a PFD that was too large
needed to be used carefully or there would not be
reasonable investment in a successful capitalistic economy.
He stressed the need for investment in education beginning
with Pre-K. He highlighted the need for public safety. He
felt that a reasonable dividend at approximately $1,000 was
acceptable.
4:34:27 PM
Vice-Chair Johnston shared that she knew the testifier. She
asked for verification that there had been a vote on the
Permanent Fund in 1976 and the PFD was not in the state's
constitution.
Mr. Cook agreed. He highlighted that the promise had been
to fund state government.
Vice-Chair Johnston remarked that when the state had kept
rights for subsurface lands, it had been done to prove to
the rest of the country that it could afford to take care
of itself.
Mr. Cook replied in the affirmative. He reported that the
same was true for the allocation of lands from the federal
government to the state.
Vice-Chair Johnston highlighted that the constitutional
convention had occurred before Alaska had been accepted
into statehood. She asked for verification that the State
of Alaska had to go to Washington D.C. to prove it had the
collective wealth to become a state.
Mr. Cook replied in the affirmative.
Vice-Chair Johnston pointed out that the constitution and
Alaska's statehood contained the collective wealth of the
subsurface grounds.
Mr. Cook agreed.
Vice-Chair Johnston asked for verification that owning of
the subsurface rights was not a constitutional given
individual right.
4:37:13 PM
BERNARD HOTO, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001
with a reasonable PFD for those who desperately needed it.
He remarked that he had lived in Fairbanks for six years
and had originally moved to Fairbanks in the military. He
was currently studying political science at UAF. He
stressed that proper services were funded to keep
individuals safe. He felt that the citizens should not be
put in position to decide whether to use their PFD to fund
government services. He felt that all kinds of people were
looking to the legislature to solve the economic crisis.
4:39:45 PM
ROGER BURGGRAF, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001.
He considered himself a financial conservative and
understood the need to live "within our means." He felt
that the governor's vetoes would create a catastrophic
effect on the state and its economy. He supported a more
gradual budget reduction process, to bring the state's
economy in line. He wanted a good economic base with people
leading productive lives. He felt that an economic engine
was the University of Alaska. He stressed that the work of
the university was a vital tool to educate its students and
leverage federal funds for Arctic research. He stressed
that cuts should not be made that would put people out of
work.
4:43:28 PM
LINDA GREEN, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001.
She expressed that she was terrified that opportunities
would not be available for her children. She shared that
her husband and members of his family had attended the
University. She was concerned he would lose his new job at
the University due to the cuts.
4:45:52 PM
MICHAEL RUSSELL LILLY, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke against the
governor's vetoes. He agreed with many business
representatives in the state and felt that there would be a
drastic widespread loss of jobs. He stated that the U.S.
Permafrost Association strongly supported the University of
Alaska system. Alaska needed a strong Alaska workforce.
4:47:57 PM
DAVID MCDOWELL, SELF, FBX LIO, felt that the original
budget had too many reductions. He suggested that the
budget had been too continually reduced in the most recent
five years. He felt that the budget had not kept up with
population growth and inflation. He shared that he had
cleaned up contaminated sites from resource extraction. He
encouraged stronger regulation around contamination due to
resource extraction. He also spoke in support of the arts.
4:51:34 PM
STEVE GINNIS, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001.
He felt that the issue was not about politics. The issue
was about peoples' lives. He felt that the governor was not
good at communicating his intent regarding Medicaid
expansion. He remarked that many people needed detox
programs. He queried the status of the $1 million grant. He
remarked that he would like better communication. He
stressed that the cutting of health programs impacted real
people. He felt that the state must take care of the
elders, because of their contributions to the state. He
remarked that the budget impacted all races. He quoted
former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, "To hell with politics. Do
the right thing."
4:56:01 PM
ERIKA BURR, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. She
stated that the key factor in her returning to live in
Alaska was the opportunity to receive a strong education
and have a strong community.
4:58:01 PM
BETH ZIRBES, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001.
She was concerned about the cuts to the University. She
also spoke in support of an income tax.
4:59:44 PM
CONSTANTINE KHRULEV, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB
2001. He urged the legislature to restore the governor's
vetoes. He did not believe cuts alone would achieve a
balanced budget. He supported a state income tax, sales
tax, and an adjustment to the tax credits received by the
oil industry. He believed it was time to reconsider the
PFD. He considered that abolishing the PFD
disproportionately impacted people in need. He supported
replacing the PFD with needs-based assistance.
5:01:15 PM
JEANNE MARS ARMSTRONG, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill.
She believed providing social services supporting citizens'
needs was a responsibility of state leaders. She thought
that issuing a large PFD at the cost of wrecking the health
and careers of Alaskans was ridiculous and irresponsible.
She noted that the legislature had worked hard to
compromise on a good and reasonable budget. She asked the
legislature to reign in the governor and to provide
critically needed services and a reduced PFD.
5:03:46 PM
SARAH STANLEY, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the
legislation. She shared that she is a teacher at the
University. She spoke about the common experience of
testifiers waiting to speak in the room. She spoke about
community, which was about connection and time. She
reasoned that time was a resource as well as money. She
highlighted that people could control their time and where
they spend it. She appreciated the time committee members
were giving to testifiers.
Representative Knopp remarked that he was very impressed
with the public for its participation and attention paid to
the process.
5:08:13 PM
NATE BAUER, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the
bill. He stated that insanity was doing the same thing over
and over and expecting different results. He thought that
the governor had ignored recent evidence from failed Koch
sponsored budget slashing programs. He discussed the
failure of former Kansas Governor Brownback's cuts to the
government. He spoke against the vetoes that he believed
would do tremendous damage to the state. He did not support
a fat PFD check at the expense to Alaska's economy,
education systems, and social safety net.
5:11:14 PM
RACHAEL DELACHANTE, ALASKA LEGAL SERVICES, FBX LIO,
testified in support of the bill. She had moved to
Fairbanks several years back through an AmeriCorps
fellowship focused on addressing elder abuse. She
highlighted services provided by the agency. The agency was
currently forced to turn away one person for every person
it could represent. She stressed that cuts would make the
numbers worse.
5:13:48 PM
ROB BORLAND, SELF, FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, supported the bill
and did not believe a huge dividend was needed. He shared
that he was a UAF alumni.
5:14:44 PM
SUSAN HENRICHS, SELF, FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, testified in favor
of the bill. She supported the budget originally passed by
the legislature. She urged the restoration of cuts made by
the governor's vetoes to the University, education, and
other areas. She underscored that a $3,000 would not
compensate for loss of services, educational opportunities,
and other. She highlighted the federal funds that would be
lost.
5:17:39 PM
SUE SHERIF, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill. She asked
the legislature to restore the vetoed funding. She
elaborated that the vetoed programs including Online With
Libraries, Medicaid, the University, and other all had
direct impacts on Alaskans' lives. She stressed that no
Alaskans would be untouched by the governor's actions. A
smaller PFD, no PFD, and a larger PFD with an income tax
were all areas for negotiation and compromise. She did not
believe Alaska could not afford a state arts council or
Head Start. She listed other programs she found important.
5:20:52 PM
LINDSAY LOVE, ALASKA LEGAL SERVICES, FBX LIO, testified in
support of the bill. She shared that when low income
Alaskans could not access legal services, they faced dire
consequences. She stressed that Alaska Legal Services
provided representation for individuals who were the most
isolated and vulnerable members of the community. She urged
the committee to consider what it would cost if the service
disappeared. She supported access to healthcare, safe
housing, and education. She emphasized that without Alaska
Legal Services, countless Alaskans would fall through the
cracks.
5:23:47 PM
JOYCE POTTER, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the legislation. She
was horrified by the governor's cuts. She asked the
legislature to restore funding to the programs. She urged
the legislature to work for the common good of all Alaskans
to support health and safety in all communities. She
supported the University and its work on climate change
research. She supported services for homeless and other
vulnerable populations. She thought the governor's budget
would cripple the state for years to come. She thought the
budget was not intended to be balanced or fair. She asked
the legislature to tax residents.
5:26:47 PM
HAYDEN NEVILL, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in favor of the bill.
He asked the legislature to restore the funding cuts made
by the governor. He likened the cuts to a cannon ball into
a swimming pool. He stated that cuts to Medicaid would mean
more people would use emergency rooms and result in a
higher expense. He highlighted the importance of Head
Start. He supported a graduated income tax and supported
rolling back oil tax credits. He supported a modest PFD. He
did not believe a windfall PFD was necessary to do its
work. He did not believe the PFD and budget had to be tied
together as the rhetoric had been. He asked the legislature
to restore the governor's cuts.
5:29:18 PM
HANNOH FOSS, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill. She was in
favor of a restoration of the governor's cuts. She spoke to
her education through the University. She thought that the
cuts would result in a loss in educational opportunity. She
thanked the legislature and asked it to support the bill.
5:31:28 PM
MR. PRENTZEL, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke against the oil tax
structure. He stated that oil companies were earning
approximately twice as much in Alaska as they were anywhere
else in the world. Additionally, the state was paying the
industry to do so. The state was on the hook for over $1
billion. He thought the current problems were a symptom of
the disease, which was how the state taxed the oil
companies.
5:35:14 PM
ROBYN RUSSELL, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in strong support of
the bill. She was opposed to the governor's vetoes. She
shared a story illustrating how education could change a
person's life. She stated that education and all services
the governor was vetoing were hand-ups, not handouts.
5:37:15 PM
TEKA LAMADE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the
bill. She worked for Alaska Legal Services. She shared that
the greatest demand for help was separating from abusive
relationships. She spoke to the intimidating and terrifying
process for clients. She provided a list of fears facing
clients. The agency partnered with UAF to provide
internships for paralegal students. She listed other
services provided by the agency. She shared that if funding
was not restored, the office was at risk of losing staff.
She asked the committee to consider preserving funding for
the agency.
5:40:02 PM
BRUNO GRUNAU, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill. He thanked
the committee for all of its work. He thought about the
future of his children. He highlighted a recent USA Today
article listing Alaska's economy as 49th. All of the top
tier economies were based on an educated workforce and
population, whereas, the worst were resource extraction
states. He did not believe a $3,000 PFD was necessary. He
suggested investing in education and technology. He
suggested using the PFD for state services or a giving out
a PFD and implementing an income tax.
5:43:09 PM
RONALD TEEL, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill. Most of the
cuts had matching federal funds. He thought people in
Fairbanks would rather have a job instead of a $3,000 PFD.
He thought it was the time to look for other revenues
including a sales tax or income tax on salaried workers. He
suggested taxing large tourism corporations and reducing
credits to oil companies.
5:47:51 PM
BARBARA HANEY, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference),
testified against the bill. She thought the committee was
listening to a limited population. She did not support a
reduced PFD. She stated the private sector was responsible
for generating jobs and prosperity. She stated that those
advocating for a restoration of cuts worked for the
University. She supported the governor.
5:50:36 PM
MARTHA MALLOTT, SELF AND YAKUTAT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER,
YAKUTAT (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
legislation. She was concerned about the detrimental cuts
to education. She referenced research showing the positive
impacts of Head Start and early childhood education. She
pointed out that the cost of living would increase
drastically with the cuts to PCE. She shared that Medicaid
was one of the biggest payers for healthcare services. She
reported that Indian Health Service was not guaranteed and
was not an insurance. She asked how they could continue to
care for community if the programs were all eliminated. She
urged the legislature to come up with a solution to benefit
all Alaskans.
5:53:36 PM
DANIEL LYNCH, SELF, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference), was PFD-
neutral. He provided insight on past PFDs and listed former
amounts. He stated that no one had complained or whined in
the past because everyone had been in it together. He
observed that the situation had become divided, which was
not positive. He stated that everyone liked certainty. He
pointed out that cuts made to the PFD by former Governor
Walker had blindsided citizens when they were expecting a
check. He thought the situation had been fouled up by the
legislature in the two subsequent years. He suggested
keeping the old formula with the five-year average with a
new five-year plan: people would receive full PFDs for four
years and on the fifth year there would be no dividend. He
stated that every fifth year the funds would all go to
state government. He detailed that the change would not
require a constitutional amendment. He requested that the
legislature ask Mr. Teal or Ms. Rodell of the Alaska
Permanent Fund Corporation (APFC) to run the numbers.
5:56:46 PM
JULIE NIELSEN, SELF, JUNEAU LIO (via teleconference), spoke
in support of HB 2001. She was a small business owner and
had testified previously. She thought the governor's vetoes
were short-sighted. She was concerned with the UA credit
rating downgrade. She supported a state income tax and
thought there were several other options to pay for
services. People needed to work together.
5:58:41 PM
JASON TANDLER, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of the legislation. He requested that his PFD amount
be applied towards restoring all of the governor's vetoes.
He believed that if any funds were remaining, a reasonable
PFD should be considered. He did not believe $3,000 was
reasonable, responsible, or sustainable. He stressed that
the state's most vulnerable residents would bear the burden
of the cuts. He thought the situation would cost far more
at the end of the day than would be gained by a onetime
welfare check that was politely named a PFD. He thought a
$1,600 PFD was a generous gift given the state's fiscal
situation.
MARTHA MCKINEY, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference),
supported the legislation. She asked for restored funding
for K-12 education, the University, Medicaid, and the arts
council. She believed a $3,000 was outrageous and
irresponsible. She encouraged an income tax and increased
alcohol tax. She asked the legislature to work together.
6:01:43 PM
DON CRANDALL, ANCHORAGE FAITH AND ACTION CONGREGATIONS
TOGETHER, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported the
bill and the reversal of vetoes. He shared that on July 7
the organization had hosted a meeting that was attended by
over 250 people in Anchorage - the congregations had heard
how the vetoes would affect homeless and the most
vulnerable in Anchorage and across the state. He shared
that shelter beds would be reduced, housing assistance
programs would be eliminated, and families would be forced
onto the streets. He stated that a budget balanced at the
cost of the state's most vulnerable and at the cost of the
state's economic future was unacceptable. The organizations
supported a PFD of $979 and believed the bill was a good
starting point for negotiations.
6:03:57 PM
RHONDA PITKA, BEAVER VILLAGE COUNCIL, BEAVER VILLAGE (via
teleconference), supported the bill. She was encouraged the
legislature would be meeting in Juneau soon. She had
received calls concerned about the loss of senior benefits
and the PCE program. She reported the cost of energy in her
community without PCE. She spoke to the intent of PCE to
give villages parity with urban areas - even with the
program energy was more expensive. She spoke against cuts
to the University and the recent Moody's rating downgrade.
She spoke in support of the VPSO program. She thanked the
committee for its time.
6:07:08 PM
LISA SMITH FIEGEL, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of the bill and a reduced PFD. Shared
that she is a Lutheran pastor, homeowner, and mother. She
was representing herself and a moms' group called Growing
Alaskan Leaders who advocate for all kids in the state. She
opposed the governor's vetoes. She urged support of Head
Start, UAA, Medicaid, youth programs, and other. She spoke
about a program aiming to help with childhood trauma. She
asked if the state could afford not to invest in children.
She provided details about the children participating in
the residential treatment home - AK Child and Family in
Anchorage - for youth who experience trauma. She spoke to
the successes and benefits of the facility. She asked the
legislature to support the bill.
6:09:39 PM
TERRY CHAPIN, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the
bill. He opposed the governor's vetoes and urged the
legislature to overturn them. He shared that when he had
moved to Alaska 50 years earlier, he had been impressed by
the sense of community and friendship. He recalled that
political beliefs had not mattered in the way people
related to each other. He understood the legislature had
worked together to develop its budget, which made him
optimistic. He urged that the PFD be kept at a reasonable
level and that other ways to fund state government be
looked at for the long-term.
6:12:53 PM
GORDON WILLIAMS, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the
bill. He shared his personal story in Alaska. He worked as
faculty for UAF. He recalled when the PFD had been
instituted - the Permanent Fund had not been established to
merely write checks to residents. He stressed that a $3,000
PFD would not buy good schools for children, help the
elderly and disabled, pave roads, transport goods, protect
natural resources, or protect and assist individuals
impacted by domestic violence or sexual assault. He
questioned large oil tax credits. He asked the legislature
to tax residents.
6:15:22 PM
JULIE MAIER, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the
bill. She supported the legislature's bipartisan budget.
She had moved to Alaska 30 years earlier and reported that
the thing that differentiated the state from others is that
the people take care of one another. She stressed that the
governor's cuts were un-Alaskan. She stated that the budget
was being balanced on the backs of the most vulnerable. She
spoke in support of UAF. She stressed its importance as an
economic engine for the region. She wanted a restoration of
all of the vetoes. She supported lowering oil tax credits
to companies.
6:18:17 PM
SHOSHANA KUN, FAIRBANKS COUNSELING, FBX LIO, supported HB
2001. She supported overriding all of the governor's
vetoes. She thanked Representative Knopp for his
compassion. She thought it was unfair for the one-third of
the legislature to hold the rest of the legislature
hostage. She thanked all of the Majority members on the
committee for their efforts and courage to come together.
6:21:10 PM
HANNAH KUN, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the
legislation. She asked for support for the Alaska State
Council on the Arts. She shared that privileges she had in
grades 2 through 6 had been cut including band, orchestra,
art, and other extracurricular programs. She was
disappointed in the governor and some members of the
legislature. She stressed that the situation was
devastating and life changing.
6:22:23 PM
KARYN JANSSEN, SELF, FBX LIO, recalled paying a head tax
and a payroll tax which paid for state services. She
recalled receiving the first PFD which was supposed to be
capped at $1,000. She commented on the changes made by
Governor Walker. She encouraged a state income tax,
additional gas tax, and the elimination of oil tax credits.
She did not want to see the state lose federal match
funding. She urged members to override the governor's
vetoes.
6:25:29 PM
BONNIE WOLSTAD, SELF, FBX LIO, she thought there had been
forethought given to the creation of the Permanent Fund -
it had been created as a savings account with the knowledge
that oil revenues would reduce over time. She stated that
the legislature created the dividend and should untangle
the knot the PFD had created. She spoke against the
administration's elimination of senior benefits and
scholarships with no warning. She stressed that no one knew
what the impact would be on hunting resulting from the
governor's veto of federal Pittman-Robertson funds. She
relayed that the original dividend was $50 per person. She
implored members to come together and solve the problem.
6:27:45 PM
HOWARD MAXWELL, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of HB 2001. He appreciated the efforts
made by members to come up with a solution. He thought it
was important for people to take care of each other. He
thought a big compromise was needed. He relayed that he was
a teacher and questioned his dedication to Alaska and his
love for the state. He spoke in support of education. He
appreciated the governor allowing the special session to be
held in Juneau.
6:31:56 PM
CARLY SWEEN, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of HB 2001. She supported the
University, the arts, and a robust economy in Fairbanks.
She had received her master's at UAF. She thought Alaska
needed to be a place that encouraged to live in it. She did
not think it would be easy to attract quality teachers as a
result of the governor's vetoes. She supported several
other state services. She thought it was very irresponsible
to close homeless shelters in the state. She encouraged
building resources for the state. She supported a state
income tax.
6:34:45 PM
KEN GRIFFIN, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), testified
in opposition to HB 2001. He did not want other people
deciding where his PFD money was to be spent. He thought
the state had a massive spending problem. He encouraged a
strong fiscal house. He wanted a sustainable budget which
included trimming the fat. He had been eligible for a PFD
for 22 years but had not accepted it every year. He
reiterated that additional cuts were needed. He would
support a $2,000 dividend.
6:37:48 PM
REBECCA BRICE HENDERSON, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in
support of HB 2001. She had lived in Fairbanks for 50
years. The University of Fairbanks had played a large role
in her life. She served on the board of the Rasmussen
Foundation. She agreed with all who spoke about the
devastating effects of the governor's vetoes. She indicated
the PFD meant different things to different people. For her
it had helped with fuel bills. She thanked the committee.
6:41:35 PM
ROBIN WEINANT, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001 and restoring the vetoes. She also supported a
balanced budget. Although she would enjoy a $3,000
dividend, she did not want to see additional property
taxes. She thought everyone should contribute by receiving
a smaller dividend. She also thought additional taxes were
necessary.
6:43:56 PM
Representative Josephson thanked all of the people that
testified in Fairbanks. He appreciated everyone's time.
Co-Chair Foster relayed that the governor had agreed to
holding the remainder of the session in Juneau.
6:45:22 PM
JEANETTE GRASTO, NAMI FAIRBANKS, FBX LIO, supported
overriding the governor's vetoes. The legislature had
already passed a budget that had not addressed the total
need, but it had not been balanced on the backs of the most
vulnerable Alaskans. She was unclear what government
leaders thought - she wondered if they believed not
adequately funding services for individuals with serious
mental illness and other disabilities would make the
problems go away. She stressed that services were
necessary. She spoke of the inadequacy of many of the
programs including mental health programs. She talked about
mental health patients sitting in jail.
6:48:08 PM
PAM BRADLEY, SELF, FBX LIO, was a resident of Fairbanks for
more than 46 years. She had gone to UAF and received her
degree. She shared that she did not earn a high income. She
believed the PFD should have been slashed in half long ago.
She was currently a cab driver and had heard all sorts of
things. She thought the budget vetoes created serious
problems. She spoke of additional military moving into
Fairbanks. She talked about the PFD attracting people to
the state.
6:51:13 PM
SHARON ALDEN, SELF, FBX LIO, appreciated the work that was
done to send a balanced budget to the governor. She
appreciated the bipartisan coalition working together. She
mentioned the Moody's downgrade of the University. She
believed it was a statement on how they felt about the
governor's vetoes. She noted the agricultural programs that
were having the rug pulled out from under them. She
mentioned the cuts to the Ocean Ranger program and the
Alaska Marine Highway System. She thought the governor was
cutting the budget to the bone. She opposed cuts to
education and the Adult Dental Program and programs that
served the needy. She commended those people who had never
testified before for getting out of their comfort zone.
6:55:06 PM
ALEX THORNTON, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001 and urged members to do the right thing. He was a
small business owner. He had to cancel his contracts
because of the budget cuts. He was a scientist and did
research. He was very concerned with Arctic research going
away.
6:57:23 PM
ALEX RAMOS, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001.
He did not support the governor's vetoes. He encouraged
people not to give up.
6:58:21 PM
JOHN CORNING, SELF, FBX LIO, had been a resident of Alaska
for 42 years. He thought Alaska needed to reinstate a state
income tax. It was a bad idea to get rid of it. He would
adjust it by capping it. He thought it was time for
Alaskans to pay their own way. He noted all of the people
talking about social programs. He thought social services
had become a big mat supporting people. He was a student at
UAF and received benefits as a senior. He reiterated that
it was time for people to pay their own way.
7:01:48 PM
MICHELLE HARPOLE, SELF, FBX LIO, opposed the governor's
vetoes and supported HB 2001. She shared that she had lived
in Alaska since Alaska was a territory. She had worked all
over the state. She expressed her sadness and concern about
living in Alaska in the way Dunleavy envisioned. She did
not think anyone had talked about the difficulty in
rebuilding programs. The programs had been built because
there was a need. She thought that if the programs were
decimated, it would take years to rebuild them. She stated
that time was of the essence. She was proud of Republicans
and Democrats working together. She urged members to
overturn the vetoes. She approved of being tax and
receiving a smaller PFD.
7:06:18 PM
EDWARD ALEXANDER, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB
2001 because of the impact to key programs throughout
Alaska. He spoke of the effects of losing funding for the
Head Start program. He noted the credit downgrade by
Moody's. He reported that 70 teachers that were currently
doing student teaching would be lost. They did not receive
pay; therefore free teachers would be lost. He mentioned a
number of programs that would be lost. He reiterated his
support of the committee substitute. He opposed the
governor's vetoes. He thanked the legislature for working
together.
7:09:58 PM
LARA LOTZE, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke of having been homeless.
She talked about reassessing revenue streams. She was a UAF
graduate after 22 years. She noted the contributions
professors had made. She provided background about her
family and their various roles in the state. She indicated
several core values of Alaska. She urged members to
override the governor's vetoes. She spoke about seeing a
need and filling it.
7:14:00 PM
MELANIE LINDHOLM, SELF, FBX LIO, was a UAF alumni. She
thought the oil companies should pay their fair share. She
provided a personal story about her child who had stage 4
cancer and was fighting to save her Medicaid. She wanted to
see real sustainable solutions including additional taxes
and the elimination of oil tax credits.
7:16:42 PM
ANNE ZUGGLES, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001. She would rather see a smaller PFD than lose
important programs, the University system, the arts, or
jobs. She asked members to uphold HB 2001.
7:19:16 PM
CHRISTOPHER ZIMMERMAN, SELF, FBX LIO, commended the
legislature for initiating HB 2001. He appreciated the
University. He suggested appropriating zero funding for the
PFD before negotiating. He also recommended funding the
capital budget to the degree in which was necessary to
receive federal funding. He asked members to take back the
power of the purse and back the governor up against the
wall.
7:21:56 PM
THOMAS SUCHLAND, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of
HB 2001. He disagreed with the governor's vision and
suggested that if he succeeded many people would leave the
state. If he did receive a $3,000, he would use it to move
away from the state.
7:24:35 PM
MARTHA HOOD, SELF, FBX LIO, graduated in May from UAS. She
was getting ready to get her master's degree. She relayed
that a $3,000 would not balance out the several cuts that
Alaska faced. She questioned whether she would have a job
after she completed her education. She came from a family
of educators. She claimed that the education department
fueled educators in Alaska. She opposed the governor's cuts
and urged members to overturn the vetoes and fund
education.
7:27:22 PM
DARLENE HERBERT, SELF, FBX LIO, was a resident of
Fairbanks. She relayed a message from her grandmother which
was that starvation was coming. She thought it was
beginning at present. She wondered why the governor was
imposing a genocide on Alaskans. She did not understand why
the governor was doing what he was doing. She relayed a
story of her sister's. She encouraged people to work things
out. She did not think the governor was interested in
serving Alaskans. She urged members to not listen to the
governor. She believed a sales tax was appropriate. She had
worked on the Slop for years and saw people taking their
money out of the state. She also spoke against giving money
to the oil companies. She urged members to stop giving
money away to rich entities.
7:32:57 PM
JAMIE ROGERS, SELF, FBX LIO, had been a miner for many
years. She told part of her life story. She eventually
ended up attending school and obtained a paralegal degree.
She talked about having never been a burden to the state.
She opposed the reverse sweep. She wanted a $3,000 PFD and
wanted previous PFDs owed to her. She spoke of previous
legislation to pay the remainder the PFD funds. She
supported all of the governor's cuts.
7:43:54 PM
KRISTAN KELLY, SELF, FBX LIO, reported hearing her
neighbors coming together and talking about their love for
Alaska. She fully agreed with others that thought the
budget was a bully budget that picked on the poor. She had
fallen in love with the state when she arrived. She was
proud to be an Alaskan. She had heard feedback while
traveling about the troubles in the state. Her son was
currently a student at the University and was threatened to
lose his scholarships. Her niece might have to leave the
state because of the reductions. She urged members to fight
for Alaskans.
7:46:58 PM
KARA CARLSON, SELF, FBX LIO, thought a full PFD was
completely irresponsible. She talked about all of the
special programs that had affected her life. She talked the
job she was in and how it served other Alaskans. She noted
that cuts to programs would negatively affect many
programs. She indicated her program was threatened due to
the reductions. She thought there was a priority issue. She
encouraged the members to support their budget that was
submitted to the governor.
7:50:03 PM
JOSHUA JASON LAZARUS, SELF, FBX LIO, was a University
professor and a resident in Fairbanks. He had seen the
budget reduced over the years and the faculty had had to
pull together. His son's education would be compromised. It
was likely that they would have to leave the state in order
to provide their son with a proper education. He favored
reducing the PFD in support of programs.
7:52:55 PM
DEANNA LAZARUS, SELF, FBX LIO, suggested the vetoes were
threatening her children's futures. She indicated that the
issue of the PFD was creating further division amongst
neighbors. She was very concerned for her son's future. She
did not believe her son's education would be up to par. She
also might lose her job with the University. She did not
believe the loss of future generations was worth a $3,000
PFD.
7:54:57 PM
TERRENCE COLE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001. He suggested the governor was perpetuating lies. He
indicated that the vetoes were 444 lies. The cuts were
ridiculous. He mentioned Dermot Cole's articles. The
governor was not upholding his promises. He did not recall
the governor promising to eliminate half of the
University's budget. He thanked members for having the
hearing.
7:58:06 PM
ELIZABETH SEIGEL, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of
HB 2001. She spoke of the lies told by the governor. The
University was operating on a shoestring. She knew people
that were preparing to leave the state. She urged the
legislature to stop the governor. She indicated that the
Alaska the governor envisioned was not the Alaska she lived
in.
8:02:52 PM
ANNE BIBERMAN, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. She spoke
in support of the Alaska Council on the Arts. She thought
taxes should be considered and a reduction to oil company
subsidies. She hoped the bill would restore funding to
programs and PCE. She spoke about the dire implications of
the lass of the arts council. She spoke of the benefits of
several programs. She encouraged members to support the
committee substitute. She thanked members.
8:06:03 PM
ANNA GODDUHM, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in opposition to the
governor's vetoes and supported HB 2001. She thanked the
committee.
8:07:50 PM
CHERYL KILGORE, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. She
worked for a community health care center. The board of
directors supported the legislature overriding the
governor's vetoes. She suggested the answer was to find a
balance. She expressed concerned with the health and
wellbeing of community members. She thanked the committee.
8:10:22 PM
ERIK LARGEN, SELF, FBX LIO, reported having to speak with
students that played intercollegiate athletes that they
might not have a future in Alaska. He spoke of all the
people and communities that would be affected. He thought
the state would be hurt economically and socially. The
decisions made by legislators had a rippling affect. He
hoped education and social programs would be a priority to
Alaska and legislators. He and his family would be leaving
if the vetoes were not overridden.
8:13:33 PM
SHARON LOCKWOOD, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001. She had lived in Alaska for 35 years. She appreciated
the story presented by the cab driver. She talked about
families that had been in her classroom. She did not
understand how one man could such harm to the state. She
commented that the governor called the session in Wasilla
to divide people. Alaska was unique. She believed it was a
shame that the state's council of the arts closed.
8:17:14 PM
MOLLY PROUE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of
HB 2001. She believed the governor's vetoes would affect
the lives of all Alaskans. She supported a reasonable and
reduced PFDs. She thought the entire society would suffer.
She supported a future income tax.
8:18:49 PM
SHANE BRODIE, SELF, FBX LIO, was an income student of UAF.
She supported an income tax and encouraged a reduction of
the oil company subsidies. He believed the state needed to
fully fund education. He thought more funding for education
was necessary. He was glad to be home in Alaska.
8:21:17 PM
JOMO STEWART, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. He
supported rolling back the vetoes. He thought the PFD
should be based on surplus revenues. He provided a bit of
background.
8:24:51 PM
DANIEL GERSTENFIELD, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB
2001. He had been a resident of Alaska for 40 years. He
wondered if Alaska would be better off with a list of
several programs, services and grants. He urged members to
make the right decision for Alaska. He spoke of the
businesses that would be affected. He asked if Alaska would
be better off.
8:32:23 PM
ANNE BRENNER-ARMSTRONG, SELF, FBX LIO, was a UAF alumni and
resident of Fairbanks. She thanked the LIO offices. She
appreciated the legislators that have worked across the
aisle. She agreed with reducing the PFD to a sustainable
level. She thought the state needed to continue to grow the
fund. She recommended a progressing income tax and a sales
tax. She suggested amending the PFD funding documentation.
She thought the percentage of votes to override a
governor's veto should be changed in the constitution.
8:36:18 PM
KRISTEN SCHUPP, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. She asked
all legislators to act as if they represented all
districts. She wanted to make sure all Alaskans were
protected. She thought the governor's vetoes were throwing
Alaskans under the bus. She supported agriculture, public
safety, and education. She did not want the future of
Alaska's children torn down. She was proud to know that
neighbors were looking out for each other.
8:38:49 PM
ROBERT BURGESS, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. He was a
life-long Alaskan and was currently buying a house in
Fairbanks. He was concerned with Alaska's future. He
opposed the governor's vetoes especially those affecting
the University system. He mentioned a number of programs he
supported and reviewed their benefits. He thought people
would turn to crime in desperation. He supported
agriculture as well. Many of the programs defined Alaska.
He wanted to see economic stability for the state.
8:44:29 PM
JESSICA GIRARD, FAIRBANKS CLIMATE ACTION COALITION,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), thought the bill was only a
band-aid. She advocated for a progressive income tax. She
encouraged members to think innovatively. She believed the
issue of kicking the can down the road needed to be
properly addressed. The people of Alaska needed a clear
directive from the legislature as to how people can help.
8:48:03 PM
KARL MONETTI, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference),
supported HB 2001 and urged members to override the
governor's vetoes. He appreciated the compromised budget
presented by the house. He recalled paying an income tax
and a school tax. He thought the PFD was a welfare payment.
He disagreed with the governor's cuts. He asked the
legislature to also tax the oil companies, implement an
income tax and a sales tax, and overturn the governor.
8:51:16 PM
MICHELLE THOMAS, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference),
supported HB 2001. She was devastated by Governor
Dunleavy's vetoes. She asked that the legislature restore
funding to programs that were vetoes. She listed the
programs and services that were threatened. She thought
children's education would be destroyed without overturning
the vetoes. She continued to advocate against the cuts.
Investment in Alaskan's students was imperative in order
for them to contribute to society. She thanked members for
listening to her testimony.
8:54:20 PM
WILLIAMS LAMBERT, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference),
spoke against HB 2001. He thought the legislature should
follow statute. He supported Governor Dunleavy. He argued
that the statutes had been broken. He thought the 38
legislators that went to Juneau should be financially
responsible and convicted for breaking the law. He
continued to discuss his view in support of the governor.
He thought the full PFD should be paid and the 38 members
should be tried. He would be emailing the governor when he
finished his testimony.
8:57:50 PM
RAE TRAINOR-WRIGHT, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
supported HB 2001 and wanted the governor's vetoes
overturned. She was saddened to see the Council of the Arts
closed. She argued against continuing to subsidize the oil
companies by paying oil tax credits. She would happily give
up her PFD and pay an income tax to guarantee the future of
Alaska.
9:00:42 PM
GALE VICK, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), supported
HB 2001 and the overriding of the governor's vetoes. She
was concerned the state was Self-destructing. She had
benefited from the PFD but thought it was currently
clouding people's judgement. She did not wasn't to see cuts
to essential services. She thought the state needed to cap
spending levels and the amount of the PFD. She provided a
list of recommendations.
9:04:00 PM
JESSICA PENA, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of
HB 2001 and the restoration of funds to agencies, programs,
and services that provided value to the health and
wellbeing of Alaskans. She spoke in support of the Alaska
Council on the Arts. She spoke about financial losses to
Alaska. She spoke about the benefits of creative activities
to youths.
9:07:24 PM
MICHELLE ETHUN, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001. Shared that she is a business owner and mother. She
understood what Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation
Act (ANILCA) and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
(ANCSA) were and knew the definition of subsistence. She
believed it was important for legislators to know the
information as well. She was opposed to the vetoes. She
stressed that the administration was pitting Alaskans
against each other.
9:12:50 PM
BRIANNA WU, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. She
relayed that she was a university student. She had been
planning to apply to the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska,
Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) program to someday practice
medicine in Alaska. She stressed that statistics showed
that 58 percent of Alaskan women had endured domestic
violence and sexual assault. She supported a restoration of
the vetoes.
9:15:24 PM
MARK LOCKWOOD, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001.
He stated that he was a geologist and was concerned that
the cuts would affect regulatory agencies that protected
the state's pristine environment. He noted that his
daughter returned to the state due to the higher education
scholarship and was about to begin a job as a teacher in
Alaska. He believed the arts should be supported as a
community. He thanked the committee for its time.
9:17:59 PM
MINDY O'NEAL, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in favor of HB 2001.
She spoke to her support of public radio. She noted the
public's overwhelming outcry of the governor's vetoes. She
favored restoring the vetoes. She indicated that public
radio provided many jobs in the state and businesses
supported public radio by $3 million and the public by over
$5 million. She spoke to the capital budget and its benefit
to the economy. She brought up oil tax credits and felt the
oil companies would take $2 billion from the state and
wanted a discussion. She felt that promises to students
were broken and worried about senior benefits and Pre-K.
9:22:50 PM
DAVID LESLIE, SELF, FBX LIO, favored HB 2001. He stated
that he was an Inupiat Native. He thought that people would
die from the cuts and they were evil. He expressed concern
about infant mortality. He thought the cuts would bring
about genocide to native villages. He stressed that energy
costs would increase, and Alaska Natives would die in the
coming winter. He worried over lack of access to Head
Start.
9:26:13 PM
BRITTANY KARNS, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
supported HB 2001. She shared that she was a pharmacist at
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. She highlighted the chronic
shortage of medical professionals in the state. She spoke
to the importance of home growing individuals to return to
Alaska to work in the medical field. She believed that
increasing tuition and decreasing programs, more students
and youth would leave.
9:30:25 PM
BECCA BARDO, ARCTIC ALLIANCE FOR PEOPLE, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), testified in favor of HB 2001. She had
dedicated more than a decade of her life to the nonprofit
sector. She believed the governor's actions were terrible.
She opposed the vetoes. She stated that Alaska had given
away $1.2 billion in oil tax credits the previous year. She
believed the choice between basic services and the PFD was
a false choice; both were possible if oil tax credits were
repealed.
9:33:37 PM
BRETT FRAZER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of HB 2001. He suggested that science
would be lost with the recommended cuts by the governor to
the University of Alaska. He gave credit to the faculty and
staff of the University of Alaska for all that they
contributed to Alaska. He opposed the governor's cuts to
the University and to the Judiciary branch. He continued to
provide testimony on his support of HB 2001. He brought up
the governor's original claim that there would be no cuts
to the University.
9:38:18 PM
IRENE HENRY, SELF, ALLAKAKET (via teleconference),
supported HB 2001. She spoke in support of Power Cost
Equalization (PCE) and emphasized that rural Alaska could
not go without PCE. She asked the legislature to not open
the Ambler Road. She asked for a full PFD. She opposed the
governor's vetoes to the University and the education
system. She supported the homeless programs and Medicaid.
She listed other programs she supported.
9:41:07 PM
JOSEPH STRATMAN, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), was
in full support of HB 2001. He was very concerned with the
governor's vetoes and urged members to overturn them. He
supported an income tax and a reduced PFD. He talked about
having gone to mass with two of his family members who were
priests. They prayed for those who did not have the means
for a decent life in Alaska.
9:43:56 PM
KEN PAPP, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke of
the high unemployment rates in the state. He thought times
and budgets changed. He did not think large PFDs were
unsustainable. He supported HB 2001. He thought the severe
cuts would tear down the state.
9:47:04 PM
PHOEBE ROHRBACHER, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of
HB 2001. She mentioned a number of programs and services
that she supported and how they would be cut. She was
concerned for the most vulnerable in the state. She asked
members to override the vetoes and restore funding.
9:50:56 PM
GINNY (VIRGINIA) REDMOND, SELF, FBX LIO, opposed the
governor's vetoes and asked members to restore funding
including the sweep. She supported an income tax and
reduced PFDs. She thought the benefits of keeping services
and programs were worth the small sacrifice of receiving a
smaller PFD. She thought the state would suffer a grave
economic recession. She urged members to put the state on
the road back to prosperity.
9:53:41 PM
JENNIFER DELAMERE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of
HB 2001, the overturn of the governor's vetoes, a reverse
sweep, state taxation, and a full analysis of oil taxation.
She was a research scientist at the University of Alaska
Fairbanks. She supported Alaska with time and money. She
spoke of all that she received from the Fairbanks
community. She was honored to raise her children in
Fairbanks. She relayed a list of things she did not
support.
9:56:51 PM
LIZ LYKE, FNSB ASSEMBLY MEMBER, FBX LIO, thanked members
for their time and for passing a bipartisan budget.
9:58:37 PM
SVETA YAMIN-PATERNAK, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support
of HB 2001. She shared that she and her husband taught at
UAF. She detailed that she had moved to Fairbanks because
of UAF in the late 1990s to work in her field of Arctic
anthropology. She provided detail about several research
projects she had worked on that brought in over $2 million
in competitive grants. She spoke about going to the Bering
Straits region related to food arts. She stressed that
students were an excellent investment.
Co-Chair Foster asked for the name of the art installation
at the museum in Nome that he should look for.
Ms. Yamin-Paternak responded it was called Aging with
Change, Food Arts in the Bering Strait. She provided detail
about the installation.
10:02:46 PM
SUE SPRINKLE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001. She eluded to the fact that Alaska was literally and
figuratively burning. She opposed the vetoes proposed by
the governor. She was self-employed and was directly
impacted by the cuts.
10:06:28 PM
LISA VILLANO, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001.
She shared details about her life in Alaska. She came from
a long line of educators. She was troubled by the cuts to
early childhood programs and K-12 education. She detailed
that she worked with preschoolers who were developmentally
behind their peers. She listed the benefits of preschool
programs.
10:09:31 PM
ABIGIAL NORTH, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001.
She thanked the committee for visiting Fairbanks and
hearing testimony. She thanked members and their staff for
their efforts of crafting HB 2001. She provided some
personal details and indicated she and her wife intended to
stay in Fairbanks permanently. She was a high school
teacher. She talked about teaching in rural areas in the
state. She was concerned about her students who had grown
up and were now raising families. She opposed the
governor's cuts and she urged support of the committee
substitute.
10:13:50 PM
MARY NEBERT, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001. She reviewed the benefits of art and music. She asked
members to restore the cuts that resulted from the vetoes.
She supported a reduced PFD and would support an income
tax. She urged members to stand up for Alaska.
10:16:39 PM
JOHN DAVID "JD" RAGAN, SELF, FBX LIO, was in support of HB
2001. Shared that he had moved to Alaska in 1975 and was a
member of the laborer's union Local 942. He stressed the
economic hit the vetoes would be to Alaska. He spoke to the
loss in federal matching funds for construction. He
highlighted the cuts to the University that would result in
a hit of $1 billion to the economy. He characterized
government money as seed money that multiplied itself. He
believed there would be a recession and that many people
would leave the state. He asked for a restoration of vetoed
funds. He supported an income tax. He understood the
importance of the PFD to rural villages. He wondered why
the state was paying oil companies to take oil out of the
ground.
10:20:10 PM
COLE RICHARDS, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001. He spoke to his reasons for attending UAF. He
stressed the importance of the stability of the University,
which could only be maintained with financial support. He
spoke to the need for the unique programs at UAF. He
highlighted examples where the research was used.
10:22:11 PM
JULIA GESTRICH, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001 particularly for the University of Alaska Fairbanks
Research Department. She shared that she was a geophysics
student at UAF. She was concerned about the future of the
graduate programs. She highlighted the benefits of the
programs that attracted students from around the world. She
explained that students would often remain in Alaska to
work if they had the opportunity.
10:24:40 PM
LIAM TONEY, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001
and the University of Alaska because of its renowned
research program. He had been drawn to the state by UAF's
stellar reputation as an Arctic and earth science research
institution. He shared that graduate students helped with
research and day to day operations of the centers. He
believed a cut of $130 million to the UA system would cause
irreparable damage. He spoke to the negative future
repercussions.
10:27:00 PM
RANDY GRIFFIN, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001. He was opposed to the governor's vetoes and cuts to
UAF. He noted he did not work for UAF. He shared a story
about needing help with creating Excel macros for work; a
graduate of the University had helped him. He had turned
back his PFD in the last four years due to the budget
deficit. He had donated $2,000 of his PFD in 2015 to UAF
through the Pick.Click.Give program.
10:30:17 PM
ANDY DURNY, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001.
He was in favor of a broad-based income tax and overriding
the governor's vetoes. He discussed that the meeting
represented democracy in action. He thanked the legislature
for passing an operating budget that listened to the public
testimony of the majority of Alaskans. He believed the
governor's vetoes represented a complete failure of
democracy. He stressed that the governor's cuts obliterated
the budget passed by the legislature.
10:33:33 PM
MAEGAN DANIELLO WELTZIN, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001.
She testified in support of overriding the vetoes and
restoration of the funds. She stressed it was essential for
Alaska to have services for homeless, elders, and future
generations. She would rather have the services rather than
the PFD. She shared two personal experiences. She shared
that she is a professor at UAF. She emphasized the stress
the cuts were causing for students wondering if their
programs would continue and whether employment was possible
in the state after earning their degrees. She stressed that
her path would not have been possible without a quality
education system provided by the North Star School District
and UAF.
10:36:25 PM
ALBERT SONAFRANK, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB
2001. He talked about the cut to the Pioneer Home and how
it affected his grandmother. He thanked the committee for
coming up with a compromise budget. He graduated with an
engineering degree from the University of Alaska. He wanted
the Permanent Fund to support the people of Alaska. He
supported either reducing the PFD or instituting an income
or sales tax. The state needed a different means of
generating revenue.
10:40:07 PM
THERESA TOMCZAK, UAF ATHLETICS, FBX LIO, spoke in support
of HB 2001. She reported traveling in the 1980s on the
ferry system and talked to some people that were going to
Alaska in order to receive a PFD. She thought people should
pay for services and did not have an inherent right to a
dividend. She thanked members for their work.
10:44:14 PM
CHRIS MILLER, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB
2001 and restoring the veto reductions. He stressed that
the same debate had been going on in February and there was
a royal mess. He loved Alaska and residents had moved to
the state for hundreds of different reasons that had been
expressed during the meeting. He stressed the uncertainty
the cuts had caused. He shared that he ran a private
business and had already lost contracts and seen impacts of
the uncertainties. He believed it was the 12th time he had
communicated his opinions on the matter. He believed
Alaskans would keep fighting the fight to protect what they
had spent 100 years building.
10:46:51 PM
JOE MATTIE, UAF ATHLETICS, FBX LIO, shared that he had
moved to Alaska in 1969 and he and his wife had started
their business in 1979. He wondered why all of the wasteful
spending was not eliminated. He shared that their business
was doing well, partially because they did not waste. He
wanted to see the waste dealt with prior to asking for
money. He did not care whether the legislature voted to
override the governor's vetoes, whether a state income or
sales tax was implemented - he was staying in Alaska. He
supported the governor's efforts.
10:49:40 PM
SANDRA COSTA-MATTIE, UAF ATHLETICS, FBX LIO, shared detail
about her life in Alaska. She found the compassion people
had for each other and the state heartwarming. She
supported the governor and his efforts for Alaska. She
asked the legislature to create the ability for residents
to make a state donation/voluntary contribution/self-tax.
She shared that 45 states already benefitted from a self-
tax from public participation. She stressed that history
had proven that a state lottery was lucrative. She stated
that individuals could choose where the money went. She
understood that budgeting was not easy. She asked the state
to operate as a business.
10:55:12 PM
JUNE ROGERS, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001.
She had been involved in community advocacy over 45 years.
She was personally passionate to see diversity and
increased opportunities in the state. She was a mother of
three and had grandchildren. She had a diverse background.
She shared that she had been born in Fairbanks and her
family had a long history in the state. She detailed that
her grandmother was Inupiaq, her grandfather came from
Sweden, and her father was from Ireland. She shared that
her grandmother had been influential on her life; she was
born in Golovin and raised her family in Haycock. She loved
to travel, but Fairbanks was where she chose to live. All
of her grandchildren lived in Fairbanks. She was frustrated
with the times in Alaska. She hoped the funding for the
Alaska State Council on the Arts and other agencies would
be restored. She stated it was not possible to continue
allowing devastating actions to continue storming through
communities in order to maintain an unrealistic dollar
amount for the PFD. She thanked the legislature for its
arduous efforts.
11:00:48 PM
Co-Chair Foster asked about Ms. Rogers' comment she was
related to half the state. He asked who came from Haycock.
Ms. Rodgers responded that her mother was born in Haycock.
Her grandmother had been born in Golovin and moved to
Haycock when she married.
Co-Chair Foster shared that his great grandfather was from
Sweden and he was Inupiaq through his grandmother who was
born in Haycock. His grandfather was part Irish. He stated
that Haycock was now a ghost town.
Ms. Rodgers reminded Co-Chair Foster she had mentioned that
they may be related, while on her last visit to Juneau. She
recalled that Co-Chair Foster had asked about one of her
cousins who was a pilot. Additionally, her uncle Art
Johnson served as a legislator many years back prior to his
passing.
Co-Chair Foster recalled that Art Johnson was a pilot.
Ms. Rodgers replied that he had been a pilot for Wings and
had done the mail route.
11:02:14 PM
ARTEM ZHDONOV, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. He spoke
against the governor's cuts. He worked as an engineer at
UAF. He encouraged all legislators to work together to find
a compromise. He believed the governor had turned his back
on Alaskans to support oil tycoons and the Koch Brothers.
He stated that the governor and his supporters believed a
lack of taxes and a balanced budget created through cuts
would attract business to the state. He relayed that
studies disputed the claim. He shared that businesses were
looking to expand in areas with a strong education base. He
stated the governor was dividing Alaska. He stressed that
UAF was one of the biggest employers in Fairbanks. He urged
restored funding to the University, senior benefits, the
arts council, and the Online With Libraries program.
11:05:35 PM
ANN MARIE RUTKOWSKI, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of
HB 2001. She supported reducing or eliminating oil tax
credits. She believed it was atrocious to be supporting
already profitable corporations that sent much of the money
out of state. She did not support gutting the state. She
had worked in many fields in Alaska and had kept the money
in state. She valued the services provided by the state.
She shared that she had attended the nursing program
graduation in Nome the previous year, which had been a
special experience. She thanked the committee for its time
and attention.
11:08:05 PM
Representative LeBon thanked all of the testifiers for
their endurance. He indicated that the legislators were
headed to Juneau in the morning to deal with the situation.
He shared that the committee had been in Anchorage and
Wasilla and had heard around 400 people speak from
throughout the state. He reiterated his appreciation for
the testimony.
11:09:05 PM
Representative Knopp was thankful for hearing from the
public. He shared that the testimony had been
inspirational. His regret was that he would have liked to
have an open dialogue during the meetings. He shared that
the House had created a coalition, which he knew had been
the right thing. He highlighted the common thread of
testimony regarding the need for additional revenue. He
shared that the governor had stated that he would not
consider additional revenues in the current year. He
highlighted the heartfelt testimony the committee had
heard.
Co-Chair Foster asked if any of the committee members
online wanted to say anything.
11:12:15 PM
Representative Merrick thanked everyone for testifying. She
looked forward to seeing the committee members in Juneau
the following day.
Vice-Chair Ortiz thanked the public for testifying.
Representative Wool thanked everyone for coming out and
testifying. He was proud of all of the Fairbanksans who had
turned out to testify. He referenced his earlier statements
related to the PFD. He shared that in the last five years
the legislature had cut over $1 billion from the operating
budget. He detailed that the legislature had been working
on making cuts over time. He noted that the previous year
was the first year the University had not been cut. He
pointed out that the budget passed by the legislature for
the following year did cut the University. He highlighted
the passage of SB 26 that provided a new way to fund
government with Permanent Fund earnings. The current budget
funded important services. He continued to explain work
done by the legislature.
Representative Grier Hopkins thanked everyone for turning
out.
Co-Chair Foster reminded the public they could provide
written comments via email.
HB 2001 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Foster thanked everyone that stayed. There was
still a big crowd at the Fairbanks LIO. He reported the
number of people who called in. Legislators would be
returning to Juneau the following day. He reported that the
governor had changed his special session call to Juneau.
ADJOURNMENT
11:18:19 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 11:18 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 2001 Faibanks Written Testimony 1.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |
| HB 2001 Faibanks Written Testimony 2.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |
| HB 2001 Faibanks Written Testimony 3.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |
| HB 2001 Faibanks Written Testimony 4.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |
| HB 2001 Faibanks Written Testimony 6.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |
| HB 2001 Faibanks Written Testimony 5.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |
| HB 2001 Public Testimony Emails July 17 PART 1.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |
| HB 2001 Public Testimony Emails July 17 PART 2.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |
| HB 2001 Public Testimony Emails July 17 PART 3.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |
| HB2001 Pub.Test. July 17 Part 4_Senior Needs Assessment.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |
| HB 2001 Public Testimony Emails July 17 PART 5.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |
| HB 2001 Public Testimony Emails July 17 PART 4.pdf |
HFIN 7/17/2019 2:00:00 PM |
HB2001 |