Legislature(2025 - 2026)ADAMS 519
03/13/2025 04:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB53 || HB55 | |
| Public Testimony: Fairbanks, Kenai, Nome, Bethel, Kotzebue, Utkiagvik; Cordova; Offnets | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 53 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 55 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 13, 2025
4:34 p.m.
4:34:33 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Josephson called the House Finance Committee
meeting to order at 4:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair
Representative Andy Josephson, Co-Chair
Representative Calvin Schrage, Co-Chair
Representative Jamie Allard (via teleconference)
Representative Jeremy Bynum
Representative Alyse Galvin
Representative Sara Hannan
Representative Nellie Unangiq Jimmie
Representative DeLena Johnson
Representative Will Stapp
Representative Frank Tomaszewski
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Brenda Stanfill, Executive Director, Alaska Network on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Juneau; Caroline
Storm, Self, Juneau.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Representative Bill Elam; Ralph Mackie, Board Member,
Community Connections, Craig; Wayne Woodgate, Federal
Programs Director, Yupiit School District, Akiachak;
Christopher Eisel, Self, Kotzebue; Eileen Arnold, Tundra
Women's Coalition, Bethel; Anna Rose MacArthur, Self, Nome;
Kimberly Imbert, Self, Fairbanks; Alex Bernard, Director,
ANSEP Acceleration, Bethel; Debbie Collins, Self, Cordova;
Eric Walsh, Self, Anchorage; Wanda Baltazar, Self,
Kotzebue; Alyssa Motgin, Youth Peer Mentor, ANSEP, Bethel;
Janine Allen, Southeast Alaska Independent Living, Haines;
Sam Crow, Special Education Service Agency, Bethel; Sarah
Nelson, Self, Fairbanks; Monica Garcia, Self, Kotzebue; Amy
Davis, Self, Fairbanks; Lucy Bauer, Alaska Behavioral
Health Association, Anchorage; Saazulik Henfly, Self,
Kotzebue; Halle Littlefish, Alaska Excel Program, Kalskag;
Bree Swanson, Self, Kotzebue; Emma Bech, UA Volleyball
Team, Kenai; Leigh Bolin, ED, Resource Center for Parents
and Children, Alaska Children's Alliance, Fairbanks; Mimoza
Pellumbi, Self, Bethel; Bonnie Mund, Self, Fairbanks; Dean
Swope, Self, Bethel; Kelly Nash, Interior Patriots,
Fairbanks; Jennifer Sampson, Self, Fairbanks; Vjosa
Pellumbi, Self, Bethel; Dilyn Hackney, Self, Bethel;
Isabella Mandrique, Self, Bethel; Patty Wisel, Self,
Fairbanks; Carmen Murat, Self, Bethel; Barbara Haney, Self,
North Pole; Janet Johnson, Self, Cordova; Willy Keppel,
Self, Quinhagak; Peter Hoepfner, Vice President, Cordova
School Board, Cordova; Cheri Backman, Director, Client
Care, Homecare Assistance Alaska, Anchorage; Jon LaValle,
Self, Bethel; Maia LaValle, Self, Bethel; Gabriella Sandei,
Self, Bethel; Ellie LaValle, Self, Bethel; Erin Bernard,
ANSEP and Excel, Bethel; Lori Elleson, Self, Fairbanks;
Richard Wassillie, Alaska Excel, Chugiak; Maria Pyree,
Self, Wasilla; Tina Richards, Self, Kotzebue; Drini
Pellumbi, Self, Bethel.
SUMMARY
HB 53 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET; CAP; SUPP
HB 53 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 55 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
HB 55 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Josephson reviewed the meeting agenda. The
committee would hear public testimony on the operating and
mental health budgets. He reviewed public testimony
protocol.
HOUSE BILL NO. 53
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; making supplemental appropriations;
making reappropriations; making appropriations under
art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of
Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund;
and providing for an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 55
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; and providing for
an effective date."
4:36:06 PM
Co-Chair Josephson noted that public testimony was limited
to two minutes per person.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: FAIRBANKS, KENAI, NOME, BETHEL,
KOTZEBUE, UTKIAGVIK; CORDOVA; OFFNETS
4:36:32 PM
BRENDA STANFILL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA NETWORK ON
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, JUNEAU, testified in
support of funding for child advocacy centers (CACs), which
she thought were a core component of the state's response
to crime. She supported increased funding for the
Supportive Needs Housing Grant (SNHG) and the Homeless
Assistance Program through the Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation (AHFC). She discussed use of the programs. She
emphasized her concern about the Victims of Crime
Compensation Board (VCCB) funding, which assisted victims
of crime. The board had experienced cuts and was
anticipated to have less than $1 million to distribute
funds to victims of violent crime. She cited that for each
dollar the state spent on victims of crime, it received 70
percent back from the federal government. She thanked
committee members who had funded the $3.7 million for the
Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) the
previous year. The council had not requested an increase
this year.
Co-Chair Josephson thanked Ms. Stanfill for her work.
Representative Hannan asked about the reason the funding
for victims of crime was down so much.
Ms. Stanfill answered that VCCB was funded through the
Restorative Justice Account from Permanent Fund Dividend
(PFD) felon dollars. The funding did not get General Funds
(GF) but was related to the rise and fall of the PFD
amount.
Representative Stapp thanked Ms. Stanfill for being an
excellent representative for Fairbanks. He referenced the
shortage in the VCCB fund. He asked if the PFD was going to
be substantially lower if a bigger shortfall in the fund
could be expected.
Ms. Stanfill agreed that if the PFD went down the funds
would go down and there would have to be a decision related
to providing GF or not.
4:41:14 PM
CAROLINE STORM, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of
funding for public education. She referenced the state
constitution and the legislature's obligation to maintain
public schools. She relayed that she was the executive
director of the Coalition for Education Equity. She
believed it was the legislature's job to find a way to pay
for constitutionally mandated services. She asked the
legislature to support a $1,000 Base Student Allocation
(BSA) increase and raise revenue to pay for the increase.
Co-Chair Josephson noted that Representative Allard was
online.
4:42:52 PM
RALPH MACKIE, BOARD MEMBER, COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS, CRAIG
(via teleconference), spoke in support of a $13.7 million
behavioral health increment. He relayed that clinic and
rehabilitation rates were supposed to be rebased in 2022,
but they were still waiting. Meanwhile, costs had increased
substantially. He considered it unthinkable to suspend
services. He emphasized that the children who benefit from
state mental health services received what was essential
and needed. He mentioned fiscal responsibility and asserted
that failure to spend the funds today would result in ten
times greater costs in emergency rooms and correctional
facilities in the future. He stated they were talking about
Alaskan kids with special needs. He thanked the
subcommittee for supporting the increment.
Co-Chair Josephson recognized Representative Elam in the
room.
4:45:57 PM
WAYNE WOODGATE, FEDERAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR, YUPIIT SCHOOL
DISTRICT, AKIACHAK (via teleconference), spoke in support
of the Alaska Excel program. He stated that communities in
the district were geographically isolated and there were
few to no postsecondary trade programs. The program filled
the gap for students in the district. He shared statistics
of the students using the program the past year. He
mentioned course topics in algebra, aviation, driving, and
others. His students made up 13 percent of the total number
of Alaska Excel students with a 95 percent pass rate. The
program strengthened the overall workforce. The program
trained over 500 students statewide annually. He stated
that he hosted in-person and online meetings with parents
and tribes to understand the needs of communities. It was
consistently requested that the majority of funding be
allocated to travel costs to allow students to travel to
attend Alaska Excel. He thanked the committee.
4:48:49 PM
CHRISTOPHER EISEL, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for the Alaska Native
Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP). He mentioned the
importance of programs in rural regions. His daughter was
taking classes in college-level trades, which would not
have been possible without the program.
4:49:42 PM
EILEEN ARNOLD, TUNDRA WOMEN'S COALITION, BETHEL (via
teleconference), thanked the committee and Representative
Jimmie in particular for funding a balanced budget. She
thanked the committee for funding $3 million the previous
year for CDVSA shelters. She stated that flat funding was
not ideal, as the cost of food was very high, which
affected the ability to have fairly compensated staff. She
discussed providing housing vouchers to survivors of
violence. She warned that in FY 27, $4.2 million in federal
funds were going away, and it would not be possible to
maintain services. She noted there were programs such as
children advocacy centers that were losing funding. She
stated that child advocacy staff were specially certified
to interview children. She discussed the difficulty in
hiring a forensic interviewer for the sensitive and
difficult task. She testified in support of the Homeless
Assistance Program, which her organization used to pay
utilities and help families to avoid homelessness.
Representative Stapp thanked Ms. Arnold for her testimony.
He asked about the Homeless Assistance Program.
Ms. Arnold agreed. She stated that people needed to apply
and show an eviction notice or a utility shutoff notice.
She explained that it was a limited funding stream to help
families avoid homelessness. She estimated that they
assisted a total of about 80 people per year, and it was
typically a multigenerational home.
Representative Stapp requested to talk with Ms. Arnold in
the future offline.
Ms. Arnold agreed.
4:54:23 PM
ANNA ROSE MACARTHUR, SELF, NOME (via teleconference),
testified in support of public schools and funding an
increase to the BSA. She shared that the Nome School
District would have to cut ten teachers and one assistant
principal without an increase to the BSA. She thought class
sizes would increase, student travel funds would decrease,
and there would be cuts to teacher housing. She mentioned
substantial cumulative cuts to education. She thought
education should be the state's top funding priority. She
encouraged the legislature to create new revenue streams.
She thought a start was closing the S corporation loophole
and reducing oil tax credits.
Co-Chair Foster thanked Ms. MacArthur for calling in. He
congratulated her on a new addition to her family.
Ms. MacArthur agreed she wanted her daughter to have a
thriving school system to attend.
4:56:48 PM
KIMBERLY IMBERT, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of full funding for ANSEP. She was an
ANSEP alumni. She stated that ANSEP was a successful and
impactful educational program, through which students could
graduate from high school with almost two years of college
credits. The program provided internship opportunities. She
made note of a higher retention rate, and increased
strength in the Alaskan workforce and communities. She
shared that the program had provided her with a lot of
support. She thanked the committee for its time.
4:58:24 PM
ALEX BERNARD, DIRECTOR, ANSEP ACCELERATION, BETHEL (via
teleconference), testified in support of full funding for
ANSEP. He shared he had been the director for three years
in Bethel. He had seen the program's dramatic impact on
students. The program offered support to students and their
families. He discussed the growth of the program from 17
students to 50 students with the projection of 60 to 70 in
the fall. There was a college GPA average of 3.4 with a 98
percent completion ratio. Students participating in the
full four years would graduate with over 103 college
credits. He cited a lack of educational opportunities in
rural Alaska. He strongly encouraged the committee to fund
the program fully.
5:00:41 PM
DEBBIE COLLINS, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference),
testified in support of Special Education Service Agency
(SESA). She shared that she was a special education
teacher. She stated they were the most wonderful
professional specialists that helped the most challenging
students. She described professionals that helped look at
behavior of students and helped them to overcome
disabilities. She believed it had helped to retain good
professional staff. She discussed challenges of working
with difficult behaviors. She thought the work helped kids
to regulate emotions and to learn. She shared a story.
There was also a library they could borrow materials from.
5:04:07 PM
ERIC WALSH, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified
in support of funding for the University of Alaska
Anchorage (UAA) athletics in the operating budget. He was
an alumnus /of UAA and worked there as a coach.
Co-Chair Josephson asked what sport.
Mr. Walsh replied that he was a track and field athlete.
5:05:22 PM
WANDA BALTAZAR, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for childcare grants. She
was a grandparent. She spoke to the importance of reliable
childcare for families. She asserted that rural children
needed the same high-quality childcare as other students
around the state.
5:06:41 PM
ALYSSA MOTGIN, YOUTH PEER MENTOR, ANSEP, BETHEL (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for ANSEP. She
stated it was inspiring to see youth learn about the
importance of education.
Co-Chair Josephson asked if Ms. Motgin was calling in
support of ANSEP.
Ms. Motgin agreed.
5:08:08 PM
JANINE ALLEN, SOUTHEAST ALASKA INDEPENDENT LIVING, HAINES
(via teleconference), testified in support of page 11,
lines 9-10 in HB 55 for home modifications and upgrades.
She supported the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
(AMHTA) recommendation for state funding. The request was
for a $575,000 top-off to historic levels of funding. The
funding would enable seniors, veterans, and people with
disabilities to live in their homes and not move away. It
benefited Alaskan communities and families to keep
individuals at home. It was much cheaper to do home
modifications to allow individuals to remain at home and
not in facilities. She cited that on average, an assisted
living home costs the state $143,000 per person, per year.
5:10:11 PM
SAM CROW, SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY, BETHEL (via
teleconference), testified in support of SESA funding. He
shared the positive impact SESA had on his son and family.
He detailed that his son was in high school and it was his
eleventh year receiving SESA services. At the time of his
son's diagnosis there was a possibility of losing his
eyesight. A specialist had traveled to Bethel to work with
his son, the family, and the school. For over a decade, the
service provider had surrounded his son with the best
possible services, giving him the best chance to attend
school. The specialist worked with his teachers to ensure
he had access to learning. The services prepared him for
college and his adult life. He stated that when his son
graduated and went to college it would be thanks to SESA.
He thought there were many other parents that had a similar
experience.
5:13:31 PM
SARAH NELSON, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), thanked
the committee for previous funding for childcare. She
requested support for the $7.5 million in childcare grants
in the operating budget. She thought the funding was
critical for childcare programs. She felt very fortunate to
have her kids at a daycare center and stated she would not
be able to stay employed without it. She believed it was
necessary to work together to provide kids with the best
learning environment.
5:15:05 PM
MONICA GARCIA, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of full funding for ANSEP. She shared her
family's experience with the program. She thought the
program gave students a head-start in college. She asserted
that the program had a record of academic achievement. They
would not be living in Kotzebue without ANSEP. She
acknowledged that the state was facing financial challenges
but asked members to consider ANSEP's positive track
record.
5:16:54 PM
AMY DAVIS, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in
support for CACs. She had been a law enforcement officer
for several years and understood the importance of the
service CACs provided to communities. The CACs had provided
a safe haven for children that had experienced trauma. She
commented that CAC's provided comprehensive care. She noted
that CACs relied heavily on state and federal funding to
provide its services. Without adequate funding, CACs would
not be able to provide the services that families depended
on. She thanked the committee.
5:18:59 PM
LUCY BAUER, ALASKA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for
mental health and behavioral health services. She stated
that Alaska was a high risk of suicide, especially for
young people. She stated that youth needed help with case
management and treatment. She thought caring for vulnerable
people was directly related to public safety. She mentioned
the need for help on different levels.
5:20:56 PM
SAAZULIK HENFLY, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference),
shared that she had two kids in school. She testified in
support of ANSEP funding. The school district needed
additional proposed BSA funding to meet students' basic
needs. She thought the flat funding had been inadequate.
There was nothing left for schools to cut and at the end of
the day it was the students who suffered. She thought
administrators were doing their best with the resources at
hand. She was concerned there would continue to be
outmigration from Alaska. She thought ANSEP was a huge ray
of light in the region. She supported funding for childcare
grants. She stated that springtime in the Arctic was the
time when incidents of people attempting suicide increased.
5:24:12 PM
HALLE LITTLEFISH, ALASKA EXCEL PROGRAM, KALSKAG (via
teleconference), shared that she was a student. She shared
how the Alaska Excel Program had changed her life. She
relayed that the program was a great opportunity. The
program provided many other students opportunities such as
getting their drivers permits, outdoor leadership, hiking,
and exploring. She stated that the program had changed her
life by teaching her many more things than she would have
otherwise learned. The program had helped her overcome her
shyness. She mentioned getting credit for high school and
college.
Co-Chair Josephson asked if she lived in lower or upper
Kalskag.
Ms. Littlefish shared that she lived in Upper Kalskag.
5:28:32 PM
BREE SWANSON, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of full funding for the BSA in the amount of
$1,000. She stated that she was a mother of four and had
seen a major decline in the state's educational system. She
relayed that arts, music, extra curriculars had been cut
from her son's middle school. She was concerned about the
lack of predictable funding and questioned what else could
be cut. She thought education was the cornerstone of the
community. She thought it was important to show that kids
were the greatest resource. She emphasized the high
turnover of teachers and the loss of student-teacher
relationships. She discussed high rates of suicide and
alcohol abuse and thought normally schools were a safe
place. She thought that lack of funding for schools
correlated with behavioral health and the state's jail
system.
5:31:55 PM
EMMA BECH, UA VOLLEYBALL TEAM, KENAI (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for University of Alaska
(UA) athletics. She relayed that she was a member of the
volleyball team and was in her first year at UAA. She
shared that her parents were educators. She discussed
cutting teachers in Kenai. She discussed sports camps in
the state. She planned to remain in Alaska and help out her
community.
5:33:50 PM
LEIGH BOLIN, ED, RESOURCE CENTER FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN,
ALASKA CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of $5.5 million in funding for CACs.
She was president of the board for the Alaska's Children's
Alliance. She shared that CACs had pursued federal funding
and had exhausted all other avenues before requesting funds
from the legislature. The program faced funding cuts that
would impact services. She stated that CACs were
statutorily mandated to collaborate with multiple partners
including law enforcement, the Office of Children's
Services, and the district attorney's office to respond to
cases of child sexual abuse. She reminded that the state
had the highest rates of domestic violence and child abuse
in the nation. She emphasized that it was crucial to
provide the resources necessary for healing.
Co-Chair Josephson recalled that Ms. Bolin had been in his
office 30 days ago. He had indicated at the time that the
topic was the top priority of the Department of Family and
Community Services budget subcommittee.
Ms. Bolin agreed.
5:36:12 PM
MIMOZA PELLUMBI, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference),
testified in support of ANSEP funding. She thought the
program supported equal education opportunities for all.
The program had allowed her kids to grow educationally.
5:37:01 PM
BONNIE MUND, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), called
in support dependable ongoing funding of the BSA. She
relayed that her district was currently working to pass a
balanced budget. She shared that the funding reductions
were coming at the cost of heartbreaking cuts, including
the closure of her children's school where she also worked
as a special education aide. She encouraged members to
consider funding a strong education system throughout the
state.
5:39:16 PM
DEAN SWOPE, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), testified in
support of ANSEP. He shared that four of his seven children
had been involved with the program. The program allowed
students to expand their abilities and to help transition
from a small rural school to the university level. He
stated that the program was exemplary in how it took care
of kids. He recognized that the program had more and more
kids with opportunities that were unimaginable 12 years
ago. Their performance was awarded with a level of academic
excellence that would ultimately cultivate professionals
for the future of the state.
5:41:43 PM
KELLY NASH, INTERIOR PATRIOTS, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), testified in support of a full PFD. She
questioned how more education funding would help students
learn more. She was a grandmother and had a daughter in
high school. She mentioned the state deficit. She did not
think more funding would address problems such as abuse.
5:43:25 PM
JENNIFER SAMPSON, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
thanked the committee for keeping a full PFD in the bill.
She thought it was important for Alaskans to pay for
energy, groceries, and for kids to explore the state.
5:44:21 PM
VJOSA PELLUMBI, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for ANSEP. She stated that educational
opportunities were limited in rural Alaska. She relayed
that education opportunities were very limited in Bethel
where she grew up. She shared that without ANSEP, she would
not have had the academic preparation to apply for
scholarships to further her education. She described ANSEP
as a lifeline. She stated that cutting the funding risked
taking away crucial pathways for students to pursue higher
education, develop leadership skills, and contribute
meaningfully to the state. She urged the committee to
restore full funding for the program.
Representative Jimmie thanked Ms. Pellumbi for speaking up
for the youth in their district.
5:46:27 PM
DILYN HACKNEY, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), called in
support of funding for ANSEP. She had learned so much from
ANSEP. She stated that the public school system had
declined in recent years. She stated that students from all
over the state benefitted from the program.
Representative Jimmie was happy to hear young people
speaking up. She thanked Ms. Hackney for her testimony.
5:48:05 PM
ISABELLA MANDRIQUE, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for ANSEP. She shared that
she was a student. She shared that she had learned a lot,
and it was her second semester. She stated she would be
done with her high school credits in a year. She hoped the
program would continue to thrive. She thought students were
the key for the state's future.
5:49:48 PM
PATTY WISEL, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), thanked
the committee for maintaining the full statutory PFD. She
stated it would make a huge difference. She highlighted the
expense of gas and living in Alaska.
5:50:38 PM
CARMEN MURAT, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
support of ANSEP. She shared that her daughter was a
current ANSEP student. She emphasized that ANSEP had
provided the opportunity for equal education opportunities
for rural students in the state. She felt that engineering
and sciences were vital for the long-term success of
communities. She implored the committee to not cut the
program.
5:51:41 PM
BARBARA HANEY, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference),
thanked the committee for leaving the full PFD in the
budget. She thought the primary determinate of education
outcomes was household income. She stated that keeping the
funding in families helped improve education. She thought
the PFD also helped local governments because it arrived
near the time property taxes were due.
5:53:00 PM
JANET JOHNSON, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for disabled children and SESA. She
discussed SESA's work in remote locations. She shared that
she had a daughter that utilized SESA's services. She
described local professionals as not having the training
that was provided by SESA. Her child was currently living
in the community independently. She noted that SESA's case
load was growing. Without the program, some kids would have
nothing. The program helped find ways to include children
with disabilities in the school system.
5:56:09 PM
WILLY KEPPEL, SELF, QUINHAGAK (via teleconference),
testified in support of a full PFD. He stated it was the
poorest region of the state. He thought that the PFD
lowered the levels of stress and suicide. He stated that
happy people did not create nearly as many problems as
unhappy people. He referenced testimony in support of ANSEP
and considered students were not getting what was needed
from public schools. He stated that the schools had gone
from great to pathetic, and he thought the curriculum had
suffered. He lamented the lack of shop classes, and
interesting classes focusing on the needs of the community.
The kids going to ANSEP were the ones going to college.
Everyone else in the community wanted to be able to live
and do normal things. He asked for flat funding for
everything. He pointed out there was a $70 million drop in
the revenue projection. He did not support taxes. He was
against increasing education funding. He supported cuts to
education administration.
5:59:43 PM
PETER HOEPFNER, VICE PRESIDENT, CORDOVA SCHOOL BOARD,
CORDOVA (via teleconference), thanked the committee for
increasing the BSA level in HB 69. He spoke about the
school's deficit in Cordova. Cordova schools were facing a
$1.5 million deficit, which would risk cutting food service
and stopping all student activities as well as increasing
class sizes. He pointed out that education funding had
increased only by about 4.6 percent in 17 years. He
highlighted that the Department of Public Safety had
increased by 82 percent, and the Department of Corrections
had increased by 52 percent in the same time frame. He
thought health insurance had gone from $400,000 to $1.3
million in recent years.
Mr. Hoepfner made note of a 15 percent increase in
electrical bills. He stated that businesses could increase
and generate new revenues. He thought that what was
happening to education was awful. They were cutting
teachers and increasing class sizes. He was confused why
the state would want to cut education funding. He asked
members to imagine no sports and no food in schools. He
thought the state needed new revenues in order to not cut
services to Alaskans.
6:03:03 PM
CHERI BACKMAN, DIRECTOR, CLIENT CARE, HOMECARE ASSISTANCE
ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funding for childcare assistance. She was director of an
in-home care company that provided care to seniors and
employed 70 caregivers. She shared that most of her
employed caregivers could not find childcare. She mentioned
the importance of continuity in home care for seniors. She
requested support for childcare funding.
6:04:42 PM
JON LAVALLE, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), testified
in support of ANSEP funding. He had been a teacher in rural
Alaska for 22 years, 18 of which were in Bethel. He
mentioned former students that were in ANSEP and became
engineers that were working in Alaska. He stated that ANSEP
allowed students to take college classes in high school.
Many of the students returned to rural Alaska to help
communities. He shared that both of his daughters were
ANSEP students. He noted that ANSEP students entered the
workforce earlier than if they just went to high school and
college. He asserted that ANSEP helped support at-need
kids.
6:07:49 PM
MAIA LAVALLE, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), testified
in support of ANSEP funding. She was an ANSEP student. She
discussed her experience in the program. She had a goal of
graduating with a Bachelor of Mathematics when she
graduated from high school.
6:08:45 PM
GABRIELLA SANDEI, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke
in support of ANSEP funding. She was a student of ANSEP.
She spoke about the benefits of the program and impact on
her life.
6:09:31 PM
ELLIE LAVALLE, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of full funding for ANSEP. She shared her personal
experience as an ANSEP student.
6:10:25 PM
ERIN BERNARD, ANSEP AND EXCEL, BETHEL (via teleconference),
shared that she was the school counselor in Bethel. She had
been a teacher for ten years. She testified in support of
ANSEP and Excel Alaska. She stated there was a population
of students who needed hands-on experience and vocational
training, which Excel Alaska provided. She emphasized that
children were the state's future. She spoke about the
importance of keeping talent in the state.
6:12:19 PM
LORI ELLESON, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), thanked
the committee for its time. She shared that she was a third
generation Alaskan. She supported a full PFD. She wanted
the revenue to go to the local economy.
6:13:10 PM
RICHARD WASSILLIE, ALASKA EXCEL, CHUGIAK (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for Alaska
Excel. The program prepared students for postsecondary
education and the workforce. The majority of graduates
remained in rural Alaska. The program provided counseling,
offered positive mentors, and made a difference in his
kids' lives. The program increased graduation rates. He
shared that 92 percent of Alaska Excel alumni resided in
the state. Last year, program students earned over 850 high
school credits. He thanked the committee.
6:15:09 PM
MARIA PYREE, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of a full PFD. She loved schools and the teachers,
but she did not think they needed more money, and believed
the funding went to administrators and not teachers. She
thought America was 40th in the world's education systems.
She did not want to see taxation of oil exploration. She
thought the state needed to have the economy moving. She
thought the state needed a Department of Government
Efficiency (DOGE).
6:16:59 PM
TINA RICHARDS, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference),
testified in support of education funding. She thought
children were the future. She thought sports played a huge
factor in mental health.
6:18:15 PM
DRINI PELLUMBI, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
support of education funding. He relayed that he was a
freshman at UAA. He testified in support of the ANSEP
program. He stated it was not merely an academic program it
was a community seeking equal access to education. He
thought ANSEP created a strong community. He was 18 and had
already made significant progress towards his engineering
career, which would not have been possible without ANSEP.
He stated that investing in ANSEP was an investment in
Alaska's future.
Co-Chair Josephson thanked all the callers for
participating in the process. He reviewed the schedule for
the following day.
HB 53 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 55 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
6:21:33 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 53 Public Testimony Rec'd by 031325.pdf |
HFIN 3/13/2025 4:30:00 PM |
HB 53 |