Legislature(2015 - 2016)BARNES 124
04/01/2015 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Commissioner | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
April 1, 2015
4:06 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Kurt Olson, Chair
Representative Shelley Hughes, Vice Chair
Representative Jim Colver
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Sam Kito
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Cathy Tilton
Representative Mike Chenault (alternate)
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
Andre Horton - Anchorage
Jeffrey Johnson - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Ellen Ganley - Fairbanks
Tom Manning - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Dental Examiners
Dr. Thomas Kovaleski - Chugiak
Dr. David Nielson - Anchorage
Paula Emswiler Ross - Anchorage
Dr. Paul Silveira - Valdez
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Tyler Andrews - Anchorage
Lon Needles - Valdez
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Marine Pilots
David Arzt - Anchorage
Shirley Marquardt - Unalaska
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Leon T. Webber - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Nursing
Julie Gillette - Fairbanks
Sharyl Toscano - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Occupational Safety and Health Review Board
Shawn Michael Waldron - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) WITHDRAWN BY THE GOVERNOR
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Paul Barney - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Pharmacy
Leif Holm - North Pole
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners
Jon DeRuyter - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) WITHDRAWN BY THE GOVERNOR
Real Estate Commission
Traci Barickman - Wasilla
Marianne Burke - Anchorage
Cynthia Cartledge - Anchorage
PeggyAnn McConnochie - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
Stephen McAlpine - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Veterinary Examiners
Tamara Rose - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
Andrew Hemenway - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Stacy A. Allen - Palmer
Pamela J. Cline - Anchorage
Chuck Collins, Jr. - Juneau
Jacob Howdeshell - North Pole
Linda F. Hutchings - Soldotna
Rick Traini - Anchorage
Patricia A. Vollendorf - Anchorage
Robert C. Weel - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, Board of Directors
Richard Halford - Eagle River
Joseph Paskvan - Fairbanks
Hugh Short - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development,
Commissioner
Chris Hladick - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Commissioner
Heidi Drygas - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
CHRIS HLADICK, Designee, Commissioner
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointed commissioner of the
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
(DCCED).
HEIDI DRYGAS, Commissioner Designee
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointed commissioner of the
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD).
STEPHEN MCALPINE, Commissioner Designee
Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointed commissioner to the
Regulatory Commission of Alaska.
JOE PASKVAN, Appointee
Board of Directors
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Directors, Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC).
RICK HALFORD, Appointee
Board of Directors
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC)
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Directors, Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC).
HUGH SHORT, Appointee
Board of Directors
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC)
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Directors, Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC).
KONRAD JACKSON, Staff
Representative Kurt Olson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on behalf of the House Labor &
Commerce Committee, Representative Olson, Chair, on the
appointees to the various board and commissions.
ACTION NARRATIVE
4:06:52 PM
CHAIR KURT OLSON called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. Representatives Colver
Kito, LeDoux, Hughes, Josephson, and Olson were present at the
call to order.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
^Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
^Board of Dental Examiners
Board of Dental Examiners
^Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
^Board of Marine Pilots
Board of Marine Pilots
^Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
^Board of Nursing
Board of Nursing
^Occupational Safety and Health Review Board
Occupational Safety and Health Review Board
^Board of Examiners in Optometry
Board of Examiners in Optometry
^Board of Pharmacy
Board of Pharmacy
^Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners
Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners
^Real Estate Commission
Real Estate Commission
^Regulatory Commission of Alaska
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
^Board of Veterinary Examiners
Board of Veterinary Examiners
^Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
^Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
^Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board of Directors
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board of Directors
^Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic
Development, Commissioner
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development,
Commissioner
^Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Commissioner
Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Commissioner
4:07:06 PM
CHAIR OLSON announced that the only order of business would be
the confirmation hearings for the [governor's 39 appointments to
the] various boards and commissions.
4:08:00 PM
CHAIR OLSON said that members have had an opportunity to review
resumes from all the appointees and have asked the commissioner
designee for the Department of Labor & Workforce Development
(DLWD), Heidi Drygas, the commissioner designee for the
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
(DCCED), Chris Hladick, and commissioner designee for the
Regulatory Commission of Alaska, Stephen McAlpine, and the three
appointees to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, Board
of Directors, Rick Halford, Joseph Paskvan, and Hugh Short to
appear before the committee.
4:08:44 PM
CHRIS HLADICK, Designee, Commissioner, Department of Commerce,
Community & Economic Development (DCCED), stated that he has
served as a city manager for 25 years in Galena, Dillingham, and
most recently in Unalaska, working extensively on projects with
federal agencies. He said he also has been a recipient of the
DCCED's services so it gives him a familiarity with the
department's role and function. In closing, he offered that he
looked forward to applying the skills he has learned in the past
25 years to this position.
4:09:31 PM
CHAIR OLSON commented that commissioner designee Chris Hladick
has testified before the committee previously so members have
had an opportunity to become familiar with him.
4:09:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES asked whether he had any area of emphasis,
in particular, since he has been a recipient of the DCCED's
services.
COMMISSIONER HLADICK replied that he has been on the job for
three months and during that time has been conducting some
assessments, but he planned to delve more deeply into that once
the legislative session is over. He related his understanding
that significant grants are processed by the DCCED so he hopes
to focus on cost savings in grant programs. The department also
has numerous loan programs and he hopes to focus on ways to
combine those activities. Although he does not yet have an in-
depth knowledge of the internal workings, he would like to gain
more information once the legislative session was over.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES appreciated his interest in finding ways
to save money.
4:11:39 PM
HEIDI DRYGAS, Commissioner Designee, Department of Labor &
Workforce Development (DLWD), in response to Chair Olson, said
she has been surprised at how much she enjoys her job as
commissioner, noting she has served as commissioner for the past
three months. She characterized the DLWD's staff as committed
and having served the department for some time. She informed
members that the DLWD's staff helps people, by keeping them
safe, retraining those who need skill development, and by
assisting unemployed, injured, and disabled workers. She
described her experience in the past few months as remarkable.
4:13:11 PM
CHAIR OLSON suggested that committee members and many people in
the audience today are doing their jobs to provide public
service, especially since many people could earn significantly
more working in the private sector.
4:13:44 PM
STEPHEN MCALPINE, Commissioner Designee, Regulatory Commission
of Alaska (RCA), stated that he is a 45-year resident of Alaska,
an attorney by profession, and he was appointed March 1, 2015 to
serve on the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA). Since then
he has read over 1,200 pages of material in preparation for the
multiple tasks the RCA was charged to perform. He has
participated in several hearings and adjudications, and attended
a week of training to date.
CHAIR OLSON remarked that Mr. McAlpine also has had a career in
public service.
MR. MCALPINE agreed.
4:15:31 PM
JOE PASKVAN, Appointee, Board of Directors, Alaska Gasline
Development Corporation (AGDC), stated that he has been
nominated to serve as a public member on the AGDC board of
directors. He asked members to support to forward his
confirmation to the full legislature. He said he was born and
raised in Alaska, graduated from high school and the University
of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). He has been married for nearly 37
years and has raised four children in Alaska. He has two
grandchildren with two more arriving by the end of the year. He
has served as an attorney in private practice for over 30 years.
He has experience in large and small construction projects. He
has represented major contractors that have been involved in
construction disputes, including large projects involving state
contracts and small contracts involving only private
construction contracts. As part of his work he has hired and
continues to hire technical consultants to assist his clients.
He currently serves on two AGDC committees, the Technical
Committee and the Commercialization Committee.
4:17:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES stated that a level of expertise is needed
for the AGDC Board of Directors. She acknowledged he served as
Co-Chair of the senate Resources Committee for several years.
She asked whether any of his construction experience was related
to the oil and gas industry.
MR. PASKVAN replied that he represented a contractor who was
responsible for the maintenance contract for the Trans-Alaska
Pipeline System for many years, which was tangentially related
to the oil and gas industry. However, he acknowledged that his
client was a contractor for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System
performing maintenance on the pipeline.
4:18:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES asked what expertise he will bring to the
two aforementioned AGDC subcommittees.
MR. PASKVAN answered that the Commercialization Subcommittee
would be chaired by John Burns. He offered his belief that Mr.
Burns was interested in his help in advancing an understanding
of what it will take to make it a viable commercial project.
Further, he anticipated that the AGDC would rely on facts in
order to make good decisions. He said he looked forward to
serving on that committee. The Tech Subcommittee would be led
by Dave Cruz, Cruz Construction Company, and would be focused
specifically on areas such as material grades for pipe, pressure
ratings for the pipe, gas treatment facilities, and compression
plants, as well as retaining and obtaining the best industry
standard cost estimates.
4:20:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES appreciated the overview of the
subcommittees; however, she expressed an interest in how he
would be able to contribute with his knowledge in those two
areas.
MR. PASKVAN stated that other than his participation in
construction, he retains lawyers and consultants and has for
over thirty years. He related his understanding that a big task
of the subcommittees would be gathering information. He said
the AGDC has engineers and consultants who are working on
industry standard costs. He said that once this information is
assembled, it is necessary to have good decision makers, which
is his area of expertise, and the reason Mr. Cruz would like his
participation on the subcommittee.
4:21:36 PM
RICK HALFORD, Appointee, Board of Directors, Alaska Gasline
Development Corporation (AGDC), Department of Commerce,
Community & Economic Development, stated that he began his
education in petroleum issues in this room 36 years ago [as a
legislator] considering the interim tariff for the TAPS [Trans-
Alaska Pipeline System]. During the aforementioned process, he
learned that the legislative branch had the greatest opportunity
to learn and be educated if members chose not to make decisions
until the parties of interest provided the details. In fact,
the educational aspects were part of the reason he spent 24
years in the process. Since legislative members can choose to
chair different committees, it allows them to concentrate on
different areas. He considered the education to be a valuable
asset.
MR. HALFORD offered that he spent about a dozen years [as a
legislator] serving on the House and Senate Resources Standing
Committees in the legislature, including chairing those
committees, as well as serving as majority leader of both
bodies. He said he felt lucky to have served with legislators
who began their service at statehood, remarking that these
leaders were also great teachers, although he had initially
disagreed with many of them. He offered his belief that people
can learn most from people who challenge them, which was his
experience. He served in the 90s on a gasline financing task
force and chaired the [Resources] committee during the BP/ARCO
merger. He has also been involved in the political and
regulatory branches of oil and gas issues for a number of years.
He characterized the current process as one that was very
complex, with significant issues at play. He hoped the
legislative and executive branches would be able to get together
because doing so means the state has the chance of getting a
gasline, but if not, he was afraid that it wouldn't be possible.
He said he was willing to work on the process as best as he can.
4:24:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES, in terms of hoping the legislative and
executive branches will come together to achieve a gasline,
asked what he brings to the table.
MR. HALFORD answered that he believes in the political process,
in the authority of the legislative branch and of the executive
branch. He offered his belief that people were trying to reach
conclusions. He recommended that parties stay at the table to
obtain answers and develop the level of trust it takes to
achieve a project. Even so, he predicted it will be very
difficult to do so. He said that the majors have moved a little
bit because of their own interest, which has given the state an
opportunity. Often, people in the political process think they
are in charge of economics, but he has found that economics
usually overrules politics. He said, "We push on our end of the
rope and we wonder why the other end didn't move, but for once
we may have some pull - from the economic end - and I hope that
works."
4:26:04 PM
HUGH SHORT, Appointee, Board of Directors, Alaska Gasline
Development Corporation (AGDC), Department of Commerce,
Community & Economic Development (DCCED), asked to read prepared
remarks, as follows:
Chairman, and committee members, thank you for the
opportunity to address the House Labor and Commerce
[Standing Committee.]
I am honored to be before you today to be considered
to serve you, the Governor, and the State of Alaska,
as a board member of the Alaska Gasline Development
Corporation.
As a board member of AGDC, I would take my
responsibility seriously. From the "Heads of
Agreement," my top six priorities would include the
following:
1. Competitively priced, reliable in-state gas;
2. Commercialization of ANS gas resources through
the sale of LNG to global markets and access for
in-state demand;
3. Creating jobs for Alaskans in the exploration,
development, production and transportation of
natural gas;
4. Increasing opportunities for Alaska-based
businesses;
5. Providing additional revenues to the State of
Alaska and LNG partners; and
6. Building infrastructure for the development of
onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration and
production.
4:27:39 PM
MR. SHORT asked continued to read prepared remarks, as follows:
With that, I would briefly like to discuss my
background and how I believe that I would fulfill the
statutory requirements to be a board member.
First, I have a career in business and finance, most
recently as the chairman and CEO for the Pt Capital
family of companies. Pt Capital is in the midst of
building a private equity firm that focuses on
investments in small to mid-market companies in
Alaska, Canada, Iceland and Greenland. Our company is
the first for Alaska, as traditional private equity
investment in Alaska has been through private equity
firms that are headquartered outside the state. I
have built this company anchored by one of the largest
sovereign wealth funds globally with one of the most
pristine reputations, surrounded by other well-
regarded investors.
Additionally, our subsidiary Pt Securities is the most
northern FINRA - regulated, SEC-registered,
broker/dealer investment bank in North America. Pt
Securities works with small and mid-market companies
that have needs to raise capital and debt for the
growth and expansion of their business.
4:28:28 PM
MR. SHORT asked to read prepared remarks, as follows:
Both of these services are first to market companies
for Alaska and have been created to help spur the
further development of a strong, financial services
sector in our state.
During my over two-year tenure as chairman of the
Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority,
more than $530 million in capital and associated
contributions by our partners were appropriated; in
addition the board approved due diligence on another
$295 million in infrastructure development projects,
including the first investments for AIDEA in offshore
drilling rigs.
As Chairman of the Alaska Energy Authority, concurrent
to being Chairman of Alaska Industrial Development and
Export Authority, I was responsible for the
implementation of the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric
Project. As most of you know, this project
potentially could generate 50 percent of the current
Railbelt's electric demand, or 2,800,000 megawatt
hours (MWh) of energy. As proposed, Susitna-Watana
Hydro will include construction of a dam, reservoir,
and related facilities in a remote part of the Susitna
River. Transmission lines connecting into the
existing Railbelt transmission system and an access
road would also be constructed.
The Alaska Energy Authority is in the early stages of
a long, complex permitting process with FERC, the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which I led as
Chairman. The anticipated cost of this project is
$5.19 billion, including licensing and construction.
I mention this because one of the statutory
requirements is large projects, and I believe the 2 to
2.5 years as Chairman, initiating this under Governor
Parnell, and driving it to about 70 percent through
the FERC process, as well as managing the contractors
necessary was a significant push on my part.
4:30:43 PM
MR. SHORT continued to read prepared remarks, as follows:
Additionally, when I took over as Chair for both the
energy authority [Alaska Energy Authority] and AIDEA
[Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority],
performance evaluations had not been completed in a
four or five years. I found this unacceptable and
immediately began to work with staff to implement
these important management tools. We tied key
performance metrics to overall organizational goals of
both AEA and AIDEA, and focused the work of the board
on the large strategic items that drove results.
As President and CEO of Alaska Growth Capital,
Alaska's only Business and Industry Development
Corporation, I was responsible for the deployment of
over $240 million of capital and financing for the
acquisition and construction of telecommunication
networks for GCI, utilizing creative finance tools to
ensure the best possible cost of capital to support
the high cost Arctic, rural build out of the network.
The remote communication towers create state of the
art communication networks, improving health care,
economic opportunities, and life/safety for many in
residents of Alaska.
4:31:45 PM
MR. SHORT continued to read prepared remarks, as follows:
In addition to this, I was responsible for the
financing at Alaska Growth Capital of businesses that
worked in Alaska's oil, mining, tourism, retail,
logistics, and transportation industries. These
companies form the support foundation for the core
natural resource exploration and production that
drives our economy in Alaska. In a state that's so
dependent on the access to lands and resources, the
financial support of Alaska Growth Capital was and
continues to be vital to the business operations of
many companies that otherwise would not be able to
access capital.
On a personal note, my Inupiaq mother Mildred Short
was born in the isolated community of Moses Point in
1942, just outside of Elim. My father Hugh Short Sr.,
who turns 90 in August of this year, immigrated to
Alaska in 1956 - three years before statehood - from
northern British Columbia. I personally was born in
the small town of Bethel, in western Alaska and had
the honor of serving as the mayor - which sounds more
important; a term is one year, so two years - as mayor
of the community. I currently live in Girdwood now
with my wife of almost 20 years, Trina, and our three
daughters.
4:33:13 PM
MR. SHORT continued to read prepared remarks, as follows:
As a board member for AGDC, I would work to ensure
that the business of the AGDC was squarely on the
focus of commercializing Alaska's gas, not politics.
I have a track record of focusing on ensuring that the
state does not make bad business decisions, and
creates opportunity and jobs for those that live here.
I would use this to serve on the board and contribute
to the important task at hand, with the governor, the
legislature, to make Alaska's gas competitive
globally, locally, and to build the important
infrastructure necessary to make this happen. Thank
you, Mr. Chairman.
4:33:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON, prefaced that he was not speaking of
AGDC, but said he has observed some authorities become mini-
sovereigns and in some instances the legislature can lose
control of them. For example, there has been that sense with
KABATA [Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority]. He asked whether
he believed that appearance does exist in the state's
authorities and if so, what could be done about it.
MR. SHORT answered that he can only speak from his experience at
the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) and at the Alaska Industrial
Development and Export Authority (AIDEA). He had a different
point of view, since he has found AIDEA to be very constrained
to $20 million for investments in projects, which was a late 80s
figure, or it must come to the legislature for approval.
Certainly, $20 million today is not what it was in 1989, so the
AIDEA has been very constrained by statute in what it can
accomplish as an authority. He suggested there is an
opportunity to revisit the statutes that govern AIDEA and
modernize the organization to allow the authority to take
advantage of opportunities and create jobs. He emphasized the
need to have an overall organizational analysis. Although the
AEA has legislative intent for projects and administrative
intent, the energy policy is broken in the state and the AEA is
ripe for change and innovation. He found the AEA lacked the
ability to coordinate how the energy assets are built out for
natural gas generation or for renewable energy. He suggested an
opportunity exists to revisit the AEA and try to focus the
organization; however, he said he respected the management teams
at AIDEA and AEA and believes they are doing wonderful jobs, but
the organizations need additional authority.
4:37:16 PM
MR. SHORT said has only followed the KABATA project through the
news, but he has not reviewed the authority. Turning to the
AGDC, he found it to be one of the most powerful authorities and
he assured members that he takes the responsibility of serving
as a board member very seriously. He concluded by expressing an
interest in working with the legislature, hand-in-hand, as
decisions are made.
4:37:44 PM
CHAIR OLSON remarked that he has worked with AIDEA [Alaska
Industrial Development and Export Authority] in the past few
years, and each time AIDEA has come to the legislature, the
committee has assisted the corporation.
4:38:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KITO remarked that he was impressed with his
business and background with AEA and AIDEA. He suggested the
point Representative Josephson made earlier was that an entity
like KABATA was created for a specific project; whereas AEA or
AIDEA perpetuate their missions, not any specific project.
Certainly, AGDC has been directed to accomplish a project or to
work between two projects to try to achieve one viable project.
He expressed concerned about the nature of a project-directed
authority to be self-perpetuating rather than serving an overall
public purpose. He sensed Mr. Short was in tune to that, but
cautioned that the state needs to be careful it doesn't get into
a situation in which "the authority exists to make sure the
authority exists."
REPRESENTATIVE KITO asked whether Mr. Short had any thoughts or
ideas of how to encourage or motivate younger rural residents to
seek training and become eligible to work on the proposed
gasline. He wanted to ensure that all of the proposed gasline
employees do not come out of the existing pools in the urban
centers or from out-of-state. He hoped that the state will be
forward-looking and provide training opportunities for youth in
rural communities so they can participate. He asked for ways to
accomplish that goal.
4:40:32 PM
MR. SHORT remarked that his first question to board members was
to ask them to identify benefits to non-Southcentral Alaska
residents of building a gasline, and whether there was a plan to
get gas to markets in Alaska without spurs or other access to
gas. One further question would be how to use the existing
workforce development programs during fiscal uncertainty to
ensure that when the proposed gasline is built that the
workforce will be there. He appreciated Commissioner Drygas
being on the board since she brings a strong workforce
development focus to the board. He said he has spent a
significant portion of his career at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
Learning Center to encourage local residents to get into health
care professions. He offered his belief that the key was to
start working with students in middle school since waiting until
high school will risk not affecting their future career
trajectory. He recognized a number of programs were initiated
in the past five years, for example, Yuut Elitnaurviat (YE) in
Bethel, the boarding schools in Kotzebue and Galena, and AVTEC
[Alaska Vocational Technical Center] in Seward. Thus
significant innovative programs have been put in place; however,
the AGDC must have a serious conversation on other ways to
invest in workforce development to ensure that an adequate
workforce will be ready to construct the proposed gasline. He
said he was excited about the prospect, in fact, number (4) on
his list was employment for Alaska residents, especially
important to him as an Alaska Native coming from rural Alaska.
4:42:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER asked for any insight on the state's
bonding capacity to finance a portion of the AKLNG or the ASAP.
MR. SHORT answered that the AGDC has entered into a contract
with Lazard, who has been tasked to determine bonding capacity
for the State of Alaska for the financing portion of the state's
participation in AKLNG or ASAP. He offered his belief that
Lazard was in Juneau about a month ago. He expressed an
interest in diving into this work. He reported that he serves
on the Governance Committee and the Commercialization Committee.
He emphasized his strength and expertise will be on the
financing side of the transaction and he will work to ensure the
state does not take too much risk in this deal, but still
participates at an adequate level. He said the financing, risk,
and participation are different discussions between the ASAP and
AKLNG projects. He characterized the aforementioned as
representing a significant portion of the work, which he hoped
to discuss with the legislature in more detail.
4:44:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER remarked that Mr. Short brings an
excellent skill set to the AGDC. He expressed an interest in
the comment that AEA was ripe for restructuring, and as Co-Chair
of the Energy Committee, he would like to glean direction how to
achieve that.
MR. SHORT offered his belief that after the restructuring in the
90s, the AEA has not had the authority to control its project
list or where to spend its resources. What has happened was
that the legislature tended to pass statewide legislative
capital projects to AEA without employing a cohesive approach to
use the state's finite resources in terms of the build out of
energy. He stressed that currently the AEA doesn't necessarily
have the tools to do so. He suggested that the Susitna/Watana
project illustrates how the process works. For example, the
state has expended over $200 million on the project, but by
investing an additional $100 million to get to licensing, the
state would have an asset it could sell on the market to recover
some costs. He said it would be a shame to not finish the
licensing process, but this scenario is emblematic of the
struggles of the energy authority.
4:47:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES commented that Mr. Short brings excellent
expertise to the board. She hoped he would also be able to
carve out time for his family.
4:47:58 PM
CHAIR OLSON, after first determining no one wished to testify,
closed public testimony on the confirmation hearing.
4:48:17 PM
KONRAD JACKSON, Staff, Representative Kurt Olson, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of the House Labor & Commerce Committee,
Representative Olson, Chair, stated that all members have [been
provided with the names of each of the governor's 39
appointments] and have had an opportunity to review the resumes.
With the exception of those appointees who have appeared before
the committee, no concerns have been expressed about their
qualifications. He then read the names of appointees into the
record [as listed in the Committee Calendar].
4:51:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES remarked that she has noticed the
representation on boards and commissions has not reflected the
growth the Mat-Su Valley area has experienced. She wanted to
make certain this administration could take that into
consideration.
CHAIR OLSON remarked that a number of people would agree with
those sentiments.
4:52:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES moved to advance the confirmations of the
[39] appointees referred to the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee to a joint session of the House and Senate
for consideration. She reminded the members that signing the
reports regarding appointments to boards and commissions in no
way reflects individual members' approval or disapproval of the
appointees, and that the nominations are merely forwarded to the
full legislature for confirmation or rejection. There being no
objection, the confirmations for the [39] appointees were
advanced.
4:52:42 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
4:52 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Accountancy - Johnson #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Accountancy - Horton #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Alcoholic Beverage - Manning #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Alcoholic Bev - Ganley #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Dental Examiners - Kovaleski #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Dental Examiners - Nielson #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Dental Examiners - Ross #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Dental Examiners - Silveira #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Commissioner DCED - Hladick #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Commissioner Hladick |
| Commissioner DOLWF - Drygas #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Commissioner Drygas |
| Marital and Family - Webber #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Labor Relations - Andrews #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Labor Relations - Needles #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Marine Pilots - Arzt #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Marine Pilots - Marquardt #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Nursing - Gillette #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Nursing -Toscano #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Optometry - Barney #4.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Pharmacy - Holm #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Real Estate - Barickman #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Real Estate - Burke #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Real Estate - Cartledge #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Real Estate - McConnochie #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Regulatory Commission - McAlpine #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Veterinary Examiners - Rose #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Workers' Comp Appeals - Hemenway #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Workers' Comp Brd - Allen.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Workers' Comp Brd - Cline #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Workers' Comp Brd - Collins #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Workers' Comp Brd - Howdeshell #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Workers' Comp Brd - Hutchings #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Workers' Comp Brd - Traini #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Workers' Comp Brd - Vollendorf #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| Workers' Comp Brd - Weel #3.pdf |
HL&C 4/1/2015 3:15:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |