Legislature(2005 - 2006)
05/23/2005 08:20 PM Senate 001
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CONFERENCE Committee HB 1
May 23, 2005
8:20 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Representative Meyer called the House Finance Committee
meeting to order at 8:20:27 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senate:
Senator Gary Wilken Vice-Chair
Senator Lyda Green, Member
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Member
House:
Representative, Kevin Meyer, Chair
Representative Mike Chenault, Member
Representative Les Gara, Member
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
SUMMARY
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 1(HES)
"An Act relating to the base student allocation used in
the formula for state funding of public education; and
providing for an effective date."
and
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 1(FIN)
"An Act relating to the base student allocation used in
the formula for state funding of public education; and
providing for an effective date."
CC CSHB 1 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation.
Representative Chenault MOVED to ADOPT CSHB 1 (HES) as the
conference committee version.
8:21:18 PM
Representative Gara OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
He agreed with the motion but pointed out that even with the
$4,919 [ADM] that there will be teacher cuts around the
state. He observed that the state of Alaska is preparing to
fund a capital budget, which is $600 - $700 million more
than the previous year's appropriation and suggested that
additional education funding in the capital budget would
avoid school cuts. He suggested that the $38 million in
PERS/TRS funding be added on top of the $4,919 ADM. This
would provide funding at the level requested by many of the
school districts and would address shortfalls in education
funding.
Representative Gara WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
8:23:03 PM
Senator Wilken acknowledged that some districts would have a
shortfall, but maintained that many districts would do fine
with the proposed funding level.
8:23:47 PM
Senator Hoffman observed that there are different facets to
the budget, including the capital budget. He observed that
the major maintenance list has been discussed and stressed
the need for new schools. He maintained it is difficult for
children to learn without adequate facilities.
8:24:54 PM
Representative Chenault observed that he has worked on cost
differential issues and that there would be a task force to
continue work on the issue. He maintained that there have
been too many studies on cost differentials in recent years
that have not resulted in change. He stressed that his
district is hurting as much as most other districts in the
state. He observed that $4,919 is a large increase over past
years. He noted that the capital budget would contain
funding for deferred maintenance. He expressed the hope that
savings in fuel costs or maintenance can be turned toward
education.
8:26:58 PM
Representative Gara agreed that there had been improvements
in the backlog of school maintenance and construction. He
maintained that school districts representing more than half
of the children in the state would suffer cuts under the
$4,919 funding level [Anchorage, Wrangel, Kake, Juneau,
Kenai, Iditarod, Lake and Peninsula, Copper River, and
Unalaska] but observed that several districts will still
suffer cuts.
Representative Gara WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
8:28:38 PM
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 PM
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