Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/10/1999 09:25 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
GENERAL SUBJECT(S):
SB 83 SUPPLEMENTAL/CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS
SB 72 CONSTITUTIONAL BUDGET RESERVE FUND
APPROPRIATION
The following overview was taken in extended log note format. Tapes
and handouts will be on file with the Senate Finance Committee through
the 21st Legislative Session, contact 465-2618. After the 21st
Legislative session they will be available through the Legislative
Library at 465-3808.
Time Meeting Convened: 9:25 a.m.
Tape(s): SFC-99 #51, Side A (000 - 305)
PRESENT:
X
Senator Parnell
X
Senator Adams
X
Senator Torgerson
X
Senator P. Kelly
Senator Donley
X
Senator Green
X
Senator Leman
X
Senator Phillips
X
Senator Wilken
ALSO PRESENT: ANNALEE MCCONNELL, Director, Office of Management
and Budget; DAN SPENCER, Chief Budget Analyst, Office of Budget
and Budget; SHARON BARTON, Director, Division of Administrative
Services, Department of Administration; ALISON ELGEE, Deputy
Commissioner, Department of Administration; BARBARA BRINK, Director,
Public Defender Agency; JIM HAUCK, Fiscal Analyst, Division of
Legislative Finance; aides to members and other members of the
Legislature.
VIA TELECONFERENCE: PAT POLAND, Director, Division of Municipal
and Regional Assistance, Department of Commerce and Regional Affairs
from Anchorage.
LOG
SPEAKER
DISCUSSION
000
Co-chair Parnell
Convened the meeting at approximately 9:25
a.m.
Said the committee would discuss CSSB
83(FIN), work draft "D"
There was no response to public testimony.
Annalee McConnell
Director, Office of Management and Budget
was invited to join the committee. She was
asked by Co-chair Parnell to explain any
comments to the work draft.
She said the biggest concern was for the
Western Alaska Fisheries Disaster.
The $7 million Federal funds available
would help provide jobs in Western Alaska.
This would alleviate some of the problems
for the past two years' disasters.
Some technical corrections need to be
worked out with staff.
Another concern was the Department of
Corrections, probation officers and prison
beds in Arizona.
Cook Inlet Pretrial Facility staffing was
also a concern.
She indicated that this matter could be
adjusted throughout the year. It would not
help with the probation officer status but
would help with the beds in Arizona.
With reference to the Southeast Disaster
they are working to get more Federal funds.
If this does not work out they will be back
before the Legislature for funding.
Co-chair Parnell
It was his understanding that if the
Federal funds were not available the matter
could be revisited with the Legislature,
however, he would make no commitment.
Senator Adams
Asked if this included all projects for the
Southeast Disaster for Federal funds?
Co-chair Parnell
Said it did not include trails.
Senator Leman
With reference to the Southeast projects
some were not funded by the Federal funds.
Was this true?
Annalee McConnell
Would need the Department of Transportation
to respond. There were some funds the
Federal government would respond to, but
only if the Federal funds were available.
At present, that pot is empty. There are
certain costs, in addition, that the
Federal funding will not cover. This is
based on some Federal policy, wherein they
choose not to fund some projects.
However, if they do not get the required
funds from the Federal government then they
will be back before the Legislature.
With reference to the Public Defender
Agency she felt that the money was
necessary to meet their demands and is a
concern to them that their funding would be
cut.
She is satisfied with the work that has
been done between her and the committee.
Co-chair Parnell
Advised the committee that Pat Poland,
Director, Division of Municipal and
Regional Assistance, Department of Commerce
and Regional Affairs was on line via
teleconference from Anchorage to answer any
questions. Also, if there were any
questions for Barbara Brink, PDA, she was
present. There being no questions for Mr.
Poland and Ms. Brink, Co-chair Parnell
asked if there were any questions for any
other members of the Administration that
were present. There were no further
questions from any committee members.
Next, for planning purposes, he said they
would wait for the House Bill to be
reported out and then reach this committee
by Friday. He announced they would take up
amendments at that time. The work draft
version "D" to SB 83 now before the
committee was the one they would address
with reference to any amendments.
Senator Leman
With regards to the Office of Management
and Budget's comment to the Public Defender
Agency, he asked if the increase in
caseload was due to child protection
caseload. He said he would be receptive to
see if it could be narrowed to only the
child protection caseload. He stated that
this was the first time he had heard that
this was the reason for the increase in
their caseload.
Annalee McConnell
Said there were a host of other reasons
that the caseload had increased in the
Public Defender's office. A supplemental
has always been needed to help them get
through the year. This was a choice made
by the Legislature.
Barbara Brink
Director, Public Defender Agency said she
had a few statistics. In FY97, they had
eight hundred ninety-two child protection
cases; in FY98 over thirteen hundred child
protection cases. In FY 99, so far, they
have had approximately twelve hundred
child protection cases. She will provide
further data to the committee regarding
their caseload.
Senator Adams
Asked if packet of amendments would be
distributed to the committee members. Some
of the amendments have been submitted for
areas outside of his district. He
referred, for example, to the Harborview
facility in Kasilof. He hoped this project
and others would be considered.
Co-chair Parnell
All amendments will be up for
consideration; the committee was just
waiting for the House to pass out their
version of the supplemental request.
Annalee McConnell
Referred to the cash flow situation and
possible projections. They are finding
that the pattern of deposits in and out of
the State treasury is tracking with the
spreadsheet. There is an approximate
three-day lag in terms of when payments are
coming into the State. The Administration
has defined what would happen if the
supplemental bill were not to pass. They
have identified which accounts would be
swept first.
With reference to the oil industry and
production drops, there will be
approximately a $60 million deficit.
April first will see the official spring
forecast. It was necessary for the
Legislature to stick with their schedule to
assure the public there was no lack of
funds. This would preclude taking any
dramatic action for this fiscal year.
Senator Adams
"When will we run out of cash?"
Annalee McConnell
Said it would be approximately be the first
of May.
Will need to revisit this matter before the
Legislature adjourns.
Senator Adams
$425 million dollars needed for this fiscal
year?
Annalee McConnell
$485 million needed. Will provide update
for the committee.
Co-chair Parnell
Asked the committee members to arrange
their schedules so that they could meet
Friday afternoon in order to prevent
meeting Friday evening with regards to the
supplemental. At this time they will try
to complete dealing with amendments.
Senator Adams
Asked what were the plans if the bill took
three days in the House?
Co-chair Parnell
Has scheduled Saturday for a meeting if
necessary. Asked members to set aside time
after floor session on Friday at
approximately noon to deal with amendments.
He noted that this meeting would be after a
lunch break.
305
ADJOURNMENT: Co-chair Parnell adjourned
the meeting at approximately 9:47 a.m.,
tape number 51, Side A, log #305.
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