Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/13/2004 06:06 PM 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
MINUTES
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 13, 2004
6:06 PM
TAPES
SFC-04 # 77, Side A
SFC 04 # 77, Side B
SFC-04 # 78, Side A
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Lyda Green convened the meeting at approximately 6:06 PM.
PRESENT
Senator Lyda Green, Co-Chair
Senator Gary Wilken, Co-Chair
Senator Con Bunde
Senator Fred Dyson
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Ben Stevens
Also Attending: Testifiers are listed in the order they testified
in the body of the minutes.
SUMMARY INFORMATION
HB 375-APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
HB 377-APPROP:MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
The Committee heard public testimony from the Legislative
Information Offices in Bethel, Nome, Kotzebue, Fairbanks,
Anchorage, Mat-Su and in person in Juneau. The bills were held in
Committee.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 375(FIN) am
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan
program expenses of state government, for certain programs,
and to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date."
And
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 377(FIN)
"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."
NORMA AYAGALRIA, Tundra Women's Coalition, testified via
teleconference from Bethel requesting additional funding for the
Tundra Women's Coalition (TWC) program.
WINIFRED KELLY, Tundra Women's Coalition, testified via
teleconference from Bethel to thank the Department of Public Safety
budget subcommittee for restoring some of the funds removed by the
House of Representatives for the victims' services fund. She
requested an additional $600,000 for this program.
BRYAN TIMBERS, Retired Attorney, testified via teleconference from
Nome to request restoration of $125,000 grant for the Alaska Legal
Services Corporation. He spoke of the difficulties that could
befall those unable to pay for defense counsel in civil matters. He
noted that indigent defendants are not provided legal services in
civil matters.
BEN ESCH testified via teleconference from Nome in support of
funding for the Alaska Legal Services Corporation, as it provides
services for those unable to afford legal counsel. He remarked that
the request is not for increased funding, but rather to maintain
the same level of funds.
LOTTIE JONES testified via teleconference from Kotzebue that she
has worked for the Alaska Legal Services Corporation for many
years. She stated that the closure of many offices of this
Corporation require many residents to request assistance from
Anchorage. She expressed that indigent people charged in criminal
matters have the right to receive counsel from the Public Defenders
Agency and the Office of Public Advocacy; however if involved in
civil matters, they rely on the Alaska Legal Services Corporation.
CHERYL EDENSHAW, Alaska Technical Center, testified via
teleconference from Kotzebue in favor of funding for the technical
center. She told of the employment opportunities in the region and
the need for a trained workforce to fill those positions. She also
spoke to the high unemployment rate. She stated that to meet labor
market demands, the community must have education available for its
workforce.
SUZANNE EDELMAN testified via teleconference from Bethel, about the
low cost of birth control medication compared to that of unplanned
pregnancy and parenthood. She also spoke to the risks of sexually
transmitted diseases and the need for more reproductive health
services. She stated that currently, a teenager must wait two
months for services to become available. She requested the
Committee fully fund public health nursing programs for FY 05.
ZACK FANSLER, Tundra Women's Coalition, testified via
teleconference from Bethel, to thank the Department of Public
Safety subcommittee for restoration of partial funding for
services; however he requested the remaining $600,000. He detailed
the transportation and other services provided by the TWC,
stressing the program offers the primary means of safety for
victims of domestic violence for the entire region.
DARLENE MILLIGROCK, single parent with five children, testified via
teleconference from Nome about the assistance she received from the
Alaska Legal Services Corporation while going through her divorce,
and again in handling a custody "battle". She requested the local
office remain open.
GIA HANNA, Deputy Director, Kotzebue Indian Reorganization Act
(IRA), testified via teleconference from Kotzebue about the
continuing need to fund the Alaska Legal Services Corporation in
the region. She relayed that the Alaska Legal Services Corporation
has alleviated the demand for services on the Native corporations.
She stated that the local office has allowed residents to receive
services locally rather than from Nome or Fairbanks.
AGGIE LEE testified via teleconference from Kotzebue in support of
the Alaska Legal Services Corporation. She appreciated that staff
travels to villages to provide legal assistance to rural residents.
JENNIFER MEYER, emergency department nurse, and sexual assault
nurse examiner with the sexual assault response team, testified via
teleconference from Bethel to request full funding for the victims'
services programs. She stated that she spends a significant amount
of time working with victims of domestic violence. She reported
that the team has been seeing more patients in the current year,
and therefore the loss of funds would greatly affect their efforts.
SHARI NETH, 20-year resident of Bethel, testified via
teleconference from Bethel about her concerns of funding reductions
to the public health nursing program. She stated that the region
has the highest rates of sexually transmitted disease in the
nation. She outlined services she and her foster children receive
from the program, as well as friends who also depend on this care.
She warned that costs would be higher if needs were not addressed
presently.
WILLIAM UPDEGROVE, Bethel Aids Task Force, testified via
teleconference from Bethel, to reiterated the importance of public
health nursing care. He doubted that telemedicine could provide an
adequate level of service to treat and prevent AIDS and other
health problems. He also warned that the costs would significantly
increase in the future, outweighing any savings garnered this year.
LORETTA KIUNYA, Tanana Women's Coalition, testified via
teleconference from Bethel, to request that funding not be reduced
for public health nursing.
ELFRIDA NORD, Former Chief, Section of Nursing, retired, and
representing the Alaska Nursing Association, testified in Juneau as
follows.
AT a minimum I urge you to add back the $770,000 for Public
Health Nursing that the House Finance Committee approved. A
look at history will tell you that transitioning of clients
has been occurring and PHN basically serve those that are not
going to transition for number of reasons, largely, age, lack
of funds and confidentiality. Public Health Nurses provide
very different services than the private sector and the Health
Corporations. Public Health services are not synonymous with
individual medical services. It is the client, in this case
many of the villagers who will not get needed services.
PHNs have long advocated that their clients have a medical
home and are complementary, not in competition with the
private sector or Health Corporations.
The loss of Public Health Nurse aides may result in loss of
programs like infant car seat program and decreased outreach
to Medicaid eligible children, as well as forcing the highly
skilled PHN to do a lot of tasks that someone with less skills
could do. Generalist PHN positions were saved from cuts
because they can provide reduced public health services
whereas the aides cannot provide the services that protect the
public's health such as communicable disease control. This
restructuring plan is not being done because it is a
reasonable thing to do, it is an appearance of creating the
least amount of disruption of services to the public. It is
being driven by potential loss of resources, not reasonable
planning. This doesn't make sense from a vital program point
of view keeping in mind that there is a Constitutional mandate
under Article VII for the state to provide public health
services. Two years ago the Legislature was convinced through
the "Back to Basics" increment that the nursing component
needed more resources and provided about half of what was
requested. Now the proposal is to cut 4 times what was clearly
needed only 2 years ago. If cuts like this are necessary for a
balanced budget, then it is time to look for new resources.
ART PETERSON, retired attorney, testified in Juneau as follows.
…in support of the House budget bill's inclusion of $125,000
for the Alaska Legal Services Corporation, in the Department
of Community and Economic Development's FY 2005 operating
budget. This bill is currently in your committee, and I
strongly urge you to retain, or raise, that amount for ALSC.
This appropriation is crucial to the continuing civil-law
legal services that ALSC provides to Alaska's low-income
people, including seniors, families, battered spouses, and the
typically disadvantaged. It thus helps the functioning of the
juvenile justice system, itself.
For the last three decades, I have closely observed the
operations of ALSC, as a member of its board of directors. And
I can assure you that the state gets the most "bang for the
buck" from its financial aid to this corporation - efficiency!
Its lawyers and support staff work for nominal wages, and put
in great amounts of uncompensated overtime, because of their
commitment to the principle of equal access to justice.
LARRY WIGET, Executive Direct, Public Affairs, Anchorage School
District, testified via teleconference from Anchorage to read a
statement into the record as follows.
The Anchorage School District respectfully requests the Alaska
Legislature increase the amount of State Debt Reimbursement
appropriation in the budget to fully fund the Anchorage School
District's State debt reimbursement entitlement.
Our discussions with the State Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED) indicate that the Governor's FY 2004-
2005 proposed budget, the bill currently before you, does not
include funding for the additional $2,837,383* of the
Anchorage School District's State debt reimbursement
entitlement resulting from approval in January of ASD projects
that qualify for State debt reimbursement under the combined
authorization of House Bill 2003 and Statewide approval of
Proposition C.
The State Department of Education and Early Development
notified the Anchorage School District in January of approval
of additional projects that qualify for State debt
reimbursement. The authorization provides for 60 percent or 70
percent debt reimbursement on school construction projects
that received local voter approval back to June 30, 1999. For
the Anchorage School District, this involved submittal and
approval of projects related to voter approval in April 2000
and April 2002 including portions of bonds refunded in 2002.
The District was required by State regulation to submit an
estimated amount of State debt for FY 2004-2005 by October 15,
2003. The District did not include anticipated reimbursement
for the April 2000 and April 2002 including portions of bonds
refunded in 2002.
The Anchorage School District requests the Legislature to
increase the appropriation to honor the governor's commitment
to fully fund the State Debt reimbursement entitlement.
*We have reviewed our cash flow needs on all existing
projects, including Proposition 4 that was approved on April
6, 2004. The revised amount of additional State debt
reimbursement for FY 2004-2005 is $2,837.383 rather than
$3,570,976 provided legislators early on. The amount is less
since not all our propositions passed.
AT EASE 6:37 PM / 6:43 PM
ANDY HARRINGTON testified via teleconference from Fairbanks
representing the Alaska Legal Services Corporation. He told of the
civil legal assistance provided for low income Alaskans in matters
including loss of housing, health care insurance, and employment.
He stated that the funding amount approved by the House of
Representatives is the same as the previous year, and requested the
Committee support the same funding. He noted that Mat-Su would
begin participating in the human services matching grant program
and he urged the Committee provide adequate funding to allow the
community to participate at the same level currently enjoyed by the
Municipality of Anchorage and the Fairbanks North Star Borough. He
listed and argued against three reasons against funding this
program: the State could not afford to, but he argued that
nonprofits could deliver services at a lower cost than government;
too many nonprofit organizations currently exist, and countered
that any duplication of services could be eliminated; and faith
based services should deliver these services, pointing out that
many faith based organizations are currently providing these
services and require funding to continue to do so.
SUZANNE PRICE, Director, Fairbanks Community Mental Health Center,
and Officer, Alaska Mental Health Board, and Officer, Alaska
Community Mental Health Services Association, testified via
teleconference from Fairbanks to a platform developed, which
includes a fiscal plan to ensure adequate resources for State
services for vulnerable Alaskans. She noted that funding for mental
health grants has reduced each year for last ten to 15 years and
providers are encouraged to bill Medicaid for services rendered.
However, she said that Medicaid does not adequately fund these
services.
CARRIE DERSHIN, Health and Social Services Commission, Fairbanks
North Star Borough, testified via teleconference from Fairbanks
about the services provided by the local nonprofit organizations,
including meal delivery to elderly housebound residents, juvenile
justice assistance, and mental health care services. She stated
that the State grant funds garner 14 times the initial amount in
donations and in-kind services. She stressed the community matching
grant program is a cost effective method to deliver services.
ROGER GAY, resident of Big Lake, testified via teleconference from
Mat-Su to request the Committee not reduce funding for mental
health care services. He expounded on the needs of individuals for
mental health services, which he stated is less expensive than
institutionalization or no care. He also spoke to the need to
provide support for those delivering care.
PAT BALL, Certified Nurse, representing Valley Hospital and the
Alaska Nurses Association, testified via teleconference from Mat-Su
to request funding for public health nursing. She told of her ten
years working with public health workers, particularly in the field
of infectious diseases. She stated that these workers are "front
line" in addressing these diseases, but are often forgotten because
they work behind the scenes. She informed that public health
nursing assists in reducing costs that would otherwise go untreated
and eventually lead to emergency room visits. She stated that many
patients are only willing to confide in public health nurses.
JAMES GARHART, resident of Wasilla, testified via teleconference
from Mat-Su, to thank Senator B. Stevens for efforts "of crediting
the constitutionally mandated 25 percent resource royalty toward
the amount required for inflation proofing the permanent fund
corpus." He asserted that now is the time to change the structure
of the general fund budget and implement forward funding. He stated
that after inflation proofing and dividends, adequate funding
remains in Alaska Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve Fund to fully
fund expenditures of the general fund for one year. Afterwards, he
said State government could be forward funding. He offered other
suggestions for funding Alaska.
SFC 04 # 77, Side B
ELLEN KRSNAK, Catholic Social Services, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage that reduction to the community
matching grants program would greatly impact the delivery of
services to Southcentral Alaska by the Catholic Social Services
agency. She expressed that more of the funds of the grant are
utilized than any other appropriation, as they are matched 100
percent with local funds.
BONNIE JOHNSON, Public Health Nurse for 29 years, Retired,
testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in support of fully
funding the program. She stated that the current challenges for the
program are greater than ever, given bio-terrorism, Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), as well as measles, and tuberculosis,
which still persist in the State. She expressed this is not the
time to reduce funding for this program, which addresses these
threats.
EMILY ENNIS, Executive Director, Fairbanks Resource Agency, and
Vice President, Key Campaign testified via teleconference from
Fairbanks about the services the Agency provides to developmentally
disabled children and adults as well as elders with Alzheimer's
disease. She reminded of the recent visit to the Legislature by
members of the Key Campaign to speak of the needs of the State's
most vulnerable citizens. She remarked that funding these programs
would provide cost effective services.
SAMMYE POKRYKI testified via teleconference from Mat-Su, in support
of community matching grants. She stated this allows residents a
cost-effective way to continue services. She requested the same
level of funding as passed by the House of Representatives.
PETER BURCHELL testified via teleconference from Mat-Su about the
need for planning in delivery of services thought the community
matching grants programs. He remarked that many organizations have
stopped delivering services due to inadequate funding and he
requested that the remaining be allowed to continue.
JACKIE DEBENEC, Vice President, Arctic Alliance, and representing,
Adult Learning Programs of Alaska, testified via teleconference
from Fairbanks that nonprofit human service agencies provide the
most cost-effective way of delivering services. She listed the
needs of some programs and the funding needs that would go unmet.
She noted that if those studying for general equivalency diplomas
(GED) to attain jobs are hungry and in poor health, they would be
unable to complete their education despite their efforts and would
therefore be unable to become self-supporting.
JEANETTE GRASTO, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and Alaska
Mental Health Board, and advocate for the mentally ill, testified
via teleconference from Fairbanks that the State must develop a
fiscal plan that would provide adequate funding for the most
vulnerable Alaskans. She charged that the proposed budget
reductions would create a "false economy", because more funds would
be required later to address the consequences of unmet needs. She
remarked that treating Alaskan children in facilities located
outside the state is not beneficial because the children return to
a home that has not been addressed.
Co-Chair Green requested the witness contact her, as she could
clarify some information.
GREG HILL, Librarian, Fairbanks North Star Borough, testified via
teleconference from Fairbanks on behalf of himself in support of
the budget subcommittee's recommendation for funding libraries. He
also requested the Committee increase funding to that passed by the
House of Representatives.
Senator Dyson understood that some archived material would be lost
due to poor storage conditions. He asked if the witness felt the
matter was being adequately addressed.
Mr. Hill qualified he is not an expert in the field of archiving,
but noted that reduced funding has limited the ability for these
activities.
RIKI SIPE, Member, Fairbanks North Star Borough Health and Social
Services Commission, testified via teleconference from Fairbanks
about proposed budget reductions to the community matching grant
programs. She reiterated that although appropriations garner 14
times the actual dollar amount, volunteer efforts are immeasurable.
She stated that the local agencies are able to determine the needs
and provide services to address specific needs. She listed the Boys
and Girls Club, the Salvation Army, dental services and other
program that would not be funded without this grant.
ANNIE HOPPER testified via teleconference from Fairbanks, that ten
agencies that requested grants would not receive funds if the
community matching grant program were not fully funded. She
expressed social responsibility to provide these services,
including providing housing for homeless children and keeping
families intact.
IAN MICHAL HEBERT, Government Relations Director, Association of
Students, University of Alaska, testified via teleconference from
Fairbanks in favor of SB 283. He stated that Alaskans are anxiously
awaiting the outcome of the free conference on this bill. He
appreciated the $15.8 million included for the University in this
bill, noting the increased Public Employees Retirement System
(PERS) and Teachers Retirement System (TRS) expenses.
ANNETTE FREIBURGER, Member, Arctic Alliance for People, testified
via teleconference from Fairbanks, that the Alliance provides a
wide range of services for residents in community. She stated that
the Alliance has discussed the need for efficiency of services. She
also reported that she has been advised that the University system
is a model for the nation.
JERRY BROWN, Commissioner, Fairbanks North Star Borough Health and
Social Services Commission, testified via teleconference from
Fairbanks in favor of the community matching grant program. He
requested the Committee consider the value placed on the services
provided by this program. He remarked that the State has a
responsibility to provide essential health and social services to
communities, which he said has been passed to local communities. He
reported that communities have done a commendable job of delivering
these services, but would be unable to continue at this level
without sufficient funding. He noted that $1 million would not be
adequate given that the Mat-Su region would be joining the program.
JOHN CANNON testified via teleconference from Mat-Su to urge the
Committee to collaborate with Governor Frank Murkowski and the
House of Representatives to develop a fiscal plan that provides
adequate funding for vulnerable Alaskans. He asked for support in
restoring funds for the mental health court in Anchorage as well as
establishment of additional courts in the State, citing the need in
the Mat-Su. He also requested that Alaskan children receive
treatment within the State, and services be made available for
disabled homeless people. He asked for no further funding
reductions to community matching grants or Medicaid waivers. He
warned that good services have been developed, but "this safety net
is in danger" and "has eroded".
BERNARD GATEWOOD, Fairbanks North Star Borough Health and Social
Services Commission, testified via teleconference from Fairbanks,
to urge the Committee to reconsider and fund the community matching
grant program at least $1 million, although he pointed out that
$1.5 million is necessary with the inclusion of the Mat-Su region
in the program. He spoke to the good rate of return of the funds
invested in communities in Alaska. He surmised that if this was a
stock with a return of 14 to 1, Committee members would "jump on
it" and invest funds.
CARL EVERTSBUSCH, Key Coalition, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage, to reiterate Emily Ennis and John Cannon about the
increasing need for services for developmentally disabled through
Medicaid waivers. He remarked on the remarkable outcomes of
programs. He relayed that the membership of the Coalition support a
fiscal plan and that members were willing to forgo a portion of the
permanent fund dividends and would also consider taxes.
Senator Bunde thanked the witness for offering suggestions on how
to raise revenue.
STEVE WILLIAMS, Project Manager, Anchorage District Coordinated
Resources Project, also known as the mental health court, testified
via teleconference from Anchorage to encourage funding for the
program in Anchorage and to expand the program to other
communities. He stated that when it was decided to reduce
incidences of institutionalization of those with mental illness,
prison populations increased with a significant portion of inmate
populations suffering from mental illness. He spoke to unmet
treatments of mentally ill people and criminal acts often
committed. Once labeled a criminal, he remarked that an individual
is more likely to re-offend and be returned to criminal justice
system rather than receive treatment for the mental illness. He
told of the reduced incarceration rates since the implementation of
the mental health court program and subsequent savings to the
Department of Corrections and local communities. He pointed to the
added benefit that "it's the right thing to do" and also improves
quality of life.
Co-Chair Green clarified that the witness understood that funding
has not been reduced for this program.
Mr. Williams did.
DEWAYNE HARRIS, Program Director, Brother Francis Shelter,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support of the
community services matching grant program. He qualified that the
Shelter does not received funds from this grant program, although,
because the Shelter only provides housing for individual adults,
many families are in need of services provided by organizations
that do receive the grant funds. He described the emotional harm in
separating families and homelessness on children.
BOB BUNDY, Board Member, Alaska Legal Services Corporation,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support of funding
for the Alaska Legal Services Corporation and the community
matching grants program. He detailed his experience as an attorney.
He noted that most attorneys are problem solvers and the
Corporation attorneys provide advice to low-income clients to avoid
more serious and more expensive legal problems later. He emphasized
that these attorneys work for "laughable" salaries, and are not
involved in criminal matters, or class action suits that garner
large awards.
BRENDA MOORE, Christian Health Associates, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage, that the Association does not
receive any funds from the community matching grants program. She
told of efforts to increase capacity in faith-based organizations
to provide more services. However, she warned that without the
current level of funding, faith-based organizations would have more
difficulty filling the gap. She told of efforts with emergency
shelters to develop a contingency plan to shelter families with
children who currently do not have services available.
SARA JACKSON, Director, Saint Frances House, Catholic Community
Services, testified via teleconference from Anchorage and read a
statement into the record as follows.
St. Frances House provided food assistance to 4,925
individuals last month.
Additionally, we facilitated the distribution of 236 boxes of
USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] Food, a program
that targets the elderly, pregnant women and children. By
March, we were the only significant source for financial
assistance in Anchorage that still had funds. That month we
distributed nearly $11,000.00 for the prevention of eviction
and utility shut-off to 38 families including 54 children.
When we resume the financial assistance program next winter,
the funds we received through HSMG will determine how many
families we can prevent from becoming homeless. Community belt
tightening is felt the most at the bottom and reductions in
family support services have dramatically increased the need
for emergency assistance. Many people tell us they have been
unable to secure adequate employment before unemployment
benefits run out. Unemployment and hunger are at an extreme
level in villages resulting in families moving to Anchorage
seeking relief from their situation. We have 95 families from
Mat-Su on our food pantry database and we serve families as
far as Girdwood. Our client load is up 20% over the last year.
Our staff is up 0%. The HSMG helps to fund one of our four
staff positions, the essential position of Resource and
Volunteer Coordinator. Through the funding of that single
person, St. Francis House leveraged 1.240 hours of donated
labor by 45 volunteers in March. Some of the people that we
rely on to help us deliver services are people who also rely
upon St. Francis House to provide them with a user friendly
setting in which to develop social and job skills. We are a
work site for developmentally delayed students, adult and
youth offenders and community restitution programs. The work
of St. Francis House is simple enough for anyone to be
successful and meaningful enough to strengthen the weakest
self-esteem, and soften the hardest attitude. This is a win-
win exchange that provides immeasurable benefits to the
community. Please reconsider your recommendation to cut this
important lifeline to so many Alaskans during this very
difficult economic period.
SFC 04 # 78, Side A 07:47 PM
DIANE DISANTO, Municipality of Anchorage, Mayor's Office, testified
via teleconference from Anchorage, to thank Representative Mike
Hawker for restoring funding for the municipal matching grants
program. She expressed disappointment that the Senate reduced
funding especially given that Mat-Su would be added to the program.
She pointed out that Anchorage serves as a hub for the entire state
and serves those who travel to Anchorage and find themselves in
need. She stated that agencies funded with this grant provide a
critical role in getting basic services for individuals. She
informed that in the recent municipal election, voters approved the
development of a long-range fiscal plan for the State by a ration
of two to one.
PATRICIA SENNEL, Alaska Nurses Association, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage to request the Committee adopt the
funding approved by the House of Representatives for the public
health nursing program. Given the increased risk of infectious
diseases, she was unable to understand why funding would be reduced
from the amount recommended by the Governor. She supported an
increase in the tobacco tax.
KJERSTI LANGNES, Clare House, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage that funds received through the community matching grant
program pays the salaries for six staff positions. She explained
the shelter provides emergency shelter for women and children. She
warned that if it becomes necessary to close the shelter during
daytime hours infants and toddlers would likely spend days in
libraries, laundry mats, and shopping malls.
R. BRUCE PARHAM, President, Alaska Historical Society, and
Archivist, National Archives and Records Administration in
Anchorage, testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support
of funding for the programs and services provided by the Division
of Libraries, Archives and Museums and the Office of History and
Archeology. He pointed out that since he began supporting these
programs in 1976, the budgets for these agencies has been reduced
40-60 percent. He told of the resulting staff reductions and
reduced services. He requested funding to restore the position of
curator at the Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka, to add an
electronic archivist position in Juneau and a record analyst
position in Anchorage. He noted that other states have electronic
archivist staff, and that a record analyst is needed for Anchorage
to ensure that the large number of State agencies regularly
transfer their records to archives. He warned of potential
litigation if unable to retrieve and produce records.
RONALD TAYLOR testified via teleconference from Anchorage about the
Alcohol Safety Action Program. He stated that funding for the Adult
portion of the program was removed from the budget, and although
some grant funds have been restored, funding for personnel
services, travel and other expenses was not. He stated that the
office could not function and provide the same level of services
with only seven staff positions, half of the current number. He
also spoke to the increased match requirement from $150,000 to
$370,000 and stressed this requirement could not be met unless
revenue from client fees increased, which he stated is unlikely
given the low income of the clients.
Co-Chair Green requested the witness contact her office to receive
updated information about funding for this program. She expressed
efforts to identify methods to ensure all fees are paid before
offenders are released by the court system.
BARBARA SMITH, Alaska Historical Society, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage, about her concerns of proposed
funding for Alaska state museums, libraries, and archives. She
understood Co-Chair Wilken's efforts to increase funding for this
division and encouraged the Committee to consider the House of
Representatives funding level.
MARIE LAVIGNE, Alaska Public Health Association, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage, urges SFC to restore full funding to
Department of Health and Social Services for nurse funding. Public
Health Nursing is necessary. Disease control services especially
vital.
V. KAY LAHDENPERA, Alaska Nurses Association, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage that she was a public health nurse
with the Municipality of Anchorage for 35 years and is now retired.
Public health, she remarked, has been an essential part of the
health care system in this country for the past 100 years and
should not be reduced. She did not want health aides in rural
communities to be reduced, as these positions are important to
public health nurses. She warned that if services are reduced,
private providers would be unwilling to serve the low-income
patients.
ANNA ATTCA testified via teleconference from Anchorage on behalf of
People First and to request no elimination of Medicaid waivers. She
spoke of people with disabilities and their options in life to live
in group homes, etc.
D VERA JAMES, Alaska Native Health Board, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage to share information contained in
written testimony as follows.
The Alaska Native Health Board strongly encourages that
funding for the Human Service Matching Block Grant be retained
at $1.16 million. The Senate's reduction of the block grant to
$667,000 will negatively impact shelters, food for the hungry,
disaster assistance, oral health care, prescriptions, and meal
delivery service to the frail elderly.
Please retain the full $1.16 million as introduced by the
House for Human Service Matching Grant funding.
AT EASE 8:13 PM / 8:13 PM
ADJOURNMENT
Co-Chair Lyda Green adjourned the meeting at 08:14 PM
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