Legislature(2009 - 2010)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/18/2010 05:00 PM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB230 || SB253 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 230 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 253 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 18, 2010
5:08 p.m.
5:08:38 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 5:08 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Dennis Egan
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Joe Thomas
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
SUMMARY
SB 230-BUDGET: CAPITAL, SUPP. & OTHER APPROPS
SB 253-APPROP: DEFERRED MAINTENANCE/REPLACEMENT
SENATE BILL NO. 230
"An Act making and amending appropriations, including
capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and
other appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize
funds; and providing for an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 253
"An Act making capital appropriations for deferred
maintenance projects, equipment replacement, and emergency
repairs; and providing for an effective date."
5:10:52 PM
~David Ongley, President of Alaska Library Association,
Barrow{ testified in support of public library construction
major expansion matching grant program. He supported the
request of $14.25 million for the program. He spoke to the
many benefits of libraries.
5:13:20 PM
~Fred Parady, Chief Operating Officer North Slope Borough
School District, Barrow { testified in support of funding
for school construction and maintenance projects.
5:15:20 PM
~Lee M. Foley, Bethel City Manager{ testified in support of
the Denali Commission Federal/State Partnership. He hoped
that projects for Bethel would remain in the budget and
receive the upmost consideration as they move through the
legislative process.
5:16:47 PM
~Eric Middlebrook, Vice Mayor of Bethel{ testified in
support of public safety projects for Bethel and the
surrounding area.
5:18:29 PM
~Mike Jenkins, Gakona Community Fire Chief{ testified in
support of projects submitted for the Gakona volunteer fire
department for a total of $250 thousand to construct a
training center and community building. He supported the
upgrade of the community's fire trucks. He spoke in support
of a capital grant to replace the roof on the senior
center.
5:21:22 PM
~Keith Zamudio, Cordova School District{ testified in
support of the $5 million proposed for inclusion on behalf
of the consortium of digital learning. He supported the
funding expansion to $10 million for the digital learning
program.
5:23:49 PM
~Ed Zastrow, Ketchikan, Vice President Ketchikan Senior
Citizen Services{ testified in support of a state grant of
$300 thousand to assist in the completion of the access
road to the senior housing complex.
5:26:00 PM
~Timothy Rooney, Manager, City and Borough of Wrangell{
testified in support of upgrades to the cruise ship dock in
Wrangell. The upgrades are vital to the economic
sustainability of the community.
5:26:44 PM
~John Stein, Executive Director, Sitka Sound Science
Center{ testified in support of funding to open the
hatchery training facility.
5:29:16 PM
~Jeff Tucker, President, Alaska Fire Chiefs Association{
testified in support of a training program for land based
fire fighting training programs. He spoke in support of the
Alaska Fire Conference in Fairbanks which trains
firefighters throughout the state and will help support the
training program for 400 firefighters.
5:30:55 PM
~Dr. Alex Hills, Alaska Hills Association{ commented on the
proposed engineering building for the University of Alaska
Anchorage. He pointed out the difficulty recruiting new
engineers due to the issue of the space scarcity. The
School of Engineering dramatically increased enrollments
and programs and are all accredited.
5:33:09 PM
~Don Kashevaroff, CEO Alaska Native Tribal Health
Consortium{ testified in support of constructing a long
term care facility, which would ultimately save state
Medicaid dollars.
5:35:52 PM
~Paul Brown, North Pole Economic Development Corporation,
North Pole{ testified in support of the waste water
treatment plant in North Pole. He noted that the city
infrastructure required upgrades.
~Simeon Swetzof Jr., Mayor, City of St. Paul{ testified in
support of the St. Paul harbor project. He noted that the
main industry of the island includes the Bering Sea. The
local sponsor worked in the Federal Government to construct
a harbor.
5:40:18 PM
~David Boggs, Morganthaler Company, Principal Engineer,
Anchorage{ testified in support of the University's
engineering center. He opined that the existing facility at
UAA is substandard. The program has grown and he supports a
new building.
5:42:39 PM
~John Aho, self, Anchorage{ testified in support of the
engineering facility for the University of Anchorage. He
stated that the class and office spaces are inadequate.
5:44:09 PM
~Jennifer Beckman, Executive Director, Central Area Rural
Transit System, Kenai{ testified in support of funding for
public transportation. The funds would provide long term
stability for the important public transit system.
5:45:45 PM
~Davis Levy, Director, Alaska Building Corporation{
testified in support of a community and public
transportation partnership that would provide capital and
operating funds for public and community transportation
systems throughout the state.
5:46:34 PM
~Jim Dodson, Economic Development President, Anchorage{
testified in support of funding for the rail and vehicle
bridge across the Tanana River.
5:48:42 PM
~LaMarr Anderson, Interim Executive Director, MatSu
Community Transit{ testified in support of the request for
$3 million in funding for public transportation capital and
operating match fund program.
5:51:30 PM
~Lee Ryan, Board Member for Arctic Winter Games{ testified
in support of the Alaska Winter Games Team Alaska grant in
the budget.
5:52:45 PM
~Ron Gherman, Executive Director of Instructional
Technology, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District{
testified in support of funding for digital education.
5:54:19 PM
~Jaime Stack, Superintendent Pribilof School District, St.
Paul Island{ testified on behalf of SB 230. She spoke in
support of funding an expanded major maintenance list for
projects in the St. Paul school district. One project is a
sprinkler system in the St. Paul school.
5:55:53 PM
~Kenneth Anderson, President, Palmer Senior Center{
testified in support of the Palmer senior center in Palmer.
He stressed the need for a larger and safer center for
seniors in the Palmer area.
5:57:40 PM
~Tim Swezey, President, Meadow Lakes{ testified in support
of the onetime grant for a community sports field in Meadow
Lakes. He noted that current recreational capabilities
require travel out of town.
5:58:33 PM
~Karen Nugen-Logan, Executive Director, Alaska Addiction
Rehabilitation Services, Nugen's Ranch, Wasilla{ testified
in support of $500 thousand from the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities to relocate the
facility. She noted that the funding will help secure
funding from other sources.
6:00:05 PM
~Julie Starr, Meadow Lakes{ testified in support of a
recreation center for Meadow Lakes community. Soccer and
softball fields allow safe participation in sports.
6:00:56 PM
~Donnita Burks, Meadow Lakes Community Council{ testified
in support of the recreation center in Meadow Lakes. She
added that the Meadow Lakes community council is asking for
the help as it supports the long term commitment to the
community's youth and their families.
6:01:42 PM
~Dave Hanson, Economic Development Director, MatSu Borough{
testified in support of the combined community library,
auditorium, and paramedics classroom addition project at
the MatSu college. He expressed support of funding for the
third phase of the Alaska rail extension from the Alaska
Railroad mainline to Port McKensie.
6:03:22 PM
~Stephen Price, Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council{
testified in support of funding for the purchase of a
flatbed truck and a pickup truck to increase the capacity
and efficiency of the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed
Council.
6:05:24 PM
~Steve Crouch, Deputy Fire Chief, North Star Volunteer Fire
Department, Fairbanks{ testified in support of a grant
request for a new fire engine for the North Star Volunteer
Fire Department.
6:06:22 PM
~Tracy Antonovich, Vice President, Alaska Addiction
Rehabilitation Services/Nugen's Ranch{ testified in support
of funding for the facility's location change. She spoke to
the necessity of the $500 thousand to help leverage the
additional funding needed to move when the state takes the
current location.
6:07:41 PM
~Kathy Mayo, Morris Thompson and Cultural Visitors Center,
Fairbanks{ testified in support of funding for the Morris
Thompson Cultural Center project. These funds will be used
to complete the exhibits.
6:08:56 PM
~Bob Howard, self, Fairbanks{ requested limited support for
the community and economic development facility which
serves seniors in the Fairbanks area known as the Raven
Landing Senior Community.
6:10:34 PM
~Shawna Hilderbrand, college student, University of Alaska
Fairbanks{ testified in support of the Chena small track
sidewalk project.
6:11:24 PM
~Mary Binkley, self, Fairbanks{ testified on behalf of the
Raven Landing Housing Project to help complete the
community hall.
6:12:04 PM
~Jeff Jacobson, Chief of Staff, North Star Fairbanks
Borough{ spoke in support of five separate requests. The
requests include Tanana River training, the Carlson
Activity Center Phase Two, Town Lakes recreation area,
regional library roof project, and road service area
funding.
6:13:35 PM
~Lidan Setterberg, Executive Director, Joel's Place Youth
Center{ spoke in support of funding for special projects
for the Joel's Place Youth Center.
6:14:31 PM
~Natsha Ruppert, Woodriver PTA, Fairbanks{ stressed the
need for funding to bus of small children in her area.
6:15:59 PM
~Ron Inouye, Senior Community Center, Fairbanks{ testified
in support of funding projects to support seniors.
6:17:52 PM
~Mary Richards, All Season Inn, Fairbanks{ referred to the
Cultural Center and the $500,000 needed to finish the
exhibit.
6:19:03 PM
~Sandy Jamieson, Fairbanks{ observed that he has worked on
a project to restore a log house in Fairbanks funded by the
Rotary Club.
6:20:20 PM
~Bill Butler, City of North Pole{ testified in support of
water and sewer projects for the Interior region of Alaska.
He noted the focus of waste water treatment plants.
6:21:26 PM
~Karen Parr, Fairbanks{ testified in support of a senior
center and services in the Fairbanks area.
~Nancy Jones, Fairbanks{ testified in support of a senior
center with services.
6:22:44 PM
~Cindy Schumaker, Fairbanks, Morris Thompson Center{
testified in support of funding for completion of the
exhibit known as the gateway in the Morris Thompson Center.
6:24:30 PM
~Jack Wilbur, President, Design Alaska, Fairbanks{
testified in support of the Life Sciences Facility in
Anchorage, the University of Fairbanks engineering
facility, and the deferred maintenance projects in the
governors amended budget.
6:26:56 PM
~David Leone, Public Transportation Manager, Fairbanks{
testified in support of public transit in Fairbanks. Demand
for service outweighs ability. The proposed funding
addresses//.
6:28:08 PM
~Deb Hickok, Fairbanks Visitor Bureau{ testified in support
of funding for the Morris Thompson Center. She commented on
the services provided by the center. She testified in
support of the visitors // program.
6:29:27 PM
~Jeffrey Mann, Woodriver Elementary{ testified in support
of funding for safe passage for the Chena Small Tracts
Sidewalk.
6:31:24 PM
~Billy Brown, Fairbanks{ testified in support of University
of Fairbanks Life Sciences Building and the deferred
maintenance cost in the governors capital budget.
6:32:45 PM
~Edith Hildebrand, Fairbanks{ testified in support of the
Chena Small Tracts Sidewalk. The sidewalk would enhance the
safety of travel for residents.
6:34:04 PM
~Amy Geiger, Community Development Director Downtown
Association, Fairbanks{ testified in support of the Morris
Thompson Center and the sign in system for visitors seeking
navigation around Fairbanks.
6:35:48 PM
~Ron Dixon, Chair, Tanana Valley Campus, Fairbanks{
testified in favor of the renovation project on the Campus
center at UAF.
6:37:14 PM
~Anna Ramsburgh, self, Fairbanks{ testified in favor of the
Life Sciences Building in Anchorage. She noted that the
condition of the current buildings hampers learning.
6:38:44 PM
~Jon Zasada, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center{ spoke in
support of the Life Sciences Building in Anchorage. He
explained that the health center currently accepts new
Medicaid patients. He noted that the center did not receive
federal funding for the project.
6:40:54 PM
~Lora Rembold, Eagle River{ testified in support of
bleachers for Eagle River high school which has to compete
with larger schools in Anchorage for funding.
6:43:07 PM
~Rob Jordan, Alaska Craftsman Home Program, Anchorage{
testified support for consumer based education for AHFC and
the energy rebate program.
6:44:43 PM
~Holly Norwood, Nikiski, Apex Wind Energy{ testified in
support of hardware for the Kenai wind project. A physical
barrier stands in the way of progress.
6:47:21 PM
~Leslie Simmons, UAA School of Engineering{ testified in
support of the UAA school of Engineering. She spoke of the
benefits of the school of engineering.
6:48:26 PM
~Alex Bergeron, Anchorage, UAA School of Engineering{
testified in support of funding for the UAA School of
Engineering.
6:49:33 PM
~Tessa Kara, Anchorage, UAA School of Engineering{
testified in support of the UAA School of Engineering. She
noted the value of the investment for the state.
6:50:45 PM
~John Fisher, Anchorage, UAA School of Engineering{
testified in support of the UAA school of Engineering. He
pointed out the increased need for engineers in Alaska.
6:52:00 PM
~Cheyenne Alabanzas, UAA School of Engineering{ testified
in support of the UAA school of engineering. She spoke of
the challenges of learning in the current facility.
6:53:18 PM
~Jody Karcz, Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities, Anchorage{ testified in support of statewide
funding for public transit. She spoke of the many benefits
of public transportation.
6:55:24 PM
~Marilyn Kasmar, AK Primary Care{ testified for the
facility renovation repair and equipment for the health
facility. The request will benefit the sites providing//.
~Cheryl Bobo, Anchorage{ testified in support of //.
6:59:31 PM
~Tom Dalrymple, Kenai Peninsula College, Soldatna{
testified in support of the //.
7:00:04 PM
~Nancy St. John-Smith, Peninsula Community Health Services{
supports capital money for $308 thousand matched with
funding from other sources.
7:01:42 PM
~Buzz Otis, Executive Director, North Pole{ testified in
support of the funding for the sewer and water project in
North Pole. He pointed out the positive impact for the
state. He noted support of the Life Sciences building at
UAF.
7:03:49 PM
~Jay Nulfe, MatSu borough{ testified in support of
replacing the rail extension for the MatSu borough. She
noted that the construction of the rail extension. She
noted the benefit for the community.
7:06:03 PM
~Carl Rose, Alaska Association of School Boards{ testified
in support of alternative funding sources such as a general
obligation bond to meet the needs of schools across the
state. It's been eight years since the passge of
Proposition 8, when the state of Alaska invested in rural
school construction. There is currently $800 million in
major maintenance and construction needs. The grant program
has not been able to meet the needs of the state. He spoke
in support of the debt reimbursement, but stressed that
maintenance and replacement needs must be expanded.
7:09:53 PM
~Andy Story, Member, Juneau School Board{ recognized the
increases in education funding, but emphasized the need for
maintenance funding. She observed that $24 million in
maintenance funding will not go far when some schools need
as much as $14 million. She emphasized the need to support
digital learning. She stressed successes in the Juneau
alternative high school.
7:12:54 PM
~Eric Mohrmann, Fire Chief, Alaska Fire Chiefs Association{
spoke in support of fire fighting equipment.
7:14:16 PM
~Ed Page, Executive Director, Marine Exchange of Alaska{
testified in support of first response emergency and search
equipment and felt that the cruise tax would be an
appropriate funding source.
7:17:21 PM
~Darroll Hargraves, Wasilla{ spoke in support of the Nenana
School District and expansion of the major maintenance
school list.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 PM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
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