Legislature(2009 - 2010)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/23/2010 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB302 |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 300 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 302 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 23, 2010
9:08 a.m.
9:08:25 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Hoffman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:08 a.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
Tim Grussendorf, Staff, Co-Chair Lyman Hoffman; Tim
Benintendi, Staff, Senator Olson; Denise Liccioli, Staff,
Senator Donny Olson; Joe Hardenbrook, Staff, Senator Joe
Thomas; Miles Baker, Staff, Senator Bart Stedman; Jesse
Kiehl, Staff, Senator Dennis Egan
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
None
SUMMARY
HB 300 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
HB 300 was heard and HELD in Committee for
further consideration.
HB 302 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
HB 302 was heard and HELD in Committee for
further consideration.
SENATE FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE CLOSEOUTS:
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
LEGISLATURE
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH and SOCIAL SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY and VETERANS AFFAIRS
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION and PUBLIC FACILITIES
ALASKA COURT SYSTEM
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 300(FIN)
"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."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 302(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."
9:09:22 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman explained the process for hearing the
Senate Finance Committee's budget subcommittee reports.
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME SUBCOMMITTEE
Positions Plan Gov Amd Sen Sub S)
PFT 910 912 915 3
PPT 766 760 762 2
Temp 66 65 65 -
· SE Region:
o Added $50.0 of GF to SE Region Fisheries Management
for a collaborative effort with the industry and
fishermen to better determine the SE Red King Crab
biomass.
o Added $600.0 UGF for Southeast Region Stock
Assessments, Monitoring, and Other Projects
· Central Region: Added $523.0 of UGF and 1 PFT for Salmon
Research and Management Projects
· AYK Region: Added $400.0 of UGF and 3 pcns (2 PFTs and
1PPT) for Salmon Research and Management Projects.
· Subsistence Division:
o Added $84.6 of UGF for a F&G Regional Regulatory
Program Assistant position in Bethel to coordinate
local fish and game advisory committees.
o Added $260.0 of UGF for Yukon Chinook Salmon
Disaster Research
Co-Chair Hoffman reported that the state has a
constitutional mandate to manage for sustained yield. The
members of the subcommittee maintain that if the state is
truly managing for sustained yield, there would not be
problems with low runs of fishery stocks throughout the
state. The subcommittee is adding funds to address some of
the problems on the Yukon River, in Southcentral Alaska,
and in Southeast Alaska. This is the largest increase the
department has had in over two decades; however, at $1.6
million it is small compared to the over $50 million
increase to education's budget.
9:13:43 AM
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr. Grussendorf reported on the budget action, which
matches the governor's amended request:
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Office of
the Governor submits an Operating Budget to the Senate
Finance Committee for FY 10 as Follows:
10 mgt.
Fund Source
plan Fy11 Gov Amd Sen Sub Sen to Gov
General
Funds $22,485.0 $ 2 6 ,639.4 $ 2 6 , 6 3 9.4 -
Federal
Funds $187.6 $ 1 8 9 . 9 $ 1 8 9 . 9 -
Other Funds $ 834.5 $ 7 5 4.1 $ 7 5 4 . 1 -
Positions
10 mgt plan 11 Gov Amd. Sen. Sub Sen to Gov
PFT 156 156 156 -
PPT 0 0 0 -
Temp 23 52 52 -
The Subcommittee held one meeting with the Department and
took the following actions:
Budget Action
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee on the Office of the
Governor submits an operating budget for FY11 as follows:
· The Sub-Committee budget authorizes no additional
general funds than the Governor's Amended FY11
request.
· The FY11 subcommittee budget requests a total
increment from FY11 Adjusted Base of $3,845.0 general
funds and 29 additional temporary employees described
below.
· The Governor requested a status-quo budget for FY11
with two significant one-time increments and two minor
increments associated with REAA.
· elections and redistricting. $3,693.8 was requested
along with 29 part time positions to run the 2010
elections. The amount of this funding is consistent
with the prior election cycle.
· $6,500.0 was requested for continuing in-state gas
line work in the language section of the budget. As
this has been an issue important to the legislature
and perceptions differ on the project, in the context
of overall gas monetization activities, it is not
funded in the subcommittee close-out report and will
be considered along with all other FY11 gas-line
appropriation requests in the Standing Committee.
Senator Olson inquired about the 29 additional temporary
employees. Mr. Grussendorf said that number is consistent
with prior election cycles.
9:15:49 AM
LEGISLATURE SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr. Grussendorf shared the budget action:
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Legislatures
Operating Budget submits this recommendation to the Senate
Finance Committee for FY 11 as follows:
10 mgt. 11 Gov
Fund Source
plan Amd Sen Sub Difference
General $ $
Funds 65,730.0 $68,249.0 67,111.6 $1,137.0
Federal
Funds 0 0 0 0
$
Other Funds $73.0
$340.0 $340.0 413.0
10 mgt 11 Gov Sen to
Positions
plan Amd. Sen. Sub Gov
PFT 246 246 247 1
PPT 280 280 281 1
Temp 0 0 0 0
Budget Action
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee on the Legislature
submits an operating budget for FY11 as follows:
· The committee authorizes $1,137.0 less general funds
and 5 less employees than the Legislature's initial
FY11 request.
· The subcommittee proposal accepts both the decrement
for the amount no longer needed for long term per diem
and the corresponding transaction increasing
legislator salary and benefits as recommended by the
State Officers Compensation Commission.
· The increase proposed for legislator's annual
allowance accounts has not been accepted pending
further deliberations and final determinations by
Legislative Council.
· Line Item Transfers for budget realignment and
authorization for increased I/A Rcpts have been
authorized for Legislative Budget and Audit (LB&A) and
Legislative Council.
· The 4 positions associated with LB&A's request for
additional auditors are not authorized at this time.
The Legislative Auditor is directed to first reassess
the effectiveness of contract audit services. Should
this assessment conclude the need for additional
personnel, the Chair and Vice Chair of the LB&A
committee may authorize such action.
· $600.0 excess GF spending authority in the LB&A
appropriation was transferred to the Legislative
Council appropriation to provide assurance that
sufficient authority exists there to absorb all other
additional GF funding requests without increased
budget authority.
· The Subcommittee approved the PPT position for the
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics
9:17:48 AM
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr. Grussendorf listed the budget action:
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee for the University
submits an Operating Budget to the Senate Finance Committee
for FY 11 as Follows:
Sen Sub to
Fund Source
10 Mgt Plan FY11 Gov Amd Sen Sub Gov
General
$617,040.4 $640,989.7 $640,973.0 ($16.7)
Funds
Federal
Funds $131,558.5 $132,798.7 $132,798.7 -
Other Funds $ 74,608.0 $ 76,146.0 $ 76,146.0 -
Sen Sub to
Positions
10 Mgt Plan FY11 Gov Amd Sen Sub Gov
PFT 4,694 4,694 4,694 0
PPT 222 222 222 0
Temp 0 0 0 0
The Subcommittee held one meeting with the University and
took the following actions:
Budget Action
· Changed structure from one appropriation in Gov Amd
to seven appropriations (matching FY10)
· Transferred 3% of Federal Receipts, Unrestricted GF,
and University Receipts from all appropriations
(except the Small Business Development Center) into
the Budget Reductions/Additions - Systemwide
appropriation to provide program funding flexibility
under the seven-appropriation scenario. The total
transferred is $22.5 million. This is a net zero
change in the overall budget.
· Accepted all Federal Receipts and Other Funds as
requested in Gov Amd
· Accepted all Designated GF (University Receipts and
VoTech Ed) as requested in Gov Amd
· Funded all GF Match and GF/MH as requested in Gov Amd
and provided a Statewide University Increment of $4.5
million in General Funds
· Funded $1.2 million GF for the Alaska Native Science &
Engineering Program at the Anchorage Campus
· Funded $314.2 GF specifically for Anchorage Fixed Cost
Priorities
· Funded $300.0 GF for the Marine Advisory Program at
the Fairbanks Campus
· Funded $75.0 GF for Alaska Summer Research at the
Fairbanks Campus
· Funded $150.0 GF for Individual Technology Based Math
and the Summer Bridge Program at the Fairbanks Campus
· Funded $260.8 GF for University of Alaska Community
Campuses for Additional Lease Cost Increases (split
between the College of Rural and Community Development
and the Cooperative Extension Service allocations)
· Approved Intent that future requests by the University
of Alaska for unrestricted general funds move toward a
long-term goal of 125 percent of actual University
Receipts for the most recently closed fiscal year.
9:21:07 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman pointed out that these budget actions were
made by a committee of the whole.
9:21:30 AM
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION SUBCOMMITTEE
TIM BENINTENDI, STAFF, SENATOR OLSON, explained the results
of the subcommittee's work including fund source, funds,
positions, and budget action:
After five substantive hearings with the Department of
Administration, the SFC Administration Subcommittee submits
this operating budget to the Senate Finance Committee for
FY11:
FUND SOURCE:
FY10 Gov Amd Sen Sub Difference
Mgt Plan SenSub to GovAmd
GENERAL FUNDS: 95,992.3 97,667.7 97,885.6 217.9 / .2%
FEDERAL FUNDS: 4,420.8 3,933.6 3,933.6 0.0
OTHER FUNDS: 194,276.8 197,451.4 197,433.5 (17.9) / 0%
-------------- -------------- --------------
TOTAL FUNDS: 294,689.9 299,052.7 299,252.7 200.0
FUNDS:
The Subcommittee approved a net increase in TOTAL FUNDS of
$200.0, the
difference between Gov. Amend. and Sen. Subcom.
POSITIONS:
The Department eliminated 1 PFT position compared to FY10
Mgt. Plan, 2 PPT's, and 2 Temporary positions, and the
Subcommittee ACCEPTED these changes.
FY10 Gov Amd Sen Sub
Mgt. Plan
PFT 1,070 1,069 1,069
PPT 20 18 18
TEMP 34 32 32
TOTAL: 1,124 1,119 1,119
BUDGET ACTION:
DENIED GF fund source changes for health insurance
increases for non-covered employees - $32.1: $12.3 (Admin.
Hearings); $7.7 (Office of Commissioner); $1.9
(Administration Services); $1.0 (Personnel); $1.2 (Lease
Administration);
$4.2 (Enterprise Technology Services); $3.8 (Office of
Public Advocacy). It was felt that the department could
absorb these costs, or charge them back to other agencies
via Inter-Agency receipts.
REDUCED projected travel costs in E-Travel by $50.0, Inter-
Agency receipts, from $600.0 to $550.0.
ADDED an increment of $250.0 GF to the base, for the Alaska
Public Broadcasting Commission / Radio Operations, for
station operating grants.
INTENT LANGUAGE: None added by the Subcommittee.
GOVERNOR'S AMENDMENTS: ACCEPTED
EPORS decrement -$250.0 / GF
FINANCE increment $500.0 / ARRA
(result of a technical error: Transaction title is
corrected with this amendment)
PUBLIC ADVOCACY increment $865.0 / GF
PUBLIC DEFENDER decrement - $20.0 / SDPR
PUBLIC DEFENDER increment $800.0 / GF
V. C. C. B. decrement - $2.0 / PFD
Crim. Fund
9:24:38 AM
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH and SOCIAL SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
DENISE LICCIOLI, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, reported on
the subcommittee's work. She described the fund source,
position summary, personnel, and budget action, as well as
items of concern:
The Sub-Committee for the Department of Health & Social
Services submits an operating budget recommendation and
report to the Senate Finance Committee for FY11 as follows:
Fund Source
10 Mgt Plan Gov Amd Sen Sub
Difference
GF $899,499.2 $996,005.4 $988,852.1
$(7,153.3)
Federal 1,081,482.7 1,162,698.6 1,157,262.7
(5,435.9)
Other 93,198.4 92,133.1 92,233.1 100.0
---------------- ---------------- ---------
---
Total $2,074,180.3 $2,250,837.1 $2,238,347.9
========= ========= =========
Position Summary
10 Mgt Plan Gov Amd Sen Sub
PFT 3,474 3,469 3,469
PPT 93 93 93
Temp 123 108 108
------ ------ ------
Total 3,690 3,670 3,670
FY 2011 Senate Finance Sub-Committee Budget Recommendations
for H&SS /March 17, 2010
Personnel
The authorized position count for the department was
reviewed; the overall number of positions actually
decreased in the Governor's request, and the sub-committee
retained the same overall number.
Budget Action
· Held 5 public meetings with the department to discuss
and explain the budget;
· Adopted the FY11 Adjusted Base; and
· Reviewed each of the increments and decrements
submitted by the Governor, including amendments.
The GF in this budget was increased from the previous year,
predominately due to Medicaid. Medicaid growth and
projections increased the budget $153 million in total,
$68,410.1 of which is GF. We are fortunate that our
Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) went down last
year and is still at a lower rate, or the Medicaid
increases would have been significantly more.
Another $6.3 million of GF increases are due to enrollment
growth in adult public assistance, general relief, and
senior benefit payments. Added to this is a GF increase to
stabilize the funding of the Medicaid School Based Claims
program, due to fairly recent discovery of problems with
how this program was being implemented and the funds used.
The federal agency wants to see a correlation between the
claiming and the funding received going to school programs,
and the department is still unsure of exactly how the funds
can be spent or the impact of handling the funding
"correctly".
Other increases were made in other areas, which we believe
to be basic and integral to the services provided by this
budget, and consider them to be essential to what
government does for its citizens. And so this budget
proposal funds basic support needed for children, the frail
and other Alaskans who cannot provide for themselves.
Notable increases that are approved include:
· $2.6 million of GF and $3.5 million of federal funds
for the Adult Preventative Dental Medicaid Services
· Over $9 million in Mental Health Trust Funds, and
about half that in GF/MH for Bring the Kids Home
(BTKH); the other half funded FASD treatment, and
substance abuse and mental health programs and
services.
· $1 million to stabilize funding to public health
nursing grantees
· $355 thousand to foster care services including toward
the prevention of homelessness, job training and
foster parent recruitment, and school transportation
to prevent mid-term transfers by students who are in
foster care.
· Finally, over $5.2 million of GF, $1.4 million of
federal funds, and $11.7 million of other funds went
to a variety of programs. To name a few: suicide
response and postvention, home and community based
waiver compliance, peer navigators, Soteria-Alaska,
eye and vision rehab for rural Alaskans, and early
childhood mental health.
· FY 2011 Senate Finance Sub-Committee Budget
Recommendations for H&SS /March 17, 2010
Only 3 items requested by the Governor, totaling
approximately $900 thousand, were not funded at all in this
budget. Another 2 items were partially funded at 50% and
total $487.5 instead of $975.0 as requested. The sub-
committee also made a reduction of $3.5 million in GF to
the Medicaid program, thereby reducing the increase
provided in this budget recommendation.
The sub-committee recommendation also implements a
structure change which moves all the Medicaid components
into a new and separate component.
Detail on these and other changes are shown in the reports
included with this.
Some items were left for the Finance Committee to take
action. Those items are:
- A department-wide reduction in travel for $311.0 GF
- The Therapeutic Courts will be transferred to the
Court System Budget, and
- Funding for several items related to the Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Initiative.
It is our intention to allow Legislative Finance to do
technical adjustments if any are needed.
Items of Concern
Clearly, the biggest concern for this budget is the size of
the budget itself, and whether it can be sustained. This
budget funds some of the most essential services of state
government and not only are the costs of all the programs
escalating, but in addition, there continues to be growth
in the programs as the elderly population increases,
poverty levels increase, and substance abuse and other
behavioral health problems abound.
Another concern for this budget is the continuing change to
the FMAP rate and other federal programs. Even a small
increase in the State's share will cost tens of millions.
And the Medicaid School Based Claims Admin funding remains
unresolved and will likely result in additional requests in
the millions.
9:30:52 AM
Senator Olson voiced a concern about an escalation of
federal program needs.
9:31:50 AM
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SUBCOMMITTEE
Senator Olson expressed appreciation for the department's
cooperation.
Ms. Liccioli reported on the subcommittee's work, including
fund source, position summary, personnel, budget action,
and items of concern:
The Senate Finance Sub-Committee for the Department of
Public Safety submits an operating budget recommendation to
the full Senate Finance Committee for FY11 as follows:
Fund Source
10 Mgt Plan Gov Amd Sen Sub Difference
GF $138,747.8 $144,872.9 $145,047.7 $174.8 0.1%
Federal 20,124.7 12,277.3 12,277.3
Other 18,631.4 20,111.0 20,111.0
---------------- -------------- --------------
Total $177,503.9 $177,261.2 $177,436.0
Position Summary
10 Mgt Plan Gov Amd Sen Sub
PFT 863 870 870
PPT 16 16 16
Temp 14 13 13
------ ------ ------
Total 893 899 899
Personnel
Reviewed the authorized position count for the department
and authorized 8 new positions for the department. 5 were
authorized for highway patrol out of CIP Receipts, and 3
were authorized for increased investigation for domestic
violence and sexual assault.
Budget Action
· Held 3 public meetings with the department to
discuss and explain the budget;
· Adopted the FY11 Adjusted Base; and
· Reviewed each of the increments and decrements
submitted by the Governor, including amendments.
The Governor made public safety a priority and this budget
certainly reflects that. The Department is also to be
commended for its efforts in recruiting and retaining VPSO
and trooper positions and bringing the vacancy rate down as
well. The success in this area has been nothing short of
remarkable.
The Senate Finance sub-committee approved all of the
requested increases except for 1 minor one for $25.2
thousand. That item would have supplanted ARRA funding
with GF.
Notable increases that were approved:
· $1.5 million of GF was approved for the VPSO program
to add 15 additional positions this year, and for COLA
and merit increases. This follows the recommendations
of the Senate VPSO Task Force from 2008. The
department is already seeing success with the
implementation of the first of those recommendations,
in a similar way as with the Troopers, with more
applicants for VPSO positions, and less turnover.
These increases are necessary if they are to continue
and build on this success and ensure public safety for
rural Alaskans as well.
· $725 thousand of GF and 3 positions for
investigations, training, exam and other costs related
to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSA)
prevention.
· A little more than $700 thousand of GF for DVSA victim
services.
· $656.5 thousand of GF was approved for continuing cold
case investigations and illegal drug and alcohol
enforcement.
· $300 thousand of GF for increased costs of prisoner
transportation
· $1.2 million of CIP receipts and 5 positions to
enhance highway patrol efforts.
· $600 thousand of inter-agency receipts for background
checks requested by the Department of Health & Social
Services.
The detail on these and other changes are shown in the
reports included with this.
The Sub-Committee also recommended language and conditional
funding to be included in the "language section" of the CS
for the Rural Alcohol Interdiction Team for $1,270.0; and
for Drug and Alcohol Enforcement for $1,393.2.
Some items were left for the full Senate Finance Committee
to address, relating to the Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault Prevention Initiative.
It is also our intention to allow Legislative Finance to do
technical adjustments if any are needed.
Items of Concern
With the increases in VPSO positions, the department will
need more oversight troopers soon, probably in the next
budget cycle. Thereafter, as VPSOs are increased, it is
expected that trooper oversight will also need to be
increased to attain or maintain a ratio of 1:3 which is
considered ideal by the department. The department has
assured the sub-committee that oversight troopers are not
needed in FY 11, but are expected to be needed in FY 12.
The Governor's DVSA prevention initiative will require the
support of and funding by the Legislature if we hope to see
a reduction in our notorious #1 ranking in the nation for
DVSA. This is the first of ten years of this initiative,
so we can expect to see additional increases requested to
prevent DVSA and to assist victims of DVSA.
9:36:13 AM
Senator Olson congratulated the commissioner for addressing
VPSO needs of rural Alaskans.
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY and VETERANS AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE
Senator Huggins reported that the subcommittee mirrored the
House subcommittee action and fully funded the governor's
requests for operational funds and for personal services.
He credited the department for being very organized. He
related that the department provides support: to provide
military forces to the nation, to provide homeland security
and defense, to provide emergency response, to provide
veterans services, and to provide military training and
education. He listed the department's findings:
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department
of Military and Veterans Affairs submits the following
operating budget to the full Senate Finance Committee:
10 Mgt
FUND SOURCE 11 Gov Amd Sen Sub Gov Amd Adj to
Plan
Adj Sen Sub
General 11,360.4 11,631. 9 11,631.9 0.0
Funds
Federal 22,235.3 23,476.9 23,476.9 0.0
Funds
Other 13,005.4 13,340.1 13,340.1 0.0
Funds
0.0
TOTAL 46,601.1 48,448.9 48,448.9
10 Mgt 11 Gov Amd Adj Sen Sub Gov Amd to Sen Sub
POSITIONS
Plan
PFTs 296 295 295 0.0
PPTs 2 2 2 0.0
Temps 1 1 1 0.0
TOTAL 299 298 298 0.0
The budget Subcommittee held one hearing with the
Department and took the following actions:
1. Reviewed the FY 10 Management Plan.
2. Reviewed the FY 11 Adjusted Base.
3. Reviewed the increments, decrements, and budget
amendments proposed by the Governor.
4. Reviewed the House Finance Budget Subcommittee
report, which adopted the Governor's request as
amended and one fund change.
5. Adopted the Governor's request, as amended, plus the
fund change recommended by the House Finance Budget
Subcommittee.
The Subcommittee considered aligning the match portion of
the Department's budget with the Alaska Air National
Guard's Financial Plan. This increment allows the
Department to adequately match federal funds.
The Subcommittee also considered the Bethel Armory lease
costs and the Emergency Management Performance Grant
program request.
9:38:38 AM
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Senator Huggins listed the changes made by the
subcommittee:
The Senate Finance budget subcommittee for the Department
of Natural Resources submits the following operating budget
to the full Senate Finance Committee:
FUND FY 10 FY 11 FY 11 HOUSE SEN SUB GOV AMD
SOURCE MGT ADJ BASE GOV AMD SUB TO SEN
PLAN SUB
UNRESTRICTED
68,237.3 62,430.2 65,134.8 64,133.3 64,804.8 -0.5 %
GF
DESIGNATED
24,337.2 24,348.7 24,755.3 24,462.3 24,462.3 -1.2 %
GF
OTHER
32,376.3 30,161.1 33,291.9 33,477.3 33,491.9 0.6 %
FEDERAL
14,054.3 14,058.2 16,293.2 16,593.2 16,293.2 0.0 %
TOTAL
139,005.1 130,998.2 139,475.2 138,666.1 139,052.2 -0.3 %
The subcommittee also considered the Governor's request for
personal services and recommends the following position
count:
FY 10 MGT FY 11 ADJ GOVERNOR HOUSE SEN GOV
POSITIONS
PLAN BASE AMEND SUB SUB AMD TO
SEN SUB
PFTS
779 772 776 771 775 -0.1 %
PPTS
247 247 247 247 247 0.0 %
TEMPS
81 82 82 82 82 0.0%
TOTAL
1107 1101 1105 1100 1104 -0.1 %
The budget subcommittee held six hearings with the
Department and took the following actions:
1. Reviewed the FY 10 Management Plan.
2. Reviewed the FY 11 Adjusted Base.
3. Reviewed the increments, decrements, and budget
amendments proposed by the Governor.
4. Reviewed the House Finance Budget Subcommittee
report.
5. Adopted the attached narrative and Legislative
Finance Department documents.
The subcommittee considered the request from the AGIA
Coordinator's office to increase its permanent full-time
employees from four to eight. The subcommittee recommends
that the full Finance Committee and the Legislature
consider funding this personal services request at a lesser
rate, e.g., increasing from the staff from four to six
employees, not eight.
9:40:09 AM
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUBCOMMITTEE
JOE HARDENBROOK, STAFF, SENATOR JOE THOMAS, highlighted the
results of the subcommittee's work. He covered the funding,
positions, and budget action:
The Senate Finance Subcommittee for the Department of
Commerce, Community & Economic Development submits an
operating budget to the full Senate Finance Committee for
FY11 as follows:
FY11 Adj Gov Senate
Base Amend Subcom
FY10 Mgt Pln
Unrestricted GF 14,013.7 14,116.3 15,867.1 15,898.2
Designated GF 51,529.4 51,532.3 52,328.7 52,328.7
Other 25,678.2 25,866.6 31,001.0 31,001.0
Federal Funds 66,095.0 64,280.5 65,522.6 65,522.6
Total 157,316.3 155,795.7 164,719.4 164,750.5
Position Changes in DCCED:
FY10 Mgt FY11 Adj Gov Senate
Pln Base Amend Subcom
Total Positions 544 541 545 544
Budget Action:
· Adopted the Governor's amended FY11 budget proposed
increments & decrements for:
o $72.1 AIDEA Rcpts for 10% increase in ARDOR (Alaska
Regional Development Organization) funding.
Recommend that the Full Finance Committee transfer
ARDOR funding to Office of Economic Development and
out of AIDEA (part of the budget clarification
project).
o $164.0 Rcpt Svcs increment for Division of Banking
and Securities travel. Funding will allow for
travel associated with statutorily required exams
and accreditation.
o $200.0 Rcpt Svcs to cover drastic increase in fixed
costs at Division of Insurance Operations. Costs
for mail, print, legal and leases have risen $404.1
since FY08.
o $192.1 Stimulus funds for RCA development of
electricity regulations. Three years of funding
provided under ARRA.
· Adopted the Governor's requested funding but approved the
request as one-time:
o $97.0 UGF one time funding for Natural Resource
Specialist position to advise communities on ANCSA-
related actions. Last ANCSA specialist in
Department scheduled to retire in next two years.
This will allow for training and replacement.
o $400.0 one time fed rcpts for prescription database
o $100.0 AIDEA Rcpt for AIDEA Strategic plan
development funding
· Adopted the Governor's amended FY11 budget with the
following changes:
o $250.0 UGF for two Local Government Specialists.
Two new positions transferred from within Commerce,
declined funding for new position request.
o $125.0 UGF funding for two positions in Office of
Economic Development
o $500.0 UGF and $500.0 Rcpt Svcs for Alaska Seafood
Marketing Institute will increase funding for
marketing and allow ASMI to cover a $500.0 decrease
in federal funds with carry forward from FY2010.
· The Senate Subcommittee also added the following items:
o $500.0 operations grant for Illisagvik College
workforce development programs in Barrow
o $150.0 UGF to increase grant funding for the Alaska
Legal Services Corporation
o $250.0 UGF AEA funding for small-scale nuclear power
feasibility research grant
9:44:15 AM
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr. Hardenbrook reported on the work done by the
subcommittee including funds, positions, and budget action:
The Senate Finance Subcommittee for the Department of Labor
& Workforce Development submits an operating budget to the
full Senate Finance Committee for FY11 as follows:
FY10 Mgt FY11 Adj GovernSenate House-
Pln Base or Subcom Amds
Unrestricted 29,21429,21428,246
GF .1 .1 .6
29,705.3 25,874.9
33,88633,88633,886
Designated GF 33,962.0 33,978.9 .2 .2 .2
26,62026,62026,620
Other 26,370.2 26,400.5
.5 .5 .5
104,704.101,37101,17101,17
Federal Funds 9 87,679.8 1.0 1.0 1.0
194,742.173,934.191,09190,89189,92
Total 4 1 1.8 1.8 4.3
Position Changes in DOLWD:
FY10 Mgt FY11 Adj GovernSenate House-
Pln Base or Subcom Amds
836 846 847
PFTs 847 847
129 117 117
PPTs 117 117
29 20 22 22 22
Temps
Budget Action:
The Senate Subcommittee recommends adopting the governor's
budget recommendations for the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development in FY11. The request is an austerity
budget that allows the department to remain focused on
critical workforce development initiatives while taking
full advantage of federal revenue streams and maximizing
outreach statewide.
· Differences from House Finance
o $47.5 UGF for expanding training services.
Department identified this as a priority, and
requested a corresponding decrement to free up
funding.
o $750.0 Stimulus funds for labor market information
improvement project. Sen. Subcommittee accepts the
Governor's request for one-time funding but, because
the funding is multi-year, we are not requiring the
deletion of the PCNs.
o $85.0 UGF for workforce development and education.
Department identified this as a priority, and
requested a corresponding decrement to free up
funding.
o $585.0 UGF for support of training and
apprenticeships. Department identified this as a
priority, and requested a corresponding decrement to
free up funding.
o $250.0 UGF for Construction Academy Training.
Deletion of $250.0, coupled with an expected $400.0
decrease in federal funds would cripple the delivery
of training in rural Alaska.
o $83.6 ($41.8 federal receipts and $41.8 receipt
supported services) for a grant writer for AVTEC in
Seward. Lack of a trained grant writer has impacted
federal funding to AVTEC in the past, and the
department estimates that $3-5 million in grant
funding may be available.
9:47:36 AM
DEPARTMENT OF LAW SUBCOMMITTEE
MILES BAKER, STAFF, SENATOR BART STEDMAN, reported on the
subcommittee's recommendations. He shared the budget action
in both the criminal and civil divisions:
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department
of Law submits the following FY11 Operating Budget
Recommendations to the Senate Finance Committee:
Fund Source 11 Adj Base Gov Amd Sen Sub Difference
Unrestricted GF $ 45,470.0 $ 56,677.0 $ 55,877.0 $ (800.0)
Designated GF $ 2,184.1 $ 2,361.1 $ 2,361.1 $ 0
Other Funds $ 23,670.9 $ 23,949.9 $ 23,949.9 $ 0
Federal Funds $ 1,595.4 $ 1,995.4 $ 1,995.4 $ 0
Total $ 72,920.4. $ 84,983.4 $ 84,183.4 $ (800.0)
Positions 11 Adj Base Gov Amd Sen Sub Difference
PFT 549 554 553 (1)
PPT 6 6 6 0
Temp 0 0 0 0
The Subcommittee met with the Department and took the
following budget actions:
Budget Action
Approved the Governor's Amended budget requests with the
following exceptions:
CRIMINAL DIVISION
· Denied the request to add a permanent full time Sexual
Assault Coordinator with $200,000 in general funds
within Criminal Justice Litigation. The subcommittee
is recommending to the full Finance Committee that the
Senate accept the House recommendation to add this new
position and the funding, to the Executive Office of
the Governor to better coordinate our activities
across all agencies.
· Approved the addition of 2 permanent full time
District Attorneys within the Third Judicial District
in Kenai. The committee took the House's
recommendation to fund these positions at 75% of the
$400,000 GF request. The department testified that the
positions will not be ready to be filled at the start
of the FY2011 fiscal year.
CIVIL DIVISION
· Approved a one-time increment of $3.0 million GF
within the Oil, Gas & Mining section for outside legal
counsel and expert services related to on-going Pt.
Thomson litigation, Trans-Alaska Pipeline tariffs,
TAPS reconfiguration and other corporate tax matters.
This is $500,000 less than the Governor's request and
was approved as a one-time increment instead of being
added to the base as requested by the department.
· Deferred to the full Finance Committee, the Oil, Gas &
Mining section's $2.5 million language request for
outside legal counsel and expert services related to
the state's gas pipeline and gas commercialization
efforts. The subcommittee is recommending that the
Finance Committee reduce this request by $500,000 and
add a $2.0 mill GF increment to the numbers section of
the department's budget.
9:50:01 AM
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr. Baker related the subcommittee's action on the closeout
in the categories of funds, positions, and budget action:
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department
of Revenue submits the following FY11 Operating Budget
Recommendations to the Senate Finance Committee:
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The Subcommittee met with the Department and accepted the
Governor's amended budget with the following exceptions:
Budget Action
TAX DIVISION
· Deferred to the full Finance Committee a $300,000
language appropriation request for an Alaska Gasline
Inducement Act (AGIA) information reporting system.
This item may belong more appropriately in the capital
budget. Committee recommends that if this item is
approved, the fund source be changed from Alaska
Housing Capital Corp Receipts to GF.
· Deferred to the full Finance Committee an $800,000
language appropriation request for the addition of 4
new exempt commercial analyst positions. This
appropriation should be considered in conjunction with
a number of other agency gas and gasline related
requests. Committee recommends that if any of this
funding is approved, the fund source be changed from
Alaska Housing Capital Corp Receipts to GF and that
the funding and positions be put into the numbers
section of the budget.
TREASURY DIVISION
· Deferred to the full Finance Committee a $397,000
increment and fund source change for increased
Constitutional Budget Reserve management fees. The
Committee recommends approving this request and
changing the funding source to GF. The CBR is
anticipated to be paid off by the beginning of FY11 at
which time management fees should be paid out of the
General Fund to prevent creating new CBR liabilities.
CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
· Approved a $7.5 mill fund source change transaction as
reworked and approved by the House Finance Committee,
to accommodate federal language changes in the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) relating
to the utilization of existing federal incentive
dollars.
ADMINISTRATIVE & SUPPORT
· Approved a $50,000 one-time GF increment for costs
associated with auditing the Alaska Gasline Inducement
Act (AGIA) Fund. The committee agreed to establish a
new allocation for Natural Gas Commercialization and
recommends this audit transaction be put into the
numbers section of that allocation instead of the
language section of the budget.
· Deferred to the full Finance Committee a $1.5 mill
language appropriation request for contractual
services and consultants to assistance in the
negotiations, analysis and establishment of fiscal
terms related to natural gas pipeline development and
the coming open season. This appropriation should be
considered in conjunction with a number of other
agency gas and gasline related requests. Committee
recommends that if any of this request is approved,
the fund source be changed from Alaska Housing Capital
Corp Receipts to GF.
LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN'S OFFICE
· Approved a one-time $91,500 GF/MH increment for an
investigator within the Long Term Care Ombudsman's
office to address increased workload relating to
Alaska's seniors.
ALASKA HOUSING FINANCE OPERATIONS
· Denied two Corporation Receipt increments totaling
$202,700 for sourcing and contract management
technology solutions, accepting the House
recommendation.
ALASKA PERMANENT FUND CORP OPERATIONS
· Denied a $15,500 increment in Corporation Receipts for
increased Board of Trustee travel, accepting the House
recommendation.
· Approved a one-time increment of $80,000 in
Corporation Receipts for auditing and improving
network and firewall security. The Governor's request
was for a permanent increment.
· Denied a $318,200 increment in Corporation Receipts to
lower the Corporation's vacancy rate, accepting the
House recommendation.
9:54:14 AM
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION and PUBLIC FACILITIES
SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr. Baker informed the committee about the recommendations
of the subcommittee, including funds, positions, and
specific budget action:
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department
of Transportation & Public Facilities submits the following
FY11 Operating Budget Recommendations to the Senate Finance
Committee:
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˜Š•
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Ž-™
˜Š•
Specific Budget Action
The Subcommittee met with the Department and accepted the
Governor's amended budget with the following exceptions:
ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT
· Denied a $30,000 training increment in Transportation
Management & Security section, accepting the House
recommendation.
· Denied a $20,000 increment for increased travel in
Statewide Aviation.
· Denied a $50,000 increment for increased appraisal
revenues for non-aviation facilities rent within
Statewide Aviation, accepting the House
recommendation.
· Added a $129,300 GF increment for a new Budget
Research/Analyst position within Statewide
Administrative Services. The Department has a capital
budget that approaches $1.0 bill annually. This
position will provide increased services in the area
of capital budget tracking, analysis, research &
reporting.
DESIGN ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION
· Accepted a $275,000 GF increment to bring the Harbor
Development Program from the department's capital
budget into the operating budget. Established a
separate allocation for this item within Statewide
Design & Engineering.
HIGHWAYS, AVIATION & FACILITIES
· Denied a $12,000 GF increment for increased snow
removal building M&O costs in the Northern Region,
accepting the House recommendation.
· Added a $95,000 GF increment for the addition of one
new maintenance specialist position in the Northern
Region. This was the House recommendation and 50% of
the Governor's original request for 2 positions and
$190,000 in funding.
· Deferred to the full Finance Committee the request for
a $188,000 GF increment for 2 new positions to monitor
and enforce EPA permit compliance related to street
sweeping in Central Region Highways and Aviation.
· Deferred to the full Finance Committee a $1.7 million
GF request in Central Region Highways and Aviation for
training, permitting, street sweeping and drain
cleaning costs related to federal EPA requirements.
The appropriate funding level of this item is still
under review due to recently received RFP responses
and agency amendments.
· Denied a $20,000 GF increment for bridge crew training
and commodities in Central Region Highways and
Aviation.
· Denied a $305,000 GF request for 2 new positions in
Northern Region Highways and Aviation to address
maintenance of state owned sidewalks and ADA
compliance concerns.
MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM
· Added a $150,000 increment for a new Transportation
Planner position within Marine Engineering to provide
system wide transportation planning and to facilitate
better integration with the department's Program
Development RDU.
· Accepted a $750,000 increment within Marine Vessel
Operations to provide ship-to-shore satellite
capabilities aboard AMHS vessels. Increment was spilt
70% GF and 30% Marine Highway System Funds to more
accurately reflect system funding ratios. The
Governor's original request was for $1.0 mill but the
agency reported that RFP responses were coming in
lower than anticipated.
· Accepted a $500,000 increment within Marine Vessel
Operations for increased lease costs at the
Bellingham, Washington terminal. Increment was spilt
70% GF and 30% Marine Highway System Funds to more
accurately reflect system funding ratios.
· Aligned salary increases within Marine Vessel
Operations to more accurately reflect system funding
ratios by replacing $65,000 GF with $65,000 Marine
Highway System Funds.
· Replaced $382,000 Vehicle Rental Tax Receipts with 70%
GF and 30% Marine Highway System funds within
Reservations and Marketing section to compensate for
unrealized rental tax revenues statewide.
· Established a new allocation for marine vessel fuel
within Marine Vessel Operations. This separate
allocation will provide for more transparency within
the budget for evaluating fuel consumption and cost.
The FY2011 fuel increment is $12.9 mill.
9:59:50 AM
ALASKA COURT SYSTEM SUBCOMMITTEE
Senator Egan thanked the members of the subcommittee and of
the Court System for their assistance on the budget.
JESSE KIEHL, STAFF, SENATOR DENNIS EGAN, reported that the
subcommittee worked from the Court System's adjusted base
and approved the following:
· funding to eliminate the vacancy savings requirement for
the 8 judges in the appellate courts.
· a small increment to cover the travel costs for the Chief
Justice.
· funding to phase in the fourth year of the 'No Dark
Courtrooms' initiative.
· fixed cost increases for leases and telephones.
· one new position for the Multi Agency Justice Integration
Consortium and upgraded the clerk in Craig from part time
to full time because of increased felony filings.
· funding to pay retired judges a little more when they
come back to fill in. Without this increase they're
making less than half what the lowest-paid attorneys in
the state get.
· a small increment to improve training and availability
for language interpreters as well as interagency receipts
from the Child Support division for the Family Law Self
Help Center.
· the Mental Health Trust Authority funding for mental
health courts.
· a small increment to the Judicial Conduct Commission to
keep that two-person agency at a 0% vacancy factor, and
funded the Judicial Council to staff an interagency
commission on child protection.
Mr. Kiehl said the subcommittee recommends that the full
Finance Committee make two changes that cross budget lines:
o move all therapeutic courts funding into the court
system, so funds can be tracked.
o cover the increased cost of transcripts provided to
state agencies by having the Courts bill criminal
justice agencies.
Mr. Kiehl reported on the subcommittee's decisions
regarding funding, positions, budget action, and
recommendations:
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Alaska Court
System submits an Operating Budget to the Senate Finance
Committee for FY 11 as follows:
FY10 Mgt FY11 Adj Gov Senate House -
Pln Base Amend Subcom Amends
Unrestricted GF 87,211.3 89,963.4 95,315.8 90,902.2 93,024.9
Designated GF - - - - 517.3
Other 1,481.3 506.0 1,561.3 1,561.3 1,686.3
Federal Funds 1,675.6 1,675.6 1,675.6 1,675.6 1,675.6
Total 90,368.2 92,145.0 98,552.7 94,139.1 96,904.1
Positions
PFTs 737 737 763 740 737
PPTs 47 47 47 46 47
22 22 22 22
Temps 22
Total Positions 806 806 832 808 806
The Subcommittee held five meetings with the court system
and took the following actions:
Budget Action
The subcommittee accepted the Governor's amended proposal
with the following adjustments:
· Denied requests in the appellate courts for workstations
& furniture, and a staff attorney position upgrade.
· Denied a request for $278.0 to take control of the Nome
federal building that houses the Nome court and other
offices. The subcommittee notes a 2008 appropriation to
begin work on a Nome State Office Building, and
encourages the courts to pursue space therein.
· Reduced a request for $1,365.7 and 18 positions in Trial
Courts to $400.0. This continues the legislature's
multi-year phased approach to funding the 'No Dark
Courtrooms' initiative. The Court System will use the
funds to fill existing vacant positions.
· Approved $28.0 to upgrade a part-time position in Craig
to full time. In the governor's request this upgrade was
combined with $66.0 for a part time magistrate trainer,
which was denied.
· Denied a request for $1,483.2 to implement a new
geographic pay differential study. Court employees
deserve this pay, but should receive it concurrently with
other state employees.
· Denied $250.0 for computer replacements. The Court
system should husband computing resources carefully.
· Reduced a request for $174.7 to increase pro-tem pay for
retired judges to $50.0. When combined with internal
savings the court system plans from Juneau courts, a
significant increase should be possible.
· Denied a request for $499.1 to eliminate the vacancy
savings requirement for judicial officers in trial
courts. The trial courts have approximately 115 judicial
officers statewide, and are capable of carrying the
current vacancy factor.
· Denied a request for $125.0 to expand the custody
mediation program.
· Denied a request for $125.0 to cover increased
transcription costs for the Public Defender Agency,
Department of Law, and Office of Public Advocacy. Please
note the recommendation below.
· Reduced a request for $526.4 and six positions in
administration and support to $119.0 and one position for
the Multi-Agency Justice Integration Consortium.
· Refined the Judicial Council's request for funding to
staff a Child Protection Commission by reallocating the
funding among line items.
Recommendations
The subcommittee recommends the Senate Finance Committee
aggregate all therapeutic courts funding in the court
system's therapeutic courts allocation.
The subcommittee also recommends the Senate Finance
Committee cover the cost of transcripts provided to state
agencies in the appropriate agency budget, and give the
court system receipt authority to bill for the service it
provides.
10:04:13 AM
Senator Olson spoke of a 2008 appropriation to begin work
on the Nome State Office Building and a denial for
$278,000. He asked about the progress on that project. Mr.
Kiehl related that the Nome State Office Building was not
requested in the governor's capital budget. The
subcommittee felt strongly that the federal building, which
is currently leased to the Court System and several other
agencies at below market rates, was a less attractive
option than a new Nome State Office Building because of
significant deferred maintenance issues. The subcommittee
was very careful to work with the Court System and feels
confident that not assuming management of the federal
building will not endanger the courts remaining open.
10:05:58 AM
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
Senator Egan thanked the department and his staff for their
assistance on the budget.
Mr. Kiehl explained that the administration presented a
restrained budget for the department. The foundation
formula had an increase of more than $50 million to Alaska
school districts this year. The subcommittee did not work
with the formula, but worked with the operations of the
department. The department requested funding for a few
fixed cost increases, which the subcommittee approved.
Largely, the subcommittee's recommendations mirror the
governor's amended request. The subcommittee:
· approved continuing the pre-kindergarten pilot
project as base funding.
· approved the governor's request for a one-time grant
of $200.0 to Best Beginnings for early education.
· approved the request for 3 content specialists in
reading, writing, and math to help struggling school
districts meet the state standards
· pulled all the funding for the state's system of
support - including the new positions - out of the
commissioner's office and put it in a separate
allocation in the Division of Teaching & Learning
Support.
· added $600.0 to the grants line in Early Learning
Coordination for the department to allocate between
Best Beginnings and the Parents as Teachers program.
recommends intent language giving the department the
responsibility to allocate the money between the two
programs.
The subcommittee did not take up carryforward authorization
for the federal stimulus funds, but recommended full
Finance Committee approval so districts can use the second
and final year of stimulus dollars.
Turning to the Court System budget, my subcommittee members
were Sens. Paskvan and Dyson.
· Working from the Adjusted Base, the subcommittee approved
funding to eliminate the vacancy savings requirement for
the 8 judges in the appellate courts.
· We approved a small increment to cover the travel costs
for the Chief Justice.
· The subcommittee approved funding to phase in the fourth
year of the 'No Dark Courtrooms' initiative.
· We met fixed cost increases for leases and telephones.
· We approved one new position for the Multi Agency Justice
Integration Consortium and upgraded the clerk in Craig
from part time to full time because of increased felony
filings.
· The subcommittee also provided funding to pay retired
judges a little more when they come back to fill in.
Without this increase they're making less than half what
the lowest-paid attorneys in the state get.
· We approved a small increment to improve training and
availability for language interpreters as well as
interagency receipts from the Child Support division for
the Family Law Self Help Center.
· We approved the Mental Health Trust Authority funding for
mental health courts.
· The subcommittee also gave a small increment to the
Judicial Conduct Commission to keep that two-person
agency at a 0% vacancy factor, and funded the Judicial
Council to staff an interagency commission on child
protection.
· Finally, we recommend the full Finance Committee make two
changes that cross budget lines:
o We need to move all therapeutic courts funding into
the court system, so we can track exactly how those
funds are being spent. Therapeutic courts work, and
we need to make certain they're running as
effectively and efficiently as possible.
o The subcommittee also recommends the full Committee
cover the increased cost of transcripts provided to
state agencies by having the Courts bill criminal
justice agencies. My office has worked with the
courts and the administration to develop an
amendment that will get this done.
Mr. Kiehl shared the results of the subcommittee's findings
in fund, position, and budget action:
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department
of Education & Early Development submits an Operating
Budget to the Senate Finance Committee for FY 11 as
follows:
FY10 Mgt FY11 Adj Gov Senate House -
Pln Base Amend+ Subcom Amds
Unrestricted GF 55,618.3 53,447.4 55,892.3 56,492.3 56,672.3
Designated GF 14,478.3 14,478.3 12,279.6 12,279.6 12,279.6
Other 20,785.8 20,786.5 22,546.1 22,546.1 22,546.1
Federal Funds 293,373.6 214,960.3 215,030.3 215,030.3 215,030.3
Total 384,256.0 303,672.5 305,748.3 306,348.3 306,528.3
Positions
PFTs 332 330 334 334 334
PPTs 15 13 13 13 13
3 3 3 3
Temps 3
Total Positions 350 346 350 350 350
The Subcommittee held four meetings with the department and
took the following actions:
Budget Action
Accepted the Governors amended proposal with the following
adjustments:
· Deferred carryforward authorization for American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act funds to the full Finance Committee.
· Created a new allocation in Teaching and Learning Support
for the "State System of Support." This allocation
contains resources the state dedicates to helping low-
performing districts and those districts failing to make
Adequate Yearly Progress.
o Transferred the funds ($508.4 GF) and positions
th
(3PFT) appropriated as a result of SB 285 in the 25
Legislature, along with $824.2 appropriated in FY 10
out of Executive Administration into the new
allocation.
o Granted $291.7 and three positions requested by the
governor to hire content specialists in reading,
writing, and mathematics, but placed the funds and
positions in the new allocation.
ƒAdded $600.0 to the grants line in Early Learning
Coordination for the department to allocate between Best
Beginnings and the Parents as Teachers program. The
subcommittee recommends the following intent language:
It is the intent of the legislature that this
funding be granted by the Department in the
manner the Department determines will most
effectively enhance pre-kindergarten educational
development to: Best Beginnings for its early
education, partnership grant and Imagination
Library efforts; and/or to existing providers of
Parents as Teachers pre-kindergarten efforts.
10:08:46 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman differed with calling the budget
"restrained". He commented that the foundation formula is
being given in excess of $50 million. This was an item that
the bi-partisan working group intended to address in
keeping with a promise to the education community of
fulfilling the foundation formula. It equals a substantial
increase to the Department of Education.
10:09:40 AM
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Senator Ellis reported on the subcommittee's findings
regarding fund source, personnel, budget, action, amendment
action, and items of concern:
The Senate Finance Subcommittee on the Department of
Corrections submits an operating report to the full Senate
Finance Committee for Fiscal Year 2010 as follows:
Fund Source:
FY10 FY11 FY 11 Senate Difference
Management Governor's Subcommittee (Governor to
Plan Amended Senate Sub)
Adjusted Base
212,688.8 218,227.2 225,876.6 7,649.4 (3.5%)
Unrestricted
General Funds
16,153.9 15,302.4 15,452.4 150.0 (1.0%)
Designated
General Funds
16,548.5 16,548.5 16,548.5 0
Federal Funds
3,187.3 3,003.4 3,103.4 100.0 (3.3%)
Other Funds
Total 248,578.5 253,081.5 260,980.9 7,899.4
(3.1%)
Personnel:
The Subcommittee reviewed the authorized position count for
the Department. The Governor's amended budget proposal
requested three new positions. The Subcommittee is
recommending three new positions.
FY10 Authorized FY11 Governor's FY 11 Senate
Position Summary Amended Adjusted Subcommittee
Base
1510 1509 1509
Permanent Full
Time
1 2 2
Permanent Part
Time
0 0 0
Temporary
1511 1511 1511
Total
Budget Action:
The Subcommittee held four meetings with the Department and
took the following actions:
1. Adopted the Fiscal Year 2010 Adjusted Base.
2. Reviewed each of the increments and decrements
submitted by the Governor. Recommends the adoption of
the Governor's proposal with the following exceptions:
a. Adopt Inc 8,000.0 UGF/100.0 Fed "FY2011 Wage,
Health Insurance, and Geographic Differential
Increases for the ACOA Bargaining Unit" in the
Institution Director's Office allocation of the
Population Management appropriation.
b. 12 TrIn/TrOut transactions totaling 4,528.9 UGF
from each of the correctional center allocations
of the Population Management appropriation into a
new 24 Hour Institutional Utilities
Appropriation.
c. 6 TrIn/TrOut transactions totaling 6,041.1
UGF/111.7 Fed/70.8 I/A Receipts from various
allocations and appropriations into a new
Offender Habilitation appropriation.
d. Change Inc 150.0 UGF "Construction Apprenticeship
Program funding request" to 150.0 STEP for the
same purpose.
e. Reduce Inc 1242.8 UGF "Fund New Housing Units at
Wildwood Correctional Center" to Inc 1104.3 UGF
for the same purpose.
f. Reduce Inc 400.0 UGF for "Increased Community
Residential Contracts Costs" to 337.9 UGF for the
same purpose.
g. Adopt one statement of Legislative Intent:
i. "It is the intent of the legislature that
the Department of Corrections will provide
detailed information to the legislature on a
quarterly basis regarding the success of the
Offender Habilitation programs with a strong
focus on performance and outcomes" in the
new Offender Habilitation appropriation.
Amendment Action:
1. Reviewed and recommends the adoption of the operating
budget amendment (one increment) submitted by the
Governor.
Items of Concern:
1. For many years the expansion of the Yukon-Kuskokwim
Correctional Center in Bethel has been a high-priority
project for the Legislature, leading to its inclusion
in 2004's Senate Bill 65, which authorized the state
to assist communities in building or expanding
correctional facilities. While the construction of
the Goose Creek Correctional Center in the Mat-Su
Valley is underway, and a number of smaller expansion
projects in facilities like Wildwood Correctional
Center in Kenai have taken place, YKCC remains
incomplete. For the second year in a row, the
Subcommittee discussed this issue and the lack of
progress over the years with the Department, and
remains committed to continuing this discussion until
the community and legislators are satisfied with the
Department's progress in Bethel.
2. In the last few years, there have been significant
advances in the development of results-based programs
that can reduce recidivism and cut costs by
diminishing the inmate population. The Institute for
Social and Economic Research at UAA and the Pew
Foundation for the States have released reports in
recent months detailing Alaska's need for increased
education, job training, and substance abuse treatment
programs, and the potential for significant long-term
cost savings as a result. The Subcommittee is
committed to working with the Commissioner and the
Department to both monitor the success of current
programs to ensure that they are providing the
necessary results, and investing in additional
programs with results supported by statistical
evidence.
10:13:06 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman informed the committee about another
funding vehicle, the supplemental budget. The Correctional
Officers' contract will be covered in that bill.
10:14:04 AM
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SUBCOMMITTEE
Senator Ellis provided an overview of DEC's budget. The
subcommittee approved a budget of $18,189,200 in new
general funds and $75,647,100 in total funds, an increase
of $100,400 over the governor's proposal. The subcommittee
approved 534 full-time and 538 total positions, a decrease
of 4 full-time positions from the governor's proposal.
Senator Ellis reported on the subcommittee's findings,
including fund source, personnel, budget action, amendment
action, and items of concern:
The Senate Finance Subcommittee on the Department of
Environmental Conservation submits an operating report to
the full Senate Finance Committee for Fiscal Year 2011 as
follows:
Fund Source:
FY10 FY11 FY 11 Senate Difference
Management Governor's Subcommittee (Governor to
Plan Amended Senate Sub)
17,330.4 18,088.8 18,189.2 100.4 (0.6%)
Unrestricted
General Funds
24,816.7 24,972.7 24,972.7 0
Designated
General Funds
10,259.0 10,260.7 10,260.7 0
Federal Funds
21,564.9 22,224.5 22,224.5 0
Other Funds
73,971.0 75,546.7 75,647.1 100.4 (0.1%)
Total
Personnel:
The Subcommittee reviewed the authorized position count for
the Department. The Governor's amended budget proposal
requested one new position. The Subcommittee is
recommending three new positions.
FY10 Authorized FY11 Governor's FY 11 Senate
Position Summary Amended Subcommittee
532 538 534
Permanent Full
Time
2 2 2
Permanent Part
Time
7 7 7
Temporary
541 547 543
Total
Budget Action:
The Subcommittee held three meetings with the Department
and took the following actions:
3. Adopted the Fiscal Year 2010 Adjusted Base.
4. Reviewed each of the increments and decrements
submitted by the Governor. Recommends the adoption of
the Governor's proposal with the following exceptions:
a. Deny 5 PFT related to Inc 300.0 Fed/300.0 G/F
Match "Environmental Protection Agency Drinking
Water Rule Implementation" to the Drinking Water
allocation of the Environmental Health
appropriation.
b. Adopt Inc 100.4 UGF "Add One Environmental Health
Officer to Focus on Retail Food Establishment
Safety Inspections" to the Food Safety and
Sanitation allocation of the Environmental Health
appropriation.
c. Adopt three statements of Legislative Intent:
i. "It is the intent of the Legislature that
the Department of Environmental Conservation
return to the Legislature by the first day
of the 27th Legislature with a proposal to
make the Spill Prevention and Response fund
sustainable through an increased surchange
rate and/or a surcharge for non-taxable
barrels of oil transported in the state" to
the Spill Prevention and Response
appropriation.
ii. "It is the intent of the Legislature that
the Department of Environmental Conservation
and the Department of Labor and Workforce
Development collaborate to develop a
workforce development plan to train Alaskans
for jobs as Ocean Rangers" to the Water
Quality allocation of the Water
appropriation.
iii. "It is the intent of the Legislature that
the Department of Environmental
Conservation, the Department of Natural
Resources, and the Department of Fish and
Game work together to develop a plan to
remove fish waste from the Kenai and Kasilof
Rivers dipnet fishery and maintain a safe
and attractive riverfront" to the Water
Quality allocation of the Water
appropriation.
Amendment Action:
2. The Governor did not submit operating budget
amendments for DEC.
Items of Concern:
1. The Subcommittee has serious concern about the
sustainability of the Spill Prevention and Response
Fund. This year, the Fund will expend approximately
$7.7 million more than its estimated revenues. Over
the next few years, this problem is expected to worsen
as the level of oil production declines, and the Fund
is projected to be insolvent by FY2014. The
Department has done significant work to extend the
life of the fund, including efficiencies, cost
recovery, and a significantly decreased capital
improvement program (from $5.7M in FY 2010 to $2M in
FY2011 to 0 in FY2012 and forward). The Subcommittee
plans to work with the Department to adjust the
current $0.04 surcharge on each barrel of oil produced
in the state - including extending the surcharge to
barrels produced off of state lands but transported
across them and/or a potential increase in the rate of
the surcharge. We are extremely concerned, and are
sounding the alarm about the fund's rate of decline.
2. The Subcommittee had considerable discussion regarding
the deficiency of the food safety inspection program
and the disparity between the Department's funding
level and the expectations of the public at large.
Even with the addition of an additional food safety
inspector and related costs included in the
Subcommittee's recommendation, the Department expects
to be able to inspect significantly less than both
DEC's and the federal Food and Drug Administration's
recommendations. This serious shortfall threatens the
health and safety of people across the state, but is
felt strongest in rural areas, where costs drive
inspection rates even lower than the statewide
average.
10:17:51 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman shared the process of working with the
bill. He hoped to make a budget within Alaska's means, but
yet address its needs. The budget is approximately $15.8
million less than what the governor requested. It also
contains a reduction of positions from 21,626 to 21,591 and
an increase of two part-time positions and a status quo of
659 temporary positions.
AT-EASE 10:19:21 AM
RECONVENED 10:20:25 AM
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to adopt all FY 2011 operating
budget subcommittee closeout reports as presented, with
attached legislative finance backup to be included into the
CS. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Co-Chair Hoffman related the schedule for tomorrow. Co-
Chair Stedman added more bills to the afternoon schedule.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:21 AM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 300 HB 302GOVs Operating Amendments February 17 2010.pdf |
SFIN 3/23/2010 9:00:00 AM |
HB 300 HB 302 |
| HB300HB302MEDICAID SPENDING Report cover.docx |
HFIN 2/25/2010 1:30:00 PM SFIN 3/23/2010 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/24/2010 9:00:00 AM |
HB 300 HB 302 |
| Medicaid-Special Report House Finance Feb 2010 HB300 HB302.docx |
HFIN 2/25/2010 1:30:00 PM SFIN 3/23/2010 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/24/2010 9:00:00 AM |
HB 300 HB 302 |
| Medicade Ependitures & Projections PowerPoint HB300-302.pdf |
HFIN 2/25/2010 1:30:00 PM SFIN 3/23/2010 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/24/2010 9:00:00 AM |
HB 300 |
| SB 302 Bill Packet.pdf |
SFIN 3/23/2010 9:00:00 AM SL&C 3/9/2010 1:30:00 PM |
SB 302 |
| HB 300 HB302 Operating Budget Summary.pdf |
HFIN 3/1/2010 1:30:00 PM SFIN 3/23/2010 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/24/2010 9:00:00 AM |
HB 300 HB 302 |
| Operating Budget Amendments 030810.pdf |
HFIN 3/8/2010 1:30:00 PM SFIN 3/23/2010 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/24/2010 9:00:00 AM |
HB 300 |
| Amendment 14A 030810.pdf |
HFIN 3/8/2010 1:30:00 PM SFIN 3/23/2010 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/24/2010 9:00:00 AM |
HB 300 |
| Operating Budget Amendment #33 030810.pdf |
HFIN 3/8/2010 1:30:00 PM SFIN 3/23/2010 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/24/2010 9:00:00 AM |
HB 300 |
| HB 300 Amendment Package with Actions.pdf |
HFIN 3/9/2010 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/23/2010 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/24/2010 9:00:00 AM |
HB 300 |
| HB 300 Letters Public.pdf |
HFIN 3/9/2010 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/23/2010 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/24/2010 9:00:00 AM |
HB 300 HB 300 HB 302 |