Legislature(2017 - 2018)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/17/2017 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Public Testimony: Bethel, Nome, Kotzebue, Unalaska | |
| Public Testimony: Barrow, Tok, Delta Junction | |
| Public Testimony: Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg | |
| Public Testimony: Sitka, Cordova, Valdez | |
| Public Testimony: Fairbanks, Mat-su | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 17, 2017
1:31 p.m.
1:31:48 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Hoffman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 1:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop, Vice-Chair
Senator Mike Dunleavy
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Natasha von Imhof
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Anna MacKinnon, Co-Chair
ALSO PRESENT
Greg Pugh, Self, Mat-Su; Jasmine Leremia, Self, Petersburg;
John Sonin, Self, Juneau; Kaytlyn Kelly, Self, Palmer;
Kyrstyn Kelly, Self, Palmer; Senator Pete Kelly.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Deb Trobridge, Pre-K, Nome; Doug Walrath, Director,
Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center (NACTEC),
Nome; Krystal Hensley, Pre-Kindergarten, Nome; Beverly
Hoffman, PBS/Self, Bethel; Kathy Hanson, Self, Bethel; John
Active, Self, Bethel; Adrian Wagner, Self, Bethel; Matt
Scott, Self/YKHC, Bethel; Elizabeth Tressler, Self/YKHC,
Bethel; Jean Simon, KYUK, Bethel; Brian Lefferts, Self,
Bethel; Carlton Kuhns, Assistant Superintendent, Bethel
Regional High School - Lower-Kuskokwim School District;
Barbara Angaiak, Self, Bethel; Mary Weiss, Self, Bethel;
Mark Marrow, Community Member, Unalaska; Ashley Crowe, Pre-
Kindergarten, Nome; Crystal Taxac, Early Childhood/Pre-
Kindergarten, Nome; Kelly Bogart, Head Start, Nome; Mary
Nanuwak, Self, Bethel; Dave Cannon, Self, Aniak; Paul
Kendall, Self, Anchorage; Katie Ellanna, Head Start, Nome;
Elizabeth Korenek-Johnson, Parent & Teacher, Nome; Lindsay
Johnson, Student, Nome; Ed Martin, Self, Cooper Landing;
Mark Roseberry, North Slope Borough School District,
Barrow; Michael I. Jeffery, Self, Barrow; Mike Shults,
Resident, Barrow; Erin Hollingsworth, Self, Barrow; Linda
Payton, KBRW, Barrow; Gary McDonald, Self, Anchorage;
Cheryl Hunne, Self, Barrow; Amy Purevsuren, Self, Unalaska;
Helen Simmonds, Member, Key Coalition, Barrow; Jeanie
Arnold, Self, Wrangell; Patrick Mayer, Wrangell Public
Schools Superintendent, Wrangell; Janalee Gage, Self,
Ketchikan; Valerie Brooks, Self, Ketchikan; Gwen McDonald,
Self, Ketchikan; Sheila Miller, Self, Ketchikan; Terri
Robbins, Self, Ketchikan; Janice Walker, KRBD radio,
Ketchikan; Ed Zastrow, Member, AARP, Ketchikan; Brenda
Loughman, Self, Ketchikan; Josef Quitsland, Self,
Petersburg; Craig Olson, Self, Petersburg; Erin Michael,
Self, Petersburg; Marilyn Menish-Meucci, Self, Petersburg;
Rexanne Stafford, Self, Petersburg; Chelsea Tremblay, Self,
Petersburg; Joe Stratman, Self, Petersburg; Orin Pierson,
Self, Petersburg; Bennett McGrath, Self, Petersburg; Nola
Walker, Self, Wrangell; Peggy Cowan, North Slope Borough
School District, Anchorage; Bob Fassino, Self, Wasilla;
Brian Merritt, Wrangell School Teacher, Wrangell; Pete
Hoepfner, Cordova School District, Corodva; Mary Anne
Bishop, self, Corodva; Barb Jewel, Cordova School District,
Cordova; Kris Johnston, Self, Cordova; Theresa Gillespie,
Self, Cordova; Janet Johnson, Self, Cordova; Sam Skaggs,
Self, Sitka; Mary Wegner, Superintendent, Sitka School
District, Sitka; Bob Purvis, Self, Sitka; Emmett Williams,
Self, Sitka; Kenley Jackson, Self, Sitka; Mark Gorman,
Municipal Administrator, City and Borough of Sitka, Sitka;
Laurie Hood, Self, Sitka; John Dull, Self, Sitka; Kim
Michaud, President, Valdez Imagination Library Board,
Valdez; Lily Herwald, Self, Sitka; Karl Becker, self,
Cordova; Mary McMahon, Alaska Council of School
Administrators, Palmer; Steve St. Clair, Self, Mat-Su;
Linda Conover, Best Beginnings/Imagination Library, Mat-Su;
Robin Minard, Mat-Su Health Foundation, Mat-Su; Luke Fulp,
Mat-Su Borough school District, Matsu; Garvan Bucaria,
Self, Mat-Su; Beth Fread, Self, Matsu; Michael West, AK
Earthquake Center, Fairbanks; Cheryl Kilgore, Interior
Community Health Center, Fairbanks; Rebecca Racenet, Self,
Wasilla; Jeanette Grasto, National Alliance on Mental
Illness, Fairbanks; Pam Goode, Self, Rural Deltana; Vanessa
Liston, Self, Matsu; Kerry Boyd, Yukon Koyukuk School
District, Fairbanks; Don Gray, Self, Fairbanks; Karen
Taber, Fairbanks Wellness Coalition, Fairbanks.
SUMMARY
SB 22 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
SB 22 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 24 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
SB 24 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Hoffman indicated that the committee would be
hearing public testimony on the operating budget and the
mental health budget, SB 22 and SB 24. He pointed out that
what was printed online for the education component did not
include the targeted 5 percent cut that the Senate was
contemplating in the education budget. He wanted to make
sure people were aware that the issue would be addressed by
the Senate prior to heading to the floor. He requested that
individuals limit their testimony to two minutes. He listed
the times and correlating cities from which the committee
would be hearing public testimony for the day.
SENATE BILL NO. 22
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; repealing appropriations; making
supplemental appropriations and reappropriations, and
making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for
an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 24
"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."
^Public Testimony: Bethel, Nome, Kotzebue, Unalaska
1:33:48 PM
DEB TROBRIDGE, PRE-K, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in
support of Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) funding. She was a
foster care parent and relayed her experience with
providing consistency and stability through the Head Start
program, which was funded with Pre-K monies. She claimed
the success of the program benefiting the foster children
in her care. Foster children that were able to return to
their parents or were placed into a new home were able to
continue in the Head Start Program. She reported that the
Head Start Program also supported families in making sure
their children's well child exams and immunizations were
done. Kids in the entire region benefited from the program.
She mentioned the partnership between Nome Public School
and the Head Start Program - Nome Public School provided
certified teachers in the Head Start classrooms in Nome and
the community preschool. She reported that due to the
partnership 80 children in Nome benefited from Pre-K
funding. She listed a number of villages where Head Start
classrooms were fully staffed. She asked the finance
committee to consider how it could meet the obligation to
meet the needs of the children and families in the Bering
Straits Region.
1:36:30 PM
DOUG WALRATH, DIRECTOR, NORTHWESTERN ALASKA CAREER AND
TECHNICAL CENTER (NACTEC), NOME (via teleconference), spoke
in supporting funding for the Nome Youth Facility and Pre-
K. He agreed that every dollar spent resulted in $4 to $6
savings in the future. He thought making cuts to the
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) would
seemingly require a greater investment in the Division of
Juvenile Justice. However, the Nome Youth Facility funding
in the budget was not enough to deliver essential services.
As a result, juvenile offenders would be sent out of the
region. He spoke of NACTEC collaborating with the Nome
Youth Facility to deliver vocational training programs
since 2010. The vocational center had repurposed heavy
equipment simulators to the youth facility for onsite
training. He mentioned keeping Nome Youth offenders in the
region in order for them to participate in vocational
training as a means of remediation. He was willing to pay
an individual income tax to keep Pre-K programs so less
funding would be needed for juvenile justice programs in
the future.
1:39:06 PM
KRYSTAL HENSLEY, PRE-KINDERGARTEN, NOME (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the Head Start
Program. She worked for Head Start and her daughter
attended the program. Her daughter greatly benefited from
the program, as she had improved her speech because of
attending. She suggested that the program benefited many
children. She urged committee member support.
1:41:28 PM
BEVERLY HOFFMAN, PBS/SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference),
spoke in support of public broadcasting. She indicated that
public broadcasting remained vital to keeping in touch. She
urged leaders not to forget those people that needed public
broadcasting. She supported a statewide income tax and
asked the committee not to cap the Permanent Fund Dividend
(PFD).
1:43:24 PM
KATHY HANSON, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), urged
members to support public broadcasting. She provided
examples of the benefits of the service including
broadcasting essential emergency information. She spoke of
funding provided by the region. She would gladly pay an
income tax.
1:45:15 PM
JOHN ACTIVE, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to the proposed cuts to public broadcasting. He
wanted to see the excellent services provided by public
broadcasting. He indicated it was one of the only means of
staying connected. He spoke to the benefits of the service.
He thought further cuts to the service would be
detrimental. He mentioned the fact that public broadcasting
was provided in both Yupik and English. He spoke to
additional benefits of the service.
1:48:52 PM
ADRIAN WAGNER, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke
against additional cuts to public broadcasting. He thought
the service to rural Alaska was imperative. He provided his
background in public radio. He thought public broadcasting
was the one thing the legislature should keep in the
budget.
1:50:39 PM
MATT SCOTT, SELF/YKHC, BETHEL (via teleconference),
advocated against cuts to education and public
broadcasting. He thanked the committee for hearing his
testimony.
1:52:11 PM
ELIZABETH TRESSLER, SELF/YKHC, BETHEL (via teleconference),
spoke in support of public broadcasting. She provided her
background information. She relayed that public radio was
used to reach listeners about diabetes. She relayed that
the region had approximately 700 individuals diagnosed with
diabetes and over 1000 individuals diagnosed with pre-
diabetes. She suggested that losing public radio would
impair Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Center being able to provide
information about diabetes management and prevention. She
asked the committee to consider continuing to provide
funding for public broadcasting. She thanked the committee.
1:54:00 PM
JEAN SIMON, KYUK, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
support of public broadcasting. She was a lifelong resident
of Bethel. She urged members not to cut public radio
because it was vital to the region to be able to access
public information.
1:55:31 PM
BRIAN LEFFERTS, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke
against further cuts to public broadcasting. He relied on
public radio for local and statewide news and information.
The local radio stations played a critical role in the
region's communities. They played local basketball games,
aired city council meetings, and hosted public forums to
discuss important issues. He added that community members
relied on public radio for news and information. He spoke
to additional advantages of the service and thanked the
committee for the opportunity to speak.
1:56:57 PM
CARLTON KUHNS, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, BETHEL REGIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL - LOWER-KUSKOKWIM SCHOOL DISTRICT (via
teleconference), spoke in support of public education. He
had been an educator in the region since 1979 and had seen
funding for public education ebb and flow over the years.
He had concerns with the state's current situation. He
encouraged further consideration in generating additional
revenue streams as opposed to making the budget balance
through cuts. He relayed that the Lower-Kuskokwim School
District was the largest of the Regional Educational
Attendance Areas (REAAs) in the state. The school district
served over 4000 K-12 students. He mentioned many of the
challenges of the district. He spoke of travel costs. He
reported that a recent roundtrip from Bethel to Platinum
cost $500. The district was a major employer in the area.
He encouraged members to consider additional education
funding. He thanked the committee.
1:59:52 PM
BARBARA ANGAIAK, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke
against additional cuts to public education. She was
nervous to hear of another 5 percent decrease to education
funding which she thought would likely result in the
closure of certain schools. She mentioned being willing to
pay a state income tax. She thanked the committee.
2:02:07 PM
MARY WEISS, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to cuts to education and to the public nursing
program. She noted wanting leadership in dealing with the
federal government. She suggested that not only was the
state legislature threatening to gut Alaska's way of life,
the federal government was also making the same threat. She
hoped the legislature would help to protect Alaskans from
those threats.
2:03:35 PM
MARK MARROW, COMMUNITY MEMBER, UNALASKA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of public broadcasting.
He relayed the importance of the service provided. He urged
members to fund public broadcasting.
2:05:01 PM
ASHLEY CROWE, PRE-KINDERGARTEN, NOME (via teleconference),
spoke in support of the Head Start program and other Pre-K
programs. She thanked the committee.
2:06:43 PM
CRYSTAL TAXAC, EARLY CHILDHOOD/PRE-KINDERGARTEN, NOME (via
teleconference), spoke in opposition of cuts to Pre-K
programs. She wished the committee well.
2:07:24 PM
KELLY BOGART, HEAD START, NOME (via teleconference), urged
members to support the Head Start Program. She saw the
benefits of the program, which helped her to decide to
pursue her degree in child development and family studies.
She spoke of her daughter attending Head Start and the
benefits she was currently receiving. The impact of Pre-K
education on her child was amazing. There were no other
programs for early childhood education in the region. She
also spoke of the benefits of being able to attend school
herself while her daughter was in school.
2:09:42 PM
MARY NANUWAK, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), mentioned
only 30 days being left in the legislative session. She
spoke in favor of public radio and urged members to fund
the service. She also spoke of the alcoholism and sexual
assault in her region. She supported addiction assistance
and public broadcasting. She thanked the committee.
2:15:04 PM
DAVE CANNON, SELF, ANIAK (via teleconference), expressed
his concerns with the potential loss of funding for public
radio. He spoke of the benefits received by having public
radio. He was concerned about the runway being moved in
Aniak and thought there were better ways to spend the
funding earmarked for that project. He thanked the
committee.
2:16:50 PM
PAUL KENDALL, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in favor of a 90-day congress in Anchorage. He discussed
what he thought were the five most essential services
including electricity, water, trash, sewer, and the
internet. He thought everything else was an amenity or a
want. He thought there needed to be only one account
payable agency. He felt that a large percent of government
employees lacked responsibility. He also asserted that the
governor stole the people's money. He revealed several
other complaints. He thought the legislature should
consider the possibility of moving into the BP building in
Anchorage. He thanked the committee for the opportunity to
testify.
2:21:02 PM
KATIE ELLANNA, HEAD START, NOME (via teleconference), spoke
in support of the Head Start program. She had 5 children
who received many of the services provided by Head Start
and it was very much needed.
2:22:08 PM
ELIZABETH KORENEK-JOHNSON, PARENT & TEACHER, NOME (via
teleconference), spoke in support of fully funding Pre-K,
Parents-As-Teachers, and the Best Beginnings programs. She
mentioned many of the benefits students received. She urged
members to support early education funding.
2:23:41 PM
LINDSAY JOHNSON, STUDENT, NOME (via teleconference), spoke
to the benefits of reading. She was a resident of Nome and
was 9 years old. She talked about using the imagination
library, which helped her begin reading. She thought
reading was important in helping kids learn. She thanked
the committee.
2:25:01 PM
ED MARTIN, SELF, COOPER LANDING (via teleconference),
thought government was inflated. He opposed the size of the
budget and thought the legislature should make needed
reductions. He opposed the use of the Permanent Fund. He
also opposed income taxes. He encouraged the further
development of Alaska's resources. He urged members to
create new wealth. He thanked the committee for the
opportunity to testify.
2:28:43 PM
MARK ROSEBERRY, NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, BARROW
(via teleconference), reported he had been working on a
residential learning center with a residential program that
allowed students from villages to take career courses and
certification courses that were not available in their
villages. He requested that the Department of Education and
Early Development-approved program be added to the
education budget. He relayed the importance of the program.
The graduation rate in the region was 54 percent in the
prior year - much lower than districts in the Northwest
with residential programs like NACTEC and Star of the
North. He continued to provide details regarding his
funding request. He thanked members for taking the time to
listen.
2:31:26 PM
MICHAEL I. JEFFERY, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference),
spoke in support of public broadcasting. He mentioned the
benefits of the service. He also urged continued support
for the Office of Children's Services (OCS). He noted that
the services provided by OCS helped to reduce recidivism.
He was willing to pay an income tax and have a reduced
dividend. He urged the passing of a full fiscal plan.
2:35:07 PM
MIKE SHULTS, RESIDENT, BARROW (via teleconference), voiced
his support for public radio. The service provided a
plethora of benefits. He mentioned that public radio was
the only way for certain types of information to be
dispersed. It was an essential part of the community.
Everyone benefited from public radio. He would hate to see
funding be slashed. He thanked the committee.
2:37:36 PM
ERIN HOLLINGSWORTH, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference),
spoke in favor of public broadcasting. There were not many
options to get the word out about various announcements.
She also spoke in favor of the Online with Libraries (OWL)
program. She also advocated in favor of early education
funding and urged members to fund Meals on Wheels. She
thanked the committee.
2:39:58 PM
LINDA PAYTON, KBRW, BARROW (via teleconference), supported
public broadcasting. She thought village communication was
crucial to the community. She spoke of having to rely on
batteries when the power went out. She asked members to
fund public radio. She thanked members for their
consideration.
2:41:45 PM
GARY MCDONALD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
opposed cuts to public radio. He thought the services was
critical in rural Alaska. He recommended giving people
additional time to testify.
Co-Chair Hoffman noted that written testimony was another
venue for the people to make their wishes known.
2:43:07 PM
CHERYL HUNNE, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of early childhood education including Parent-As-
Teachers, Best Beginnings and other programs. She mentioned
many benefits. She thanked committee members for their
time..
2:45:08 PM
AMY PUREVSUREN, SELF, UNALASKA (via teleconference),
opposed cuts to public broadcasting. She believed many
folks relied exclusively on public radio. She thanked
members for the opportunity to testify.
Co-Chair Hoffman indicated there were no other people
online to testify. The committee would stand "at ease"
until 3:15 PM.
2:46:53 PM
AT EASE
3:16:21 PM
RECONVENED
^Public Testimony: Barrow, Tok, Delta Junction
3:16:49 PM
HELEN SIMMONDS, MEMBER, KEY COALITION, BARROW (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the day services
funding, and mental health increment money. She shared that
her oldest son received the benefits of the day services
funding. She remarked that her son was able to complete
school, because of the services he received starting at age
17. She expressed support of funding for education, and
shared that the alternative school was important for the
community of Barrow. She shared that her sons were
successful thanks to the day services program.
^Public Testimony: Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg
GREG PUGH, SELF, MAT-SU, spoke in support of further cuts
to the budget. He felt that the government was not able to
provide benefits for everyone. He did not believe that the
state could sustain the current level of spending. He spoke
against taxes, because he did not want his daughters to pay
taxes. He stressed that there were many areas within the
bill that could be cut. He felt that there should be a
focus on the constitutionally mandated programs, rather
than entitlement programs.
Co-Chair Hoffman handed the gavel to Vice-Chair Bishop.
3:24:05 PM
JASMINE LEREMIA, SELF, PETERSBURG, testified in support of
funding for education. She stressed that the children would
eventually be the leaders of the state and country. She
hoped that the legislature would limit the cuts, and
testified in support of new revenue such as taxes.
3:25:59 PM
JEANIE ARNOLD, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She stressed that public radio was essential in her
community, because it provided much needed community and
emergency information.
3:27:01 PM
PATRICK MAYER, WRANGELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT,
WRANGELL (via teleconference), testified in support of
funding for education. He spoke against the proposed
reduction in the Base Student Allocation (BSA). He stated
that the cut would result in a reduction of two teaching
positions.
3:29:11 PM
JANALEE GAGE, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in support of programs such as treatment and addiction
support services. She shared that she became disabled, and
relied on services to assist her. She shared that she was
able to recover quickly in her home thanks to the assisted
living services.
3:32:49 PM
VALERIE BROOKS, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting
and funding for education. She stated that she was a
reading specialist in an elementary school in Ketchikan,
and remarked that the budget restrictions in the districts
were a direct result of the reduced state budget. She felt
that it was essential that the state do the best to provide
reliable education funding to provide optimal learning
environments for the state's students.
3:34:49 PM
GWEN MCDONALD, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for independent learning centers. She
stated that Southeast Alaska Assisted Learning had afforded
her employment opportunities to allow her to contribute to
her community. She was able to reclaim her independence
thanks to the transportation provided by assisted living.
She stressed that cutting the program would be detrimental
to the residents of the state.
3:36:34 PM
SHEILA MILLER, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She stressed that the cuts to public radio would cause a
loss of emergency alert services. She stated that there
would be an additional loss of other funding sources.
3:37:45 PM
TERRI ROBBINS, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She remarked that there were many essential programming
including news, weather, emergency, and local community
information. She stressed that there was a quality of life
that was made possible by public broadcasting. She stressed
that there was isolation in many communities that limited
the opportunity to communicate and participate; but public
broadcasting provided that connection to the world.
3:39:37 PM
JANICE WALKER, KRBD RADIO, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. She stressed that the public radio provided
many essential programs and weather information. She added
that the public radio also provided emergency information.
She stated that the public radio was the local provider for
emergency alerts. She remarked that the staff at the public
radio station was already frugal, and volunteered many
unpaid hours for the fundraising events. She stressed that
the cut would drop the local station below the amount
needed for the federal match.
3:42:15 PM
ED ZASTROW, MEMBER, AARP, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
spoke in support of regional funding for community broad-
based support programs. He stated that the programs
included volunteer caregivers. He also urged the committee
to restore funding for public broadcasting.
3:43:09 PM
BRENDA LOUGHMAN, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. She stated that she had a business that
supported the blind and those with low vision. She felt
that public radio was a lifeline for many people in the
state.
3:43:59 PM
JOSEF QUITSLAND, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. He remarked that he was able to watch the
committee meeting because of public broadcasting. He
remarked that he would be ignorant or be required to turn
to Fox News without public radio. He remarked that losing
funding for public radio would have a trickledown effect.
He also spoke in support of funding for the marine highway.
He stated the marine highway had many beneficiaries beyond
the residents of Southeast Alaska. He also spoke in support
of diverse funding structures.
3:46:35 PM
CRAIG OLSON, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting,
and arts programs. He stated that public radio had absorbed
the recent cuts, and felt that further cuts would result in
a loss of federal funding. He felt that the public radio
provided jobs to the community. He remarked that the loss
of public radio would result in a great loss of
information. He explained that the communities in Alaska
had the highest level of support of any state in the
country.
3:48:46 PM
ERIN MICHAEL, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for public health nursing. She
explained that the public health nursing provided various
forms of screening, family planning services, and knowledge
for the current opioid addiction problem in the state. She
stressed that public health nursing provided a much needed
service to the state. She also urged the committee to
restore funding for public broadcasting.
3:50:39 PM
MARILYN MENISH-MEUCCI, SELF, PETERSBURG (via
teleconference), spoke in support of Pre-K, Best
Beginnings, Department of Health and Social Services,
Alaska Marine Highway, and urged the committee to restore
funding for public broadcasting. She felt that the
committee should severely cut the oil and gas tax credit,
use a portion of the PFD, and a statewide income tax.
3:52:21 PM
REXANNE STAFFORD, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting and the Alaska Marine Highway System. She felt
that the public radio was imperative to providing
information about emergencies. She stated that her
community relied on the ferry system. She stated that women
could not give birth in Petersburg anymore, so the ferry
system was essential. She also spoke in support of the
state income tax.
3:54:20 PM
CHELSEA TREMBLAY, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting; public health programs; and public schools.
She spoke against the oil and gas tax credits. She urged
support of a state income tax.
3:55:39 PM
JOE STRATMAN, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He felt that public radio was an integral part of his
community. He stated that the emergency alert system was
effectively used to warn the public of severe weather,
natural disasters, escaped criminals, child abductions, and
other emergencies. He stressed that public radio was an
essential element to the health and safety of Alaskans. He
also voiced support of a state income tax.
3:57:21 PM
ORIN PIERSON, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He felt that the cuts to public radio station would shut
down the Petersburg radio station. He shared the public
radio station was run by many volunteers. He felt that
public radio was a daily utility in small communities in
the state. He shared that the residents were told to listen
to the radio in times of emergency.
3:59:11 PM
BENNETT MCGRATH, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting, public health nursing, and the Alaska Marine
Highway System. She also spoke in support of taxes. She
remarked that public radio was essential in communities
that did not have internet.
4:00:31 PM
NOLA WALKER, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
stressed that the public radio provided many essential
communication access. She felt that public radio was
important to participate in democracy.
4:02:05 PM
PEGGY COWAN, NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for
public education. She remarked that she was fortunate to
live and work on the North Slope. She shared that her
district would increase the local contribution. She
remarked that the district was struggling with budget
decisions to best serve the students in a quality manner.
She remarked that there could be school districts who may
be experiencing a worse result that her district. She
stressed that students were the state's greatest resource.
4:04:41 PM
BOB FASSINO, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), felt that
there were enough cuts in the budget. He spoke in support
of a state income tax. He spoke against the oil and gas tax
credits. He felt that the earnings from the Permanent Fund
could be used to fund the budget. He stressed that the
budget situation needed to be fixed immediately.
4:07:05 PM
BRIAN MERRITT, WRANGELL SCHOOL TEACHER, WRANGELL (via
teleconference), spoke against cuts to the education
formula. He stressed that ignorance was expensive. He also
spoke in support of the Alaska Marine Highway System.
^Public Testimony: Sitka, Cordova, Valdez
4:08:13 PM
PETE HOEPFNER, CORDOVA SCHOOL DISTRICT, CORODVA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding of education.
He spoke against the 5 percent reduction in the DEED
budget. He hoped that there would be an opportunity to
testify on that possible 5 percent reduction. He stressed
that there were unintended consequences to budget cuts. He
felt that the education funding should be maintained across
the state. He felt that defunding education would hurt
Alaska into the future. He spoke in support of the $250,000
for the Alaska Best Practices Initiative.
4:11:12 PM
Co-Chair Hoffman stated that there was an intended 5
percent reduction to DEED, and the meeting would be the
final public testimony on the operating budget.
4:11:37 PM
MARY ANNE BISHOP, SELF, CORODVA (via teleconference), spoke
in support of locally based case management services for
mental health programs. She stated that she had a 9-year-
old special needs daughter. She remarked that her daughter
would need the day-habilitation services.
4:12:47 PM
Co-Chair Hoffman handed the gavel to Senator Micciche.
Senator Micciche announced that the current bill had
increased the day-habilitation limit from 9 to 12 hours.
4:13:07 PM
BARB JEWEL, CORDOVA SCHOOL DISTRICT, CORDOVA (via
teleconference), expressed disappointment with the
exclusion of the DEED budget in the bill. She spoke against
the proposed 5 percent cut to education. She remarked that
the cut would provide a negative impact on the Cordova
School District. She remarked that schools had no option to
raise revenue, other than what they were given. She felt
that funding for schools would provide a strong culture for
the state.
4:15:02 PM
KRIS JOHNSTON, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for day services and mental health
programs. She stated that she had a son with a Medicaid
waiver that allowed him to be active in the community. She
stressed that the program allowed for him to live a safe
and supportive lifestyle. She remarked that 12 hours was
not enough for him to be an active member of the community.
4:16:40 PM
THERESA GILLESPIE, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for school districts to assist
special needs residents in transitioning into the community
as a functioning adult. She hoped that her son would be
able to support himself in the community.
4:17:53 PM
JANET JOHNSON, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke
against the cuts to the day services program. She announced
that she had a daughter with special needs. She remarked
that the cuts endangered her ability to be in the
community. She felt that the result would be a higher cost
with her being institutionalized. She spoke in support of a
state income tax.
4:20:26 PM
SAM SKAGGS, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke against
the cuts to the day services program. He shared that he had
a disabled son, and the program provided his son greater
opportunities to participate in the community. He hoped
that there could be a way to find cost savings by working
with the providers. He understood that there had been abuse
of the program, but assured the committee that the program
was beneficial.
4:22:06 PM
MARY WEGNER, SUPERINTENDENT, SITKA SCHOOL DISTRICT, SITKA
(via teleconference), spoke against funding for public
education, early childhood education, and transportation.
She stressed that the future of Alaska was reliant on
education. She felt that there should be additional sources
of revenue to fund the budget. She remarked that level
funding was essential. She remarked that Sitka schools had
responded to the most recent funding cuts, but stressed
that there was no way for the school systems to create
revenue to fund their budgets.
4:24:20 PM
BOB PURVIS, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the Centers for Independent Living. He shared
that the center had provided him education and ability to
use a computer. He encouraged the committee to consider
those with disabilities who needed the services.
4:25:24 PM
EMMETT WILLIAMS, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He stressed that the small town was working together toward
a common goal through public radio with the desire to be
safe and work together as a community. He stressed that the
cut would result in layoffs and would deprive the community
of its voice.
4:27:11 PM
KENLEY JACKSON, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
remarked that she had relied on the public radio in order
to be an engaged citizen. She also stated that public radio
provided information about the local natural disasters and
emergencies.
4:28:42 PM
MARK GORMAN, MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR, CITY AND BOROUGH OF
SITKA, SITKA (via teleconference), remarked that Sitka was
experiencing some budget issues, much like the state was
currently experiencing. He spoke in support of additional
revenue sources. He urged support of a state income tax.
Senator Micciche handed the gavel to Co-Chair Hoffman.
4:30:50 PM
LAURIE HOOD, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of public health nursing. She stated that she was a
registered nurse for 22 years, and is currently completing
a master's degree in Public Health. She remarked that
public health covered a wide range of issues such as
managing diabetes, substance abuse, and pregnancy. She
stressed that a strong public health infrastructure was
essential for resilient and productive communities. She
announced that Alaska had the highest rates of Chlamydia in
the country. She stated that Southeast Alaska's rates of
Hepatitis C had increased 490 from 2011 to 2015 in 18 to
29-year-olds, because of the increased opioid abuse.
4:33:03 PM
JOHN DULL, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), supported the
5 percent cut to education. He felt that the BSA was
already too high. He also spoke in support of the cuts to
the University of Alaska. He thanked the committee for the
efforts to cut the budget. He spoke in support of cuts to
public broadcasting.
4:35:01 PM
KIM MICHAUD, PRESIDENT, VALDEZ IMAGINATION LIBRARY BOARD,
VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
Imagination Library and Best Beginnings. She remarked that
Best Beginnings had provided essential support in the first
few years of the Imagination Library. She remarked that the
program provided books to everyone enrolled in the program
free of charge. She stated that there were many students
enrolled in the program.
4:37:12 PM
LILY HERWALD, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
stated that her children had learned about many things from
public radio. She shared that the culture was taught
through public radio. She felt that the funding for public
radio provided maximum benefit to keep the information on
the radio.
4:39:20 PM
KARL BECKER, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
stressed that public radio provided an opportunity to have
access to weather and emergency alerts. He felt that those
programs were important to his community. He stressed that
the programs were relevant, and were wholesome and family-
centered entertainment.
4:41:26 PM
AT EASE
5:02:08 PM
RECONVENED
^Public Testimony: Fairbanks, Mat-Su
Co-Chair Hoffman handed the gavel to Vice-Chair Bishop.
5:02:09 PM
MARY MCMAHON, ALASKA COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS,
PALMER (via teleconference), testified in support of
funding for education. She relayed that she was a principal
in the Mat-Su Borough School District and was president of
the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals.
Additionally, she was the President of the Alaska Council
of School Administrators (ACSA). She informed that ACSA
worked on joint position statements to help inform
legislative policy, and its top priority was for the
legislature to immediately develop and implement a long-
term multi-revenue fiscal plan. She emphasized the
importance of timely, reliable, and predictable revenue for
schools to fully fund all districts as well as all
educational initiatives, laws and mandates. She spoke in
opposition to cost shifting state expenditures to local
government. She requested that the committee provide
additional opportunity for public testimony on any action
taken by the committee regarding the BSA and pupil
transportation items.
5:04:40 PM
STEVE ST. CLAIR, SELF, MAT-SU (via teleconference), thought
the committee was wasting time by taking public testimony.
He mentioned the American healthcare system. He discussed
transparency. He encouraged Alaskans to contact their
legislators. He discussed budget reductions.
5:07:01 PM
AT EASE
5:08:04 PM
RECONVENED
LINDA CONOVER, BEST BEGINNINGS/IMAGINATION LIBRARY, MAT-SU
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for early
childhood programs. She was a retired teacher and discussed
the importance of early learning. She was a volunteer with
the Mat-Su Imagination Library. She discussed the
importance of child development and referred to relevant
research. She urged the committee to restore funding for
Best Beginnings and the Imagination Library. She referred
to a statewide study from 2015 that indicated a majority of
Alaskans supported funding early childhood education
programs.
5:10:31 PM
ROBIN MINARD, MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION, MAT-SU (via
teleconference), testified against further cuts to
community-based support services in the mental health
budget. She agreed that reductions were necessary given the
fiscal climate, but cutting funds from behavioral health
services would cost the state more in the long run. She
asserted that there were critical pieces missing in
Alaska's continuum of care for mental health and substance
abuse disorders. She discussed overuse of the emergency
department and correctional facilities as a result of lack
of services. She cited statistics regarding patients with
mental health diagnoses using the emergency department, and
the associated costs.
5:12:39 PM
LUKE FULP, MAT-SU BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, MATSU (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore education
funding. He acknowledged the state deficit and the need to
establish a long-term fiscal plan. He relayed that the
school district had developed a plan for the upcoming
school year based upon the governor's budget. He stated
that the district faced an $11.2 million deficit
considering the governor's proposed funding for the
foundation formula and pupil transportation program. The
school board made $9.5 million in spending reductions and
had voted to increase class sizes, eliminate positions,
reduce administrator salaries, cut extra-curricular
activities, and decrease custodial services at the majority
of schools. He continued that the district was considering
outsourcing custodial and food service positions if cost
savings were possible. He thought further cuts would be
detrimental to the education system. He urged the committee
to fully fund education at the foundation formula funding
levels. He urged the committee to make an opportunity for
public testimony once the Senate a funding plan for K-12
education.
5:15:11 PM
GARVAN BUCARIA, SELF, MAT-SU (via teleconference),
discussed the Permanent Fund.
Vice-Chair Bishop asked Mr. Bucaria to confine his
testimony to the budget bills on the agenda.
5:16:20 PM
BETH FREAD, SELF, MATSU (via teleconference), testified in
support of further cuts to state spending. She supported
cutting education funding by combining school districts and
reducing open positions. She discussed savings in the
administrative budget. She discussed contract negotiations
and merit increases. She supported using the Permanent Fund
Earnings Reserve. She discussed rhetoric.
5:19:53 PM
JOHN SONIN, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding
for education and public radio. He discussed the importance
of public radio to rural areas. He spoke in support of
early childhood education. He emphasized the importance of
education for the long term health of the state. He spoke
in support of an education tax.
5:22:49 PM
MICHAEL WEST, AK EARTHQUAKE CENTER, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the Alaska
Earthquake Center. He discussed the many activities in the
state that relied on information from the center. He
discussed functions of the center. He noted that the center
was in its fourth year of budget reductions. He urged the
committee to support funding for the University of Alaska,
and the role it played in the state.
5:25:30 PM
CHERYL KILGORE, INTERIOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, FAIRBANKS
(via teleconference), testified in support of funding for
Medicaid expansion. She had been the CEO of the health
center since 1995. She referred to recent changes to the
state and national healthcare system. She relayed that the
center served individuals that had barriers to health care,
which had been somewhat reduced due to increased Medicaid
coverage. There were many specialty care needs that were
beyond non-tribal health care centers in the state. She
appreciated the budget constraints that were faced by the
state. She relayed that in 2006, the center saw 5,558
people with 18,801 visits. She specified that 66 percent of
the individuals lived at or below 200 percent of the
federal poverty level. She urged the committee to support
Medicaid expansion, and adult dental within expansion.
5:27:58 PM
REBECCA RACENET, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for community support services and
disability support services. She support a fiscal plan that
would have sufficient revenues to support communities. She
discussed her personal experience with her daughter's
disease and disability. She recounted her positive
experience with receiving community support services. She
discussed her concerns about losing services. She stated
that she would be sending written testimony.
5:31:56 PM
AT EASE
5:32:19 PM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Bishop stated the committee would be "at-ease"
until 5:45 p.m.
5:32:29 PM
AT EASE
5:45:23 PM
RECONVENED
KAYTLYN KELLY, SELF, PALMER, testified in opposition to
cuts to education. She encouraged the Senate to find a
fiscally responsible solution to the current budget. She
surmised reducing education funding by 5 percent had the
potential to cut 50 positions in her school district. She
posited that Alaska ranked below 47 other states in reading
and ranked below 36 other states in math. She thought that
lower income districts were disproportionately affected by
cuts. She opposed cuts to the Alaska Performance
Scholarship. She thought the scholarship kept students in
the state. She supported additional sources of revenue for
the state.
5:48:04 PM
KYRSTYN KELLY, SELF, PALMER, testified in opposition to
cuts to education. She discussed potential cuts to her high
school. She discussed the number of students in her high
school classes and the likelihood of greater student
numbers. She asserted that cuts to education directly
affected her learning. She thought that education had been
cut too much.
5:50:04 PM
JEANETTE GRASTO, NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified against budget
cuts that targeted the elderly and people with
disabilities. She relayed that she was the parent of two
adults with disabilities. She asserted that services were
not adequate even without the cuts. She considered that
cuts would lower the quality of life of many individuals.
She discussed the higher costs of hospitalization, prison,
and emergency care as compared to the costs of a community
health center. She thought it was short-sighted to cut
community-based health programs and funnel patients into
more expensive institutional care. She did not support
cutting the PFD.
5:52:41 PM
PAM GOODE, SELF, RURAL DELTANA (via teleconference), spoke
in opposition to SB 26. She thought the legislature had a
spending problem. She asserted that over-spending had
resulted in the state budget deficit rather than the low
price of oil.
5:54:11 PM
VANESSA LISTON, SELF, MATSU (via teleconference), testified
against budget cuts to community health services. She
relayed that her son had significant disabilities and
required 24-hour care. She discussed the cost of care. She
emphasized that cuts to disability services would be
devastating.
5:56:15 PM
KERRY BOYD, YUKON KOYUKUK SCHOOL DISTRICT, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for K-12
education programs. She relayed that she was the
superintendent of the Yukon Koyukuk School District. She was
also an officer of the Alaska Superintendents Association
and the Alaska Council of School Administrators. She thanked
the committee for their work. She stated that the Alaska
Council for School Administrators supported adequate funding
for public education as its number one priority. She
supported the immediate development of a long-term, multi-
revenue fiscal plan. She thought the state must provide
timely, reliable, and predictable revenue for schools to
fully fund schools in all regional districts. She opposed
cost-shifting of state expenditures to local government. She
asked the committee to provide additional opportunity for
public testimony if there was any action taken by the
committee regarding the BSA and pupil transportation.
5:58:18 PM
DON GRAY, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified
in support of funding for K-12 education programs. He spoke
in support of additional revenue measures to balance the
budget. He supported an income tax. He supported a slight
increase in a state highway fuel tax. He did not think more
cuts were needed. He did not support cuts to education or
shifting costs to local districts. He spoke in support of
funding for public broadcasting. He thought public
broadcasting was important for rural and urban areas.
6:00:41 PM
Senator Micciche stated that he wanted to hear from every
Alaskan whether or not they supported further cuts to the
budget. He clarified that public testimony should be
confined to the bill being considered. He asked testifiers
to speak to SB 22.
6:01:43 PM
KAREN TABER, FAIRBANKS WELLNESS COALITION, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), spoke in opposition to cuts of funding for
community-based support services through reductions to
Department of Health and Social Services. She relayed that
the coalition was focused on prevention of suicide and
prescription opioid misuse. She asked the committee to
maintain the current level of funding for the Department of
Health and Social Services. She discussed past cuts to GF
spending. She thought that the state needed a fiscal plan
to provide enough revenue to maintain critical services
rather than continued cuts that would cost the state more
in the future. She urged the committee to maintain funding
for treatment and prevention services that were needed in
the state.
Vice-Chair Bishop CLOSED public testimony.
ADJOURNMENT
6:03:56 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 6:03 p.m.