04/15/1999 09:10 AM Senate FIN

MINUTES                                                                                                                         
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE                                                                                                        
April 15, 1999                                                                                                                  
9:10 A.M.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
TAPES                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SFC-99 #91, Side A                                                                                                              
Tape Malfunction - not recorded                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CALL TO ORDER                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Sean Parnell convened the meeting at approximately                                                                     
9:10 A.M.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
PRESENT                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Parnell, Senators John Torgerson,  Randy Phillips,                                                                     
Loren Leman, Gary Wilken, Al Adams, Pete Kelly and Lyda                                                                         
Green.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Also Attending:  DWAYNE PEEPLES, Director, Division of                                                                          
Administrative Services, Department of Corrections.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SUMMARY INFORMATION                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SB  30-OPERATING BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SB  31-MENTAL HEALTH APPROPRIATIONS                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Parnell convened the meeting at approximately 9:12                                                                     
A.M.  He noted that the Committee would take up the budget                                                                      
amendments for the Office of the Governor, Department of                                                                        
Corrections and the University of Alaska.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman referenced the University budget.  He                                                                             
commented that the University had presented a compelling                                                                        
case for an increase in funding, however, he noted that the                                                                     
spending cap will not be able to accommodate that increase.                                                                     
The Subcommittee has returned a budget which would increase                                                                     
other Federal funds.  He reiterated that there had been an                                                                      
$18 million increase to the University's budget.  Senator                                                                       
Leman pointed out that it was recommended that the                                                                              
University look to possible other funding.  He recommended                                                                      
that the Legislature help the University evaluate their                                                                         
mission in Alaska.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman added that it was the Subcommittee's intent                                                                       
that the full Senate Finance Committee seek options with the                                                                    
University.  The old plans created under the previous                                                                           
president are no longer appropriate with the new                                                                                
administration.  He recommended that work should be done                                                                        
over the interim addressing this concern.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wilken spoke to the Letter of Intent.  He noted that                                                                    
he would continue to work for increased University funding.                                                                     
Senator Wilken referenced a letter distributed by  William                                                                      
R. Wood, President, University of Alaska, dated  April 9,                                                                       
1999.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
LEGISLATURE                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Senator Torgerson briefly reviewed the Legislature                                                                              
Subcommittee budget.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Senator Donley commented that the Legislature had cut their                                                                     
budget more than any other State agency.  Senator Torgerson                                                                     
was not aware of the exact budget figures.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Parnell added that many staff take leave without                                                                       
pay.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Parnell requested the Office of the Governor budget                                                                    
findings.  He noted that he, Senators Adams and Senator                                                                         
Pearce were the members of that Subcommittee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator Phillips inquired the current reduction percentage                                                                      
as compared to last year.  Co-Chair Parnell replied that                                                                        
solid figures were not yet available.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Parnell briefly explained the Department of                                                                            
Corrections Subcommittee budget recommendations. The                                                                            
Subcommittee consisted of members Senators Parnell, Ward and                                                                    
Lincoln.  He explained the funding for the FY99 levels.  The                                                                    
Subcommittee will continue to reexamine the budget and work                                                                     
with the Department so as to achieve more budget reductions.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
There were no questions or objections to the morning                                                                            
presentations.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SB 30 and SB 31 were HELD in Committee for further                                                                              
discussion.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-chair Parnell recessed the Committee at approximately                                                                        
9:25 a.m. to reconvene in the later afternoon.                                                                                  
SFC-99 (3) 11/16/99 a.m.