Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/23/2000 06:05 PM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
MINUTES
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 23, 2000
6:05 PM
TAPES
SFC-00 # 61, Side A and Side B
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Sean Parnell convened the meeting at approximately
6:05 PM.
PRESENT Co-Chair John Torgerson, Co-Chair Sean Parnell,
Senator Al Adams, Senator Dave Donley, Senator Lyda Green,
Senator Pete Kelly, Senator Gary Wilken and Senator
Phillips.
Also Attending:
SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS
Witnesses are listed in the minutes in the order they
testified.
SUMMARY INFORMATION
HB 312-APPROPRIATIONS: OPERATING BUDGET
HB 313-APPROPRIATIONS: MENTAL HEALTH
The Committee heard public testimony on the proposed
committee substitute. The bills were HELD.
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 312(FIN) am(brf
sup maj fld)(efd fld)
"An Act making and amending appropriations for the
operating and loan program expenses of state
government, for certain programs, and to capitalize
funds."
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 313(FIN) am
"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."
The purpose of this meeting was to hear public testimony
regarding the FY 01 Operating Budget.
Co-Chair Parnell introduced the Committee members and listed
fax numbers available for those who might wish to submit
written testimony. He stated that oral testimony would be
limited to two minutes.
SANDY WASSILIE, lifelong Alaskan, testified via
teleconference from Seward asking for increased funding for
K-12 public education as expressed in SB 198 and SB 244,
full funding for the University of Alaska and to maintain
funding for the Alaskan Vocational Technical Center. "We
should be on the cutting edge of applied knowledge."
DAN OGG, Regent, Board of Regents, University of Alaska,
testified via teleconference from Kodiak in favor of full
funding for the University of Alaska. He detailed that in
the eight years he has served on the board, the university
had not gone forward financially and that the impact on the
state has been dramatic.
MARY CARLSON, Deputy Director, Behavioral Health, Health
Department, North Slope Borough testified via teleconference
from Barrow told about the amount of people needing
immediate psychiatric stabilization as they are assessed as
being a danger to themselves and others. She spoke of the
need for prevention before individuals reach this stage
saying that if mental health, substance abuse, domestic
violence, corrections, children's residential services and
related programs were cut, the problems would continue to
grow.
JASON CREASEY, JR. Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) in
Aleknagik, testified via teleconference from Dillingham
about the number of probationers living in his community and
the amount of difficulties he and other VPSO's encounter. He
stated that the VPSO program has been very successful and
that cutting the funding for the program would make the job
more difficult. He noted that VPSO are the lowest paid law
enforcement personal in the state although they perform more
duties.
CATHY FLAVIN, testified via teleconference from Dillingham
with regards to tobacco settlement money, saying tobacco
programs should be funded with this money before any other
programs. She requested $2.8 million.
BRAD ANGASAN, Program Manager, Village Public Safety Officer
Program, Bristol Bay Native Association, testified via
teleconference from Dillingham telling the Committee about
the importance of the VPSO program. He detailed the VPSO
Parole Supervision Pilot Project and talked about the
success of the program.
GRACE BROOKS, Director, Sitkans Against Family Violence,
testified via teleconference from Sitka to address the
funding for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault. She spoke of the value of the services her
organization provides to the community.
KARI SAGEL, Teacher, Sitka School District, testified via
teleconference from Sitka in favor of full funding of the
University of Alaska budget and hoping that the university's
budget contained funding for the Databases for Alaskans
program. She elaborated on the database usage for research
purposes.
ONNA SAGER Teacher, Special Education at Sitka's middle
school, testified via teleconference from Sitka about the
Databases for Alaska program as well. She talked of the
extensive use of the database by children with and without
disabilities.
JANELLE FARVOUR, Teacher testified via teleconference from
Sitka about the importance of the Database for Alaskans
program calling it one of the "nicest on-line databases I've
ever seen for kids."
PATTI GREEN, Alaskans for Drug Free Use and the Alaskan
Tobacco Alliance testified via teleconference from Ketchikan
to urge the Committee to use Tobacco Settlement funds for
the use they were intended - tobacco programs. She detailed
some of these programs.
BILL HARDY, testified via teleconference from Ketchikan and
spoke of his twenty-plus years experience of working with
youths in Alaska. He asked the Committee increase the amount
of funding to the amount requested by the Alaska Tobacco
Control Alliance. He stressed the implications of young
people starting smoking, avowing tobacco as a "gateway
drug".
SUE CONNOR, Second Grade Teacher, mother of a high school
senior and President, Northwest Arctic Education
Association, testified via teleconference from Kotzebue.
Speaking on behalf of herself and the other members of the
association, she urged the Committee to restore the $19
million budget reduction to the Department of Education and
Early Development. She especially was interested in smaller
class sizes. "enrollment may be down but our educational
needs are up."
Senator Phillips clarified that the $19 million reduction
the witness referred to was a reflection of the reduced
enrollment.
MR. KELTY [no first name given], Mayor, testified via
teleconference from Unalaska stressing the need for a fiscal
plan for Alaska. He was embarrassed to have to beg the
legislature to not reduce revenue sharing and municipal
assistance. He stated that education and
DON GRIGGS, Member, Unalaska School Board, testified via
teleconference from Unalaska asking for full funding for
school districts and the University of Alaska and full
funding for pupil transportation.
Co-Chair Parnell called upon a testifier from Fort Yukon,
who did not respond.
DORI OLSON, President, Alaska Music Educators Association
testified via teleconference from Fairbanks for full funding
for public education. She detailed all the educational
programs that need to be funded.
PAULINE WILSON, small business owner and librarian,
testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in support of
full funding for the university and the statewide database.
She stated that the database was important although it was
not included in the governor's budget request. As a
librarian, she spoke to the importance of the database for
many different sectors of the community.
DAVE MUSGRAVE testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in
favor of the University of Alaska's request for $16.9
million. He found the $400,000 reductions made by the Senate
Finance University of Alaska Subcommittee disconcerning. He
wanted to see the "Republican Stealth Fiscal Plan" that he
heard would address university funding in addition to other
selected programs. He also spoke in favor of state parks
funding.
Co-Chair Parnell explained that there were no reductions to
the previous university budget and that information on the
spreadsheet explaining the committee substitute was in
error. This spreadsheet detailed the funding contained in
the committee substitute.
GARA BRIDWELL, representing the Childcare Coalition, a
parent who has worked in childcare for 14 years, testified
via teleconference from Fairbanks. She requested a number of
childcare programs receive funding and she listed those
programs: Childcare Grants, Childcare Assistance, HeadStart,
Denali KidCare, Healthy Families, Infant Learning, Child
Abuse Prevention, Foster Care, Division of Family and Youth
Services and the Alaska Children's Trust.
ANNIE KEEP-BARNES, Teacher, Chinook Charter School,
testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in support of
all public schools including charter schools. She felt it
was frustrating that the same legislature that adopted the
Quality Schools Act but would not fund education. She spoke
of items and positions that have to be considered for
elimination.
Senator Donley expressed that some members of the Senate
Finance Committee supported charter schools and that it was
the House of Representatives and the governor who opposed
fully funding charter schools in SB 36. SB 36 was a bill
adopted by the Twentieth Alaska State Legislature and passed
into law that amended the formula funding program for
education.
JANNO PARRISH, Investor in Alaska and Attorney working at
the University of Alaska, testified via teleconference from
Fairbanks warning of the consequences of not educating
Alaskans for specialized jobs saying the jobs would go
outside the state. He related the question he often heard
from legislators saying they understood the need but where
would they get the money. He responded that the need for
education was great.
JASON MILLER, American Heart Association, testified via
teleconference from Fairbanks to ask the Committee to fund
smoking cessation programs. He stressed the importance of
education young people about the dangers of tobacco use. He
cited statistics that show Alaska has a high percentage of
smokers per capita.
CYNTHIA HULL, Executive Director, Childcare Connection and
Acting Chair, One Voice For Alaska's Children, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage in support of funding for
child programs, she talked about the importance to educate
from birth through university. She said this made good
business sense. She spoke of the need to reduce waiting
lists for early education programs and the positive impacts
of HeadStart.
JILL PASEWALK, Executive Director, Campfire Boys and Girls,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support of
childcare subsidies to low income families. She talked about
the families moving off of welfare. Her organization
provides before and after school care for children. She then
asked for funding for childcare grants.
MARTHA ANDERSON, Grandmother testified via teleconference
from Anchorage about her concern of the way children are
raised today and the cost.
Tape: SFC - 00 #61, Side B 6:52 PM
Ms. Anderson continued speaking about the importance of good
childcare. She told about the mistreatment of some children
in inadequate childcare situations. She also talked about
the need for licensing and the ability to investigate
complaints and determine whether they are valid or not. She
told of situations where childcare workers were spared
serious abuse charges when the investigations were able to
determine that the "big man who hurt me" was a larger four-
year-old and that the "person who poked me" was the doctor
doing an exam.
DELISA CULPEPPER, Chair, Alaska Tobacco Control Alliance,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage that the $1.4
million allocation from Alaska's $30 million annual share of
the Tobacco Settlement was a good beginning to improving the
health of Alaskans. However, she stated much more was needed
to expect long-term reductions in tobacco related disease.
ANNE MARIE HOLEN, representing the Alaska Native Health
Board, testified via teleconference from Anchorage in
support of funding for tobacco programs. She said she has
been managing a small tobacco control program for the past
five years. She told of the limited success due to lack of
funding to incorporate full programs.
BETTY ROBARDS, childcare provider, President, Anchorage
Childcare Directors Association, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage asking the Committee to try to
imagine a six-month old child placed on any kind of waiting
list. She also talked about the appeal of other occupations
to those in the child care profession due to the low
compensation.
Senator Wilken stated some figures showing the increases the
Committee proposed for childcare programs. He explained the
committee substitute increases funding for childcare
programs 28 percent; adds $2.3 million in additional
Childcare Assistance for low income families, increases the
Childcare Grant by $917,000 a 50 percent increase over the
current budget, and provides $500,000 to improve the quality
of daycare through licensing. He felt this budget would take
care of the previous witness's concerns about childcare and
the commitment of this legislature.
KERRY REARDON, Board Member, Anchorage Association for the
Education of Young Children, Teacher of child development in
early childhood, and a working mother who depends on quality
childcare, testified via teleconference from Anchorage
saying she was confused about the figures just stated
because she didn't understand the intricacies of government.
She talked about the state's large savings account and that
every year the bottom line seemed to be against children.
She asked for an explanation of why the governor's proposal
for HeadStart would only serve 25 percent of the eligible
children in the state. She told of recent deaths of children
in Anchorage. She asked why the TANNIF savings could not be
used to improve the quality of childcare.
Senator P. Kelly noted the Infant Learning Program and the
waitlist and that funding for the program was increased
$400,000.
MAGGIE DONNELLY, Parent of two-year-old who attends
childcare full-time, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage about her toddler and the need for quality
childcare. She warned that if children were not properly
cared for they would not be able to listen to public radio
and appreciate the arts as an adult.
MICHELE CZAJKOWSKI testified via teleconference from
Anchorage as a community member to ask for help with the
fight against tobacco. She said that although improvements
had been made, more work had to be done. She requested the
funding be increased to a minimum of $2.8 million.
TARA WILLIAM, resident of the AWAKE Center testified via
teleconference from Anchorage asked for reinstated funding
of the reductions made in the previous year. She said that
without programs such as the AWAKE center, she would not
have a safe place to recover and get her life back together.
CHRISTY MEREDITH, full time volunteer at AWAKE, testified
via teleconference from Anchorage asking for funding for
abuse programs. She said many people were affected by the
loss of the one position that was eliminated from the
program the previous year.
JENNY MURRAY, American Cancer Society, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage asking for increased funding
for tobacco cessation funding. "We are not asking you to
raid any other funds."
CHRISTIE MCINTIRE, Executive Director, American Lund
Association of Alaska and Member, Alaska Tobacco Control
Alliance testified via teleconference from Anchorage and
gave figures about the number of tobacco users in the state
ANNE LANIER, founding member of Alaska Tobacco Control
Alliance testified via teleconference from Anchorage to
thank the legislature for last year's appropriation. She
spoke of the need for annual funding for the intent of the
settlement funds.
SUSAN DELOUGE, childcare center director for over 15 years
testified in Juneau with her daughter. She said her daughter
is learning more rapidly than she ever will in any other
time of her life. She asked for funding for childcare
assistance and licensing.
TONNIE BARLOW, Member, Wrangell School Board testified via
teleconference from Wrangell to stress the importance of
pupil transportation and the reasons for the increased
costs. She stressed that even though student enrollment
decreases the cost to operate the schools does not.
ROBERT CALDWELL, Member, Wrangell School Board testified via
teleconference from Wrangell about reductions to the school
operating budget and the consequences. He found it hard to
imagine that the cost of living on the island community of
Wrangell was the same as Anchorage.
AGNES PHILLIPS, Tundra Women's Coalition testified via
teleconference from Bethel to encourage full funding for the
Council on Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault. She listed
the number of people served in the coalition. She also
talked about the high cost of living in the area.
BERDA WILSON, Born in Nome and Nome resident for 60 years,
testified via teleconference from Nome asking for support
for the University of Alaska. Three generations of her
family have attended the University of Alaska, including
herself.
PATTI TRUESDELL testified via teleconference from Homer
about the importance for prevention against tobacco use. She
told of a ten-year old she had met who told her she has
smoked for two years and was trying to quit. The child's
teacher said there are many like her in the smaller
communities along the peninsula.
MERRIT MITCHELL, President, local college advisory council,
member of the council for the college in Soldotna, President
of University of Alaska-Fairbanks Alumni Association
testified via teleconference from Homer in favor of full
funding for the University. He talked about the many members
of the association.
ANN MCFARLAND, Mother, Grandmother, and since 1986, Rally
Site Coordinator, testified in person in Juneau. She had
cared for Senator Adams's children at Gastineau School. She
told of a workshop that she had attended to learn about
brain research on how children are cared for. She said the
adults of our society should view children as a sacred
trust. She stated that every minute of the day, adults are
given the chance to harvest a remarkable adult. To do that,
she said children must be nurtured with proper health care,
nutrition, etc.
Co-Chair Parnell shared that Shodie Akin had to leave but
left written testimony that was circulated to members.
DONALD CECIL, Chair, University of Alaska-Statewide Alliance
of Faculty, Faculty Member, University of Alaska-Southeast
testified in Juneau about the tremendous impact the five
million dollars of increased funding the previous year had
on the moral at the university. However, he warned that flat
funding this year could demoralize again because reductions
would have to be made. He spoke of the complexities of
establishing an effective faculty team.
Senator Wilken corrected the increase was $6.1 million.
SUEY LINZMEIER testified in Juneau about how, 14 years ago
she was single and pregnant and how public assistance helped
her and her son. As a licensed childcare provider she talked
about how the grant has allowed her to advance and provide
better quality care.
JOY LYON, President, Alaska Association for the Education of
Young Children testified in Juneau about the children at the
prime of their learning career. She relayed her learning as
a carpenter apprentice and how a slight deviation from level
at the foundation results in several feet higher up. She
stated this is the same with education of young people. She
challenged the Committee to meet or exceed the governor's
request.
Tape: SFC - 00 #62, Side A 7:39 PM
PEGGY WOOD, Director, Bristol Bay campus of the University
of Alaska testified via teleconference from Dillingham and
talked about the economic hardship from the fishing
industry. She stated that the university allows people to
find alternative ways to make a living within the community.
RICK [last name indiscernable] Third Grade Teacher,
testified via teleconference in support of restoring $19
million to the education budget regardless of pupil
reductions. He stressed that Sitka is very aggressive in
coordinating for the benchmark exams. He made the point that
unless school districts are fully funded, "we are robbing
Peter to pay Paul and our children are the losers."
MIKE MILLIGAN, testified via teleconference from Kodiak that
he understood the need to make budget reductions and
identify other revenue sources. He expressed a desire to
have full funding for education. He talked about comments
that legislators made to the press. He surmised that the
advisory vote was a good way to educate the public on the
earnings reserve and the permanent fund using public funds.
VALERIE COLLINS working parent of two children Juneau about
her employers' contributions and the need for daycare
assistance. She talked about being off work on medical leave
and although ready to return to work, she was told that
there was no more funds for daycare assistance. She stated
that childcare costs equaled half of her income. On welfare,
her family would earn $2000 per month; she would get free
training and daycare. She did not want to create a new
program "Work to Welfare."
JIM SWEENY, President, Board of Directors, Play Learn
Daycare Center, testified via teleconference from Fairbanks
detailing the services the center provides to approximately
400 children. He supported the general concept of a fiscal
plan using some form of tax, either gas, sales or his
preference, an income tax. He spoke in favor of funding
childcare support programs.
COLLEEN KETCHUM, Counselor, North Star Borough School
District, testified via teleconference from Fairbanks about
the school districts and the legislature blaming each other.
She encouraged the blame to stop and for all to work toward
educating children. She surmises that when all parties pool
their energy, they can come up with remarkable solutions.
LINDA PEARSON high school counselor for 27 years, testified
via teleconference from Fairbanks to request the Committee
support public education by passing SB 198 and SB 244, and
funding for pupil transportation. She thought it was
shameful that the wealthiest state in the union was
considering drastic cuts to its state budget. She told of
the Fairbanks' school district's need to cut a minimum of $4
million. She added that she supported funding the University
of Alaska.
MURRY RICHMOND, representing the 73 families of Chinook
Charter School, testified via teleconference from Fairbanks
with his 9-year old son Thomas present so his son could
learn about civic virtue. He requested funding so charter
schools could survive. He said the legislature could do the
bare minimum or rise to the occasion. He knew there was no
free lunch but was willing to pay for what he wanted and
thought many others felt the same.
DON GRAY, 30-yr resident, Public Member, Alaska Mental
Health Board, private sector employee, testified via
teleconference from Fairbanks. He noted no one at this
hearing was requesting any budget reductions. He had great
respect for those whose jobs were publicly funded, saying
they educate citizens in both K-12 and at the university
level, they protect the communities, they inform us with
public broadcasting, they care for our mentally ill, etc. He
supported funding the Highland Mountain Correctional
Facility and other Department of Corrections programs; the
Department of Health and Social Services juvenile justice
youth detention and treatment facilities under construction
in Mat-Su, Ketchikan and Anchorage; Community Health Grants,
public broadcasting. He wanted an Alaska that was safe and
healthy to live in and believed the state could afford that.
GREG HOFFMAN testified via teleconference from Fairbanks
supported SB 198 and SB 244. He stressed that the state's
more important resource was its children, which are more
important than timber or fish.
VELETTA KNIGHT, parent, taxpayer and registered Republican,
testified via teleconference from Fairbanks thanking Senator
Wilken for his continued support for education. She was
concerned about budget reductions to the Fairbanks' school
district.
MARTA MUELLER, student, alumni, employee at the Alaska
Cooperative Extension Service testified via teleconference
from Fairbanks about the Republican led legislature's goals
for Alaska. She urged the Senate Finance Committee to lead
the way once again and to increase University of Alaska
funding. She spoke to the advantages of an educated
citizenry. She read a nursery rhyme that exemplified the
importance of funding for education.
VANESSA SPENCER student employee, Office of Admissions,
University of Alaska-Fairbanks testified via teleconference
from Fairbanks to encourage funding for University of
Alaska. She talked about the many high school graduates
leaving the state for their higher education because the
University of Alaska does not have the money to give them
the quality of education they deserve. She learned that
money can't be made without investment. She stated that the
return is over four dollars for every dollar spent on the
university.
GEORGE BEU, elementary school teacher testified via
teleconference from Fairbanks about the different students
today from when the Senators went to school. He spoke of
higher incidence of substance abuse, domestic violence and
sexual abuse. He stressed that if teachers are busy putting
out fires, other children cannot be expected to learn. He
found it ironic that the state was funding prisons while
decreasing funding for education.
RICK SEWELL President University of Alaska-Anchorage Alumni
Association testified via teleconference from Anchorage
about the Republican five-year promise to cut $250 million
from the budget and get $250 million in new revenue. He
asked about the new money and where it was. He warned that
the alumni association was closely watching the actions of
the legislature.
SHERRY THOMPSON, student, University of Alaska-Anchorage
testified via teleconference from Anchorage saying that she
wanted University of Alaska funding for the entire statewide
system. She stated that by investing in education, less
money is spent fighting crime.
TED RAGAINS, student, University of Alaska-Anchorage who
votes, testified via teleconference from Anchorage. He
stated he was proud to be at the University of Alaska-
Anchorage and was tired of feeling like he "lost the bet" by
attending school in-state.
RANDI BRUNION-OLSON, student, University of Alaska-Anchorage
testified via teleconference from Anchorage full funding for
statewide University of Alaska. She stayed in the state
because of her love of the state. She wanted to bring new
people into the state.
MEGAN HALL, student, University of Alaska-Anchorage,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage in favor of the
increased budget for the University of Alaska. She told
about her participation in the House Finance Committee
testimony and stressed that all the testimony reflected that
many important programs could not survive any more
reductions. She emphasized on the investment aspect of
funding the university. "Please don't sell out my future to
party rhetoric and ego."
LINDA SPENCER, Student Senator, University of Alaska and
voter registrar, testified via teleconference from Anchorage
that she used to be a jeweler but suffers from lung disease
and was attending the University of Alaska to get training.
She talked about her daughter who left to attend another
school, met future husband and now lives out of state and
away from her mother. Ms. Spencer stated that 80 percent of
Alaska's high school graduates do the same. She warned that
as a student senator and voter registrar she knew many
voters, both fellow students and businesses that deal with
the University of Alaska and hire graduates and that she
would mobilize them.
ALICE SZUBERLA, Teacher, Fairbanks North Star School
District, testified via teleconference from Fairbanks that
she was an almost lifelong Alaskan. She explained "almost"
was because she left the state to get her secondary
education. She talked about the changes in the school system
and the need for safe schools. She supported SB 244 and SB
198.
Ms. Szuberla spoke on behalf of JEFF WALTERS President,
Fairbanks Education Association, who had to leave the
meeting to attend a school board meeting where the board was
trying to identify where the budget reductions would be
made.
GAIL MCCAIN, testified via teleconference from Fairbanks
about her children in the Fairbanks public school system.
She did not want to see one penny cut from education
Tape: SFC - 00 #62, Side B
ROB MCOY, third-grade teacher in Anchorage testified in
person in Juneau and gave statistics about the importance of
children's reading abilities. He spoke of the need to
purchase reading materials to teach the variety of students.
JOHN SEAR President, National Education Association-Alaska
testified in Juneau that he was at a loss for words. He
thinks about his children and grandchildren and that the
money going into education does not meet the need. He was
tired of the formula and the reasons behind the budget
reductions. He stated the association was willing to put
5000 members behind an effort to try to figure out a way to
solve the problems. We were here with you in September and
we will be with you again to try to figure out an answer.
BILL YORK, teacher, Career Education Center in Fairbanks
testified from Juneau about the Fairbanks North Star Borough
School District meeting being held consecutively to this
hearing to consider how to cut the budget. He stressed that
just because there is a drop in the number of students,
operating costs do not drop incrementally. He stated that
the formula funding works well for a growing or stagnant
student population but was not working for districts with a
declining enrollment. He spoke to the exit exams and the
work required in order for students to be successful.
PAT RACE, student, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, testified
via teleconference from Fairbanks and told a joke, "that
joke is the University of Alaska." His friends and his own
mother were disappointed that he chose Fairbanks as the
location for his higher education. "We've grown content with
mediocrity."
AARON SURING testified via teleconference from Fairbanks
that he usually was one of the silent majority, who only
spoke with his vote. However, he felt it important that he
speak in support of the University of Alaska and public
education.
KIM RACE, 19-year old Fairbanksan testified via
teleconference from Fairbanks about why she chose a college
outside of Alaska and the many other graduates in the same
position.
MIKA MACK testified via teleconference from Fairbanks to
thank Senator Wilken, Senator P. Kelly and Senator Green.
She listed a number of bills SB 105, SB 173, SB 198, SB 205
and SB 244.
JOSEPHUS GOVAARS, Student, University of Alaska-Fairbanks,
representing 5,500 as a Student Senator testified via
teleconference from Fairbanks. He spoke of his recent visit
to Juneau with other students, faculty and alumni. He knew
that the legislature understood why the university needed
the additional $16.9 million, but did not know why the
legislature did not support the full funding amount.
TAMMY SMITH teacher testified via teleconference from
Fairbanks to emphasize the need to fund education. She
wanted the University of Alaska to be her child's first
choice not the last.
CHRISTINE PETTY, registered voter and parent, testified via
teleconference from Fairbanks in support of children's
education. She suggested a sales tax or an income tax or
using a portion, but not all, of the dividend to fund
education.
LISA VILLANO testified via teleconference from Fairbanks
that she could not stress how imperative it was to fund the
$16.9 million for the University of Alaska. She talked about
the education department and the need to make it survive.
She addressed the moral of the university. Her sister was
going Outside for higher education and that was a big
disappointment to her.
LUCY HOPE teacher, living in Wasilla testified in Juneau
about the public education portion of the budget. She talked
about how SB 36 helped fund education for the first couple
years but that the positive influence was falling off. She
talked about the new federal mandates and the struggle to
keep up with those requirements. She addressed funding for
pupil transportation. Noting the exit exams, she wanted
funding to enable the students to meet the standards set for
them by the legislature.
RITA DAVIS resource teacher of 25 students in MatSu,
testified in Juneau that she supported the standards
established by the legislature but spoke of the at-risk
students. She asked for funding for education.
AT EASE 8:53 PM / 8:53 PM
ADJOURNED
Senator Parnell adjourned the meeting at 8:54 PM.
SFC-00 (14) 03/23/00
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