Legislature(2019 - 2020)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/06/2019 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Consideration of Lieutenant Governor Successor Appointee: | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 6, 2019
9:01 a.m.
9:01:45 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Natasha von Imhof, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Mike Shower
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Michael Johnson, Commissioner, Department of Education and
Early Development.
SUMMARY
^CONSIDERATION OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SUCCESSOR APPOINTEE:
9:03:22 AM
MICHAEL JOHNSON, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY DEVELOPMENT, stated that he was born and raised in
Georgia. His father was an engineer, and his mother was an
administrative assistant. He stated that his grandmother
was a schoolteacher, and an influence in his life. He came
to Alaska originally for summer camp, and then received his
teaching certificate. He stated that he taught in a multi-
grade school in a Copper River School District. He
eventually became a principal at a school and then
superintendent.
Co-Chair Stedman queried the reason that he should be the
successor to the lieutenant governor.
Commissioner Johnson stated that he had never been elected
to public office. He shared that he had led the Department
of Education and Early Development (DEED), and Governor
Dunleavy knew his character.
9:05:57 AM
Co-Chair von Imhof noted that the Copper River School
District had broadband connectivity that had transformed
the district. She queried how the efforts in broadband may
have influenced his appointment.
Commissioner Johnson explained his experience in the school
district. He remarked that the students had received less
options for the education, and remarked that technology
allowed for expanding their educational options while also
reducing costs.
Senator Wielechowski remarked that it was possible for the
successor to assume the role of lieutenant governor. He
queried the general philosophy of government.
Commissioner Johnson replied that his general philosophy of
government is that it is "of the people, by the people, and
for the people."
Co-Chair Stedman queried the issues of initiatives,
referendums, and recalls.
9:10:07 AM
Commissioner Johnson replied that he was currently focused
on his job as commissioner.
Co-Chair Stedman queried the potential duties of guarding
the state seal.
Commissioner Johnson replied that the state seal is the
only seal that has a seal in the state seal. He remarked
that the use of the state seal was prohibited without
permission from the lieutenant governor.
Senator Micciche wondered whether he should be considered
"Doctor Johnson."
Commissioner Johnson replied in the affirmative.
Senator Micciche wondered whether his resume was old,
because it did include his job of commissioner.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he had not updated resume
since he became commissioner.
Senator Micciche noted that there were some issues with
election integrity.
Commissioner Johnson replied that there was a mission
statement to address that issue.
Senator Hoffman queried the travel experience in Alaska,
particularly those in western Alaska.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he was able to travel
above the Arctic Circle, and he had also traveled to many
other rural sites.
Senator Hoffman wondered whether Commissioner Johnson knew
the location of the community of Igiugig.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he did not know.
Senator Hoffman stressed that every community had a school
and it was the focal point of the community.
9:15:30 AM
Commissioner Johnson replied that in his experience, those
facilities were an integral part of community. He stated
that he used the word, "community" as both a noun and a
verb.
Senator Hoffman wondered how the current funding status
could be viewed, and asked whether the people of Alaska
were served adequately.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he did not feel that the
education system was adequately serving Alaskans.
Senator Wielechowski wondered whether there was support for
the governor's budget, which cut $20 million from
education, and whether he was consulted beforehand. He also
wondered whether school districts were consulted before
that cut was made to examine the impacts.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he supported the
governor's proposed supplemental budget. He stated that he
was consulted on the governor's budget. He discussed a
number of possibilities to meet the needs as a result of
the earthquake. He stated that he did not consult
individual school districts before the $20 million cut
proposal.
9:20:23 AM
Co-Chair von Imhof queried plans to run for higher office
in the future.
Commissioner Johnson replied in the negative.
Senator Olson queried the concept of boarding schools in
hub communities. He stated that he had a good experience in
boarding school.
Commissioner Johnson replied that it was important to
define boarding school. He stated that there were some
incidences where students were forced to attend a boarding
school, and he did not support that practice. He supported
the current residential school programs in the state.
Senator Olson wondered whether there were plans to create
regional boarding schools.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he was not currently
working on any new boarding schools. He noted that he would
like a dozen more Northwestern Career and Technical Center
(NACTEC) style schools.
Senator Bishop noted that the graduation before NACTEC was
in the low 40 percent. The graduation rates were almost in
the 80 percent range.
9:24:46 AM
Commissioner Johnson noted that it was a privilege to do
the study with the people who were generous enough to
continue with the project.
Senator Wielechowski remarked that voter turnout had
decreased in the state. He wondered whether there were any
election reforms, or ways to increase voter turnout.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he had not given much
thought to election reform, except recognizing that it was
a responsibility. He stated that, if he served in the
position, he would serve with the humility knowing that he
was serving in elected office.
Co-Chair Stedman asked whether there would be interesting
things on the internet.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he was not aware of
anything on the internet.
Co-Chair Stedman wondered whether he had ever been arrested
or indicted.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he had not.
Co-Chair Stedman asked whether he had provided an
embellished resume.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he had not.
Co-Chair Stedman did not want the public to take those
questions out of context. The questions were unrelated to
the history of the appointee.
9:30:18 AM
Senator Micciche felt that the highest honor had been
commissioner of the Department of Education and Early
Development, so he encouraged the appointee to include that
on his resume.
Commissioner Johnson agreed to update his resume. He noted
that it was the same resume that he had used throughout his
career.
Senator Bishop understood what it felt like to be
questioned on the other side of the table. He also noted
the right of privacy. He wondered whether Commissioner
Johnson had seen the movie, "Trading Places."
Commissioner Johnson replied that he had not.
Senator Bishop felt that there be a better black pen used
on the resume for privacy.
Senator Wielechowski wondered whether additional cuts to
education funding could be sustained.
Co-Chair Stedman felt that was a budget question.
Commissioner Johnson remarked that it was never easy to
make budget cuts, but had confidence in the families and
educators of Alaska to provide the best education to the
students in the state.
Co-Chair Stedman stressed that education was a concern of
the committee, and encouraged a presentation on the budget.
9:35:56 AM
Senator Wielechowski wondered whether the constitution
should be changed to allow for public funds to be used for
private or religious schools.
Commissioner Johnson responded that the constitution should
not be changed without the vote of people, and a change
like that required a very serious conversation.
Senator Wielechowski wanted to know the position on the
issue, as the DEED commissioner.
Commissioner Johnson responded that he did not want to
avoid the question, but he did not want to create an
unrealistic box. He noted that many families used publicly
funded homeschool opportunities, so he would not want his
answer to prevent them from accessing some of the options
available. He did not believe it included private schools.
Senator Bishop felt that there would be a cost and needs
analysis to the issue.
Commissioner Johnson agreed.
9:40:39 AM
Senator Micciche wondered whether, if he were in the
position of Lt. Governor, and a citizen's initiative that
had constitutional challenges, he would follow the law in
accordance with the constitution.
Commissioner Johnson replied that he would put the law
before his own personal bias.
9:42:00 AM
AT EASE
9:44:13 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Stedman FORWARDED the appointment of Michael
Johnson for consideration in accordance with Alaska
Statute. He relayed that this did not reflect an intent by
any member Senate Finance Committee to vote for or against
the confirmation of the individual during any further
sessions.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Co-Chair Stedman discussed the following day's agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
9:46:04 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation Resume Johnson 2019.pdf |
SFIN 2/6/2019 9:00:00 AM |
Confirmations 2019 |