Legislature(2019 - 2020)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/11/2019 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB20 || SB21 | |
| Public Testimony: Juneau | |
| Public Testimony: Nome, Bethel, Kotzebue, Unalaska | |
| Public Testimony: Anchorage | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 11, 2019
1:09 p.m.
1:09:12 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 1:09 p.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
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator David Wilson
ALSO PRESENT
Paul Kelly, Board Member, Juneau Board of Education,
Juneau; Brian Wilson, Alaska Coalition on Housing and
Homeless, Juneau; Lorilyn Swanson, Self, Juneau; Julie
Nielsen, Self, Juneau; Mayor Beth Weldon, Self, Juneau; Ed
Mercer, Chief of Police, Juneau; George Reifenstein,
Chairman of the Board, KTOO, Juneau; Tom Brice, Self,
Juneau; Judy Crondahl, Self, Juneau; Bridget Smith, Self,
Juneau; Lin Davis, Self, Juneau; Joe Nelson, Self, Juneau;
Helen Unruh, Self, Juneau; Nikki Love, Self, Juneau; Linda
Squibb, Self, Juneau; Alyson Currey, Self, Juneau; Carl
Brodersen, Self, Juneau; Hannah Weed, Self, Juneau; Lora
Vess, Self, Juneau; Noah Williams, Self, Juneau; Emily
Thompson, Self, Juneau; Philip Licht, Executive Director,
Set Free Alaska, Juneau; Melinda Messmer, Self, Juneau;
Susi Gregg Fowler, Self, Juneau; Odette Edgar, Self,
Juneau; Laurie Craig, Self, Juneau; Bob Sylvester, Self,
Juneau; Sander Schijvens, Self, Juneau; Gene Therriault,
Self, Juneau; Mollie Kablen, Self, Juneau; Nils Andreassan,
Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League, Juneau; Cindy
Boesser, Self, Juneau; Komiko Urata, Self, Juneau; Lily
Pother, Self, Juneau; Erin Walker-Tolles, Self, Juneau;
Brian Holst, Self, Juneau; Kristi West, Self, Juneau; Dr.
Emily Kane, Self, Juneau; Calvin Zuelow, Self, Juneau;
Heather Parker, Self, Juneau; Griffin Plush, Self, Juneau;
Emily Ferry, Self, Juneau; Brenda Taylor, Self, Juneau.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Laura Stats, Self, Juneau; Vicki Jo Kennedy, Self, Juneau;
Marilyn Menish-Neucci, Self, Petersburg; Wilbur Karmun,
Kotzebue Broadcasting, Inc., Kotzebue; Alice Bioff, Alaska
State Council on the Arts, Nome; Krystal Hensley, Parent,
Nome; Stacy West, Parent, Nome; Lisa Sookiayak, Parent/High
School Teacher, Nome; Deb Trowbridge, Community
Member/Regional Head Start Director, Nome; Mark Springer,
Self, Bethel; Noah Alexie, Self, Toksuk; Eileen Arnold,
Self, Bethel; Vivian Korthius, AVCP, Bethel; John Mcintyre,
AVCP, Bethel; Martha Whitman-Kassock, Assoc. Village
Council Presidents, Bethel; Kathy Hanson, Self, Bethel;
Wassile Guy, Self, Bethel; Susan Taylor, Self, Bethel; Ron
Waska, Self, Bethel; Sam Weskoff, Self, Bethel; Jane
Winzen, Self, Kotzebue; Anthony Cravalho, Self, Kotzebue;
Marne Eggleston, Self, Kotzebue; Drew Hansen, Self,
Anchorage; Michael Berger, Self, Anchorage; Bradley Cruz,
Self, Anchorage; Michelle Hawleens, Kids Corp Inc.,
Anchorage; Mark Browne, Self, Anchorage; Zackery Bander,
Self, Anchorage; Corrine O'neil, Rural CAP, Anchorage; Ed
Quiver, Rural CAP, Anchorage; Barry Andres, Rural CAP,
Anchorage; Caroline Storm, Great Alaska Schools, Anchorage;
Laura Norton-Cruz, Alaska Children's Trust, Anchorage; Cody
Ray Elde, Self, Anchorage; Jon Zasada, Alaska Primary Care
Association, Anchorage; Deena Mitchell, ASD School Board,
Anchorage; Sarah Murphy, Self, Anchorage; Sean Sullivan,
Rural Cap, Anchorage; Lisa Smith Fiegel, Self, Anchorage;
Kristin Ramstad, Self, Anchorage; Verne Boerner, Alaska
Native Health Board, Anchorage; Cindy Gilder, Self,
Anchorage; Andrew Cutting, Alaskan Children's Trust,
Anchorage; William Harrington, Self, Anchorage; Susan
Pearson, AWAIC, Anchorage; Mary Tesche, Aleutians East
Borough, Anchorage; Tina Carpenter, Rural Cap, Anchorage;
Eve Van Dommelen, Alaska Food Coalition, Anchorage; Sarah
Dykstra, Self, Anchorage; Jackie Cason, Self, Anchorage;
Cara Durr, Director of Public Engagement, Food Bank of
Alaska, Anchorage; Jacque Murray, Safe Harbor Muldoon,
Anchorage; Jennifer Mitchell, Safe Harbor Muldoon,
Anchorage; Denise Star, Safe Harbor Muldoon, Anchorage;
Sarah Osborne, Self, Anchorage; Rehene Merkouris, Self,
Anchorage; Dirk Shumaker, Executive Director, Kids Grow
Anchorage, Anchorage; Elstan Laniesen, Self, Anchorage;
James E. O'Malley MD, Self, Anchorage; Matthew Hirschfeld,
Alaska Pediatric Partnership, Anchorage; Jasmine Khan,
Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, Anchorage;
Mackenzie Slater, Self, Anchorage; Taylor Donovan, Self,
Anchorage; Jaylene Peterson-Nyren, Southcentral Foundation,
Anchorage; Shelly Vebdetti-Vuckovich, Self, Anchorage; Rose
Hubbard, Self, Anchorage; Jaimie Donley, Hope Community
Resources, Anchorage; Nick Papacostas, Alaska Chapter of
the American College of Emergency Physicians, Anchorage;
Mark Wiggin, Self, Anchorage.
SUMMARY
SB 20 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
SB 20 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 21 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
SB 21 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
SENATE BILL NO. 20
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; 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. 21
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program, including
supplemental appropriations; and providing for an
effective date."
1:09:22 PM
Co-Chair Stedman discussed the agenda.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: JUNEAU
1:11:05 PM
LAURA STATS, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke
against the governor's proposed budget. She felt that the
budget would have a negative effect on the people of
Alaska. She felt that the budget did not serve the people,
and did not allow for society as a whole to thrive. She
felt that the departments should be funded across the
board.
1:13:03 PM
VICKI JO KENNEDY, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), stated
that there was $11 million that was appropriated from the
Alaska Aerospace Corporation. She spoke against funding
that organization, and felt that the elderly people could
use that money.
1:14:13 PM
MARILYN MENISH-NEUCCI, SELF, PETERSBURG (via
teleconference), spoke against the governor's proposed
budget. She also spoke against any constitutional
amendments. She expressed concern that the governor kept
referring to people that were against the budget as
"special interest groups." She remarked that the people
opposed to the budget wanted to use the Marine Highway;
receive a high education; affordable health care; and
affordable rates at the Pioneer Home.
1:15:42 PM
PAUL KELLY, BOARD MEMBER, JUNEAU BOARD OF EDUCATION,
JUNEAU, spoke against the proposed budget cuts to education
funding. He remarked that there were recent reduced
budgets, and there were required negative adjustments
within classrooms.
1:17:10 PM
BRIAN WILSON, ALASKA COALITION ON HOUSING AND HOMELESS,
JUNEAU, spoke against the proposed cuts to the Homeless
Assistance Program; the Special Needs Housing Grant
Program; the Human Services Community Matching Grant
Program; and the Community Initiative Matching Grant
Programs. The grants funded homeless prevention, emergency
shelter, housing vouchers, and vital case management for
the most vulnerable citizens.
1:18:35 PM
LORILYN SWANSON, SELF, JUNEAU, urged funding of the Senior
Benefits program within the budget. She stressed that there
were currently 11,597 Alaska
1:20:32 PM
JULIE NIELSEN, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the budget cuts
to the University system. She encouraged an examination of
alternative forms of revenue.
1:22:16 PM
MAYOR BETH WELDON, SELF, JUNEAU, presented her testimony
with the city manager, Rorie Watt. She encouraged
protecting funding for school, and to keep the Alaska
Marine Highway System (AMHS) operational.
1:24:14 PM
ED MERCER, CHIEF OF POLICE, JUNEAU, spoke in support of
funding for an prosecutor.
1:26:48 PM
GEORGE REIFENSTEIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, KTOO, JUNEAU,
spoke against the proposed cuts to public media.
1:28:05 PM
TOM BRICE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the University
of Alaska system. He spoke against privatizing the Pioneer
Home system. He spoke in support of using the Permanent
Fund earnings to fund those programs.
1:29:13 PM
JUDY CRONDAHL, SELF, JUNEAU, felt that there was not enough
time to address each program. She encouraged the committee
to take care of the vulnerable population in Alaska. She
stressed that there was tremendous oil wealth, and felt
that the state citizens should be paying an income tax. She
felt that state services were a reflection of a functioning
society.
1:30:51 PM
BRIDGET SMITH, SELF, JUNEAU, felt that the governor's
budget was vastly inadequate. She spoke specifically to
funding education and public media.
1:32:13 PM
LIN DAVIS, SELF, JUNEAU, felt that the governor's budget
was set to dismantle the lives of Alaska. She used an
analogy of baked Alaska, burnt apples, and other baking
analogy.
1:34:18 PM
JOE NELSON, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for
Alaska Legal Services. He spoke in support of moving into
growth mode.
1:36:04 PM
HELEN UNRUH, SELF, JUNEAU, echoed the previous comments.
She remarked that there should be creativity in responding
to the debt. She urged support of funding for the ferries.
She also spoke in support of Head Start.
1:38:08 PM
NIKKI LOVE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of education and
the ferries. She urged support of senior and elder care
programs. She asked that Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) be
limited, so the government can have proper funds.
1:39:44 PM
LINDA SQUIBB, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of early
childhood education at the level approved from the year
prior.
1:41:18 PM
ALYSON CURREY, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of Medicaid
and Public Health. She stressed that the cuts would
disproportionately affect women and families.
1:43:03 PM
CARL BRODERSEN, SELF, JUNEAU, felt that the governor's
budget as unethical. He spoke in support of ferries,
education, and public media. He also urged support of an
income tax.
1:43:54 PM
HANNAH WEED, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of early
childhood education.
1:44:50 PM
LORA VESS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the proposed cuts to
the University of Alaska system. She felt the budget would
decimate higher education in Alaska.
1:46:41 PM
NOAH WILLIAMS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the budget.
1:47:51 PM
EMILY THOMPSON, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding
for early childhood education. She spoke with a child on
her lap.
1:49:28 PM
PHILIP LICHT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SET FREE ALASKA, JUNEAU,
spoke in support of funding for behavioral health grants.
He also urged support in aligning with the House proposal.
He felt that behavioral health was considered primary care.
1:51:08 PM
MELINDA MESSMER, SELF, JUNEAU, urged support of early
childhood education programs. She shared that she had
graduated from the University of Alaska system, and urged
support of that funding. She spoke in support of funding
for AMHS.
1:52:20 PM
SUSI GREGG FOWLER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the
ferry system. She spoke in support of the State Arts
Council.
1:54:23 PM
BRENDA TAYLOR, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the governor's
budget. She urged support of using the PFD and a statewide
income tax. She felt that it was the responsibility provide
the best environment for children.
ODETTE EDGAR, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for
the programs for homeless assistance.
1:58:10 PM
LAURIE CRAIG, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of public
media.
2:00:22 PM
BOB SYLVESTER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of housing
homeless programs.
2:01:32 PM
SANDER SCHIJVENS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the
education system. He stated that he was the chair of the
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Advisory Council.
2:02:58 PM
GENE THERRIAULT, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding
for the Human Services Community Matching Grant Program.
2:04:42 PM
MOLLIE KABLEN, SELF, JUNEAU, stated that there was work in
public media to ensure that the process was available to
everyone in the state.
2:05:05 PM
NILS ANDREASSAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA MUNICIPAL
LEAGUE, JUNEAU, offered data that showed that the proposed
budget would impact local government by $900 million. He
stated that an additional $1 billion was suggested to be
removed from the PCE endowment, where it had earned 8
percent over the last ten years to GF where it would earn
less than 2 percent. He noted that the governor had
suggested that school bond debt reimbursement be repealed,
which would shift $1 billion to local taxpayers.
2:07:24 PM
CINDY BOESSER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of an income
tax. She continued to quote from a book written by former
Governor Jay Hammond about the PFD.
2:09:47 PM
KOMIKO URATA, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the elimination
of funding for the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana,
and Idaho (WWAMI) program. She shared that there were
members of her family who had participated in the program.
2:11:43 PM
LILY POTHER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the proposed cuts
to education. She supported the use of alternative funds to
fund education and other services.
2:13:13 PM
ERIN WALKER-TOLLES, SELF, JUNEAU, presented a resolution
from her organization to use the PFD to pay for state
services. She suggested that shifting costs to the people
of Alaska was detrimental.
2:14:41 PM
BRIAN HOLST, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of using the
PFD dollars to help pay for state services. He appreciated
forward funding for public schools.
2:15:54 PM
KRISTI WEST, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of standing up to
the governor's red pen.
2:17:04 PM
DR. EMILY KANE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of taking care
of Alaska's vulnerable. She did not want to see the most
vulnerable Alaskans cut off at the knees. She urged members
to open their hearts.
2:18:26 PM
CALVIN ZUELOW, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of
appropriately funding the budget.
2:19:21 PM
HEATHER PARKER, SELF, JUNEAU, asked members to think of
Alaska's future. She thought the governor's proposed
reductions were too deep. She asked the committee to
provide money for Pre-K, and other essential services. She
asked for funding to be maintained for the AMHS.
2:21:00 PM
GRIFFIN PLUSH, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding
the UA system adequately. He was concerned with the
potential of increased tuitions.
2:23:25 PM
EMILY FERRY, SELF, JUNEAU, advocated for an income tax. She
spoke in support of funding for education including the
University system and the Parents as Teachers Program. She
thought if education was not properly funding, it would be
detrimental to students of the program.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: NOME, BETHEL, KOTZEBUE, UNALASKA
2:25:01 PM
WILBUR KARMUN, KOTZEBUE BROADCASTING, INC., KOTZEBUE (via
teleconference), spoke in favor of public broadcasting. He
told of the areas served by the broadcasting company he
worked for. He spoke of the benefits of public
broadcasting. He asked the committee to reconsider cuts to
public broadcasting.
2:27:00 PM
ALICE BIOFF, ALASKA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS, NOME (via
teleconference), spoke in favor of support for the Alaska
State Council of the Arts. She talked about the benefits of
the Arts on the economy and other benefits including the
Silver Hands Program. She mentioned other beneficial
programs. She mentioned the National Foundation of the Arts
might pull its funding.
2:29:26 PM
KRYSTAL HENSLEY, PARENT, NOME (via teleconference), urged
members to support Head Start and early learning.
2:30:18 PM
STACY WEST, PARENT, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of funding for Head Start.
2:31:03 PM
LISA SOOKIAYAK, PARENT/HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, NOME (via
teleconference), asked that funding for Head Start and
Early Education be restored. She had children in the Head
Start Program and was an advocate
2:31:54 PM
DEB TROWBRIDGE, COMMUNITY MEMBER/REGIONAL HEAD START
DIRECTOR, NOME (via teleconference), urged members to place
Head Start funding back into the budget.
2:32:58 PM
AT EASE
2:33:49 PM
RECONVENED
2:34:19 PM
MARK SPRINGER, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
support of an income tax. He asked that funding for WAMMI
and public broadcasting be restored. He spoke in support of
funding for the AMHS.
2:35:09 PM
NOAH ALEXIE, SELF, TOKSUK (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of properly funding education. He thought it was very
important for kids to learn. He thought early education was
very important and advocated for funding for the Head Start
Program.
2:36:32 PM
EILEEN ARNOLD, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), supported
a limited PFD and supported an income tax. She asked that
the homeless assistance program be restored. She asked that
PCE funding continue. She advocated for several other items
to be funded.
2:37:31 PM
VIVIAN KORTHIUS, AVCP, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke
in favor of public safety, economic development, and
wellness. She spoke in favor of funding for the VPSO
Program.
2:38:52 PM
JOHN MCINTYRE, AVCP, BETHEL (via teleconference), expressed
concerns about the reduction to the PCE Program. He thought
that if PCE was cut it would affect the funding provided by
the federal government.
2:40:27 PM
MARTHA WHITMAN-KASSOCK, ASSOC. VILLAGE COUNCIL PRESIDENTS,
BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in favor of funding for
the VPSO Program. She spoke about the public safety
infrastructure within the region. Public Safety was the
number one priority of AVCP.
2:41:56 PM
KATHY HANSON, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), advocated
for funding for public broadcasting. She provided an
example of how public broadcasting contributed to many
aspects of the benefits of public broadcasting.
2:43:11 PM
WASSILE GUY, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of public media. He stated that there should be
further oil and gas exploration.
SUSAN TAYLOR, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), suggested
that a $3000 PFD was simply a bargaining chip. She spoke in
favor of using the PFD for state services including
Medicaid. She supported the PCE Program. She asked members
to not cut the budget as proposed by the governor.
2:45:52 PM
RON WASKA, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), suggested
that budget cuts would have a severe impact on the
villages. He suggested that the cuts would bring death to
the people.
2:46:56 PM
SAM WESKOFF, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), opposed
cuts to VPSO Program, the PCE Program, and Education.
2:48:06 PM
JANE WINZEN, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), felt that
the governor's budget was deceptive, and would not make
legislating future budgets easy. She stressed the
understanding between core services and the cost of those
services.
2:49:40 PM
ANTHONY CRAVALHO, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference),
asked the Senate to reject the governor's budget. He wanted
to see Medicaid and Behavioral Health funded properly. He
supported a state income tax and the use of PFD monies to
pay for state services.
2:50:55 PM
MARNE EGGLESTON, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference),
opposed the $12 million cut to Behavioral Health. She
favored a state income tax and a lowered PFD. She thought
oil credits should be reduced.
2:52:10 PM
AT EASE
2:53:31 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: ANCHORAGE
2:53:37 PM
DREW HANSEN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
supported early childhood education. He supported the
Parents as Teachers Program. He also supported the Head
Start Program.
2:55:31 PM
MICHAEL BERGER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
of the evidence of crime on the street in Anchorage. He
advocated spending money to fight crime and deal with
addiction.
2:57:04 PM
BRADLEY CRUZ, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of the University of Alaska. He also supported
the WWAMI Program.
2:58:30 PM
MICHELLE HAWLEENS, KIDS CORP INC., ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of Parents as Teachers.
She talked about the benefits of the program for families.
3:00:07 PM
MARK BROWNE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged
suspending tax credits to oil companies. He advocated for a
sales tax from May 1 - September 30th to capture tourism
dollars. He also supported an income tax.
3:01:49 PM
ZACKERY BANDER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
supported the WWAMI Program. He urged members to protect
Alaska's medical sector.
3:03:08 PM
CORRINE O'NEIL, RURAL CAP, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
supported the Homeless Services System. She provided
information about the program. She suggested that without
state funding, federal dollars could not be leveraged.
3:04:53 PM
ED QUIVER, RURAL CAP, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), asked
for funding for the Rural Cap Program.
3:05:37 PM
BARRY ANDRES, RURAL CAP, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
supported funding for the Rural Cap Program and for funding
for the Behavioral Health Program. He talked about cost
shifts and services being reduced.
3:07:12 PM
CAROLINE STORM, GREAT ALASKA SCHOOLS, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), urged support for public education
funding. She asked members to honor its commitment to
forward fund education. It was the best investment for
Alaska's future. She also supported paying taxes.
3:08:27 PM
LAURA NORTON-CRUZ, ALASKA CHILDREN'S TRUST, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), urged support for the Parents as Teachers
Program and for education. She noted that smaller class
sizes were better for learning. She also favored funding
for basic needs.
3:10:24 PM
CODY RAY ELDE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of the Rural Cap Program.
3:11:57 PM
JON ZASADA, ALASKA PRIMARY CARE ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), opposed cuts to the Adult Dental Benefits,
the WWAMI program, and to the University system. He also
opposed cuts to senior services, and community grant
programs.
3:13:14 PM
DEENA MITCHELL, ASD SCHOOL BOARD, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of public education
funding. She hoped members would maintain the forward
funding from the previous year. She advocated for early
childhood education.
3:14:48 PM
SARAH MURPHY, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), opposed
the drastic cuts proposed in the governor's budget. She
supported the WWAMI program and funding for the university
system. She spoke of Alaska's primary care needed in
Alaska. She was willing to pay a tax.
3:16:39 PM
SEAN SULLIVAN, RURAL CAP, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
opposed the proposed cuts in the budget to the Rural Cap
Program. He thought the reductions would have a long-term
effect on the mental health of Alaskans.
3:18:04 PM
LISA SMITH FIEGEL, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
asked the committee to restore Medicaid funding. She also
urged the restoration of funding for early education. She
supported Parents As Teachers and the Imagination Library.
3:19:37 PM
KRISTIN RAMSTAD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
supported funding state services rather than receiving a
large PFD check. She listed a number of state services she
favored. She supported funding education including funding
for the university.
3:21:08 PM
VERNE BOERNER, ALASKA NATIVE HEALTH BOARD, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), advocated for funding for Medicaid. The
governor's proposed budget reduction would result in lost
federal matching dollars. She urged members to protect the
Medicaid Program that served Alaskans.
3:22:46 PM
CINDY GILDER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), was
concerned with the governor's budget. She favored a smaller
PFD and supported an income tax. She did not want the
governor's budget supported.
3:23:33 PM
ANDREW CUTTING, ALASKAN CHILDREN'S TRUST, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), did not believe the governor's budget was
in the best interest of Alaskans. He did not believe in
cutting health care or education. He spoke of the
importance of investing in Alaska's children. He did not
want Alaska's future at risk.
3:25:18 PM
WILLIAM HARRINGTON, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
did not believe the legislature would come together. He
thought the state would experience a large loss of
population. He advocated for a vigilante override
committee.
3:26:58 PM
SUSAN PEARSON, AWAIC, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
on the benefits of AWAIC. She was thankful for some of the
critical funding that remained in the budget. However,
there were cuts that would affect victims of sexual
assault. She spoke of funding that needed to be restored in
order to obtain matching federal funds.
3:28:46 PM
MARY TESCHE, ALEUTIANS EAST BOROUGH, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in favor of the School Debt
Reimbursement Program. She advocated for education funding.
She indicated that the borough was making cuts but could
not cut its way out.
3:30:14 PM
TINA CARPENTER, RURAL CAP, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in favor of funding for Head Start. She provided some
statistics for communities with the Head Start Program.
Staff positions would be terminated if the cuts remained in
the budget. She spoke of the benefits of funding early
education.
3:31:46 PM
EVE VAN DOMMELEN, ALASKA FOOD COALITION, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke
3:33:24 PM
SARAH DYKSTRA, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of education funding. She also supported a
progressive income tax to support vital services in Alaska.
3:34:34 PM
JACKIE CASON, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), did not
support the governor's proposed budget. She spoke in
support of additional revenue sources.
3:36:01 PM
CARA DURR, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, FOOD BANK OF
ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of
services for low income Alaskans. She urged support of
funding for Medicaid.
3:37:19 PM
JACQUE MURRAY, SAFE HARBOR MULDOON, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for homeless
assistance programs.
3:38:01 PM
JENNIFER MITCHELL, SAFE HARBOR MULDOON, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), stated that she was a homeless resident at
Safe Harbor. She felt that reducing the budget would result
in additional homelessness.
3:38:46 PM
DENISE STAR, SAFE HARBOR MULDOON, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), stated that she was a former homeless
person.
3:39:39 PM
SARAH OSBORNE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of education funding.
3:41:36 PM
REHENE MERKOURIS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for the Washington, Wyoming,
Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) program. She remarked
that Alaska was the only state in the country without a
medical school.
3:43:35 PM
DIRK SHUMAKER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KIDS GROW ANCHORAGE,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of early
education program funding.
3:45:20 PM
ELSTAN LANIESEN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
addressed the issue of the integrity of the budgeting
process. He felt that there should be a good-faith
relationship with the governor. He wondered whether the
governor was working with the legislature in good-faith. He
felt that the governor did not support the constitution.
3:47:20 PM
JAMES E. O'MALLEY MD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for Washington, Wyoming,
Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI). He felt that
eliminating the program was a poor idea, and not supported
by any data.
3:48:45 PM
MATTHEW HIRSCHFELD, ALASKA PEDIATRIC PARTNERSHIP, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), urged support of funding for early
intervention funding, such as funding for early childhood
education programs.
3:50:07 PM
JASMINE KHAN, ANCHORAGE COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of funds
for the homeless assistance programs.
3:52:15 PM
MACKENZIE SLATER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana,
and Idaho (WWAMI).
3:54:05 PM
TAYLOR DONOVAN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of the retention of all homeless service
funding.
3:54:56 PM
JAYLENE PETERSON-NYREN, SOUTHCENTRAL FOUNDATION, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of adequate funding
for Medicaid.
3:56:45 PM
SHELLY VEBDETTI-VUCKOVICH, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of early childhood
education. She encouraged an examination of new revenue.
3:58:59 PM
ROSE HUBBARD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for grants to prevent homeless.
4:01:04 PM
JAIMIE DONLEY, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of making senior and
disabilities Medicaid service funding a separate
appropriation at the year prior's funding amount.
4:02:18 PM
NICK PAPACOSTAS, ALASKA CHAPTER OF THE AMERICIAN COLLEGE OF
EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska,
Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI).
4:04:15 PM
MARK WIGGIN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for public media. He stated that he had
supported public media financially. He felt that public
media provided essential safety information. He remarked
that, without state funding, many local radio stations
might be at risk.
Co-Chair Stedman discussed the following day's agenda.
SB 20 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 21 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
4:07:35 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 4:07 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 20 Support for Governor's Budget - Sullivan.pdf |
SFIN 4/11/2019 1:00:00 PM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 Public Testimony Packet 4.pdf |
SFIN 4/11/2019 1:00:00 PM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 Public Testimony Packet 5.pdf |
SFIN 4/11/2019 1:00:00 PM |
SB 20 |