Legislature(2019 - 2020)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/12/2019 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB20 || SB21 | |
| Public Testimony: Kethcikan, Wrangell, Petersburg | |
| Public Testimony: Utquagvik, Tok, Delta Junction | |
| Public Testimony: Sitka, Cordova, Valdez | |
| Public Testimony: Offnets | |
| 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 12, 2019
1:02 p.m.
1:02:11 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 1:02 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 David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Mike Shower
Senator Bill Wielechowski
ALSO PRESENT
Nola Walker, Self, Wrangell; Chelsea Goucher, UAS Ketchican
Campus Advisory Council, Ketchikan; Leslie Jackson, Self,
Ketchikan; Molly Kabler, Self, Juneau; Kerri Willoughby,
Self, Juneau; Delbert Kadake Self, Kake; Henrich Kadake,
Self, Kake; Norm Carson, City of Pelican, Pelican; Debra
Schnabel, self, Haines.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Lisa Vonbargen, Borough Manager, City and Borough of
Wrangell, Wrangell; John Havrilek, Self, Petersburg; Karen
Hofstad, Self, Petersburg; Sally Dwyer, Self, Petersburg;
Brian Lynch, Self, Petersburg; Cynthia Lagoudakis, Self,
Petersburg; Nancy Berg, Self, Petersburg; Rebecca Knight,
Self, Petersburg; Deb Turnball, Public Media, Ketchikan;
Vicki Obrien, Self, Ketchikan; Ghert Abbott, Self,
Ketchikan; Ginger Fortin, Self, Ketchikan; Mary Deihl,
Self, Ketchikan; Kathleen Light, Self, Ketchikan; Glenn
Brown, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Ketchikan; Marty West,
Self, Ketchikan; Donald Westlund, Self, Ketchikan; Stephen
Prysunka, City of Wrangell, Wrangell; Christie Jamiesen,
KSTK, Wrangell; Julie Decker, City of Wrangell, Wrangell;
Eric Grundberg, Self, Petersburg; Marlena Marvin, Self,
Petersburg; Mara Lutomski, Self, Petersburg; Jeigh Stanton
Gregor, Self, Petersburg; Kathi Riemer, Self, Petersburg;
Megan Litster, Self, Petersburg; Robyn Hagerman, Self,
Petersburg; Mel Gruelle, Self, Petersburg; Jody Tow, Self,
Petersburg; David Beebe, Self, Petersburg; Chelsea
Tremblay, Self, Petersburg; Heidi Jacobsen, Self,
Glennallen; Scott MacManus, Superintendent, Alaska Gateway
School District, Tok; Sam Skaggs, Self, Sitka; Kathleen
Todd, Self, Valdez; Susan Harding, Self, Cordova; Penelope
Oswalt, Self, Cordova; Karl Becker, Self, Cordova; Patricia
Relay, Self, Valdez; Rosemary Carlton, Friends of Sheldon
Jackson Museum, Sitka; Frederick Olson, Self, Sitka; Kate
Johnson, Self, Sitka; Beth Short-Rhoads, Self, Sitka;
Jennifer McNichol, Self, Sitka; Kara Knox, Self, Sitka;
Collauna Marley, Self, Sitka; Mickey Barker, Self, Sitka;
Dan Etulain, Raven Radio, Sitka; Lisa Sadler-Hart, Self,
Sitka; Renee Trafton, Self, Sitka; Harvey Brandt, Self,
Sitka; Math Trafton, Self, Sitka; Patricia Dick, Self,
Sitka; Gretchen Clark, Self, Sitka; Melissa Haley (on
behalf of Keith Brady), City and Borough of Sitka, Sitka;
Stacey Wayne, Self, Sitka; Bart Meyer, Self, Sitka; Grace
Brooks, Self, Sitka; Liz Zacher, Self, Sitka; Amy Sweeney,
Self, Sitka; Ariel Starbuck, Self, Sitka; Kathleen Brandt
Brandt, Self, Sitka; Jim Gifford, Self, Valdez; Maureen
Radotich, Self, Valdez; Jeremy O'Neil, Self, Valdez; John
Cullen, Self, Valdez; Barb Jewell, Cordova Community
Medical Center, Cordova; Michelle Hahn, self, Cordova;
Andrew Smallwood, self, Cordova; Peter Hoepfner, self,
Cordova; Kent Barkhau, Self, Sitka; Herman Morgan, Self,
Aniak; Clif Passmore, Self, Eagle River; Cris Eichenlaub,
Self, Eagle River; Stephanie Berglund, THREAD, Anchorage;
Tom Rutecki, Self, Juneau; Charlene Arneson, Chugatch
School District, Whittier; George Pierce, Chugatch School
District, Kasilof; Scott Morgan, self, Sand Point; Nick
Rutecki, Self, Juneau; Susan Terogette, Self, Kotzebue;
Kiersten Jorgenson, WWAMI graduate, Boston; Tom Martin,
Interior Community Center, Fairbanks; Marilyn Toupe, self,
Fairbanks; Melanie Lesh, self, Gustavus; John Joyce, self,
Juneau; Dan Higgins, self, Fort Yukon; Janice Michaub-
Whalen, Board Member, Connecting Ties, Valdez; Vicky
Thomas, self, Fort Yukon; Hans James, self, Fort Yukon;
Tina Scanlan, City Manager, Akutan; Nathan Hill, self,
Kokhanok; Natasha Singh, self, Fairbanks; Maureen Knutsen,
Self, Naknek; Nicki Sheldon, self, Hoonah; Russel Lyman,
self, Haines; Erika Wolter, self, Big Lake; Wendy
Feldbauer, self, Sand Point; Ida Nelson, self, Igiugig;
Phyllis Bottai, self, Palmer; Michael McGinty, self,
Palmer; Joan Tower, self, Palmer; Catherine Hall, self,
Palmer; Fred Traber, self, Palmer; Rebecca Siegal, self,
Brevig Mission; Ron Johnson, self, Fairbanks; Frank Kelpy,
Mayor, City of Unalaska; James Feldbauer, self, Sand Point;
Cathy Renfeldt, self, Cordova; Emily Murray, self, Elim;
Michael Anderson, self, Cordova; Amy Titus, self, White
Mountain.
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.
Co-Chair Stedman reviewed the meeting agenda.
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."
1:03:11 PM
Co-Chair Stedman provided protocol for the public testimony
process. He provided the testimony times for the various
statewide communities.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: KETHCIKAN, WRANGELL, PETERSBURG
1:04:37 PM
LISA VONBARGEN, BOROUGH MANAGER, CITY AND BOROUGH OF
WRANGELL, WRANGELL (via teleconference), opposed the
governor's budget. She particularly opposed cuts to
education. She noted that Wrangell property taxes would
increase due to a reduction in the Base Student Allocation
(BSA). She asked the committee to fund school bond debt
reimbursement.
1:05:46 PM
JOHN HAVRILEK, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
testified in strong support of funding for public radio,
which he said was essential for health and safety for his
community.
1:06:47 PM
KAREN HOFSTAD, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke
in support for public radio that provided emergency
communication services for the community. She opposed cuts
to public broadcasting.
1:07:57 PM
SALLY DWYER, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
testified in support of full funds for the Alaska Marine
Highway System (AMHS). She opposed privatization of the
system. She spoke in strong support of public radio. She
believed the continued cuts to public radio went past the
bone and into the marrow.
1:09:10 PM
BRIAN LYNCH, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke
in opposition to the governor's budget, particularly,
reallocation of fishing grants to the state's budget away
from municipalities. He explained the grant process and how
the action would negatively impact small costal Alaskan
communities. He asserted that not all tax reductions
enhanced business opportunities and that this action would
not reduce taxes currently levied against existing
businesses. He said that local municipal taxes would have
to be increased to cover lost revenues.
1:10:17 PM
CYNTHIA LAGOUDAKIS, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
testified in support of public radio that sent emergency
messaging and information, on weather and various other
important topics, for fishermen and the larger community.
She strongly supported readdressing oil tax credits and
instituting a statewide income tax.
1:11:22 PM
NANCY BERG, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), believed
that the state had an obligation to educate its children
and provide transportation to connect the cities in
boroughs of Alaska. She testified in support of AMHS. She
reported a loss in the ferry system would cause a major
loss in her business. She reiterated her support of funds
for education.
1:12:27 PM
REBECCA KNIGHT, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
called for the immediate cancellation of the March 19th
contract award of the Sitka Katlian Road on Baranof Island
and redirect the funds to short-funded projects elsewhere.
1:13:10 PM
DEB TURNBALL, PUBLIC MEDIA, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
spoke in support of public broadcasting. She shared
information about the local radio station and stressed that
KRBD radio was the only station providing emergency
information to nearby communities.
1:14:07 PM
VICKI OBRIEN, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in support of flat funding for public media and satellite
services. She discussed that public media connected
Alaskans and was the only vetted reputable news source
throughout the state.
1:15:06 PM
GHERT ABBOTT, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
strongly opposed the governor's budget. He particularly
opposed cuts to Medicaid and the University. He opposed a
head tax. He believed that a statewide income tax was
becoming increasingly necessary.
1:16:02 PM
GINGER FORTIN, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in strong support for AMHS funding. She lamented it would
be extremely difficult to live in Southeast Alaska without
a ferry. She spoke against cuts in senior benefits.
1:16:43 PM
MARY DEIHL, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke in
support of public radio.
1:17:02 PM
KATHLEEN LIGHT, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
requested to leave funding for the Alaska Council on the
Arts in the budget. She discussed the benefits of the
council and arts programs.
1:18:03 PM
GLENN BROWN, KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), opposed the elimination of state bond debt
reimbursement, which he said would result a loss to the
borough of 40 percent of its annual sales tax revenue, or a
23 percent increase in property tax millage. He urged the
committee to recognize the importance of the municipal debt
structure.
1:19:04 PM
MARTY WEST, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), testified
in support of the Alaska Council on the Arts. She reported
that the council was incredibly important for the community
and the local economy.
1:19:51 PM
DONALD WESTLUND, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
spoke against cuts to the AMHS. He had heard a news report
in April that the ferry system was critical to national
security. He asked the committee to reinstate $2.2 million
that the state was looking to move away from the ferry
Tustumena replacement.
Co-Chair Stedman would try to find the document mentioned
by Mr. Westlund related to national security.
1:21:49 PM
STEPHEN PRYSUNKA, CITY OF WRANGELL, WRANGELL (via
teleconference), opposed cuts to AMHS. He spoke about the
needs for the ferry in Wrangell related to life and
tourism. He supported funding for public radio that
provided emergency service information.
1:22:58 PM
CHRISTIE JAMIESEN, KSTK, WRANGELL (via teleconference),
spoke in support of continued funding for public radio. She
spoke to the importance of the emergency alert system. The
only way to keep the services on air was to replace state
funds with local money, which was not feasible. The impact
of losing radio stations was major compared to the amount
of state funds required to continue the services.
1:24:20 PM
JULIE DECKER, CITY OF WRANGELL, WRANGELL (via
teleconference), asked the committee to support funding for
the AMHS. She supported looking at productive solutions
that Southeast Conference was currently considering. She
asked the committee to continue sharing fish taxes with
municipalities. She urged the legislature to avoid drastic
cuts to education.
1:25:37 PM
NOLA WALKER, SELF, WRANGELL, observed that decisions made
currently would have long-term impacts. She agreed with
most statements made by past testimony. She particularly
opposed cuts to public radio. She spoke to the importance
of the emergency broadcasting system. Earthquakes could
happen at any time and could result in tsunamis or other
negative results. The emergency system connected people.
1:27:49 PM
CHELSEA GOUCHER, UAS KETCHICAN CAMPUS ADVISORY COUNCIL,
KETCHIKAN, spoke in support of funds for the University of
Alaska. She discussed the importance of the community
campuses for the state. She discussed local training
provided by the University. She believed that hiring local
Alaskans would help keep costs down. She had received a
degree from the University, and it had resulted in her
involvement in the community. She provided further detail
about her education with the University. She discussed that
the PFD had been created to help hedge against a declining
revenue.
1:30:10 PM
LESLIE JACKSON, SELF, KETCHIKAN, testified in support of
public radio. The radio was a community asset and provided
information about emergency services, community events,
news, and other. She supported public radio even if it
meant an income tax.
1:31:07 PM
MOLLY KABLER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of public
radio.
1:31:52 PM
KERRI WILLOUGHBY, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the
AMHS, public education, and the arts. She supported a state
income tax. She believed the services were vital.
1:33:04 PM
ERIC GRUNDBERG, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
spoke in strong support of public media and education. He
wanted families to live in Alaska in 15 years and without
public education they would not. He supported the AMHS. He
proposed reduced PFDs and an implementation of a state
income tax to pay for services until oil taxes could be
revisited.
1:33:56 PM
MARLENA MARVIN, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for early education, K-12, and
postsecondary education. She strongly supported full
funding for elder programs and public radio. She opposed
federal block grant funding for Medicaid. She supported
cutting oil tax credits. She supported full funding for
AMHS and a statewide progressive income tax.
1:35:06 PM
MARA LUTOMSKI, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke
in support for full funding of education, including a one-
time increment of $30 million from the past year. She
supported funding and reform of AMHS. She supported an
income tax and reduced PFD. She did not support further
budget cuts.
1:36:30 PM
JEIGH STANTON GREGOR, SELF, PETERSBURG (via
teleconference), asked the committee to reconsider proposed
education cuts. He believed the reductions would harm the
state.
1:37:12 PM
KATHI RIEMER, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funds for public education.
1:38:04 PM
MEGAN LITSTER, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke
in opposition to the proposed budget. She appreciated the
commitment to criminal justice reform but believed that the
proposed budget would have a negative impact on law
enforcement in the state. She opposed drastic budget cuts
that would impact rural Alaska. She believed that the
budget did not reflect Alaskan values. She supported
schools, arts, healthcare, AMHS, and public radio.
1:39:16 PM
ROBYN HAGERMAN, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
opposed cuts to the public radio system, AMHS, public
education, and public health. She believed that there were
more ways to balance the budget than the drastic cuts. She
supported a smaller PFD and a statewide income tax. She
noted there was income generated across Alaska that left
the state and did not ultimately benefit Alaska. She asked
if the state was going to shift the cost burden to
municipalities to do so equitably across Alaska.
1:40:40 PM
MEL GRUELLE, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), shared
that he was a retired fisherman. He did not support cuts to
the AMHS. He opposed cuts to schools, seniors, and
Medicaid. He stressed that Alaska was an incredible place
to live. He thought the proposed cuts were ridiculous.
1:42:00 PM
JODY TOW, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), stated
that the governor's proposals would decrease the quality of
life in Alaska. She opposed cuts to public education. She
stressed that the community depended on the fisheries tax.
She opposed changes to the school bond debt reimbursement
for FY 20; the community needed time to prepare for the
inevitable increase in property taxes. She supported a
reduced PFD and an income tax.
1:43:22 PM
DAVID BEEBE, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
supported public education, AMHS, public broadcasting, and
other. He supported a sustainable means of revenue. He
recommended a progressive income tax. He spoke to the
importance of a sustainable civil society.
1:44:26 PM
CHELSEA TREMBLAY, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
provided a short story about her family and how they came
to Alaska. She supported AMHS, public schools, and public
radio. She was scared about the proposed cuts. She
supported a reduced PFD, income tax, or oil tax revision.
1:45:35 PM
DELBERT KADAKE SELF, KAKE, testified he would prefer to
give up the PFD than to see the elimination of the AMHS. He
stated that sometimes the ferries were more affordable than
planes. Elders in the community could not always fly for
health reasons. He recommended using the ferries to
transport groceries to Southeast communities.
1:47:44 PM
HENRICH KADAKE, SELF, KAKE, spoke in strong support of
AMHS. He reported there were many residents in Kake that
could not afford to fly. He had been the mayor of Kake for
15 years. He reported that it had taken 6 years to build a
terminal for the ferry and now it was rarely used. He
stressed that AMHS was the highway for the community. He
stated that residents were feeling the pain for the PFD. He
wanted the ferry to come to Kake at least once per week. He
argued that the PFD was the peoples' money and should not
be paid out on the backs of Alaskans that used government
services.
Co-Chair Stedman asked Senator Olson to co-chair the
meeting for the next portion.
1:49:43 PM
AT EASE
2:00:18 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: UTQUAGVIK, TOK, DELTA JUNCTION
2:00:28 PM
HEIDI JACOBSEN, SELF, GLENNALLEN (via teleconference),
thought cutting the state's spending should be the number
one priority. She did not support spending beyond the
state's means. She did not support an income tax because
she believed it was a disincentive to work hard. She
supported continuing to draw from the Permanent Fund or
implementing a sales tax.
Co-Chair Stedman noted there were no other individuals
online at present.
2:02:13 PM
AT EASE
2:08:58 PM
RECONVENED
SCOTT MACMANUS, SUPERINTENDENT, ALASKA GATEWAY SCHOOL
DISTRICT, TOK (via teleconference), opposed the governor's
budget. He supported funding for public education. He spoke
to the right to receive a public education.
Co-Chair Stedman noted there were no additional testifiers
online.
2:10:48 PM
AT EASE
2:17:56 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: SITKA, CORDOVA, VALDEZ
2:18:43 PM
AT EASE
2:18:52 PM
RECONVENED
SAM SKAGGS, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), opposed the
governor's proposed budget. The budget would cause a
massive deceleration of the state's economy. He stated it
ignored the function of government to pool and distribute
money equitably. He felt that the proposed budget bordered
on irresponsible. He did not support a retroactive PFD. He
stressed that the PF was designed to fund government and
help all Alaskans when the oil revenue declined. He urged
the committee not to support the governor's budget.
2:20:48 PM
KATHLEEN TODD, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to the governor's budget. She supported taxes
and other sources of income. She supported a limited PFD
and less subsidies to oil companies.
2:22:57 PM
SUSAN HARDING, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to cuts to public education. She provided
information about schools in the region.
2:23:45 PM
PENELOPE OSWALT, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference),
opposed the budget cuts proposed by the governor. She
stated the budget gutted services to provide a larger PFD.
She found the budget atrocious. She urged the legislature
to roll back SB 21 credits to oil companies. She supported
funding for pre-K and postsecondary education. She
supported an income tax and a reduced PFD. She did not
support taking raw fish taxes from municipalities. She
supported funding for the AMHS.
2:25:42 PM
AT EASE
2:27:08 PM
RECONVENED
KARL BECKER, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), emphasized
the importance of fisheries to Cordova. He urged support
for AMHS and Medicaid. He supported a graduated income tax
and urged the legislature to consider the proposal.
2:28:03 PM
PATRICIA RELAY, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), urged
the committee to oppose drastic cuts to the University. She
discussed that proposed tuition hikes would unfairly place
the pain on the backs of students.
2:29:11 PM
ROSEMARY CARLTON, FRIENDS OF SHELDON JACKSON MUSEUM, SITKA
(via teleconference), supported an income tax. She strongly
supported the continuation of the Sheldon Jackson Museum.
Additionally, she believed that improvements on the
Stratton Library should continue, allowing for parts of the
library to be leased. She believed that sale of the museum
would result in expensive litigation. She supported reduced
money to oil companies. She wanted to keep the constitution
as it was.
Co-Chair Stedman noted they were making headway on Sheldon
Jackson.
2:30:45 PM
FREDERICK OLSON, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference),
testified against the governor's budget proposal. He stated
that civilized places did not sell their museums. It was
shameful to cut senior services. He supported AMHS. He
asked the legislature to put thought into the budget.
2:32:06 PM
KATE JOHNSON, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), testified
against the governor's budget. She opposed cuts to AMHS,
Medicaid, education, and public safety. She stated the
economic impacts of the budget were unclear. She asked the
legislature to craft a thoughtful bipartisan budget.
2:33:01 PM
BETH SHORT-RHOADS, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference),
testified in support of an adequate level of services. She
stressed that lawmakers had the responsibility to ensure
the basic functions of government were intact. She felt
that if the revenue was not available in the general fund
that it must come from the Permanent Fund, the elimination
of oil tax credits, or an income tax.
2:34:11 PM
JENNIFER MCNICHOL, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference),
testified in support of funds for education. She lamented
that educators in the state faced challenges unique to the
state. She urged the legislature to maintain education
funds. She did not believe the governor should be allowed
to dismantle the education system or to make fundamental
changes to the State Constitution.
2:35:30 PM
KARA KNOX, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), testified
against funding cuts to public education. She asked the
committee to give full funding support for education at all
levels. Cuts would devastate decades of effort developing
best practices for education in the community. She believed
an income tax was necessary.
2:36:32 PM
COLLAUNA MARLEY, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), was
afraid the governor was not listening to residents. She was
not afraid of the red pen the governor had been seen
wearing in his shirt pocket. She opposed cuts proposed by
the governor. The community needed a share of the raw fish
tax to support its schools. She thanked the legislature for
its work; residents were counting on them.
2:37:45 PM
MICKEY BARKER, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), testified
in support of the AMHS. He had provided written information
to legislators as well. He stressed the vital services
provided by AMHS. He asked the legislature to consider the
McDowell Group study conducted on the AMHS. He asserted
that the system provided a 200 percent return on investment
for the state.
2:39:00 PM
DAN ETULAIN, RAVEN RADIO, SITKA (via teleconference),
testified in support of public radio. He stressed the
importance of emergency broadcasting, news, weather,
community events, and other.
2:40:16 PM
LISA SADLER-HART, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference),
expressed strong opposition to pre-K, K-12, and university
funding. She opposed the drastic cuts to education. She
asked the legislature to reduce the PFD and to consider a
state income tax. She supported the decrease in tax credits
to oil companies.
2:41:25 PM
RENEE TRAFTON, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), supported
AMHS, a reduced PFD, and K-12 education, and the
University. She supported a progressive income tax.
2:41:57 PM
HARVEY BRANDT, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), understood
both sides of the private/public economy equation. He
stressed that the public side had to be addressed - roads,
electricity, and labor were all needed before private
enterprise would invest in the state. He opposed the
governor's budget and asked members to support the Senate
budget.
2:43:18 PM
MATH TRAFTON, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), opposed the
governor's budget. He strongly supported public education
and the University. He stressed that if the University
fell, everyone would fall. He opposed PFD back payment and
full PFDs in the current year. He stressed the importance
of making education a priority in the state.
2:44:26 PM
PATRICIA DICK, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), strongly
opposed the governor's budget. She referenced a recent
roadshow by the governor across the state sponsored by the
Koch brothers. She stressed that Alaskans took care of
their children and elders. She urged against any vetoes the
governor may implement.
2:45:41 PM
GRETCHEN CLARK, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke
against cuts to public health and senior services. She
asked for the preservation of Head Start and pre-K grants.
She supported adult public assistance and Medicaid. She
supported public broadcasting.
2:47:07 PM
MELISSA HALEY (ON BEHALF OF KEITH BRADY), CITY AND BOROUGH
OF SITKA, SITKA (via teleconference), testified in
opposition to a reduction in school funding. Sitka voters
had voted on school bond debt, contingent on the debt
payment by the state.
2:48:24 PM
STACEY WAYNE, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), opposed the
governor's budget. She stated that the Permanent Fund was
instituted to provide funding for vital public services
when oil revenue ran out. She was in favor of an income
tax. She was concerned the economy had been damaged by
residents leaving Alaska to find job security elsewhere.
2:49:26 PM
BART MEYER, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to the detail and principle of the governor's
budget. He stressed the budget was bad for Alaska, Sitka,
and his household. He supported increasing revenues. He was
in favor of an income tax. He counted on the legislature to
propose a reasonable balanced budget.
2:50:20 PM
GRACE BROOKS, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), opposed the
governor's budget. She supported a small PFD. She believed
education should be a priority. She supported an income tax
and higher taxes on oil companies. She supported the
University and opposed proposed cuts to the system. She
asked the legislature to alter the future the governor was
proposing for Alaska.
2:51:40 PM
LIZ ZACHER, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of public education. She provided detail about her
family. She was deeply troubled by proposed cuts that would
deeply hurt vulnerable Alaskans including children and
seniors. She supported a lower PFD, an income tax, and
increased taxes on oil companies.
2:52:56 PM
AMY SWEENEY, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), supported
oil tax reconsideration, modest PFDs, and an income tax.
She opposed major cuts to state services.
2:54:06 PM
ARIEL STARBUCK, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), implored
the legislature to oppose the governor's proposed cuts to
education. She noted that education was constitutionally
mandated. She asked the committee to consider passing the
House operating budget. She discussed that the Permanent
Fund could be used to cover the cost of basic services and
other.
2:55:23 PM
KATHLEEN BRANDT, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged
the committee to decline the governor's budget that cut too
deeply. She pointed to Finland with its high literacy rate
and higher spending on pre-K and K-12 education. She
supported funds for senior services and AMHS. She opposed
deep cuts to the University system.
2:56:29 PM
JIM GIFFORD, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), opposed the
governor's budget that would hurt the state for many years
to come. He supported a reduced dividend or no dividend. He
was in favor of adjustments to oil and gas taxes. He
characterized the governor's cuts as draconian.
2:57:35 PM
MAUREEN RADOTICH, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), asked
the legislature to support core services including
education and healthcare. She supported reducing or
eliminating the PFD. She supported an income or payroll
tax.
2:58:30 PM
JEREMY O'NEIL, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), testified
in support of education funding. He believed it was
important to invest in education in good and bad financial
times. He shared that he had just lost an employee to
Wyoming and cited that states investment in education. He
believed that the PFD was useless if it meant cuts to
education.
2:59:23 PM
JOHN CULLEN, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), shared
information about his job as a physician. He was opposed to
cuts that would hurt rural communities. He noted that
hospitals would close due to cuts and babies and mothers
could die. He opposed the governor's budget.
BARB JEWELL, CORDOVA COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER, CORDOVA (via
teleconference), urged the committee to fully fund and
include intent language that fully funds Medicaid, Medicaid
expansion, and Medicaid grants. She asserted that Medicaid
funding had not kept up with inflation and decreasing
funding would have an exponential effect. She pointed out
that rural hospitals were already struggling under burdens
of regulation and poor payments. She discussed the
important function of behavioral health grants. She asked
the committee to remember that investment in health care
was an investment in Alaskans.
3:01:36 PM
MICHELLE HAHN, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), had
worked for the legislature for 16 years. She did not
support the governor's proposed budget. She thought the
proposed cuts would be devastating for communities and
businesses, especially those that were serviced by AMHS or
received revenue sharing from the fisheries tax and PCE
Program. She asked the committee to restore the budget to
FY 19 funding levels. She thought the budget shortfall was
politically created and promised free money with no
consequences. She supported a state income tax and a
reduction of the PFD. She supported raising the oil and gas
tax structure to the levels that existed in Norway.
3:03:57 PM
ANDREW SMALLWOOD, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference),
supported an income tax. He supported greater taxes on oil
companies. He supported restoration of funding for the FY
19 budget levels.
3:04:54 PM
PETER HOEPFNER, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference),
testified against the governor's proposed budget, which he
thought would decimate cities and communities across
Alaska. He was a commercial fisherman and was on the
Cordova School Board and other boards. He thought the
proposed cuts would have a devastating effect on education
in Cordova. He discussed the PCE Fund, the raw fish tax,
and school bond debt reimbursement funding. He thought the
cost-shifting effects would burden cities. He discussed
cuts to education funding. He thought education had been
flat funded for years. He discussed the increase in CPI
Index versus the increase in the BSA.
3:06:42 PM
KENT BARKHAU, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), associated
himself with remarks from previous testifiers regarding the
governor's proposed budget. He thought the budget proposal
was mean-spirited and would affect the state's most
vulnerable citizens the most. He asked the committee to
restore the budget.
3:08:17 PM
NORM CARSON, CITY OF PELICAN, PELICAN, expressed concern
about proposed budget cuts to AMHS. He noted that Pelican
did not have a road or barge service, and all goods came to
Pelican through the AMHS or by air freight. He recounted
that in 2012 Pelican's economy had struggled. He discussed
the genesis of a fish processing facility in Pelican, which
employed 24 people in Pelican. He supported an income tax,
a school tax, a reduced PFD, and a reduced fish tax.
3:10:52 PM
AT EASE
3:39:08 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: OFFNETS
Co-Chair Stedman handed the gavel to Senator Olson.
3:40:10 PM
HERMAN MORGAN, SELF, ANIAK (via teleconference) supported
the governor's proposed budget. He expressed concern that
native voices were not being heard in the legislature. He
quoted the bible. He did not think the children of Alaska
were receiving a quality education. He did not want to
balance the budget on the backs of children. He supported
funding for Medicaid. He urged the committee to work with
the governor.
3:42:32 PM
CLIF PASSMORE, SELF, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference),
spoke in support of the Ocean Rangers Program. He was a
licensed mariner. He discussed the role of Ocean Rangers.
He thought there had been misleading information put out
about the program. He discussed violations made by Carnival
Cruise Lines and other cruise lines.
3:43:46 PM
CRIS EICHENLAUB, SELF, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference),
fully supported the governor's proposed budget. He thought
the state's educations system was a complete failure. He
thought there should be a reorganization of the education
system. He thought there needed to be a commission to look
at reorganization.
3:45:19 PM
STEPHANIE BERGLUND, THREAD, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
encouraged investment in young children and families. She
discussed reading proficiency scores in the state. She
supported funding for Head Start and Pre-K programs. She
referenced research about early childhood support.
3:46:35 PM
TOM RUTECKI, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), supported
funding for the WWAMI program. He was a marine biologist
and had worked with 6 Alaska high school students who had
studies with the WWAMI program and had returned to the
state. He thought being part of WWAMI gave students an edge
to get into University of Washington in a competitive
environment.
3:48:29 PM
CHARLENE ARNESON, CHUGATCH SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHITTIER (via
teleconference), thought the governor's proposed budget
would not sufficiently support education. She warned that
increased class sized would severely limit the purchasing
power of basic needs for students and teachers. She
discussed years of flat-funding and the forward funding
from the previous year. She thought the cost of doing
business had increased and should be reflected in funding
for education.
3:50:16 PM
GEORGE PIERCE, CHUGATCH SCHOOL DISTRICT, KASILOF (via
teleconference), did not support the governor's He
discussed severance taxes and thought incentives to oil
producers were hurting the state. He believed that SB 21
should be revisited.
3:51:30 PM
SCOTT MORGAN, SELF, SAND POINT (via teleconference), spoke
on behalf of funding for public broadcasting. He saw the
need for a balanced budget. He stated that people in rural
areas of the state relied on public broadcasting.
3:53:00 PM
NICK RUTECKI, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), was
against the governor's proposed budget cuts. He understood
the need for reducing spending. He discussed the importance
of the WWAMI program.
3:53:55 PM
SUSAN TEROGETTE, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), was
in support of full funding for PCE, the VPSO Program,
public broadcasting, education, and the University of
Alaska. She felt there was a priority crisis rather than a
fiscal crisis. She was willing to accept a reduced PFD or
an income tax in exchange for state services. She argued
that distributing larger PFDs, while cutting basic state
services, would lead to a decreased quality of life in
rural Alaska.
3:55:30 PM
KIERSTEN JORGENSON, WWAMI GRADUATE, BOSTON (via
teleconference), testified in support of the WWAMI program.
She had been born and raised in Juneau and had benefitted
from the program. She thought cutting the Alaska WWAMI
program would be short-sighted. She said that returning to
Alaska to practice was the goal of the majority of Alaskan
student enrolled in the program.
3:57:13 PM
TOM MARTIN, INTERIOR COMMUNITY CENTER, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), spoke in support of human services
community matching grants. He noted that the funding had
helped to provide integrated behavioral health services to
over 480 patients. He discussed Medicaid Adult Dental. He
thought many people would not be able to maintain oral
health if services were cut, which would lead to emergency
room visits.
3:58:30 PM
MARILYN TOUPE, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), was
concerned about cuts to the Medicaid program. She was
concerned about the potential loss of federal matching
funds. She was concerned about reimbursement for life-
saving cancer medications. She relayed that government
assistance was necessary in order to maintain and improve
the program.
3:59:49 PM
MELANIE LESH, SELF, GUSTAVUS (via teleconference), was a
supporter of public broadcasting, the ferry system, and
other state services. She thanked the members and staff for
their service. She hoped that the legislature would accept
that budget cuts alone would not supplant the loss of oil
revenues, due to the decades long price reduction, and look
for new revenue streams to preserve essential services.
4:01:33 PM
JOHN JOYCE, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), asked for
full funding for the WWAMI program. He had come to Alaska
23 years previously. He thought education was critical for
the future of the state. He had talked with many physicians
that had been in the WWAMI program and had returned to the
state. He thought that without the program, the state would
have difficulty training and retaining medical
professionals. He was concerned about proposed cuts to the
University, particularly in the areas of science and
technology.
4:03:03 PM
DAN HIGGINS, SELF, FORT YUKON (via teleconference), asked
that the committee support funding for public broadcasting.
He thought public broadcasting saved lives. He relayed a
story about two men that fell through the ice and had been
saved by information relayed by radio station
communication.
4:04:29 PM
JANICE MICHAUB-WHALEN, BOARD MEMBER, CONNECTING TIES,
VALDEZ (via teleconference), testified in support of
funding for Medicaid. She was happy with a smaller PFD or
an income tax if it meant services would be available to
seniors, disabled people, and low-income Alaskans. She
relayed that she had been a special education teacher for 4
years and urged the committee to support funding for
children that needed additional educational support.
4:06:07 PM
VICKY THOMAS, SELF, FORT YUKON (via teleconference),
supported funding for public broadcasting. She emphasized
that public broadcasting provided information that
pertained to the health and safety of her community.
4:07:18 PM
HANS JAMES, SELF, FORT YUKON (via teleconference), spoke in
support of public broadcasting. He was a council member for
the City of Fort Yukon. He discussed the many important
aspects of public broadcasting, including search and rescue
operations.
4:08:30 PM
TINA SCANLAN, CITY MANAGER, AKUTAN (via teleconference),
did not support the governor's proposed budget. He was
concerned about elimination of the Chinook Fishery Business
Tax and the Chinook Fishery Resource Lending Tax Program.
He said that the funds helped to pay for capital
improvement grants. Losing the funding source would have a
devastating impact on the community.
4:09:49 PM
NATHAN HILL, SELF, KOKHANOK (via teleconference), was
manager for the Lake and Peninsula Borough School District.
He discussed school bond debt reimbursement. He expressed
that the borough had relied in the grants and that there
were grave short, and long term, affects.
4:11:59 PM
NATASHA SINGH, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), did
not support the governor's proposed budget. She explained
that she was part of the Alaska Regional Coalition, which
represented 100 communities from Kotzebue to Ketchikan.
She discussed the importance of healthcare and regional
equity in budget considerations. She urged the preservation
of funding for improvements to rural public safety and
Medicaid. She said that the coalition would work with the
state to find efficiencies without deep budget cuts.
4:13:36 PM
MAUREEN KNUTSEN, SELF, NAKNEK (via teleconference), had
been a resident of Bristol Bay since 1975. She supported
funding for public broadcasting. She had been a long-time
member of the citizen advisory board. She asserted that
public broadcasting was the only source for news, weather,
tides, fishing announcements, and emergency and safety
announcements. She discussed the potential loss of federal
funds.
4:14:55 PM
NICKI SHELDON, SELF, HOONAH (via teleconference), was a
national trainer for the Parents as Teachers. She supported
an income tax. She encouraged funding for early learning
programs. She had emailed a letter to the committee. She
shared that without early learning programs, more children
would enter kindergarten without school readiness skills,
which would require increased spending for remedial
services.
4:16:16 PM
RUSSEL LYMAN, SELF, HAINES (via teleconference), expressed
his support for funding for public media. He referenced
public safety issues as discussed by previous testifiers.
He discussed the importance of tsunami warnings and weather
reports.
4:17:15 PM
ERIKA WOLTER, SELF, BIG LAKE (via teleconference), was
strongly opposed to the governor's budget. She supported
alternative ways to increase revenue, even if it meant not
receiving a PFD. She said that she would rather see support
go to those who need it, rather than into her own pocket.
4:18:48 PM
WENDY FELDBAUER, SELF, SAND POINT (via teleconference),
testified in support of public broadcasting. She asserted
that public broadcasting was crucial to remote fishing
villages.
4:19:52 PM
IDA NELSON, SELF, IGIUGIG (via teleconference), supported
funding for Medicaid. She was not in favor of oil and gas
tax credits. She was not in favor of reducing the VPSO
program. She was in favor of a reduced PFD. She supported
public broadcasting. She was in favor of early funding for
education. She supported an income tax. She did not support
a sales tax.
4:21:17 PM
PHYLLIS BOTTAI, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference),
supported funding for senior benefits. She was in favor of
a sales tax and an income tax. She warned that the cuts
would be detrimental to senior's quality of life.
4:22:08 PM
MICHAEL MCGINTY, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference),
supported funding for Medicaid and senior services. He
pointed out that seniors were becoming a larger group in
Alaska and were living at, or below, poverty.
Senator Olson handed the gavel to Co-Chair Stedman.
4:23:13 PM
JOAN TOWER, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), supported
funding for senior services. She supported funding for
Meals on Wheels. She supported a state income tax. She said
that not holding harmless for PFDs would force many seniors
to lose their Medicaid and force people to use emergency
services for their care.
4:24:20 PM
CATHERINE HALL, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), did not
support the governor's budget. She supported funding for
senior benefits and noted than some seniors were already
living below poverty level. She supported funding for
education and drug treatment programs. She lamented that
poor people in the state would suffer disproportionately
from the budget cuts.
4:25:41 PM
FRED TRABER, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), was the
interim executive director of Mat-Su Senior Services. He
stated that his organization operated on a tenuous budget
comprised of state funding, state grants, Medicaid, and
private donations. The organization provided over 300 meals
to Alaskans daily. Many of the residents came to the
facility when homeless. He requested the legislature
continued funding at past levels.
4:27:08 PM
Co-Chair Stedman handed the gavel to Senator Olson.
REBECCA SIEGAL, SELF, BREVIG MISSION (via teleconference),
encouraged funding for education, VPSO programs, WWHAMI,
the hold harmless provision, and PCE. She urged the
legislature to reduce the PFD, bring back an income tax,
and eliminate oil and gas tax credits.
4:28:05 PM
RON JOHNSON, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
appreciated the committee's critical evaluation of the
governor's proposed budget. He supported modest budget
cuts. He was in favor of an increase to the gasoline tax.
He supported a simple income tax.
4:29:20 PM
FRANK KELPY, MAYOR, CITY OF UNALASKA (via teleconference),
spoke in opposition to the governor's budget. He hoped the
committee would hold the bill pertaining to a shared fish
tax. He calculated that the bill would cause suffering in
his community. He discussed the proposed reduction to the
BSA. He discussed the 94 percent graduation rate in
Unalaska, where there was a Blue-Ribbon school. He
expressed concern for cuts to AMHS.
4:31:28 PM
JAMES FELDBAUER, SELF, SAND POINT (via teleconference),
supported funding for public education and for public
broadcasting.
4:32:37 PM
CATHY RENFELDT, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference),
supported funding for AMHS. She noted that 6 of the
nation's top 12 ports for seafood landing relied on AMHS as
their only connection to the road system. She emphasized
the importance of a year-round ferry system. She stressed
that dismantling the system would force the 27 communities
off the hard road system to route their purchases through
Seattle, bypassing Anchorage, and the rest of Alaska.
4:33:59 PM
EMILY MURRAY, SELF, ELIM (via teleconference), voiced her
support for funding the PCE program, the fish tax, and Head
Start. She noted that her hometown was Golovin. She
supported funding for Medicaid.
4:34:45 PM
MICHAEL ANDERSON, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), did
not support the governor's budget. He thought funding
should be restored to 2018 levels. He supported a smaller
PFD, an income tax, and eliminating oil and gas tax
credits.
4:36:20 PM
AMY TITUS, SELF, WHITE MOUNTAIN (via teleconference), was
the city clerk for White Mountain. She urged support for
the Community Assistance Program and Payment in Lieu of
Taxes, two programs vital to the budget of White Mountain.
She said that the PCE program was important to her village.
She urged support for funding for education and the VPSO
program.
4:37:58 PM
DEBRA SCHNABEL, SELF, HAINES, wanted to express support for
rural coastal communities. She wanted a budget that funded
education, transportation, and communication. She thought
private industry would not invest in a state that had weak
infrastructure. She noted that Haines participated in the
school debt reimbursement program and would suffer if it
was forced to cover the costs alone.
4:39:31 PM
Senator Micciche thanked his constituents that had called
in and had dropped calls. He shared that those constituents
could send letters to the committee.
Co-Chair Stedman discussed housekeeping.
SB 20 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 21 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
4:41:10 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 4:41 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 20 Public Testimony Packet 7.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 Public Testimony _ Hayes.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 Public Testimony Packet 8.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 Public Testimony Packet 9.pdf |
SFIN 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM |
SB 20 |