Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/22/2024 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB186 || SB187 || SB188 | |
| Public Testimoney: Anchorage, Matanuska Valley, Homer, Seward, Valdez, and Kenai Peninsula | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 186 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 187 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 188 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 22, 2024
1:07 p.m.
1:07:34 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Senator Merrick called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:07 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick
Senator David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
ALSO PRESENT
Rob Dumouchel, City Manager, City of Homer; Lisa Parker,
Vice President, Alaska Municipal League; Bryan Hawkins,
Port Director, City of Homer; Anna Brawley, Member,
Anchorage Assembly; Storm P. Hansen, City Council Member,
City of Homer; Glenda Ledford, Mayor, City of Wasilla;
Crystal Nygard, Deputy Administrator, City of Wasilla;
Stanley, Member, Youth Action Board Housing and
Homelessness.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Mike Jones, Self, Homer; Cheri Smith, Executive Director,
The LeeShore Center, Kenai; Stephanie Berglund, CEO,
Thread, Anchorage; Bob Scanlon, CEO, Blood Bank of Alaska,
Anchorage; Chris Mello, Board Member, Alaska Blood Bank,
Anchorage; Colonel Julie Gration, Board Member, Alaska
Blood Bank, Anchorage; Jen Griffis, Vice President Policy
and Advocacy, Alaska Children's Trust, Anchorage; Harrison
Deveer, Fire Fighter, Nikiski Fire Department, Nikiski;
Sean Case, Former Board Member, Alaska Blood Bank,
Anchorage; Peter Panarese, Self, Eagle River; Caroline
Storm, Executive Director, Coalition for Education Equity,
Anchorage; Cindy Harris, Board Member, Alzheimer
Association Alaska Chapter, Soldotna; Patrick Reinhart,
Executive Director, Governor's Council on Disability and
Special Education, Homer; Christine Pate, Legal Program
Director, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault, Sitka; Will Taygan, Self, Chugiak; Heidi Hill,
Grants and Program Director, Abused Women's Aid in Crisis,
Anchorage; Ashley Peltier, Mat-Su Health Foundation, Meadow
Lakes; Mark Lackey, Alaska Head Start Association, Wasilla;
Mariyam Medovaya, Alaska Long Trail Project Coordinator,
Alaska Trails, Palmer; A.C. Ressler, Mat-Su Convention and
Visitors Bureau, Palmer; Howard Carbone, Owner, Alaska
Nature Guides, Talkeetna; Noelle Carbone, Self, Talkeetna;
Betsy Baker, Self, Anchorage; Christy Gomez, Self, Tyonek;
Rachel Lord, Self, Homer; Keeley Olson, Standing Together
Against Rape, Anchorage.
SUMMARY
SB 186 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET; CAP; SUPP; AM
SB 186 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SB 187 APPROP: CAP; REAPPROP
SB 187 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SB 188 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
SB 188 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
PUBLIC TESTIMONEY: ANCHORAGE, MATANUSKA VALLEY, HOMER,
SEWARD, VALDEZ, and KENAI PENINSULA
SENATE BILL NO. 186
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; making capital appropriations; making
supplemental appropriations; making reappropriations;
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. 187
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations and other appropriations; making
reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize
funds; and providing for an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 188
"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."
1:07:53 PM
^PUBLIC TESTIMONEY: ANCHORAGE, MATANUSKA VALLEY, HOMER,
SEWARD, VALDEZ, and KENAI PENINSULA
1:08:52 PM
ROB DUMOUCHEL, CITY MANAGER, CITY OF HOMER, spoke in
support of funding for Homer harbor expansion. He explained
that the city had set aside matching money. He stressed
that the expansion of the harbor would enhance
transportation and commerce.
1:09:56 PM
LISA PARKER, VICE PRESIDENT, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, spoke
in support of an increase in funding for the base student
allocation (BSA). She testified in support of funding for
community jails.
1:11:52 PM
BRYAN HAWKINS, PORT DIRECTOR, CITY OF HOMER, echoed support
of funding for the harbor expansion in Homer, of $288,000.
He also spoke in support of $5 million funding for the
municipal harbors matching grants program.
1:14:11 PM
ANNA BRAWLEY, MEMBER, ANCHORAGE ASSEMBLY, spoke in support
of funding for communities, infrastructure, housing, public
safety, and hope for the future. She stressed support of
funding for municipalities.
1:16:33 PM
STORM P. HANSEN, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY OF HOMER, spoke
in support of funding for the harbor expansion in Homer.
She also spoke in support of an increase in funding for the
BSA.
1:17:45 PM
MIKE JONES, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), spoke against
the reduction of the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). He
spoke against funding "special interest groups." He spoke
against a defined benefit program.
1:19:54 PM
CHERI SMITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE LEESHORE CENTER, KENAI
(via teleconference), testified in support of adding $4
million to the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault (CDVSA) budget.
1:22:19 PM
STEPHANIE BERGLUND, CEO, THREAD, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding $35.5 million
for childcare programs. She stressed that childcare was a
critical infrastructure for the state.
1:24:34 PM
BOB SCANLON, CEO, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
Blood Bank of Alaska laboratory remaining needs to finish
the establishment of the lab. He stressed that the funding
would make it possible to keep blood bank testing in the
state in perpetuity.
1:27:07 PM
CHRIS MELLO, BOARD MEMBER, ALASKA BLOOD BANK, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), testified in support of funding for
the Blood Bank of Alaska laboratory remaining needs to
finish the establishment of the lab. He stressed that the
funding would make it possible to keep blood bank testing
in the state in perpetuity.
1:29:08 PM
COLONEL JULIE GRATION, BOARD MEMBER, ALASKA BLOOD BANK,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of
funding for the Blood Bank of Alaska laboratory remaining
needs to finish the establishment of the lab. She explained
the importance of donor testing.
1:31:22 PM
JEN GRIFFIS, VICE PRESIDENT POLICY AND ADVOCACY, ALASKA
CHILDREN'S TRUST, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of increased funding for early childhood programs.
She stressed the importance of policies for early education
support.
1:33:54 PM
HARRISON DEVEER, FIRE FIGHTER, NIKISKI FIRE DEPARTMENT,
NIKISKI (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding
for mobile health care. He stated that his local fire
department had worked to provide onsite care in partnership
with local hospitals and other community stakeholders.
1:34:48 PM
SEAN CASE, FORMER BOARD MEMBER, ALASKA BLOOD BANK,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of $2
million for the Blood Bank of Alaska laboratory remaining
needs to finish the establishment of the lab. He stressed
that the funding would make it possible to keep blood bank
testing in the state in perpetuity.
1:36:28 PM
PETER PANARESE, SELF, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference),
spoke in support of the Alaska Long Trail project. He
testified that the trail would provide access to Chugiak
State Park.
1:37:15 PM
CAROLINE STORM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COALITION FOR EDUCATION
EQUITY, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funding for education, specifically schools with major
maintenance issues. She noted that there were also schools
that did not have working fire detectors. She remarked that
the education funding needed to keep up with inflation. She
asked that the education budget be increased by $140
million.
1:39:28 PM
CINDY HARRIS, BOARD MEMBER, ALZHEIMER ASSOCIATION ALASKA
CHAPTER, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funding for senior benefits, specifically those in Alaska
with dementia and their caregivers. She remarked that
funding for grants would provide support by caregivers.
1:40:16 PM
PATRICK REINHART, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON
DISABILITY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION, HOMER (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
Alaska Autism Resource Center and transit match funding.
1:43:01 PM
CHRISTINE PATE, LEGAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR, ALASKA NETWORK ON
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in support of $4 million to the
CDVSA budget. She remarked that her staff was small in
number, and also used volunteer attorneys.
1:45:37 PM
WILL TAYGAN, SELF, CHUGIAK (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the Alaska Long Trail, specifically the trail
between Eagle River and Chugiak. He shared the necessities
related to the trail.
1:46:46 PM
HEIDI HILL, GRANTS AND PROGRAM DIRECTOR, ABUSED WOMEN'S AID
IN CRISIS, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support
of restoring the $4 million for the CDVSA budget. She
remarked that there were major concerns about the large
cut, which would result in a 20 percent cut in her shelter.
She specifically spoke about the legal advocates in the
program.
1:48:56 PM
AT EASE
1:50:13 PM
RECONVENED
Senator Merrick handed the gavel to Senator Wilson.
1:50:40 PM
GLENDA LEDFORD, MAYOR, CITY OF WASILLA, spoke in support of
funding for education, housing, and public safety. She
stressed the importance of economic drivers to attract
families to move and stay in the state.
1:51:50 PM
CRYSTAL NYGARD, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR, CITY OF WASILLA,
testified in support of funding for education, housing, and
public safety. She remarked that Wasilla had experienced
recent population growth. She spoke in support of airport
expansion and other economic growth responses. She felt
that it was important to listen to small businesses to
provide tools for success.
1:55:53 PM
STANLEY, MEMBER, YOUTH ACTION BOARD HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS, spoke in support of funding for Housing
Alaskans Public Private Partnership. She spoke about the
history of funding for housing, and the importance of
living somewhere so people can thrive.
1:55:55 PM
ASHLEY PELTIER, MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION, MEADOW LAKES (via
teleconference), spoke against the proposed Crisis Now
budget. She remarked that the proposed budget did not
provide sufficient funds to support those in need of mental
health assistance.
1:58:02 PM
MARK LACKEY, ALASKA HEAD START ASSOCIATION, WASILLA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for early
childhood education. He stressed that childcare businesses
in the state were in crisis and were in desperate need of
support and funding.
2:00:53 PM
MARIYAM MEDOVAYA, ALASKA LONG TRAIL PROJECT COORDINATOR,
ALASKA TRAILS, PALMER (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for the Alaska Long Trail projects. She
remarked that the trails were a large development project.
She highlighted the various supporters of the trail.
2:03:26 PM
A.C. RESSLER, MAT-SU CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU, PALMER
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the
Alaska Long Trail projects, specifically the eight Mat-Su
projects within the budget. He remarked that funding the
infrastructure projects enhanced the communities.
2:05:03 PM
HOWARD CARBONE, OWNER, ALASKA NATURE GUIDES, TALKEETNA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
Alaska Long Trail projects. He remarked that his business
depended on tourism, so the long trail project would
enhance his business. He stated that the current trails
were so degraded that there were major safety concerns.
2:07:30 PM
NOELLE CARBONE, SELF, TALKEETNA (via teleconference), spoke
in support of increased funding for education. She
explained that she was a mother of a high school student,
and remarked that her child was experiencing difficulty.
She stated that her son was interested in engineering, but
chose to go to college out of state. She felt that it was
important for young people to stay in the state.
2:09:11 PM
BETSY BAKER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for the Homeless Assistance Program to
the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) and the
special needs housing grant to AHFC. She stated that the
governor's amended budget had eliminated those items. She
explained how those programs provided critical services.
2:11:08 PM
CHRISTY GOMEZ, SELF, TYONEK (via teleconference), testified
in support of increased funding for education. She
explained that the current funding levels were insufficient
for the schools. She felt that additional funds could
provide teacher support that could result in better equity
in education with other communities in the state and
country.
2:13:11 PM
RACHEL LORD, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for education. She stressed that the
constitution required funding for education. She spoke in
support of funding for the harbor expansion in Homer. She
spoke in support of using the money for state services,
such as education, that may result in a lower PFD. She
testified in support of funding for the food pantries.
KEELEY OLSON, STANDING TOGETHER AGAINST RAPE, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of additional $4
million for the CDVSA. She remarked that the money was
necessary for patient services. She stated that the amount
was the same as what had been requested over the previous
five years.
2:17:32 PM
AT EASE
2:32:10 PM
RECONVENED
2:32:29 PM
AT EASE
2:45:58 PM
RECONVENED
SB 186 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 187 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 188 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
2:46:32 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 2:46 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 186-SB 188 Public Testimony.pdf |
SFIN 2/22/2024 1:00:00 PM |
SB 186 SB 188 |
| SB 186 Public Testimony.pdf |
SFIN 2/22/2024 1:00:00 PM |
SB 186 |
| SB 187 Public Testimony.pdf |
SFIN 2/22/2024 1:00:00 PM |
SB 187 |