Legislature(2025 - 2026)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/26/2025 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Public Testimony: Fairbanks, Interior, Copper River Valley, Offnets | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 57 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 58 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 59 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 26, 2025
1:01 p.m.
1:01:29 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 1:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Mike Cronk
Senator James Kaufman
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
ALSO PRESENT
Dara Byrd, Self, 4-H, Fairbanks; Morgan Carlson-Kelly,
Self, 4-H, Anchor Point; Yaquina Repnow, Self, 4-H, Palmer;
Michaella Anderson, Self, 4-H, Fairbanks; Brian Ridley,
Chairman, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Eagle.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Robert Hall, Self, Fairbanks; Christina Turman, Self,
Fairbanks; Tarn Coffey, Self, Coffey Farm, Nenana; Steve
Meckel, Self, Fairbanks; Al Bell, Investigator, Alaska
State Troopers, Fairbanks; Marjorie Richards, Self,
Fairbanks; Matthew Iverson, Child Advocacy Centers
Statewide, Fairbanks; Jeremy Rupe, Child Advocacy Center,
Fairbanks; Jason Hoke, Executive Director, Copper Valley
Development Association, Glennallen; John Becker, Copper
Valley Chamber of Commerce, Glennallen; Dennis McGlothin,
Rural Transportation Planning Organization, Glennallen;
Ronald Metzner, Self, Fairbanks; Wade Binkley, Self,
Fairbanks; Malik Jones, Stevie's Place, Child Advocacy
Center, Fairbanks; Leigh Bolin, Executive Director,
Resource Center for Parents and Children, Alaska Children's
Alliance, Fairbanks; Rebecca Braun, Self, Juneau; Gay
Wellman, Dementia Education Specialist, Copper River
Valley; Reverend Andy Bartel, Self, Anchorage; Sarah
Furman, Self, Fairbanks; Nantia Krisintu, Self, Homer;
Carolyn Loeffler, Self, Fairbanks; Peter Hoepfner, Vice
President, Cordova School Board, Cordova; Emma Brooks,
Self, Anchorage; Don Gray, Former Member, Alaska Board of
Education, Fairbanks; Winter Marshall-Allen, Self, Homer.
SUMMARY
SB 56 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET; CAP; SUPP
SB 56 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 57 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL/FUNDS
SB 57 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 58 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
SB 58 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration. 204142
SB 59 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; FUND CAP
SB 59 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY: FAIRBANKS, INTERIOR, COPPER RIVER VALLEY,
OFFNETS
Co-Chair Stedman discussed the agenda.
SENATE BILL NO. 56
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
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. 57
"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. 58
"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."
SENATE BILL NO. 59
"An Act making supplemental appropriations; making
appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for
an effective date."
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: FAIRBANKS, INTERIOR, COPPER RIVER
VALLEY, OFFNETS
1:04:11 PM
DARA BYRD, SELF, 4-H, FAIRBANKS, introduced herself.
MORGAN CARLSON-KELLY, SELF, 4-H, ANCHOR POINT, introduced
herself.
YAQUINA REPNOW, SELF, 4-H, PALMER, introduced herself.
Ms. Repnow testified in support of $3 million in the
governor's proposed capital budget for the Institute of
Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension (IANRE) within
the University of Alaska (UA). The Board of Regents had
requested $5 million, and she thought the $3 million
requested would have a great impact over the next few
years.
Ms. Byrd testified in support of funding for 4-H and
mentioned the Youth in Governance Program under IANRE. She
had been involved in the 4-H program for 11 years. She
discussed projects at 4-H. She stressed the importance of
skills learned at 4-H.
1:08:01 PM
AT EASE
1:08:37 PM
RECONVENED
Ms. Carlson-Kelly discussed conferences she had
participated in. She mentioned the Youth in Governance
Program. She described the program as life changing. She
mentioned the 4-H National Congress, which she had
attended. She discussed how the program had changed her
life.
Ms. Repnow testified in support of funding INANRE. She
discussed her learning through 4-H.
Ms. Byrd testified that funding through the 4-H program
through IANRE would help grow leaders and engaged Alaskans
for the future.
1:12:15 PM
MICHAELLA ANDERSON, SELF, 4-H, FAIRBANKS, testified in
support of $3 million in one-time funding for IANRE in UA.
She relayed that she was a chaperone for the 4-H Youth in
Governance Program. She discussed her history as a
participant in 4-H, and her involvement in civics and
leadership. She discussed learning outcomes of the Youth in
Governance Program.
1:14:20 PM
BRIAN RIDLEY, CHAIRMAN, TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE, EAGLE,
spoke in support of a permanent increase to the Base
Student Allocation (BSA). He explained that the Tanana
Chiefs Conference (TCC) represented 37 federally recognized
tribes and 42 communities altogether, to total about 20,000
tribal members. He stressed that schools were the heart of
the communities in rural Alaska, and the consequences [of
lack of funding] included reduced support in teaching staff
and challenges in offering higher-level coursework. He
cited an increase in international J-1 visas for teachers
due to an inability to recruit and retain Alaskan teachers.
He discussed increases in fixed costs and loss of
maintenance employees.
Mr. Ridley mentioned a behavioral health crisis at TCC and
cited a 90 percent increase in suicidal ideation in youth
in the last three years. There had been a 58 percent
increase in youth served at the local hospital for
behavioral health issues. He noted that the governor's
proposed budget indicated a 7 percent decrease in the
behavioral health treatment and recovery grants line item.
He noted that TCC recently reopened the only youth
behavioral health facility in the Interior. He lamented the
reimbursement model and underfunding of the grants made it
so there was little incentive to provide the service. He
stressed that education and youth health should be a
priority.
Co-Chair Stedman handed the gavel to Senator Cronk.
1:17:42 PM
AT EASE
1:18:20 PM
RECONVENED
ROBERT HALL, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for child advocacy centers.
He was a major crimes detective in Fairbanks. He addressed
the importance of child advocacy centers. He had worked in
his role for almost 20 years. He stressed the importance of
child advocacy centers in providing services. He discussed
youth being interviewed on the subject of felonious or
sexual assault and having to be interviewed multiple times.
1:20:50 PM
CHRISTINA TURMAN, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
spoke in support of increased education funding. She
advocated for an increase in the BSA. She proposed an idea
for the Senate to bring forward a bill related to pupil
transportation. She thought her district would have to
provide an additional $4 million beyond state funding to
maintain its current bus routes. In Fairbanks there was no
bus service for charter or magnate schools.
1:23:24 PM
TARN COFFEY, SELF, COFFEY FARM, NENANA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the
Division of Agriculture in the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR). He was raised on a farm in Talkeetna. He
had received help from the Division of Agriculture and had
been able to produce a commercial crop. He asserted that
farms needed stability in support. He discussed means of
providing assistance to farms. He supported a department of
agriculture.
1:25:25 PM
STEVE MECKEL, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for child advocacy centers.
He referenced testimony by Mr. Hall. He stressed the
importance of the work in child advocacy centers to provide
frontline services to children that had been maltreated.
1:26:48 PM
AL BELL, INVESTIGATOR, ALASKA STATE TROOPERS, FAIRBANKS
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for child
advocacy centers in Fairbanks and across the state. He
stressed the importance of child advocacy centers, where
children could be interviewed by trained individuals. He
thought thousands of kids had benefitted from child
advocacy centers.
1:29:04 PM
MARJORIE RICHARDS, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for child advocacy centers.
She had been on the board of directors for a child advocacy
center for ten years. She noted that Alaska statute
required that the Office of Children's Services (OCS) refer
child sex abuse cases to child advocacy centers. She
mentioned Stevie's Place, which was an accredited child
advocacy center, coordinated a multi-disciplinary team of
professionals that assessed, protected, advocated for and
prosecuted on behalf of abused and neglected children.
1:30:19 PM
MATTHEW IVERSON, CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS STATEWIDE,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding
for child advocacy centers. He had been an Alaska State
Trooper for 12 years. He contended that the centers were a
large component of the investigations of child abuse. He
emphasized that decreased funding for child advocacy
centers would be a disservice to the children served in the
state. He discussed the work of Stevie's Place, where
children could tell their story one time rather than
multiple times.
1:32:11 PM
JEREMY RUPE, CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for child
advocacy centers. He was a 28-year law enforcement veteran.
He referenced the testimony of Mr. Hall. He stressed the
importance of child advocacy centers as a resource for
child victims.
1:34:13 PM
JASON HOKE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COPPER VALLEY DEVELOPMENT
ASSOCIATION, GLENNALLEN (via teleconference), testified in
opposition to $12.7 million in funding for the Copper River
Highway Wood Canyon Bridge and Trails (reference number
65237). He shared that three years previously, the first
ever Copper Valley Rural Transportation Planning
Organization (RTPO) was formed. He wanted to offer
alternative projects for the proposed $12.7 million, and
mentioned the Gulkana Airport extension and some Food
Security Task Force items.
1:37:37 PM
JOHN BECKER, COPPER VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, GLENNALLEN
(via teleconference), spoke in support of alternative
projects for the $12.7 million in funding proposed for the
Copper River Highway Wood Canyon Bridge and Trails. He
relayed that he was the owner of NAPA Auto Parts in
Glennallen, Tok, and Valdez, and had lived in the area for
45 years. He was a member of the Copper Valley Development
Association and a committee member on the RTPO. He echoed
Mr. Hoke's comments regarding Copper River Highway funding
being better used for economic development through the
airport extension in the Copper Valley. He discussed energy
needs in the area through Copper Valley Electric
Association, and a shovel-ready project in the area.
1:39:25 PM
DENNIS MCGLOTHIN, RURAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
ORGANIZATION, GLENNALLEN (via teleconference), supported
moving funding to the Gulkana Airport extension. He was a
member of the Copper Valley Development Association. He
supported funding the airport extension, which he thought
would benefit everyone in the area. He shared the concern
that the proposed funding for the Copper Valley Highway
project would benefit corporations rather than residents.
1:40:45 PM
RONALD METZNER, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke
in support of an increase to the BSA. He was a retired
teacher. He mentioned the state inflation calculator and
considered that the BSA had not kept pace with inflation.
He commented that schools were doing a lot more with a lot
less money. He thought even an additional $1,000 would not
be keeping pace with inflation. He mentioned larger class
sizes, and concerns related to student issues going
unnoticed.
1:43:32 PM
WADE BINKLEY, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for Alaska Travel Industry
Association (ATIA). He had a small family business that ran
cultural river tours. He discussed the beginnings of ATIA.
He lauded ATIA's ability to market Alaska on a global
stage. He pointed out that marketing dollars generated much
greater returns for the state.
1:46:02 PM
MALIK JONES, STEVIE'S PLACE, CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding
for child advocacy centers. He was an investigator with the
Alaska State Troopers. He referenced previous testifiers.
He explained that child advocacy centers provided services
to children on many levels and a safe place for children to
discuss sensitive topics one time rather than many. The
centers also provided services for parents. The centers
held offenders accountable.
Senator Merrick thanked Mr. Jones for his work. She asked
how many children went through Stevie's Place per year.
Mr. Jones could not quote an exact number but noted that he
was called out on a regular basis.
1:48:21 PM
LEIGH BOLIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RESOURCE CENTER FOR
PARENTS AND CHILDREN, ALASKA CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE, FAIRBANKS
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for child
advocacy centers in the operating budget. She had been
working with victims of crime since 2007, and had managed a
child advocacy center. She cited that child advocacy
centers worked along with many others including law
enforcement, OCS, tribal partners, the district attorney's
office, mental health professionals, medical services and
others to provide a multi-disciplinary response for
children 18 and under and adults with developmental
disabilities. She noted that referrals came from OCS and
law enforcement, and the centers operated around the clock.
Ms. Bolin continued discussing the services provided by
child advocacy centers. She discussed supporting families
and connecting them with resources, while ensuring the
children received the care that was needed. She emphasized
that Alaska had some of the highest rates of abuse in the
country. She discussed adverse outcomes to child abuse
without intervention.
1:50:50 PM
REBECCA BRAUN, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke in
support of a significant and sustained increase to the BSA.
She was a parent of a high school student. She noted that
she had been a teacher at Juneau-Douglas High School
(JDHS). She had served on the JDHS site council and
reflected on changes at the school. In 1997, when she
finished her Master of Arts in Teaching, several of her
classmates had applied for one English teaching job at
JDHS. There had been over 30 applicants for the job at the
time. She contrasted that a current English teaching
position at JDHS was unfiled at the start of the school
year due to a lack of qualified applicants.
Ms. Braun continued her testimony. She cited that there
were 598 vacant teaching positions in the state when the
school year started. She thought the situation was a
crisis. She believed the state had the capacity to generate
the revenue needed if the political will was present. She
applauded the leadership of the committee in opening the
conversation related to revenue.
1:53:21 PM
GAY WELLMAN, DEMENTIA EDUCATION SPECIALIST, COPPER RIVER
VALLEY (via teleconference), testified in support of
funding for dementia caregiving and dementia education. She
was a facilitator of online dementia support groups. She
invited members to contact her for information about the
experience of being a caregiver. She contended that being a
caregiver was impossible without support. She pondered lack
of funding for Medicare and Medicaid. She stressed the
importance of dementia education. She spoke in support of
child advocacy centers.
1:56:02 PM
REVEREND ANDY BARTEL, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in favor of a sustained and substantial increase to
the BSA of $1,000 or more. He was a graduate of UA. He
referenced the state constitution and the state's
obligation to provide education. He reflected on ten years
of flat-funding and its effect on teacher retention.
1:57:49 PM
SARAH FURMAN, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in opposition to funding for the Alaska Gasline
Development Corporation (AGDC). She did not support further
funding allocations for AGDC. She considered that the state
had allocated nearly $500 million to AGDC for the Alaska
Liquid Natural Gas (AK LNG) Project, while there was
nothing to show for the investment. She thought the state's
energy systems were less secure than they were when AGDC
began. She commented on the salary of the AGDC President,
which she thoguht was the highest in the state. She
mentioned education and mental health as more important
areas to fund. She referenced $50 million in backstop funds
for the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority
(AIDEA) as another area where funds could be better
directed. She did not think the AK LNG Project was viable.
2:00:20 PM
NANTIA KRISINTU, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference),
testified in opposition to cuts to Medicaid. She noted that
36 percent of all births and child healthcare in the state
were funded by Medicaid. She cited that 76 percent of
nursing home care in the state was Medicaid funded. She was
concerned about the state's ability to fund the services if
federal funds were cut. She discussed federal matching
funds. She pondered if the Senate Finance Committee had
discussion with United States Representative Nick Begich on
the subject. She thought it would be nice if there was a
discourse on the topic. She asked if there were any
mechanisms to protect the state's federal funding. She
asked how many members were in attendance.
Senator Cronk relayed that there were five members present.
2:03:05 PM
CAROLYN LOEFFLER, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
spoke in support of an increase to the BSA. She was the
mother of two young children. She discussed cuts to local
schools and the closure of three elementary schools. She
mentioned skyrocketing inflation, outmigration, and flat
funded education. She urged the legislature to continue its
good bipartisan work. She supported a significant boost to
pupil transportation funding. She thought lack of education
funding had led to outmigration. She thought without an
increase in funding, school districts would struggle, and
the burden would fall on families that would then leave.
She expressed her support for funding child advocacy
centers, Medicaid, and education.
2:05:30 PM
PETER HOEPFNER, VICE PRESIDENT, CORDOVA SCHOOL BOARD,
CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of an
increase to the BSA. He noted that the Cordova School
District was facing a $1.5 million deficit in its $7.7
million budget. He noted that the previous year's $680
increase to the BSA had only brought in $600,000 to the
district. He noted that the City of Eyak had provided
$900,000 in funding to enable student food service and
student activities while not cutting staff. He noted that
LFD had indicated that a $1,808 increase to the BSA would
make up for inflationary costs that the funding had
skipped. He cited that Department of Public Safety (DPS)
had increased 82 percent since 2017 and the Department of
Corrections (DOC) had increased 52 percent while education
had lost 5.8 percent of funding since 2017. He relayed that
his district would be eliminating food service, student
activities, and cutting multiple teachers. He expressed
dismay at the lack of funding and school closures. He
emphasized that there had been no new revenue
considerations since 2014.
2:08:10 PM
EMMA BROOKS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of an increase to the BSA of $1,000 or more. She
was a former teacher and lifelong Alaskan. She mentioned
being poorly compensated as a teacher. She mentioned a 44
percent increase in spending for DOC in 2017, while
education spending was flat. She mentioned statistics
related to long term savings after investing in early
childhood education.
2:09:38 PM
DON GRAY, FORMER MEMBER, ALASKA BOARD OF EDUCATION,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support of
increased school funding. He was a former teacher and the
first teacher on the Alaska State Board of Education in
1981. He had two children that graduated from Alaskan
schools and had grandchildren in Alaska schools. He
referenced earlier remarks regarding lack of school
funding. He mentioned past state income tax. He recalled
that for the previous 6 years the legislature's work on
education funding had been line-item vetoed. He hoped for
change. He discussed the funding for Permanent Fund
Dividends and thought the money could be better spent on
education at the K-12 and University level.
2:12:27 PM
WINTER MARSHALL-ALLEN, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference),
spoke in support of a BSA increase of at least $1,000. She
was an 18-year public education student. She mentioned
emergency state funds. She referenced three school closures
and losing 25 certified teachers in her region. She
referenced the state's constitutional obligation. She
mentioned the differences of Alaska as a state. She
supported inflation-proofing the BSA.
2:14:27 PM
AT EASE
2:15:13 PM
RECONVENED
Senator Cronk discussed the agenda for the following day.
ADJOURNMENT
2:15:37 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
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