Legislature(2019 - 2020)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/24/2019 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
January 24, 2019
1:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lora Reinbold, Chair
Senator Mia Costello, Vice Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Chris Birch
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Commissioner, Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Dr. Tamika Ledbetter - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Commissioner, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development
Julie Anderson - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
TAMIKA LEDBETTER, Ph.D., Commissioner Designee
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as nominee for commissioner of the
Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
JULIE ANDERSON, Commissioner Designee
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as nominee for commissioner of the
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:31:58 PM
CHAIR LORA REINBOLD called the Senate Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Costello, Bishop, Birch, Gray-
Jackson, and Chair Reinbold.
CHAIR REINBOLD gave a brief view of her vision for the
committee, noting that she strives for a collaborative approach.
She emphasized the impact crime has had on businesses in the
state and on labor and commerce.
CHAIR REINBOLD asked committee members to introduce themselves.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Commissioner, Department of Labor and Workforce Development
1:39:57 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD announced that the only order of business would
be the confirmation hearings of Tamika Ledbetter as commissioner
of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Julie
Anderson as commissioner of the Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development.
1:41:06 PM
TAMIKA LEDBETTER, Ph.D., Commissioner Designee, Department of
Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), shared her background,
experience and vision for the DOLWD, noting her philosophy for a
successful life is to serve others. She was raised in New York
City in the Bronx where she attended private and parochial
schools. She graduated from Virginia Union University with a
four-year [Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political
Science. She also earned her Master of Arts in Education and
Adult Education and Doctor of Management in Organizational
Leadership from the University of Phoenix]. Her work ethic and
beliefs were formed by her inner-city experiences and her
grandmother's belief that education was key. She served in the
U.S. Air Force for four years and was deployed to Iraq. She
raised two sons who followed their father's military service by
serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. She said her teenage daughter
is being home schooled.
DR. LEDBETTER said she has had many opportunities and mentors
who recognized her potential. She described her work ethic,
formed by her inner-city background and her strong desire to
work hard and do her best in each position she has held. She
offered her belief that opportunities for youth can change their
trajectory in life.
1:46:31 PM
DR. LEDBETTER reviewed her 12-year work history at DOLWD, where
she worked her way from entry level positions to manager of the
Mat-Su job center and regional manager of the Mat-Su Economic
Region. She conveyed her belief that her dedication, work ethic,
and progressive positions within the DOLWD make her well-suited
to lead the department. She has served in management for 10 of
her 12 years at DOLWD and her colleagues can attest to her
dedication and management skills, she said.
DR. LEDBETTER offered her vision for the DOLWD, which is to
provide training, worker safety, adequate wages and
opportunities for all Alaskans to help them realize their
potential. She emphasized that she fully supports Governor
Dunleavy's pro-business approach and her intent to convey his
message that "Alaska is open for business." That approach means
the state must develop industries that will generate income
opportunities for residents and eliminate barriers. She must be
responsive to business leaders and industry needs. She related
her commitment to closing the age gap by promoting awareness of
industry opportunities for Alaska's youth. She said when the
public calls a state office it is important that they reach
staff and that staff is responsive to their inquiry and concern.
This means hiring staff who are highly qualified and have
appropriate attitudes and skill sets for their job. She
emphasized the need to increase public confidence in the
department.
1:51:40 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD commended Ms. Ledbetter's resume and passion. She
thanked her for her desire to eliminate barriers and to be
responsive to business.
1:52:01 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON acknowledged that she recently met with Dr.
Ledbetter. She asked Dr. Ledbetter how she felt about employees.
DR. LEDBETTER said she loves the front-line worker, noting that
when leaders show their employees that they are valued it
results in dedicated workers. She suggested that leaders need to
do a better job conveying this since work cannot happen without
staff. She added that her staff works with her and not for her.
1:53:21 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON said she was impressed that Dr. Ledbetter
worked her way up through the department, just as she had done.
She asked how she felt about organized labor.
DR. LEDBETTER said she does not differentiate between labor
types and instead prefers to focus on the worker. She identified
her goal is to help Alaskans obtain the skill sets and to
provide needed opportunities. She said she considers herself to
be pro-Alaska, so all workers are important.
1:54:13 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO said she was also impressed with Dr.
Ledbetter's experience and passion. She highlighted that Alaska
struggles with veteran hire and wondered how the state could
provide more opportunities for veterans. She explained she must
leave today's meeting to briefly meet with constituents who have
been impacted by the earthquake.
DR. LEDBETTER explained that the DOLWD was created because of
veterans returning from World War II. She reported that the
DOLWD has developed priorities for veterans' services, including
grant funding and specific programs with allocated funding. The
DOLWD's staff regularly visits military bases to outline the
department's strategies and services in order to streamline the
hiring process for veterans leaving the military.
1:55:58 PM
SENATOR BIRCH said he was thrilled to have her interested and
willing to serve. He asked Dr. Ledbetter to identify some of her
five-year goals for the department.
DR. LEDBETTER responded that her primary goal is to focus on
young people. She pointed out that Alaska has an aging workforce
and employees who retire must pass on their knowledge. College
is not the only option as a career path and the department wants
Alaskans to know the vast array available to them, she said.
Often students have not identified what career to choose so she
encouraged elder workers to mentor a high school or college
intern.
1:58:24 PM
SENATOR BIRCH agreed. He said he recently met with the
commissioner-designee for the Department of Education about the
Anchorage's King Career Center and Fairbank's Hutcheson Career
Center. He said he saw a nexus between education and trade and
related his own early job training experiences in the trade to
illustrate the point.
1:59:06 PM
SENATOR BISHOP acknowledged he has held several hours of
discussions with Dr. Ledbetter. He pointed out that the
commissioner wields significant power. He asked for her
assurance that the commissioner-designee would apply that power
equally.
DR. LEDBETTER agreed to do so.
2:00:35 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD recognized former Representative Munoz and
Gavel Alaska personnel.
2:01:15 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD opened public testimony and after first
ascertaining no one wished to testify, closed public testimony
for the confirmation hearing of the commissioner designee, Dr.
Tamika Ledbetter, as commissioner of the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development.
2:01:59 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD commented that she is encouraged that Dr.
Ledbetter was willing to break down barriers Alaska has faced.
She said that people often talk about diversification and
mineral development, but breaking barriers in Alaska has proven
difficult. She thanked Dr. Ledbetter for her willingness to
serve as commissioner. She recapped and commended the Dr.
Ledbetter for her goals and ability to define what it means for
the state to be open for business.
2:04:03 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD stated it was her intention to recommend the
appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration
and asked for Senator Bishop to make a motion.
She reminded members that signing the reports regarding
appointments to boards and commissions in no way reflects
individual members' approval or disapproval of the appointees;
the nominations are merely forwarded to the full legislature for
confirmation or rejection.
2:04:13 PM
SENATOR BISHOP stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee reviewed the
following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint
session for consideration:
Commissioner, Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Dr. Tamika Ledbetter - Anchorage
2:04:46 PM
At ease.
2:04:54 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD reconvened the meeting and asked commissioner
designee Anderson to come to come forward.
2:08:28 PM
JULIE ANDERSON, Commissioner Designee, Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development (DCCED) paraphrased written
remarks, which read as follows, [original punctuation provided]:
Good afternoon. Madame Chairman and members of the
Committee, my name is Julie Anderson, Commissioner-
Designee for the Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development.
I want to thank the Committee for their time in
visiting with me and for this hearing today. I also
want to express my appreciation to Governor Dunleavy
for his confidence in choosing me for this department.
Let me begin by sharing some of my background and
family history. I am a lifelong Alaskan, with my
roots on one side tracing back through my father to my
Athabaskan grandfather and missionary nurse
Grandmother. On my mother's side, my great
grandfather followed the 1898 Gold Rush to Eagle,
where my mother lives today.
My father, Jules Wright, was born in Nenana, one
of seven boys. As a missionary family, they lived
throughout the interior. He served in the U.S. Army,
worked in construction, owned his own company, mined
and built Manley Hot Springs Resort. An entrepreneur
in every sense of the word. In the early 1960s he was
president of the Fairbanks Native Association for 3
years, and he served on the Board of Directors of
Doyon Ltd.
2:09:43 PM
Interestingly for this experience today, my
father served in Alaska's House of Representatives in
the late 1960's, and I remember being in this building
as a fourth grader. It is an honor to be here today
before this committee.
I would like to provide a summary of my
experience:
Education
My master's degree is in International Management
from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in
Arizona, with a focus on the Asia/Pacific region. My
bachelor's degree is in Business from UAF. I also
obtained Certification as an Economic Development
Professional.
Work Experience
At Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, I managed a
team of 200 employees and contractors to successfully
deliver contractor management, supply chain functions,
facilities, aviation and crisis management operations.
I was a member of the Executive Team accountable for
safe and effective operation of the Pipeline.
While accountable for an annual budget of over
$60 million, I delivered services under budget every
year. My team and I performed an annual analysis of
areas where services could be delivered with increased
efficiency and implemented with performance tracking
mechanisms.
As a member of the Doyon Foundation Board of
Directors, we successfully increased the value of the
Foundations portfolio by 275% and implemented a
structured process to fund scholarship and language
programs.
While with the Alaska Energy Authority, I managed
stakeholder relationships on the Susitna-Watana
Hydroelectric project, while working with Alaska
Native corporations and other land owners, local
communities, and federal and state agencies to ensure
full participation in the project's engineering,
design and environmental studies.
2:11:29 PM
In the mid-90's, working with the Commissioners
of Community and Regional Affairs, Fish and Game, and
Commerce, we implemented the Community Development
Quota (CDQ) Program. This program provides 10% of the
harvestable fishery resource of the Bering Sea to 57
western Alaskan villages. I also managed the State
Rural Development Initiative Fund, a loan program to
benefit rural Alaskans in entrepreneurial ventures.
Much of my volunteer time has been invested in
supporting our great state through involvement with
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, the Doyon Foundation
Board, Anchorage Public Safety Commission and the
Alaska Native Advisory board, to mention a few.
Having worked both in DCRA and AEA, and worked
with a variety of economic development efforts, I have
a good working knowledge of the department, its
divisions and programs, with much more to learn.
As we face the challenges of today, I remember
the challenges we faced in the pre-Prudhoe, pre-
pipeline, honey bucket days. While we face tough
choices today, we have resources our forefathers could
only dream of. We need to utilize those resource to
provide opportunities for Alaskans in all regions of
the state. A healthy economy is essential to healthy
people and healthy communities. I am eager to take up
my duties with Governor Dunleavy and work to better
Alaska's economy.
I strongly support the direction the Governor has
outlined to improve the State's economy. The diverse
experience that I have working within private
industry, State Government and Alaska Native
organizations will be beneficial in aligning
stakeholders to realize the Governor's vision.
The goals of the Governor are ambitious and
rightfully so. The key to managing our budget is to
grow the economy and remove wasteful spending. I have
a proven track record in managing for efficiencies
along with delivering successful economic development
programs, and I am excited to bring that experience
and perspective to work with those at DCCED to make a
difference.
2:13:36 PM
I care deeply about the future of the state and
look forward to working with the administration to
create economic opportunity for future generations.
The Governor has assembled an outstanding, diverse
cabinet, and I am honored to be a part of it.
Which brings me to my vision for DCCED. To
create economic opportunity requires bringing fresh
ideas and new perspectives to both our role in
economic development and in administering the statutes
that the Legislature has given us to implement.
One of our top goals is to encourage new
investment in the state and grow our economy by
repealing unnecessary regulatory burdens, by not
increasing taxes, and by creating stability. We
intend to strengthen key industries while supporting
the free enterprise system, building a diverse economy
through business assistance, financing, promotion, and
public policy. At DCCED, we are working aggressively
to break out of government silos and make sure all of
our employees and divisions are pulling together for
Alaskans.
2:14:43 PM
We are looking at opportunities to modernize, use
existing data and work smarter. An example is an
effort underway to link the new Community Database
Online in the Division of Community and Regional
Affairs with a whole host of other data on business
licensing, land ownership, resources and economic
development, to help provide region specific
information for those looking to invest in Alaska.
We are also intensely focused on jobs and capital
it takes investment to generate jobs, and jobs are
what generate healthy people and healthy communities.
We are taking a deep look at what helps or hinders
investment that creates jobs, across everything we do.
We need to focus on Alaska's competitive
advantages, reduce barriers, and let industry know
that Alaska is open for business.
We've met with dozens of local venture capital
experts, business owners and industry leaders to
explore ways in which the department can help foster
Alaska's growth. We are listening to suggestions and
seeking their valuable ideas to implement as quickly
as possible.
Additionally, our Department is committed to
doing a better job administering the statutes that the
Legislature has given us to implement. We've reviewed
thousands of pages of statutes and regulations with an
eye to reducing burdens on citizens and businesses.
We realize that a healthy regulatory environment
is necessary for a strong economy. Regulation that is
reasonable, balanced and efficient is my solution. We
must strike the proper balance between economic
development and public safety and protection. One key
to doing so is in evaluating risk. We are actively
reviewing professional licensing requirements and the
best way to fulfill our duty to protect Alaskans while
trying to lighten requirements that are barriers to
growth.
We continue to work to find this kind of balance
across our programs, and are critically for ways to
modernize, digitize and streamline so as to make
licensing easier to do here than anywhere else.
I realize that these goals are not without their
challenges. Perhaps our greatest challenge is to
change the perspective of those both within and
outside of Alaska. Yes, Alaska can be a challenging
environment, but we are capable of visionary thinking
and working together to improve the quality of life
throughout Alaska.
We are at a point where it is imperative that we
focus on our core services at the same time as we grow
the economy. I am excited to have the opportunity to
help improve how the government encourages business
development and delivers high quality services more
efficiently to Alaska's citizens and businesses.
2:17:36 PM
Having been involved in one of the biggest
economic development projects in Alaska's history (the
800 mile Trans Alaska pipeline), my measure of success
for these efforts is simple. That project enabled me
to attend college and be the first in my family to get
a college degree. It has enabled four generations of
my family to pursue their interests, be it
entrepreneurism, college or technical training. It has
raised the standard of living throughout Alaska. I
would hope that our current efforts to strengthen and
diversify the economy will do the same for at least
another four generations.
It is time to close and to take your questions.
While I will do my best, I will note that having been
on the job just seven short weeks, weeks, I am
learning more every day!
2:18:33 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD said the Ms. Anderson has an impressive broad-
based resume. She congratulated her on her ability to deliver
services under budget while at Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
(APSC). She emphasized that [onerous] regulations were the
number one concern in her district, so she was happy to learn
the department's goal to repeal unnecessary regulatory burdens.
2:19:43 PM
SENATOR BIRCH, speaking as a former pipeline employee in the
1990s, said that he appreciated the effort and initiative that
has been undertaken. He recalled the size of APAC's workforce
has been reduced from 2,200 employees to 800 over time. He said
he always uses APSC as a case study on how to structurally
organize a company. He offered his belief that Ms. Anderson
brings to the department a broad range of qualifications. He
asked whether Ms. Anderson has had an opportunity to meet with
other department heads and if she has had time to identify
opportunities.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE ANDERSON said she has met informally with
other commissioner designees and she plans to meet soon with Dr.
Ledbetter and the commissioner designee for the Department of
Natural Resources (DNR). She hoped to identify bottlenecks in
state government and work with other departments to streamline
efficiencies for those who conduct business in Alaska.
2:21:41 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON said she was impressed with Commissioner
Designee Anderson's resume. She recalled an earlier discussion
she had with Ms. Anderson with respect to the Municipality of
Anchorage's (MOA) "angel fund," which is $8 million [in federal
funds] to provide low-interest grants to entrepreneurs. She
asked if Ms. Anderson would look for other ways to assist
entrepreneurs at the state level.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE ANDERSON agreed that finding ways to bring
capital to Alaska to help small businesses and all Alaskans
would be a key focus of the DCCED. She stated that the rural
communities suffer as well, and her goal was to make it easier
for them, too.
2:22:56 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD highlighted her office has received numerous
complaints from individuals who have experienced delays in
obtaining licensure, including health care providers and
veterans. She characterized the delays for the medical community
as significant ones. She related her intent to hold a hearing to
identify reasons for bottlenecks in licensure, especially for
doctors and veterans.
2:24:23 PM
SENATOR BISHOP disclosed that he knows Ms. Anderson's family
well and acknowledges her entrepreneurial skills. He said the
state has a lot of room to grow in terms of tourism and he hopes
Ms. Anderson will amp that up. He heard her remarks that Alaska
is "open for business" and he understands that statement. He
recalled that he previously served with former commissioner Emil
Notti and acknowledged what a pleasure it was to serve with him.
He highlighted problems rural areas face, including that some
rural communities still have "honey buckets" and high
unemployment. He said he was encouraged that Ms. Anderson will
lunch with incoming commissioner Ledbetter to discuss how to
leverage assets. He closed by highlighting that he understands
that Ms. Anderson is familiar with the 30-year Trans-Alaska
Pipeline System Reauthorization that required a 20-percent
Native hire, which was met. He recalled this was met because the
company worked with the "crafts." He expressed hope that the two
departments would work together to continue to put Alaska
Natives, women and minorities to work in the workforce in the
state. He advised her to work on the [Susitna-Watana] project if
she wanted to grow the economy since it is vital to have cheap
energy to do so. He said that cheap energy could grow the
economy of Alaska faster than anything else.
2:27:52 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD asked to piggyback onto what Senator Bishop said,
noting that it is important to identify barriers in rural
Alaska. She suggested it might be even possible to reduce the
Department of Health and Social Services budget if good jobs
could be created in all areas, but particularly in rural Alaska.
She further stated she was open to the idea of holding hearings
during the legislative interim to address crime, labor and
commerce, or any area of hindrance to the development of the
workforce.
2:29:36 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD opened public testimony and after first
determining no one wished to testify, closed public testimony
for the confirmation of Julie Anderson, commissioner designee
for the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development.
2:30:26 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD asked for final comments and after hearing none,
stated it was her intent to move Ms. Anderson's name forward to
a joint session for consideration.
CHAIR REINBOLD asked Senator Bishop for a motion.
2:30:51 PM
SENATOR BISHOP stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee reviewed the
following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint
session for consideration:
Commissioner, Alaska Department of Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development
Julie Anderson - Anchorage
SENATOR BISHOP stated that signing the reports regarding
appointments to boards and commissions in no way reflects
individual members' approval or disapproval of the appointees;
the nominations are merely forwarded to the full legislature for
confirmation or rejection.
2:31:28 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD reviewed the upcoming committee schedule.
2:31:54 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Reinbold adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 2:31 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner-Designee Dr. Tamika Ledbetter Resume.pdf |
SL&C 1/24/2019 1:30:00 PM |
|
| Alaska Department of Commerce Community and Economic Development Commissioner-Designee Julie Anderson Resume.pdf |
SL&C 1/24/2019 1:30:00 PM |
Consideration of Governor's Appointees |