03/27/2019 06:00 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR4 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SJR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 27, 2019
6:10 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mike Shower, Chair
Senator Lora Reinbold
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Scott Kawasaki
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator John Coghill, Vice Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska
prohibiting the establishment of, or increase to, a state tax
without the approval of the voters of the state; and relating to
the initiative process.
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SJR 4
SHORT TITLE: CONST. AM: STATE TAX; INTIATIVE
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/30/19 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/30/19 (S) STA, JUD, FIN
03/26/19 (S) STA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/26/19 (S) Heard & Held
03/26/19 (S) MINUTE(STA)
03/27/19 (S) STA AT 6:00 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
DAVE OTNESS, representing self,
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated that he was reluctant to support SJR
4 because the state is in dire financial straits and should not
"jump too far too fast."
JEFF GUARD, representing self
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated vehement opposition to SJR 4.
EARL LACKEY, representing self
MatSu, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated firm support for SJR 4.
MIKE COONS, President
Greater Alaska Chapter of AMAC
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 4.
MICHELLE HAHN, representing self
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated that she opposes SJR 4 in part
because the people elect their legislators to make these hard
decisions.
CHRISTINE HUTCHISON, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated avid support for SJR 4.
WILLIAM TOPEL, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated wholehearted support for SJR 4.
ACTION NARRATIVE
6:10:38 PM
CHAIR MIKE SHOWER called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Kawasaki, Reinbold, and Chair Shower.
SJR 4-CONST. AM: STATE TAX; INTIATIVE
6:11:17 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 4, Proposing amendments to the Constitution of
the State of Alaska prohibiting the establishment of, or
increase to, a state tax without the approval of the voters of
the state; and relating to the initiative process.
He stated that the intent was to hear public testimony on the
bill, which was last heard yesterday.
SENATOR REINBOLD reported that Senator Micciche was in a
judiciary meeting.
6:12:09 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on SJR 4.
6:12:50 PM
DAVE OTNESS, representing self, Cordova, stated that he was
reluctant to support SJR 4 because the state is in dire
financial straits and should not "jump too far too fast."
Instead, he urged legislators to take time to clarify what is
happening and explore potential options.
6:14:02 PM
JEFF GUARD, representing self, Cordova, stated that he is
vehemently opposed to SJR 4. He compared the Governor's budget
proposals to budget proposals adopted in Kansas. "And Kansas
ended up being a train wreck that's still trying to dig
themselves out of it," he said. He described SJR 4, SJR 5, and
SJR 6 as handcuffs on the legislature that would preclude any
options if the state goes over a financial cliff.
6:15:17 PM
EARL LACKEY, representing self, MatSu, stated firm support for
SJR 4. He urged the people who have voiced support for taxes to
understand that the taxes would apply to all Alaskans and all
Alaskans should therefore be able to vote on the idea.
6:16:10 PM
MIKE COONS, President, Greater Alaska Chapter of AMAC, Palmer,
testified in support of SJR 4. He opined that the proposed
constitutional amendment goes to the core of why this nation
went to war with England in 1776. It was taxation without
representation. He acknowledged that the proposed constitutional
amendment would not stop sin taxes or more oil or business
taxes. However, he said, it will stop cold the imposition of any
income taxes without a citizen's referendum. He opined that
since this is a republic rather than a democracy, the threshold
should be a 2/3 vote rather than a simple majority.
6:18:13 PM
MICHELLE HAHN, representing self, Cordova, stated that she
opposes SJR 4, in part because the people elect their
legislators to make these hard decisions. She pointed out that
city councils are elected for the same reason. She said she is
one who favors a state income tax because she wants to see
Alaska grow and thrive rather than languish because people are
unwilling to give up the free ride and pay for needed services.
6:19:58 PM
CHRISTINE HUTCHISON, representing self, Kenai, stated avid
support for SJR 4. She posited that it is imperative to delay
the tax obligation until the people know exactly what they're
paying for and what that costs. She admitted she is not an
economist but she deduced from an earlier presentation that,
based on the current population, an income tax won't work in
Alaska. [Testimony indiscernible]
6:21:50 PM
WILLIAM TOPEL, representing self, Anchorage, stated wholehearted
support for SJR 4. He said he would prefer it to be a two-thirds
vote.
SENATOR REINBOLD asked if he was on his cell phone and if it was
on speaker. She said the members were trying to figure out the
reason for the excessive static.
MR. TOPEL confirmed he was on his cell phone but not on speaker.
6:22:48 PM
At ease
6:26:01 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting.
SENATOR MICCICHE joined the committee.
JOSHUA MCHOES, representing self, Wasilla, [The testimony was
indiscernible and then the connection was lost].
6:26:56 PM
At ease
6:44:49 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting. Finding no others who
wished to comment, he closed public testimony on SJR 4. He
reminded the public that written testimony could be submitted to
senate.state.affairs@akleg.gov.
6:45:53 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Shower adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting at 6:45 pm.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SSTA OFFICIAL AGENDA MEMO.pdf |
SSTA 3/27/2019 6:00:00 PM |
agenda |
| SJR 4 Transmittal Letter.pdf |
SJUD 4/15/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 4/22/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 3/26/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 3/27/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 3/28/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 4 |
| SJR 4 version A.pdf |
SJUD 4/22/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 3/26/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 3/27/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 3/28/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 4 |
| SJR 4 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SJUD 4/22/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 3/26/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 3/27/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 3/28/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 4 |
| SJR 4 Fiscal Note GOV-DOE.pdf |
SJUD 4/15/2019 1:30:00 PM SSTA 3/27/2019 6:00:00 PM SSTA 3/28/2019 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 4 |