Legislature(1995 - 1996)
01/26/1995 03:35 PM Senate STA
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
January 26, 1995
3:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bert Sharp, Chairman
Senator Randy Phillips, Vice-Chairman
Senator Loren Leman
Senator Jim Duncan
Senator Dave Donley
MEMBERS ABSENT
All Members Present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 19
"An Act relating to the location of the convening of the
legislature in regular session."
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2
Relating to reimbursement of expenses for residents who travel to
the capital city to attend legislative sessions or to testify
before legislative committees.
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3
Creating the Long Range Financial Planning Commission.
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
SB 19 - No previous senate committee action.
SCR 2 - No previous senate committee action.
SCR 3 - No previous senate committee action.
WITNESS REGISTER
Senator Drue Pearce
State Capitol, Juneau, Alaska, 99801-1182¶465-3755
POSITION STATEMENT: prime sponsor of SCR 3
Bill Miles, Aide to Senator Pearce
State Capitol, Juneau, Alaska, 99801-1182¶465-3755
POSITION STATEMENT: prime sponsor of SCR 3
C. S. Christensen, Alaska Court System
303 K. Street, Anchorage, AK 99501¶264-8228
POSITION STATEMENT: testified on SCR 3
Pam Neal, Alaska State Chamber of Commerce
217 2nd Street, Suite 201, Juneau, AK 99801¶586-2323
POSITION STATEMENT: in favor of SCR 3
Jack Fargnoli, Office of Management & Budget
P.O. Box 110001, Juneau, AK 99811-0001¶465-4678
POSITION STATEMENT: testified on HCR 3
Chuck Achberger, Juneau Chamber of Commerce
124 W. 5th Street, Juneau, AK 99801¶586-6420
POSITION STATEMENT: testified on SB 19
Jamie Parsons
2218 Emily Way, Juneau, AK 99801¶789-9201
POSITION STATEMENT: opposed to SB 19 and SCR 2
Charles Northrip, Juneau Economic Development Council & Small
Business Development Center
400 Willoughby Ave., # 211, Juneau, AK 99801¶463-3662
POSITION STATEMENT: opposed to SB 19 and SCR 2
Chip Wagoner
3294 Pioneer Ave., Juneau, AK 99801¶586-1867
POSITION STATEMENT: opposed to SB 19
Brad Pierce, Office of Management & Budget
P.O. Box 110001, Juneau, AK 99811-001¶465-4660
POSITION STATEMENT: testified on SB 19
Judy Erickson, Capital Information Group
P.O. Box 021804, Juneau, AK 99802-1804¶586-3118
POSITION STATEMENT: opposed to SCR 2
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 95-1, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN SHARP calls the Senate State Affairs Committee to order at
3:35 pm. The chairman asks permission of the committee to
introduce bills on behalf of the committee with the understanding
that a draft copy of any bills introduced would be circulated to
members at least a day prior to submission to the Senate Secretary.
There is a brief discussion about the Chairman's proposal, but no
objection is raised. Therefore, the chairman's proposal is
approved.
SSTA - 1/26/95
SCR 3 LONG RANGE FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMISSION
CHAIRMAN SHARP brings up SCR 3 as the first order of business
before the committee and calls the first witness.
Number 050
SENATOR PEARCE, prime sponsor of SCR 3, notifies committee members
that there is a sponsor substitute in their bill packets, and notes
that Chairman Sharp has suggested it be introduced as a State
Affairs Committee substitute. Senator Pearce thinks, with
declining oil revenues and an increasing fiscal gap, long-range
fiscal planning is becoming more important. It is the intent of
the House and Senate presiding officers that SCR 3 and HCR 1 give
the legislature something on which to focus. These resolutions are
not perfect, but they are on the table and we are open to comments
and suggestions. This issue needs to be taken up now.
Number 105
SENATOR PEARCE states there are eighteen entities which formally
support SCR 3: the State Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage Chamber of
Commerce, Alaska Oil & Gas Association, Alaska Municipal League,
Common Sense for Alaska, National Federation of Independent
Businesses, Resource Development Council, and others. The senator
informs the committee that, although she cannot speak for Governor
Knowles, the governor does support the concept of a long-range
financial planning commission.
Number 122
SENATOR PEARCE informs the committee that the sponsor substitute
for SCR 3 was prepared to incorporate suggestions presented by the
governor. The difference between the original and the substitute
are: page 2, paragraphs (2) and (3), specify that one Senate member
and one House member be from the minority; page 2, line 22, specify
that one of the public members of the commission be the
chairperson; page 3, paragraph (9), change the reporting deadline
from 1996 to October 1, 1995.
SENATOR PEARCE thanks the committee for scheduling SCR 3 and asks
for their consideration of the resolution.
Number 151
SENATOR DUNCAN asks Senator Pearce if the Governor agreed to the
provision that all administration members have a non-voting
membership.
SENATOR PEARCE replies the administration wants the commission to
have more public members than members from the legislature and the
administration. The governor feels he will have a direct voice on
the commission through the public members, which he will appoint.
We did not want the commission to be dominated by people who are
already in public service. Those members are there to be a
resource to the commission.
SENATOR DUNCAN states he will double-check with the governor on
whether the governor approves of administration members being non-
voting members. Senator Duncan thinks there should be a stronger
voice from the administration on the commission. He asks if the
members specified in the resolution are the ones appointed by the
governor.
Number 195
BILL MILES, Aide to Senator Pearce, responds he just received the
substitute for SCR 3 and has not yet sent a copy to the governor's
office.
Number 198
SENATOR PEARCE adds that the members designated in the substitute
are the same as were designated in the original resolution.
Number 205
SENATOR DUNCAN asks why the commission is required to report by
October 1, 1995, but the commission continues until January, 1997.
SENATOR PEARCE replies that is probably an oversight, and the
commission should probably be disbanded after the final report,
unless there is interest shown in having the commission do
additional work.
Number 218
CHRIS CHRISTENSEN, General Counsel, Alaska Court System, states he
has not had the opportunity to review the committee substitute for
SCR 3, only the original version. Since the commission is intended
to be a state planning commission, and not simply and executive
planning commission, the judicial branch feels it should be
allotted a seat on the commission. Mr. Christensen asks that the
judicial branch be included in the long-term financial planning
commission.
Number 237
PAM NEAL, Alaska State Chamber of Commerce (ASCC), states ASCC
supports SCR 3. In fact, ASCC's number one priority for the 1995
legislative session is fiscal planning to identify and employ
innovative solutions to the state's budgetary problems. However,
ASCC would like to offer some suggestions: technical experts should
not be members of the commission, but should just serve the
commission in a support capacity; review of state programs should
include evaluating all services the state currently provides and
identifying those traditionally provided by a state to its'
citizens; identification of services not traditionally provided by
a state, and which therefore could be eliminated or restructured;
and insuring services are being provided efficiently and
effectively. Only after Alaskans are assured that the state is
providing just traditional government services, and these services
are being provided efficiently and effectively, should the state
look at other fiscal tools, such as increased taxation. Ms. Neal
thanks the committee for allowing ASCC to present their ideas. Ms.
Neal has provided the committee with copies of her testimony and
copies of the ASCC resolution supporting long-term financial
planning.
Number 290
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS remarks that his constituency is opposed to
the creation of another commission. His constituents suggested
that groups in favor of the commission volunteer to fund it.
Senator Phillips asks Ms. Neal if the ASCC would contribute funding
for a long-range financial planning commission.
Number 303
MS. NEAL states she has not seen a fiscal note for funding the
commission. But speaking of government responsibilities, she
thinks it is the government's responsibility to fund their own
planning.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS states his constituents think the executive
and legislative branches should be doing long-range financial
planning in the first place. In addition, why not have volunteers
do it, instead of spending the money?
Number 315
JACK FARGNOLI, Member of the Policy Staff, Office of Management &
Budget, states the governor supports the objectives of the
legislation. But Mr. Fargnoli says he cannot offer an official
position at this time since they haven't seen the proposed
substitute yet. The governor is happy to work with the legislature
on this legislation.
Number 340
SENATOR DUNCAN asks Mr. Fargnoli if the governor has seen the
proposed substitute.
MR. FARGNOLI says he has been told that the governor's office has
not yet seen the committee substitute.
SENATOR DUNCAN comments he thinks the governor should have the
opportunity to provide input before the resolution moves forward.
MR. FARGNOLI responds that the governor definitely would like to
see the proposed committee substitute.
SENATOR DUNCAN asks the chairman if SCR 3 will be held in committee
until the governor has a chance to respond to the committee
substitute.
Number 341
CHAIRMAN SHARP replies that SCR 3 will be held over for
consideration at the next meeting of the State Affairs Committee,
which will be on Tuesday, January 31, 1995. Some of the
suggestions made by witnesses today will be considered.
Number 347
SENATOR PEARCE states that many of the questions brought up at a
meeting earlier this week with the governor's office have been
addressed in the committee substitute. Senator Pearce appreciates
the committee holding the SCR 3 for further work, and notes that
the resolution will have to have a Finance Committee hearing since
there is a fiscal note attached to it.
CHAIRMAN SHARP announces that SCR 3 will be held until the
committee meeting Tuesday, January 31, 1995.
SSTA - 1/26/95
SB 19 LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS TO BE IN ANCHORAGE
Number 368
SENATOR SHARP brings up SB 19 as the next order of business before
the Senate State Affairs Committee and calls the first witness.
Number 373
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS, prime sponsor of SB 19, states SB 19
relates only to the legislature convening during regular session in
Anchorage instead of in Juneau, and is not an entire capital move.
SB 19 complies with the FRANK (Fiscally Responsible Alaskans
Needing Knowledge) Initiative. Should this pass, the legislature
will begin meeting in Anchorage in January, 1998. Those are the
main components of this bill.
Number 386
CHUCK ACHBERGER, Juneau Chamber of Commerce, asks that Juneau be
given some time to work on being a better capital city. Some of
the problems that need work, such as housing, require a long-term
investment. Juneau is on the right track, but needs time to
respond to the problems it has.
Number 402
JAMIE PARSONS, Former Chairman, Alaska Committee, states he is
opposed to SB 19. Collectively, Alaskans voted against the Capital
Move Initiative this fall. Recently, The Alaska Committee and the
Better Capital City Committee met and agreed to merge into one
organization with the mission of following up and seeing to
fruition issues which will make state government work better for
all Alaskans. Mr. Parsons requests that the Nineteenth Alaska
State Legislature give Juneau a few years of uninterrupted
breathing room to allow the community to address some of these
issues: housing, land and air access, and electronic and
telecommunications access. To solve these problems, the community
and the legislature will need to work jointly.
MR. PARSONS thinks there are more pressing problems the state
should be dealing with at this time. The last issue the state
needs at this time is one that pits different regions of the state
against one another.
Number 432
SENATOR LEMAN adds that the previous several speakers hit upon two
problems that are also of concern to him. A third problem he is
concerned with is transportation to Juneau. Senator Leman states
that at this time transportation is as good as it has ever been,
but he asks Mr. Parsons what plans there are to help ensure that
good, competitively priced transportation will continue to be
available.
Number 445
MR. PARSONS replies that the Global Positioning System (GPS) will
eliminate at least 80% of weather interrupted arrivals and
departures. The Alaska Committee has been working with Alaska
Airlines on airfares and flight schedules, and will continue to do
so. A representative from Alaska Airlines will be in town next
week to meet with the Alaska Committee/Better Capital City
Committee. The airfares now are very good. We have recently been
made aware that the Alaska Airlines flight schedule is not as
convenient for the legislature this year. We contacted the
airline, and as of February 1, the schedule will be changed for the
legislature's convenience.
Number 465
CHARLES NORTHRIP, Director, Juneau Economic Development Council
(JEDC) and The Southeast Alaska Small Business Development Center,
states that many of the businesses he works with are engaged in the
housing industry. Mr. Northrip states that measures like SB 19
make providing housing much more difficult, in that every time the
capital move issue comes up, it dampens housing development.
MR. NORTHRIP also states there is a possibility that the GPS being
installed at the airport may increase competition by attracting
more air carriers to Juneau. Since the GPS will decrease the
incidence of flights being weathered in or out of Juneau, each of
which costs approximately $10,000, Juneau will become a more
attractive destination for air carriers.
MR. NORTHRIP states the JEDC is working with building contractors,
the City & Borough of Juneau, banks, and realtors, and making
housing its' top priority.
Number 513
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS states that two-thirds of his constituents
want to move not only the legislature, but the whole capital.
Senator Phillips believes citizen access is a real problem which
Juneau needs to address.
Number 532
CHIP WAGONER thinks, in regards to Senator Phillips concern about
access to the capital city, Juneau's delegation in the legislature
would vote for a road out of Juneau, a communications system, and
a computer system. Mr. Wagoner thinks Juneau will support access
issues if other members of the legislature will. Mr. Wagoner says
he is speaking as a republican and wants the republican majority to
succeed. However, he does not want the legislature wasting their
time on a capital move bill. He wants the legislature to be
promoting timber, logging, mining development, fishing, supporting
the University of Alaska deferred maintenance program, and perhaps
working on a food bank for Juneau. Bigger issues, even to people
in Eagle River, are crime, budgetary problems, lack of development,
lawsuits with the federal government, the subsistence issue,
reallocation of resources, etcetera. Mr. Wagoner restates he wants
the republican majority to succeed, and concentrate with the
limited time and funds available on the issues that count to
Alaskans.
Number 560
SENATOR LEMAN asks Mr. Wagoner if he has seen the "Contract with
Alaska".
MR. WAGONER responds he has not seen it, but he has heard of it.
SENATOR LEMAN asks Mr. Wagoner to take a look at the contract and
get back to him with comments he might have.
Number 570
BRAD PIERCE, Policy Analyst, Office of Management & Budget, informs
the committee he put together the consolidated fiscal note for SB
19. Although OMB took a fresh look at this issue, and did not
simply pull information from previous fiscal notes, the cost figure
is in the same ballpark as last year. The estimated figure would
be about 2.6 million per year. Mr. Pierce also informs members
that a revised fiscal note from the Division of Postsecondary
Education has been submitted to the committee.
TAPE 95-1, SIDE B
Number 580
CHAIRMAN SHARP notes that SB 19 has considerable fiscal notes,
which will be scrutinized in detail in the next committee of
referral, the Finance Committee.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS makes a motion to discharge SB 19 from the
Senate State Affairs Committee with individual recommendations.
Number 565
SENATOR DUNCAN objects. Senator Duncan states he wants to go on
record as objecting, and that he will recommend "do not pass" on
the committee report. With that statement, he removes his
objection.
Number 525
CHAIRMAN SHARP comments there is considerable difference between
the ballot question that was decided this fall and SB 19, and the
discussion is healthy. But he also has constituents who complain
about accessing the capital. Senator Sharp does not know how one
would solve that problem in a state as big as Alaska, or whether it
is solvable. Senator Sharp notes that he has been fortunate in the
six years he has been in Juneau in that he has never had a problem
acquiring adequate housing; nor has he had a problem with
travelling into or out of Juneau.
Number 512
SENATOR LEMAN adds that he has found the people of Juneau to be
very hospitable. Since the capital move issue has reemerged, he
has noticed an increased attention to detail. However, he has
noticed frustration on the part of people that government is
inaccessible to the people. Senator Leman suggests perhaps having
all day hearings around the state: bringing the legislature to the
people.
Number 487
SENATOR DUNCAN thinks Senator Leman's suggestion is a good one, and
that a change in the Uniform Rules would be needed in order to do
something like that. Senator Duncan says he would be happy to work
on doing that. He would certainly advocate holding meetings around
the state.
Number 481
SENATOR LEMAN comments he went with Representative Mackie and a
group of people to Prince of Wales Island. That was a big deal to
the residents of the island. We had a public forum, they got a
chance to express their concerns, and the people really seemed to
appreciate it.
Number 473
CHAIRMAN SHARP, hearing no objection or further comments, orders SB
19 released from committee with individual recommendations.
SSTA - 1/26/95
SCR 2 REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL TO CAPITAL CITY
SENATOR SHARP brings up SCR 2 as the last order of business before
the Senate State Affairs Committee and calls the first witness.
Number 467
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS, prime sponsor of SCR 2, states the
resolution would provide access to state government. This is a
request to the City & Borough of Juneau to provide access to the
citizens of the state. There are 5.3 million dollars in CBJ's
rainy day account. By investing a few dollars in providing access,
Senator Phillips thinks the capital move issue, over time, will go
away. This is another way of enabling citizens to have access to
the capital city.
SENATOR DUNCAN asks Senator Phillips if people would be reimbursed
for travel to testify at all legislative committees, including
Legislative Council and Budget & Audit.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS replies it would include all committees.
Legislative Affairs Agency, through the Legislative Council, will
set up qualification criteria with the City & Borough of Juneau.
Whether or not airfare would be paid for people to attend the
Legislative Budget & Audit Committee would be a policy decision
that would have to be made.
Number 430
SENATOR DUNCAN asks Senator Phillips if the City of Anchorage will
pay expenses for people who want to attend a meeting being held in
Anchorage.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS thinks if the legislature was in Anchorage,
then the City of Anchorage should pay travel expenses for people to
attend hearings in Anchorage.
SENATOR DUNCAN thinks many people are frustrated with
administrative programs, and if a person has to fly in to Anchorage
from Sleetmute, shouldn't the City of Anchorage help pay for their
travel?
Number 416
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS responds most complaints he hears about
state government originate from programs administered in Juneau.
SENATOR DUNCAN thinks SCR 2 should apply to government programs in
every community in the state, not just Juneau.
Number 403
JUDY ERICKSON, former member of the Alaska Committee, hopes if the
committee moves out SCR 2, an actual dollar figure will be attached
to the resolution. We have homeless people here in Juneau, and as
a taxpayer, she has a problem with the legislature asking Juneau to
reimburse people to travel to Juneau. Ms. Erickson thinks Senator
Phillips should poll his constituents on how many would want to pay
travel expenses for residents from other areas to attend the
legislature if it was moved to Anchorage.
Number 386
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS says Juneau has to look at SCR 2 as an
opportunity. If only airfare is reimbursed, travelers will still
have to pay for meals and lodging. Juneau can make some money off
SCR 2.
MS. ERICKSON responds videoteleconferencing would be a good step
towards better access. The subject has come up before the
legislature several times, but it has been rejected. She believes
the people of Juneau would support helping fund
videoteleconferencing.
Number 360
JAMIE PARSONS, former member, Alaska Committee, thinks it is
important to continue dialogue with air carriers. He also thinks
videoteleconferencing would improve access for many citizens. For
clarification, the City & Borough of Juneau has an obligation to
the community to have 10 million dollars in the Rainy Day Account
by 1997. So the money used on the Alaska Committee campaign was
basically a loan that has to be repaid.
Number 343
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS asks how that money is going to be repaid.
MR. PARSONS replies more than 2 million dollars a year is coming in
from the 1% sales tax.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS asks Mr. Parsons why he does not think
spending money from the Rainy Day Account will help Juneau fend off
the capital move issue.
Number 338
MR. PARSONS responds more effect could be had by helping fund
videoteleconferencing and emphasizing electronic access than by
using money for travel funds.
Number 333
CHARLES NORTHRIP, Juneau Economic Development Council, states that
access isn't as simple as having airfare: access is a time issue.
Many people, even if they can afford a plane ticket, do not have
the time to come to the capital. Mr. Northrip adds his support to
testimony already given supporting videoteleconferencing and
improved airline service. Mr. Northrip does not think SCR 2 would
be the best use of funds for improving access to the capital.
Number 310
CHAIRMAN SHARP states the committee will be holding SCR 2 for
further consideration. The chairman reminds members that on
Tuesday, January 31, 1995 the committee will be hearing SCR 4, SJR
11, and SB 40.
Number 302
SENATOR DONLEY announces he has a proposal in the committee which
would amend the U.S. Constitution regarding campaign spending
limits. An amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the only way to
address this question. Campaign spending limits are an appropriate
alternative to public financing of elections. Senator Donley asks
for support and rapport on SJR 4 from other committee members.
Number 270
CHAIRMAN SHARP adjourns the Senate State Affairs Committee meeting
at 4:50 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|