HOUSE BILL NO. 2001 "An Act making a special appropriation from the earnings reserve account for the payment of permanent fund dividends; and providing for an effective date." 2:05:46 PM Co-Chair Foster reviewed meeting protocol. He provided the House Finance Committee email address. Vice-Chair Johnston provided information on the microphones. ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY 2:08:33 PM DIANE HUTCHISON, SELF, FBX LIO, stressed the issue was bipartisan and needed a bipartisan solution. She was a University of Fairbanks alumni. She provided information about the history of the Permanent Fund. She read that the all income from the fund was to be deposited in the General Fund. The principal and the corpus of the fund was constitutionally protected. The first Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) had been $50 per year; it would have been capped by a certain time. She found it hard to believe that a $3,000 dividend would have passed when the dividend had been implemented. She discussed her ties to the University. She shared a story about individuals utilizing the University. She asked the legislature and governor to quit playing political games and develop a compromise. 2:12:06 PM KALEENE LAMB, SELF, FBX LIO, did not support a cut to the dividend. She shared that she would be on the street without the PFD. She spoke against cuts to the Medicaid adult preventative dental program. She shared that she worked for a grocery store. She stressed that individuals who did not have money could not go to the dentist. She needed coverage. She believed it was not right for individuals to not have coverage. 2:14:52 PM GARRY HUTCHISON, SELF, FBX LIO, identified himself as a Republican. He shared that the University had given him the opportunity to improve his education. He was appalled at the governor's attack on the University. He thanked the committee for helping with the budget that was presented to the governor that left money for a $929 PFD. He thought it represented a success when considering a recent $4 billion deficit. He supported the use of the percent of market value (POMV) draw. He stated it was not possible to fix the budget with cuts alone. He thought the governor's actions were outrageous. 2:16:53 PM CHRISTINE ROBBINS, SELF, FBX LIO, testified against the bill. She supported the governor and a full PFD. She thought taking a portion of the PFD away was not right and was socialism. She noted that the majority of Alaskans voted for the governor. She supported the cuts and vetoes. She spoke to the sacrifices all Alaskans made. 2:18:32 PM NANCY SONAFRANK, SELF, FBX LIO, supported a reduction in the PFD and/or taxing residents. She shared information about her life in Alaska. She had attended the University in Fairbanks. She strongly objected to the governor's vetoes and the loss of funding to the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) program. She asked the legislature to restore cut services. She demanded a cut to the oil tax credits. She thanked the committee for its time. 2:20:18 PM PAUL DOAK, SELF, FBX LIO, found it disturbing the dividend continued to come up over and over. He stressed that the dividend had precedence and should not be changed. He thought it needed to go to a vote of the people. He was disappointed in legislators. He did not think it was appropriate to live beyond someone's means. He believed in small government and did not believe the government should have any hand in spending the people's money. He thought Alaska had been the last free place in the country; but it was not any longer. He did not care about the budget but could not pay his fuel bill if the money was taken. 2:23:30 PM JESSICA VAUDREUIL, SELF, FBX LIO, opposed the bill. She wanted a full PFD, primarily to fund private schools for her children. She thought public schools were uninhabitable places due to gender identity support and she stated there were more pride flags than American flags. She wanted to know why everyone had to celebrate diversity in public schools. She wanted a full PFD. 2:26:05 PM WOLFGANG FALKE, SELF, FBX LIO, thanked the committee for coming to Fairbanks. He did not support all of the cuts and the reduction in the PFD. He asked why the ranking of Alaska's educational institutions among the lowest in the nation and the cost per student was among the highest. 2:30:50 PM KERRI MULLIS, SELF, FBX LIO, opposed the bill. She thought the legislature had set into motion something that Alaska would not recover from. She stated that it had pitted people against one another. She did not support taking the PFD; she thought it was theft. Her family and farm were struggling. She shared that she used her PFD for her farm, but it was getting tighter and tighter. She supported the governor and his proposed constitutional amendments. She spoke about poor school scores in the state. She thought the state had been throwing money at the schools and University, but it was not working. She opposed a cut to the PFD. 2:35:47 PM BRIAN KASSOF, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of the bill. He was opposed to the governor's vetoes that would punish the state and negatively impact the most vulnerable Alaskans. He stressed the cuts would drive the state into recession. He urged the legislators who had not been in Juneau the past week to sit down and negotiate with colleagues on a compromise. He pointed to the governor's claim that there was a choice between government services and a full PFD - he disputed the claim. He did not want the governor's promised PFD. He wanted a functional state. Co-Chair Foster relayed that the governor had just modified his special session call to meet in Juneau. 2:38:37 PM ELIZABETH DOBBINS, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of the bill. She highlighted sections of the constitution that the legislature shall provide for welfare of the state's citizens. She stressed that the provisions did not mean the welfare of the legislature, governor, or corporate interests. She asked the legislature to restore any funding possible. She spoke to the importance of supporting citizens' health and welfare. 2:40:48 PM LANSING HAYES, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), was opposed to the bill. He relied on the PFD and wanted it to be continued. He did not think the PFD should be fought over or taken for residents' hands. 2:42:10 PM SUSI GREGG FOWLER, SELF, JUNEAU LIO (via teleconference), testified in favor of the bill. She pointed to the shocking news of the University's downgrading by Moody's. She clarified it meant that any borrowing would become more expensive. She pointed out that Alaska was the only state now without an arts council. She opposed cuts to human services. She opposed the governor's vetoes that she believed were a slap in the face to the legislature's work on a compromise. She supported the smaller PFD and would support scaling back services over a period of years if cuts were necessary. She did not believe that was necessary. She supported cuts to oil tax credits. She honored the courage it took to review fiscal policy. 2:45:03 PM ERIN WALKER-TOLLES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICE, JUNEAU LIO (via teleconference), supported the legislation. She was concerned about the most vulnerable Alaskans including children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and all Alaskans. She opposed the vetoes and a massive PFD. The plan would cause suffering all across the state. She believed the governor's plan would send the state into economic chaos and would limit children's opportunities for education, resilience, and other. She asked the legislature to consider what it meant for the future of Alaska. She asked for services balanced with a reasonable PFD. 2:47:24 PM CHARLES SWANTON, SELF, JUNEAU LIO (via teleconference), supported the bill. He reported he was a former deputy commissioner for the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). He had seen many communities across the state firsthand; however, given revenue challenges facing the state, a $3,000 PFD was not feasible. The state had a revenue problem. He supported a comprehensive fiscal plan for the state. He implored the legislature to develop and complete a plan. He asked the legislature to restore all vetoes. He came to Alaska in 1979 as a transfer student to UAF. He held the University as near and dear to his heart. He stressed the system needed a review that should not involve faculty. He thanked the committee for its time and work. Representative Josephson asked if Mr. Swanton had looked into the $1 million cut to DFG and habitat and subsistence. Mr. Swanton replied that he had not been following the budget debate with regard to DFG. His understanding was DFG was one of the few departments that had received favorable attention from a fiscal standpoint. He was not aware of where the $1 million cut was directed. He addressed two PCNs and noted that in terms of some of the work that needed to be done, the positions could offer protection and oversight for services and oversight. He thought the positions offered a level of broader perspective during directors' meetings within the department that was beneficial. 2:53:02 PM SUSAN BURGESS, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of the bill. She was dismayed by the governor's vetoes and found the cuts to the University dismaying. She supported the compromise budget passed by the legislature. She referenced the recent downgrade by Moody's to the University of Alaska. She had been told by her representatives that it was not too late to put some money back into the budget and she hoped it was true. 2:55:07 PM DAVID JAMES, SELF, FBX LIO, shared the importance of education with a personal story. He opposed the governor's cuts to the University System. His father valued higher education greatly. He implored members to restore funding to the University. 2:57:42 PM JASMINE NICKELL, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She indicated that Alaska was a unique state. She did not agree with the governor's approach to taking care of Alaskans. She spoke of attending the University System which had led to a profitable job for her. She talked about working at a homeless youth facility in Fairbanks. She did not think it was okay to give up on Alaska. She asked members to fix the state's issues. 3:00:49 PM CAROLYN LOEFFLER, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001 and the committee substitute. She spoke in opposition to the governor's cuts to the budget. She felt the governor's actions were irresponsible. She believed the governor's budget had thrown the baby out with the bathwater. She asserted that the PFD had slowly eroded the economy. She favored a tax and for her PFD to be taken. She supported the legislature's bipartisan efforts. 3:03:07 PM LIBBY DALTON SLANE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in opposition to HB 2001. She highlighted spending statistics throughout the country on education. She supported cuts to education. She supported alternative sources of revenues. She did not agree with all of the governor's vetoes and the cuts to the University were crippling. She stressed there was not enough money to go around anymore. 3:06:00 PM MAUREEN LONGWORTH, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), testified in support of the bill. She supported a reduced PFD and funding for the ferries, healthcare, and services. Without the restoration of services people would be forced to leave Alaska. She pointed out that people were afraid to invest in Alaska. She asked the legislature to take back the state and restore services. 3:07:32 PM TERRY HAINES, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), testified in support of the bill. He thought the state was turning itself into a third world country. He stressed that the dysfunctional budget meant no one wanted to invest in the state. He supported the budget passed by the legislature in the current year. He thought the state needed a fiscal plan and broad-based tax. He supported an income tax, sales tax or combination of both. He stated that all of Alaska's wealth came from rural areas. He thought the state needed to give back with PCE or other. 3:10:03 PM ERIC LINSCHEID, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke in favor of the bill. The bill included a capital budget, funds for services, and a reduced PFD. He asked Alaskans what size PFD they wanted. He considered a $3,000 dividend. He stated that there was enough to pay a $3,000 PFD for five years and then it would be reduced to zero. He thought there should be information on the website to help Alaskans understand the impact of the different PFD sizes. 3:12:23 PM MILA COSGROVE, CITY AND BOROUGH OF JUNEAU, DEPUTY CITY MGR, JUNEAU (via teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding to essential public services. The governor's cuts were harmful to Alaskans and would create economic harm likely pushing the state into another recession. The city would lose $5.5 million in FY 20. The cuts came after the city worked hard and long to create its budget. She reviewed entities that would lose funding including education, University, social services, workforce development, and other. The city understood that budgets were challenging, but it was irresponsible to make cuts without determining their impacts or working with communities. She requested the legislature to find a path forward that balanced long-term sustainability and fiscal responsibility. 3:15:26 PM KEVIN KREIN, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation. He opposed the governor's vetoes. He stressed that earing a dividend could not replace earning a living and a healthy economy; dividends could supplement an income but could not replace one. He did not believe Alaska's dependence on oil as its sole source of revenue was feasible in the long-term. He stressed the need to diversify the state's economy. He stated that the vetoes would have long-term negative consequences for Alaska. 3:18:10 PM ELLIOT WILSON, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), provided two scenarios about the fiscal situation. He suggested progressive PFDs. He shared that his PFD had helped him substantially over the years. He detailed that he no longer needed the PFD; however, it would help many families who needed it. He stressed the importance of the PFD to low income families. He voiced support for Head Start and early education. He understood the state spent a lot of money on the budget, but the state received large federal matching grants. 3:22:15 PM MELANIE ENGRAM, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of the bill. She strongly supported an override of the governor's vetoes and supported a PFD of about $960. She wanted to increase revenue by reducing the oil tax credits. She supported an income tax. She believed state spending reductions were needed, but they needed to be done responsibly. She supported a robust state government. She supported funds for road construction, Head Start, and the University. Representative Adam Wool remarked on testimony about the need to reduce the state's budget. He stated that about $1 billion had been cut from the budget in the past five years. He spoke to points on the constitution and pointed out that the PFD was not part of the constitution. He spoke to marijuana, alcohol, and motor fuel taxes and revenue they each brought in. He noted that the governor was elected to run the executive branch and legislators were all elected to the legislative branch. 3:27:29 PM BONNIE BLAYDES, SOUP KITCHEN, FBX LIO, testified in support of the bill. She shared that state services had helped her with addiction, job skills, and to be a productive member of society. 3:28:35 PM MARNA SANFORD, TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE, FBX LIO, testified in support of the bill. She highlighted the importance of Medicaid. She reported the dollars put into Medicaid came back many times over to society. She stressed opposition to the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) reverse sweep. She underscored that the PCE was not a giveaway. She reported high energy costs in rural communities. She supported libraries, public defenders, courts, community matching grants. The services provided by the state were critical. 3:32:17 PM Co-Chair Foster noted that Representative Tilton, Representative Sullivan-Leonard, and Representative Merrick were all listening on the phone. 3:32:56 PM KAREN TABER, BIG BROTHER, BIG SISTER OF AK, FBX LIO, spoke in support of the bill. She loved the state and loved that it cared about its people. She spoke to the need to care for the most vulnerable people. She supported a reversal of the governor's vetoes. 3:34:49 PM ALLISON LEE, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill. She spoke in support of a viable budget compromise. She shared information about her work in Alaska with seniors and disabled. She spoke to the importance of work to help individuals with health and safety. She asked the committee to stand behind its work on a compromise budget. She supported funds for seniors, children, and vulnerable Alaskans. She provided a quote related to solving problems. She thanked the committee for its hard work. She asked the legislature to implement a tax on citizens. 3:37:26 PM PAT IVEY, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of the bill. She stressed the importance of funds for the University. She noted that UAF was one of the top ten US universities of its size. She highlighted Arctic research. She opposed cuts to senior programs such as Meals on Wheels. She supported the committee's efforts to restore the governor's vetoes. She pointed out that every other entity in the U.S. that gave dividends did not distribute them when there was no money. Alaskans were suffering stress due to the budget problems facing the state. She invited members to a local event. Representative Wool spoke to the UAF rating and pointed out that the number one university in that category was Cal Tech. 3:41:52 PM PHYLLIS ERHART, SELF, TANANA (via teleconference), supported the bill and opposed the vetoes. She opposed cuts to Head Start, the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program, the University, public services, PCE, community matching grants, and other. She shared that all of her children had benefitted from Head Start. She stated that the community would lose employees due to cuts to the University. She stressed that the elimination of PCE funds would triple the energy bills in rural Alaska. She thanked the committee and hoped the cuts would be reversed. She supported working together. She wanted the legislature to stop the abuse of power. She stressed the importance of education and scholarship programs. She pointed out that many people opposed the cuts. 3:45:16 PM ELISE KUBO, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), was in favor of the bill. She supported the arts council, education, AMHS, the University, education grants, Head Start, early education, and healthcare. She did not support a $3,000 PFD, which was no substitute for consistent income that would be lost by people losing their jobs. 3:47:05 PM SONTA ROACH, SELF, SHAQELUK (via teleconference), supported the bill and a restoration of the budget passed by the legislature. She shared that she was a teacher in the community and a business owner. She spoke to the access to opportunity in the University system. She attended the University of Alaska. She supported PCE that helped with high rural energy costs. She reported she and her husband had decided to go off the grid due to high energy costs in the community. Entities in Alaska were expert at leveraging funds. She did not believe the governor should have as much control over the state - elected legislators were familiar with their communities. 3:50:30 PM JIM DOWDSON, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), supported the bill. He was opposed to unstudied cuts to essential services. He provided an example of how the cuts would impact the community. He shared that there had been substantial growth in the military industry in the Fairbanks region that had created hundreds of jobs. The military sector was attracted to the region in part of the UAF research system. The two entities worked together almost daily. He stated that the forefathers had created the Permanent Fund to help with essential government services. He urged the committee to restore budget cuts made by the governor. He stressed that the cuts would drive the state into a deep recession that would last for many years. 3:53:52 PM MIKE SCOTT, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), shared information about his career working for various city governments in Alaska. He supported the PCE program. He had worked with former Governor Jay Hammond who had been an ardent supporter of the Permanent Fund. He referenced PCE that was about equalization. He provided information about the history of energy programs in the state including the past Four Dam Pool project. He believed the legislature needed to prioritize lifeline services that were needed for residents to live. He stressed the energy services were not extravagant. He thought an area differential should be applied to the PFD because $1,000 in Ambler did not buy the same amount it would buy in Anchorage. 3:58:28 PM DIANA RAMSTAD, SELF, FBX LIO, shared information about her family's history in Alaska. She shared that she lived in a dry cabin. She shared personal information about her health. She had worked to learn to communicate, and she was accepted into the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) to study to become an elementary school teacher. She urged the committee to restore the cuts affected by the vetoes. She relayed that she had always accepted PFDs and even with her financial hardships she planned to donate to the University. She appreciated the ability to testify. 4:02:45 PM JOHN DAVIES, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in favor of HB 2001. He spoke in support of funding for the University of Alaska. He shared that the Elementary School Education program had received a national education accreditation and was ranked 16th in the country. He felt that the university system should be state funded. He remarked that the University provided 92 percent of the workforce development in the state. He felt that a 41 percent cut would destroy the University. He remarked that students were choosing to go to college elsewhere, and that the university's credit rating had recently been downgraded. 4:06:01 PM LINDA SCHANDELMER, SELF, FBX LIO, urged the restoration of funding and reverse sweep so the scholarships could be reenacted. She felt that the governor's vetoes would gut the university system. She shared a story of how the budget cuts were already impacting Alaskans. She spoke against cuts to public broadcasting; she spoke in support of funding for K-12 education programs; and opposed cuts to the Alaska State Council on the Arts. 4:08:35 PM CHARLES LEMKE, FAIRBANKS SYMPHONY, FBX LIO, felt that there should be an examination of all the impacts of the budget cuts. He shared that there was a strong music department at UAF. He felt that further cuts and elimination of the music department could eliminate the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra. He remarked that it would continue to have an impact on many other Fairbanks music programming. 4:11:18 PM JEAN JAMES, SELF, FBX LIO, felt that everyone needed to vote. She noted that only approximately 23 percent of registered voters voted for the governor. She felt that the governor did not have the majority of Alaska's support. She remarked that the governor had stated that he would not cut the University budget. She urged the committee to reestablish the budget. She stressed that there should be a discussion about the oil tax credits. She also noted a concern about the state's bond rating. She believed the state needed to increase its revenues and supported an income tax. 4:14:10 PM JUDITH GRUNAU, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001, and the reduction to the PFD. She encouraged the legislature to examine other sources of revenue. She also spoke in support of an income tax. She felt that Alaska was one big small state. She also spoke in support of the State Council on the Arts. 4:17:06 PM BECKY ANDERSON, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. She spoke in support of saving the Alaska State Council on the Arts. She read a statement from one of the founders of the Alaska Council on the Arts. She remarked that without a state commitment to the Alaska Council on the Arts, the agency would not be eligible to secure a share of federal arts funds. She asked the legislature to come together to devise a more sensical budget that would not cause the state to implode. Representative Knopp shared that he had recently read that the Alaska State Council on the Arts had closed its Anchorage office. He asked what would happen if funding was restored. Ms. Anderson replied it was her understanding that the office had closed but the council was in a holding pattern hoping that funds would be reinstated into the budget. 4:22:33 PM ABEL BUFF-HO, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in strong support of HB 2001. He shared that he is a professor at UAF and owned a small biotech startup company with his wife. He believed the governor's vetoes would bring the state back to the dark ages. He pointed out that the PFD check was not a right, but a privilege. He suggested a compromise by making the PFD income dependent so that the governor could give $3,000 to residents who needed it most and give $500 to residents who did not need it. He asked the legislature to unite and develop a reasonable compromise. 4:24:13 PM DAVID DELONG, SELF, FBX LIO spoke in support of HB 2001. He shared that he had two sons in the Fairbanks North Star school system who were receiving an excellent education. He thought the governor was perpetrating destruction on Alaska. He emphasized that the cuts would cost the state millions of federal matching dollars for road projects, research funds, and other. He stressed that the PFD program was a socialist program. He recalled that the Permanent Fund had been established as a method to fund government when oil money ran out. He supported discontinuing oil tax credits. 4:27:10 PM JULIE SMYTH, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of education programs. She testified in opposition to education cuts and vetoes. She shared that she was a student at UAF - she needed to make sure she had a school to attend and could not afford to leave the state. Vice-Chair Johnston asked what PSH and IAC stood for. Ms. Smyth replied that PSH stood for Permanent Supportive Housing and IAC stood for Interior Alaska Center for Nonviolent Living. She provided information about the programs. 4:32:09 PM MICHAEL COOK, SELF, FBX LIO, highlighted that the PFD had been voted on by the people of Alaska based on the promise that its earnings would fund government. He stressed it was important to keep that process. He supported the legislature's original budget. He listed important items needed by the industries of Alaska. He stated that the socialistic model of issuing a PFD that was too large needed to be used carefully or there would not be reasonable investment in a successful capitalistic economy. He stressed the need for investment in education beginning with Pre-K. He highlighted the need for public safety. He felt that a reasonable dividend at approximately $1,000 was acceptable. 4:34:27 PM Vice-Chair Johnston shared that she knew the testifier. She asked for verification that there had been a vote on the Permanent Fund in 1976 and the PFD was not in the state's constitution. Mr. Cook agreed. He highlighted that the promise had been to fund state government. Vice-Chair Johnston remarked that when the state had kept rights for subsurface lands, it had been done to prove to the rest of the country that it could afford to take care of itself. Mr. Cook replied in the affirmative. He reported that the same was true for the allocation of lands from the federal government to the state. Vice-Chair Johnston highlighted that the constitutional convention had occurred before Alaska had been accepted into statehood. She asked for verification that the State of Alaska had to go to Washington D.C. to prove it had the collective wealth to become a state. Mr. Cook replied in the affirmative. Vice-Chair Johnston pointed out that the constitution and Alaska's statehood contained the collective wealth of the subsurface grounds. Mr. Cook agreed. Vice-Chair Johnston asked for verification that owning of the subsurface rights was not a constitutional given individual right. 4:37:13 PM BERNARD HOTO, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001 with a reasonable PFD for those who desperately needed it. He remarked that he had lived in Fairbanks for six years and had originally moved to Fairbanks in the military. He was currently studying political science at UAF. He stressed that proper services were funded to keep individuals safe. He felt that the citizens should not be put in position to decide whether to use their PFD to fund government services. He felt that all kinds of people were looking to the legislature to solve the economic crisis. 4:39:45 PM ROGER BURGGRAF, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. He considered himself a financial conservative and understood the need to live "within our means." He felt that the governor's vetoes would create a catastrophic effect on the state and its economy. He supported a more gradual budget reduction process, to bring the state's economy in line. He wanted a good economic base with people leading productive lives. He felt that an economic engine was the University of Alaska. He stressed that the work of the university was a vital tool to educate its students and leverage federal funds for Arctic research. He stressed that cuts should not be made that would put people out of work. 4:43:28 PM LINDA GREEN, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. She expressed that she was terrified that opportunities would not be available for her children. She shared that her husband and members of his family had attended the University. She was concerned he would lose his new job at the University due to the cuts. 4:45:52 PM MICHAEL RUSSELL LILLY, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke against the governor's vetoes. He agreed with many business representatives in the state and felt that there would be a drastic widespread loss of jobs. He stated that the U.S. Permafrost Association strongly supported the University of Alaska system. Alaska needed a strong Alaska workforce. 4:47:57 PM DAVID MCDOWELL, SELF, FBX LIO, felt that the original budget had too many reductions. He suggested that the budget had been too continually reduced in the most recent five years. He felt that the budget had not kept up with population growth and inflation. He shared that he had cleaned up contaminated sites from resource extraction. He encouraged stronger regulation around contamination due to resource extraction. He also spoke in support of the arts. 4:51:34 PM STEVE GINNIS, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. He felt that the issue was not about politics. The issue was about peoples' lives. He felt that the governor was not good at communicating his intent regarding Medicaid expansion. He remarked that many people needed detox programs. He queried the status of the $1 million grant. He remarked that he would like better communication. He stressed that the cutting of health programs impacted real people. He felt that the state must take care of the elders, because of their contributions to the state. He remarked that the budget impacted all races. He quoted former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, "To hell with politics. Do the right thing." 4:56:01 PM ERIKA BURR, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. She stated that the key factor in her returning to live in Alaska was the opportunity to receive a strong education and have a strong community. 4:58:01 PM BETH ZIRBES, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. She was concerned about the cuts to the University. She also spoke in support of an income tax. 4:59:44 PM CONSTANTINE KHRULEV, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. He urged the legislature to restore the governor's vetoes. He did not believe cuts alone would achieve a balanced budget. He supported a state income tax, sales tax, and an adjustment to the tax credits received by the oil industry. He believed it was time to reconsider the PFD. He considered that abolishing the PFD disproportionately impacted people in need. He supported replacing the PFD with needs-based assistance. 5:01:15 PM JEANNE MARS ARMSTRONG, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill. She believed providing social services supporting citizens' needs was a responsibility of state leaders. She thought that issuing a large PFD at the cost of wrecking the health and careers of Alaskans was ridiculous and irresponsible. She noted that the legislature had worked hard to compromise on a good and reasonable budget. She asked the legislature to reign in the governor and to provide critically needed services and a reduced PFD. 5:03:46 PM SARAH STANLEY, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the legislation. She shared that she is a teacher at the University. She spoke about the common experience of testifiers waiting to speak in the room. She spoke about community, which was about connection and time. She reasoned that time was a resource as well as money. She highlighted that people could control their time and where they spend it. She appreciated the time committee members were giving to testifiers. Representative Knopp remarked that he was very impressed with the public for its participation and attention paid to the process. 5:08:13 PM NATE BAUER, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the bill. He stated that insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. He thought that the governor had ignored recent evidence from failed Koch sponsored budget slashing programs. He discussed the failure of former Kansas Governor Brownback's cuts to the government. He spoke against the vetoes that he believed would do tremendous damage to the state. He did not support a fat PFD check at the expense to Alaska's economy, education systems, and social safety net. 5:11:14 PM RACHAEL DELACHANTE, ALASKA LEGAL SERVICES, FBX LIO, testified in support of the bill. She had moved to Fairbanks several years back through an AmeriCorps fellowship focused on addressing elder abuse. She highlighted services provided by the agency. The agency was currently forced to turn away one person for every person it could represent. She stressed that cuts would make the numbers worse. 5:13:48 PM ROB BORLAND, SELF, FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, supported the bill and did not believe a huge dividend was needed. He shared that he was a UAF alumni. 5:14:44 PM SUSAN HENRICHS, SELF, FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, testified in favor of the bill. She supported the budget originally passed by the legislature. She urged the restoration of cuts made by the governor's vetoes to the University, education, and other areas. She underscored that a $3,000 would not compensate for loss of services, educational opportunities, and other. She highlighted the federal funds that would be lost. 5:17:39 PM SUE SHERIF, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill. She asked the legislature to restore the vetoed funding. She elaborated that the vetoed programs including Online With Libraries, Medicaid, the University, and other all had direct impacts on Alaskans' lives. She stressed that no Alaskans would be untouched by the governor's actions. A smaller PFD, no PFD, and a larger PFD with an income tax were all areas for negotiation and compromise. She did not believe Alaska could not afford a state arts council or Head Start. She listed other programs she found important. 5:20:52 PM LINDSAY LOVE, ALASKA LEGAL SERVICES, FBX LIO, testified in support of the bill. She shared that when low income Alaskans could not access legal services, they faced dire consequences. She stressed that Alaska Legal Services provided representation for individuals who were the most isolated and vulnerable members of the community. She urged the committee to consider what it would cost if the service disappeared. She supported access to healthcare, safe housing, and education. She emphasized that without Alaska Legal Services, countless Alaskans would fall through the cracks. 5:23:47 PM JOYCE POTTER, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the legislation. She was horrified by the governor's cuts. She asked the legislature to restore funding to the programs. She urged the legislature to work for the common good of all Alaskans to support health and safety in all communities. She supported the University and its work on climate change research. She supported services for homeless and other vulnerable populations. She thought the governor's budget would cripple the state for years to come. She thought the budget was not intended to be balanced or fair. She asked the legislature to tax residents. 5:26:47 PM HAYDEN NEVILL, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in favor of the bill. He asked the legislature to restore the funding cuts made by the governor. He likened the cuts to a cannon ball into a swimming pool. He stated that cuts to Medicaid would mean more people would use emergency rooms and result in a higher expense. He highlighted the importance of Head Start. He supported a graduated income tax and supported rolling back oil tax credits. He supported a modest PFD. He did not believe a windfall PFD was necessary to do its work. He did not believe the PFD and budget had to be tied together as the rhetoric had been. He asked the legislature to restore the governor's cuts. 5:29:18 PM HANNOH FOSS, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill. She was in favor of a restoration of the governor's cuts. She spoke to her education through the University. She thought that the cuts would result in a loss in educational opportunity. She thanked the legislature and asked it to support the bill. 5:31:28 PM MR. PRENTZEL, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke against the oil tax structure. He stated that oil companies were earning approximately twice as much in Alaska as they were anywhere else in the world. Additionally, the state was paying the industry to do so. The state was on the hook for over $1 billion. He thought the current problems were a symptom of the disease, which was how the state taxed the oil companies. 5:35:14 PM ROBYN RUSSELL, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in strong support of the bill. She was opposed to the governor's vetoes. She shared a story illustrating how education could change a person's life. She stated that education and all services the governor was vetoing were hand-ups, not handouts. 5:37:15 PM TEKA LAMADE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the bill. She worked for Alaska Legal Services. She shared that the greatest demand for help was separating from abusive relationships. She spoke to the intimidating and terrifying process for clients. She provided a list of fears facing clients. The agency partnered with UAF to provide internships for paralegal students. She listed other services provided by the agency. She shared that if funding was not restored, the office was at risk of losing staff. She asked the committee to consider preserving funding for the agency. 5:40:02 PM BRUNO GRUNAU, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill. He thanked the committee for all of its work. He thought about the future of his children. He highlighted a recent USA Today article listing Alaska's economy as 49th. All of the top tier economies were based on an educated workforce and population, whereas, the worst were resource extraction states. He did not believe a $3,000 PFD was necessary. He suggested investing in education and technology. He suggested using the PFD for state services or a giving out a PFD and implementing an income tax. 5:43:09 PM RONALD TEEL, SELF, FBX LIO, supported the bill. Most of the cuts had matching federal funds. He thought people in Fairbanks would rather have a job instead of a $3,000 PFD. He thought it was the time to look for other revenues including a sales tax or income tax on salaried workers. He suggested taxing large tourism corporations and reducing credits to oil companies. 5:47:51 PM BARBARA HANEY, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference), testified against the bill. She thought the committee was listening to a limited population. She did not support a reduced PFD. She stated the private sector was responsible for generating jobs and prosperity. She stated that those advocating for a restoration of cuts worked for the University. She supported the governor. 5:50:36 PM MARTHA MALLOTT, SELF AND YAKUTAT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, YAKUTAT (via teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation. She was concerned about the detrimental cuts to education. She referenced research showing the positive impacts of Head Start and early childhood education. She pointed out that the cost of living would increase drastically with the cuts to PCE. She shared that Medicaid was one of the biggest payers for healthcare services. She reported that Indian Health Service was not guaranteed and was not an insurance. She asked how they could continue to care for community if the programs were all eliminated. She urged the legislature to come up with a solution to benefit all Alaskans. 5:53:36 PM DANIEL LYNCH, SELF, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference), was PFD- neutral. He provided insight on past PFDs and listed former amounts. He stated that no one had complained or whined in the past because everyone had been in it together. He observed that the situation had become divided, which was not positive. He stated that everyone liked certainty. He pointed out that cuts made to the PFD by former Governor Walker had blindsided citizens when they were expecting a check. He thought the situation had been fouled up by the legislature in the two subsequent years. He suggested keeping the old formula with the five-year average with a new five-year plan: people would receive full PFDs for four years and on the fifth year there would be no dividend. He stated that every fifth year the funds would all go to state government. He detailed that the change would not require a constitutional amendment. He requested that the legislature ask Mr. Teal or Ms. Rodell of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation (APFC) to run the numbers. 5:56:46 PM JULIE NIELSEN, SELF, JUNEAU LIO (via teleconference), spoke in support of HB 2001. She was a small business owner and had testified previously. She thought the governor's vetoes were short-sighted. She was concerned with the UA credit rating downgrade. She supported a state income tax and thought there were several other options to pay for services. People needed to work together. 5:58:41 PM JASON TANDLER, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke in favor of the legislation. He requested that his PFD amount be applied towards restoring all of the governor's vetoes. He believed that if any funds were remaining, a reasonable PFD should be considered. He did not believe $3,000 was reasonable, responsible, or sustainable. He stressed that the state's most vulnerable residents would bear the burden of the cuts. He thought the situation would cost far more at the end of the day than would be gained by a onetime welfare check that was politely named a PFD. He thought a $1,600 PFD was a generous gift given the state's fiscal situation. MARTHA MCKINEY, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), supported the legislation. She asked for restored funding for K-12 education, the University, Medicaid, and the arts council. She believed a $3,000 was outrageous and irresponsible. She encouraged an income tax and increased alcohol tax. She asked the legislature to work together. 6:01:43 PM DON CRANDALL, ANCHORAGE FAITH AND ACTION CONGREGATIONS TOGETHER, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported the bill and the reversal of vetoes. He shared that on July 7 the organization had hosted a meeting that was attended by over 250 people in Anchorage - the congregations had heard how the vetoes would affect homeless and the most vulnerable in Anchorage and across the state. He shared that shelter beds would be reduced, housing assistance programs would be eliminated, and families would be forced onto the streets. He stated that a budget balanced at the cost of the state's most vulnerable and at the cost of the state's economic future was unacceptable. The organizations supported a PFD of $979 and believed the bill was a good starting point for negotiations. 6:03:57 PM RHONDA PITKA, BEAVER VILLAGE COUNCIL, BEAVER VILLAGE (via teleconference), supported the bill. She was encouraged the legislature would be meeting in Juneau soon. She had received calls concerned about the loss of senior benefits and the PCE program. She reported the cost of energy in her community without PCE. She spoke to the intent of PCE to give villages parity with urban areas - even with the program energy was more expensive. She spoke against cuts to the University and the recent Moody's rating downgrade. She spoke in support of the VPSO program. She thanked the committee for its time. 6:07:08 PM LISA SMITH FIEGEL, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of the bill and a reduced PFD. Shared that she is a Lutheran pastor, homeowner, and mother. She was representing herself and a moms' group called Growing Alaskan Leaders who advocate for all kids in the state. She opposed the governor's vetoes. She urged support of Head Start, UAA, Medicaid, youth programs, and other. She spoke about a program aiming to help with childhood trauma. She asked if the state could afford not to invest in children. She provided details about the children participating in the residential treatment home - AK Child and Family in Anchorage - for youth who experience trauma. She spoke to the successes and benefits of the facility. She asked the legislature to support the bill. 6:09:39 PM TERRY CHAPIN, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the bill. He opposed the governor's vetoes and urged the legislature to overturn them. He shared that when he had moved to Alaska 50 years earlier, he had been impressed by the sense of community and friendship. He recalled that political beliefs had not mattered in the way people related to each other. He understood the legislature had worked together to develop its budget, which made him optimistic. He urged that the PFD be kept at a reasonable level and that other ways to fund state government be looked at for the long-term. 6:12:53 PM GORDON WILLIAMS, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the bill. He shared his personal story in Alaska. He worked as faculty for UAF. He recalled when the PFD had been instituted - the Permanent Fund had not been established to merely write checks to residents. He stressed that a $3,000 PFD would not buy good schools for children, help the elderly and disabled, pave roads, transport goods, protect natural resources, or protect and assist individuals impacted by domestic violence or sexual assault. He questioned large oil tax credits. He asked the legislature to tax residents. 6:15:22 PM JULIE MAIER, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the bill. She supported the legislature's bipartisan budget. She had moved to Alaska 30 years earlier and reported that the thing that differentiated the state from others is that the people take care of one another. She stressed that the governor's cuts were un-Alaskan. She stated that the budget was being balanced on the backs of the most vulnerable. She spoke in support of UAF. She stressed its importance as an economic engine for the region. She wanted a restoration of all of the vetoes. She supported lowering oil tax credits to companies. 6:18:17 PM SHOSHANA KUN, FAIRBANKS COUNSELING, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. She supported overriding all of the governor's vetoes. She thanked Representative Knopp for his compassion. She thought it was unfair for the one-third of the legislature to hold the rest of the legislature hostage. She thanked all of the Majority members on the committee for their efforts and courage to come together. 6:21:10 PM HANNAH KUN, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of the legislation. She asked for support for the Alaska State Council on the Arts. She shared that privileges she had in grades 2 through 6 had been cut including band, orchestra, art, and other extracurricular programs. She was disappointed in the governor and some members of the legislature. She stressed that the situation was devastating and life changing. 6:22:23 PM KARYN JANSSEN, SELF, FBX LIO, recalled paying a head tax and a payroll tax which paid for state services. She recalled receiving the first PFD which was supposed to be capped at $1,000. She commented on the changes made by Governor Walker. She encouraged a state income tax, additional gas tax, and the elimination of oil tax credits. She did not want to see the state lose federal match funding. She urged members to override the governor's vetoes. 6:25:29 PM BONNIE WOLSTAD, SELF, FBX LIO, she thought there had been forethought given to the creation of the Permanent Fund - it had been created as a savings account with the knowledge that oil revenues would reduce over time. She stated that the legislature created the dividend and should untangle the knot the PFD had created. She spoke against the administration's elimination of senior benefits and scholarships with no warning. She stressed that no one knew what the impact would be on hunting resulting from the governor's veto of federal Pittman-Robertson funds. She relayed that the original dividend was $50 per person. She implored members to come together and solve the problem. 6:27:45 PM HOWARD MAXWELL, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 2001. He appreciated the efforts made by members to come up with a solution. He thought it was important for people to take care of each other. He thought a big compromise was needed. He relayed that he was a teacher and questioned his dedication to Alaska and his love for the state. He spoke in support of education. He appreciated the governor allowing the special session to be held in Juneau. 6:31:56 PM CARLY SWEEN, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 2001. She supported the University, the arts, and a robust economy in Fairbanks. She had received her master's at UAF. She thought Alaska needed to be a place that encouraged to live in it. She did not think it would be easy to attract quality teachers as a result of the governor's vetoes. She supported several other state services. She thought it was very irresponsible to close homeless shelters in the state. She encouraged building resources for the state. She supported a state income tax. 6:34:45 PM KEN GRIFFIN, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), testified in opposition to HB 2001. He did not want other people deciding where his PFD money was to be spent. He thought the state had a massive spending problem. He encouraged a strong fiscal house. He wanted a sustainable budget which included trimming the fat. He had been eligible for a PFD for 22 years but had not accepted it every year. He reiterated that additional cuts were needed. He would support a $2,000 dividend. 6:37:48 PM REBECCA BRICE HENDERSON, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She had lived in Fairbanks for 50 years. The University of Fairbanks had played a large role in her life. She served on the board of the Rasmussen Foundation. She agreed with all who spoke about the devastating effects of the governor's vetoes. She indicated the PFD meant different things to different people. For her it had helped with fuel bills. She thanked the committee. 6:41:35 PM ROBIN WEINANT, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001 and restoring the vetoes. She also supported a balanced budget. Although she would enjoy a $3,000 dividend, she did not want to see additional property taxes. She thought everyone should contribute by receiving a smaller dividend. She also thought additional taxes were necessary. 6:43:56 PM Representative Josephson thanked all of the people that testified in Fairbanks. He appreciated everyone's time. Co-Chair Foster relayed that the governor had agreed to holding the remainder of the session in Juneau. 6:45:22 PM JEANETTE GRASTO, NAMI FAIRBANKS, FBX LIO, supported overriding the governor's vetoes. The legislature had already passed a budget that had not addressed the total need, but it had not been balanced on the backs of the most vulnerable Alaskans. She was unclear what government leaders thought - she wondered if they believed not adequately funding services for individuals with serious mental illness and other disabilities would make the problems go away. She stressed that services were necessary. She spoke of the inadequacy of many of the programs including mental health programs. She talked about mental health patients sitting in jail. 6:48:08 PM PAM BRADLEY, SELF, FBX LIO, was a resident of Fairbanks for more than 46 years. She had gone to UAF and received her degree. She shared that she did not earn a high income. She believed the PFD should have been slashed in half long ago. She was currently a cab driver and had heard all sorts of things. She thought the budget vetoes created serious problems. She spoke of additional military moving into Fairbanks. She talked about the PFD attracting people to the state. 6:51:13 PM SHARON ALDEN, SELF, FBX LIO, appreciated the work that was done to send a balanced budget to the governor. She appreciated the bipartisan coalition working together. She mentioned the Moody's downgrade of the University. She believed it was a statement on how they felt about the governor's vetoes. She noted the agricultural programs that were having the rug pulled out from under them. She mentioned the cuts to the Ocean Ranger program and the Alaska Marine Highway System. She thought the governor was cutting the budget to the bone. She opposed cuts to education and the Adult Dental Program and programs that served the needy. She commended those people who had never testified before for getting out of their comfort zone. 6:55:06 PM ALEX THORNTON, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001 and urged members to do the right thing. He was a small business owner. He had to cancel his contracts because of the budget cuts. He was a scientist and did research. He was very concerned with Arctic research going away. 6:57:23 PM ALEX RAMOS, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. He did not support the governor's vetoes. He encouraged people not to give up. 6:58:21 PM JOHN CORNING, SELF, FBX LIO, had been a resident of Alaska for 42 years. He thought Alaska needed to reinstate a state income tax. It was a bad idea to get rid of it. He would adjust it by capping it. He thought it was time for Alaskans to pay their own way. He noted all of the people talking about social programs. He thought social services had become a big mat supporting people. He was a student at UAF and received benefits as a senior. He reiterated that it was time for people to pay their own way. 7:01:48 PM MICHELLE HARPOLE, SELF, FBX LIO, opposed the governor's vetoes and supported HB 2001. She shared that she had lived in Alaska since Alaska was a territory. She had worked all over the state. She expressed her sadness and concern about living in Alaska in the way Dunleavy envisioned. She did not think anyone had talked about the difficulty in rebuilding programs. The programs had been built because there was a need. She thought that if the programs were decimated, it would take years to rebuild them. She stated that time was of the essence. She was proud of Republicans and Democrats working together. She urged members to overturn the vetoes. She approved of being tax and receiving a smaller PFD. 7:06:18 PM EDWARD ALEXANDER, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001 because of the impact to key programs throughout Alaska. He spoke of the effects of losing funding for the Head Start program. He noted the credit downgrade by Moody's. He reported that 70 teachers that were currently doing student teaching would be lost. They did not receive pay; therefore free teachers would be lost. He mentioned a number of programs that would be lost. He reiterated his support of the committee substitute. He opposed the governor's vetoes. He thanked the legislature for working together. 7:09:58 PM LARA LOTZE, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke of having been homeless. She talked about reassessing revenue streams. She was a UAF graduate after 22 years. She noted the contributions professors had made. She provided background about her family and their various roles in the state. She indicated several core values of Alaska. She urged members to override the governor's vetoes. She spoke about seeing a need and filling it. 7:14:00 PM MELANIE LINDHOLM, SELF, FBX LIO, was a UAF alumni. She thought the oil companies should pay their fair share. She provided a personal story about her child who had stage 4 cancer and was fighting to save her Medicaid. She wanted to see real sustainable solutions including additional taxes and the elimination of oil tax credits. 7:16:42 PM ANNE ZUGGLES, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She would rather see a smaller PFD than lose important programs, the University system, the arts, or jobs. She asked members to uphold HB 2001. 7:19:16 PM CHRISTOPHER ZIMMERMAN, SELF, FBX LIO, commended the legislature for initiating HB 2001. He appreciated the University. He suggested appropriating zero funding for the PFD before negotiating. He also recommended funding the capital budget to the degree in which was necessary to receive federal funding. He asked members to take back the power of the purse and back the governor up against the wall. 7:21:56 PM THOMAS SUCHLAND, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. He disagreed with the governor's vision and suggested that if he succeeded many people would leave the state. If he did receive a $3,000, he would use it to move away from the state. 7:24:35 PM MARTHA HOOD, SELF, FBX LIO, graduated in May from UAS. She was getting ready to get her master's degree. She relayed that a $3,000 would not balance out the several cuts that Alaska faced. She questioned whether she would have a job after she completed her education. She came from a family of educators. She claimed that the education department fueled educators in Alaska. She opposed the governor's cuts and urged members to overturn the vetoes and fund education. 7:27:22 PM DARLENE HERBERT, SELF, FBX LIO, was a resident of Fairbanks. She relayed a message from her grandmother which was that starvation was coming. She thought it was beginning at present. She wondered why the governor was imposing a genocide on Alaskans. She did not understand why the governor was doing what he was doing. She relayed a story of her sister's. She encouraged people to work things out. She did not think the governor was interested in serving Alaskans. She urged members to not listen to the governor. She believed a sales tax was appropriate. She had worked on the Slop for years and saw people taking their money out of the state. She also spoke against giving money to the oil companies. She urged members to stop giving money away to rich entities. 7:32:57 PM JAMIE ROGERS, SELF, FBX LIO, had been a miner for many years. She told part of her life story. She eventually ended up attending school and obtained a paralegal degree. She talked about having never been a burden to the state. She opposed the reverse sweep. She wanted a $3,000 PFD and wanted previous PFDs owed to her. She spoke of previous legislation to pay the remainder the PFD funds. She supported all of the governor's cuts. 7:43:54 PM KRISTAN KELLY, SELF, FBX LIO, reported hearing her neighbors coming together and talking about their love for Alaska. She fully agreed with others that thought the budget was a bully budget that picked on the poor. She had fallen in love with the state when she arrived. She was proud to be an Alaskan. She had heard feedback while traveling about the troubles in the state. Her son was currently a student at the University and was threatened to lose his scholarships. Her niece might have to leave the state because of the reductions. She urged members to fight for Alaskans. 7:46:58 PM KARA CARLSON, SELF, FBX LIO, thought a full PFD was completely irresponsible. She talked about all of the special programs that had affected her life. She talked the job she was in and how it served other Alaskans. She noted that cuts to programs would negatively affect many programs. She indicated her program was threatened due to the reductions. She thought there was a priority issue. She encouraged the members to support their budget that was submitted to the governor. 7:50:03 PM JOSHUA JASON LAZARUS, SELF, FBX LIO, was a University professor and a resident in Fairbanks. He had seen the budget reduced over the years and the faculty had had to pull together. His son's education would be compromised. It was likely that they would have to leave the state in order to provide their son with a proper education. He favored reducing the PFD in support of programs. 7:52:55 PM DEANNA LAZARUS, SELF, FBX LIO, suggested the vetoes were threatening her children's futures. She indicated that the issue of the PFD was creating further division amongst neighbors. She was very concerned for her son's future. She did not believe her son's education would be up to par. She also might lose her job with the University. She did not believe the loss of future generations was worth a $3,000 PFD. 7:54:57 PM TERRENCE COLE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. He suggested the governor was perpetuating lies. He indicated that the vetoes were 444 lies. The cuts were ridiculous. He mentioned Dermot Cole's articles. The governor was not upholding his promises. He did not recall the governor promising to eliminate half of the University's budget. He thanked members for having the hearing. 7:58:06 PM ELIZABETH SEIGEL, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She spoke of the lies told by the governor. The University was operating on a shoestring. She knew people that were preparing to leave the state. She urged the legislature to stop the governor. She indicated that the Alaska the governor envisioned was not the Alaska she lived in. 8:02:52 PM ANNE BIBERMAN, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. She spoke in support of the Alaska Council on the Arts. She thought taxes should be considered and a reduction to oil company subsidies. She hoped the bill would restore funding to programs and PCE. She spoke about the dire implications of the lass of the arts council. She spoke of the benefits of several programs. She encouraged members to support the committee substitute. She thanked members. 8:06:03 PM ANNA GODDUHM, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in opposition to the governor's vetoes and supported HB 2001. She thanked the committee. 8:07:50 PM CHERYL KILGORE, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. She worked for a community health care center. The board of directors supported the legislature overriding the governor's vetoes. She suggested the answer was to find a balance. She expressed concerned with the health and wellbeing of community members. She thanked the committee. 8:10:22 PM ERIK LARGEN, SELF, FBX LIO, reported having to speak with students that played intercollegiate athletes that they might not have a future in Alaska. He spoke of all the people and communities that would be affected. He thought the state would be hurt economically and socially. The decisions made by legislators had a rippling affect. He hoped education and social programs would be a priority to Alaska and legislators. He and his family would be leaving if the vetoes were not overridden. 8:13:33 PM SHARON LOCKWOOD, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She had lived in Alaska for 35 years. She appreciated the story presented by the cab driver. She talked about families that had been in her classroom. She did not understand how one man could such harm to the state. She commented that the governor called the session in Wasilla to divide people. Alaska was unique. She believed it was a shame that the state's council of the arts closed. 8:17:14 PM MOLLY PROUE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She believed the governor's vetoes would affect the lives of all Alaskans. She supported a reasonable and reduced PFDs. She thought the entire society would suffer. She supported a future income tax. 8:18:49 PM SHANE BRODIE, SELF, FBX LIO, was an income student of UAF. She supported an income tax and encouraged a reduction of the oil company subsidies. He believed the state needed to fully fund education. He thought more funding for education was necessary. He was glad to be home in Alaska. 8:21:17 PM JOMO STEWART, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. He supported rolling back the vetoes. He thought the PFD should be based on surplus revenues. He provided a bit of background. 8:24:51 PM DANIEL GERSTENFIELD, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. He had been a resident of Alaska for 40 years. He wondered if Alaska would be better off with a list of several programs, services and grants. He urged members to make the right decision for Alaska. He spoke of the businesses that would be affected. He asked if Alaska would be better off. 8:32:23 PM ANNE BRENNER-ARMSTRONG, SELF, FBX LIO, was a UAF alumni and resident of Fairbanks. She thanked the LIO offices. She appreciated the legislators that have worked across the aisle. She agreed with reducing the PFD to a sustainable level. She thought the state needed to continue to grow the fund. She recommended a progressing income tax and a sales tax. She suggested amending the PFD funding documentation. She thought the percentage of votes to override a governor's veto should be changed in the constitution. 8:36:18 PM KRISTEN SCHUPP, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. She asked all legislators to act as if they represented all districts. She wanted to make sure all Alaskans were protected. She thought the governor's vetoes were throwing Alaskans under the bus. She supported agriculture, public safety, and education. She did not want the future of Alaska's children torn down. She was proud to know that neighbors were looking out for each other. 8:38:49 PM ROBERT BURGESS, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. He was a life-long Alaskan and was currently buying a house in Fairbanks. He was concerned with Alaska's future. He opposed the governor's vetoes especially those affecting the University system. He mentioned a number of programs he supported and reviewed their benefits. He thought people would turn to crime in desperation. He supported agriculture as well. Many of the programs defined Alaska. He wanted to see economic stability for the state. 8:44:29 PM JESSICA GIRARD, FAIRBANKS CLIMATE ACTION COALITION, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), thought the bill was only a band-aid. She advocated for a progressive income tax. She encouraged members to think innovatively. She believed the issue of kicking the can down the road needed to be properly addressed. The people of Alaska needed a clear directive from the legislature as to how people can help. 8:48:03 PM KARL MONETTI, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference), supported HB 2001 and urged members to override the governor's vetoes. He appreciated the compromised budget presented by the house. He recalled paying an income tax and a school tax. He thought the PFD was a welfare payment. He disagreed with the governor's cuts. He asked the legislature to also tax the oil companies, implement an income tax and a sales tax, and overturn the governor. 8:51:16 PM MICHELLE THOMAS, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference), supported HB 2001. She was devastated by Governor Dunleavy's vetoes. She asked that the legislature restore funding to programs that were vetoes. She listed the programs and services that were threatened. She thought children's education would be destroyed without overturning the vetoes. She continued to advocate against the cuts. Investment in Alaskan's students was imperative in order for them to contribute to society. She thanked members for listening to her testimony. 8:54:20 PM WILLIAMS LAMBERT, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference), spoke against HB 2001. He thought the legislature should follow statute. He supported Governor Dunleavy. He argued that the statutes had been broken. He thought the 38 legislators that went to Juneau should be financially responsible and convicted for breaking the law. He continued to discuss his view in support of the governor. He thought the full PFD should be paid and the 38 members should be tried. He would be emailing the governor when he finished his testimony. 8:57:50 PM RAE TRAINOR-WRIGHT, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), supported HB 2001 and wanted the governor's vetoes overturned. She was saddened to see the Council of the Arts closed. She argued against continuing to subsidize the oil companies by paying oil tax credits. She would happily give up her PFD and pay an income tax to guarantee the future of Alaska. 9:00:42 PM GALE VICK, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), supported HB 2001 and the overriding of the governor's vetoes. She was concerned the state was Self-destructing. She had benefited from the PFD but thought it was currently clouding people's judgement. She did not wasn't to see cuts to essential services. She thought the state needed to cap spending levels and the amount of the PFD. She provided a list of recommendations. 9:04:00 PM JESSICA PENA, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001 and the restoration of funds to agencies, programs, and services that provided value to the health and wellbeing of Alaskans. She spoke in support of the Alaska Council on the Arts. She spoke about financial losses to Alaska. She spoke about the benefits of creative activities to youths. 9:07:24 PM MICHELLE ETHUN, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. Shared that she is a business owner and mother. She understood what Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) were and knew the definition of subsistence. She believed it was important for legislators to know the information as well. She was opposed to the vetoes. She stressed that the administration was pitting Alaskans against each other. 9:12:50 PM BRIANNA WU, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. She relayed that she was a university student. She had been planning to apply to the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) program to someday practice medicine in Alaska. She stressed that statistics showed that 58 percent of Alaskan women had endured domestic violence and sexual assault. She supported a restoration of the vetoes. 9:15:24 PM MARK LOCKWOOD, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. He stated that he was a geologist and was concerned that the cuts would affect regulatory agencies that protected the state's pristine environment. He noted that his daughter returned to the state due to the higher education scholarship and was about to begin a job as a teacher in Alaska. He believed the arts should be supported as a community. He thanked the committee for its time. 9:17:59 PM MINDY O'NEAL, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in favor of HB 2001. She spoke to her support of public radio. She noted the public's overwhelming outcry of the governor's vetoes. She favored restoring the vetoes. She indicated that public radio provided many jobs in the state and businesses supported public radio by $3 million and the public by over $5 million. She spoke to the capital budget and its benefit to the economy. She brought up oil tax credits and felt the oil companies would take $2 billion from the state and wanted a discussion. She felt that promises to students were broken and worried about senior benefits and Pre-K. 9:22:50 PM DAVID LESLIE, SELF, FBX LIO, favored HB 2001. He stated that he was an Inupiat Native. He thought that people would die from the cuts and they were evil. He expressed concern about infant mortality. He thought the cuts would bring about genocide to native villages. He stressed that energy costs would increase, and Alaska Natives would die in the coming winter. He worried over lack of access to Head Start. 9:26:13 PM BRITTANY KARNS, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), supported HB 2001. She shared that she was a pharmacist at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. She highlighted the chronic shortage of medical professionals in the state. She spoke to the importance of home growing individuals to return to Alaska to work in the medical field. She believed that increasing tuition and decreasing programs, more students and youth would leave. 9:30:25 PM BECCA BARDO, ARCTIC ALLIANCE FOR PEOPLE, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in favor of HB 2001. She had dedicated more than a decade of her life to the nonprofit sector. She believed the governor's actions were terrible. She opposed the vetoes. She stated that Alaska had given away $1.2 billion in oil tax credits the previous year. She believed the choice between basic services and the PFD was a false choice; both were possible if oil tax credits were repealed. 9:33:37 PM BRETT FRAZER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 2001. He suggested that science would be lost with the recommended cuts by the governor to the University of Alaska. He gave credit to the faculty and staff of the University of Alaska for all that they contributed to Alaska. He opposed the governor's cuts to the University and to the Judiciary branch. He continued to provide testimony on his support of HB 2001. He brought up the governor's original claim that there would be no cuts to the University. 9:38:18 PM IRENE HENRY, SELF, ALLAKAKET (via teleconference), supported HB 2001. She spoke in support of Power Cost Equalization (PCE) and emphasized that rural Alaska could not go without PCE. She asked the legislature to not open the Ambler Road. She asked for a full PFD. She opposed the governor's vetoes to the University and the education system. She supported the homeless programs and Medicaid. She listed other programs she supported. 9:41:07 PM JOSEPH STRATMAN, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), was in full support of HB 2001. He was very concerned with the governor's vetoes and urged members to overturn them. He supported an income tax and a reduced PFD. He talked about having gone to mass with two of his family members who were priests. They prayed for those who did not have the means for a decent life in Alaska. 9:43:56 PM KEN PAPP, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke of the high unemployment rates in the state. He thought times and budgets changed. He did not think large PFDs were unsustainable. He supported HB 2001. He thought the severe cuts would tear down the state. 9:47:04 PM PHOEBE ROHRBACHER, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She mentioned a number of programs and services that she supported and how they would be cut. She was concerned for the most vulnerable in the state. She asked members to override the vetoes and restore funding. 9:50:56 PM GINNY (VIRGINIA) REDMOND, SELF, FBX LIO, opposed the governor's vetoes and asked members to restore funding including the sweep. She supported an income tax and reduced PFDs. She thought the benefits of keeping services and programs were worth the small sacrifice of receiving a smaller PFD. She thought the state would suffer a grave economic recession. She urged members to put the state on the road back to prosperity. 9:53:41 PM JENNIFER DELAMERE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001, the overturn of the governor's vetoes, a reverse sweep, state taxation, and a full analysis of oil taxation. She was a research scientist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She supported Alaska with time and money. She spoke of all that she received from the Fairbanks community. She was honored to raise her children in Fairbanks. She relayed a list of things she did not support. 9:56:51 PM LIZ LYKE, FNSB ASSEMBLY MEMBER, FBX LIO, thanked members for their time and for passing a bipartisan budget. 9:58:37 PM SVETA YAMIN-PATERNAK, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She shared that she and her husband taught at UAF. She detailed that she had moved to Fairbanks because of UAF in the late 1990s to work in her field of Arctic anthropology. She provided detail about several research projects she had worked on that brought in over $2 million in competitive grants. She spoke about going to the Bering Straits region related to food arts. She stressed that students were an excellent investment. Co-Chair Foster asked for the name of the art installation at the museum in Nome that he should look for. Ms. Yamin-Paternak responded it was called Aging with Change, Food Arts in the Bering Strait. She provided detail about the installation. 10:02:46 PM SUE SPRINKLE, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She eluded to the fact that Alaska was literally and figuratively burning. She opposed the vetoes proposed by the governor. She was self-employed and was directly impacted by the cuts. 10:06:28 PM LISA VILLANO, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. She shared details about her life in Alaska. She came from a long line of educators. She was troubled by the cuts to early childhood programs and K-12 education. She detailed that she worked with preschoolers who were developmentally behind their peers. She listed the benefits of preschool programs. 10:09:31 PM ABIGIAL NORTH, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. She thanked the committee for visiting Fairbanks and hearing testimony. She thanked members and their staff for their efforts of crafting HB 2001. She provided some personal details and indicated she and her wife intended to stay in Fairbanks permanently. She was a high school teacher. She talked about teaching in rural areas in the state. She was concerned about her students who had grown up and were now raising families. She opposed the governor's cuts and she urged support of the committee substitute. 10:13:50 PM MARY NEBERT, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She reviewed the benefits of art and music. She asked members to restore the cuts that resulted from the vetoes. She supported a reduced PFD and would support an income tax. She urged members to stand up for Alaska. 10:16:39 PM JOHN DAVID "JD" RAGAN, SELF, FBX LIO, was in support of HB 2001. Shared that he had moved to Alaska in 1975 and was a member of the laborer's union Local 942. He stressed the economic hit the vetoes would be to Alaska. He spoke to the loss in federal matching funds for construction. He highlighted the cuts to the University that would result in a hit of $1 billion to the economy. He characterized government money as seed money that multiplied itself. He believed there would be a recession and that many people would leave the state. He asked for a restoration of vetoed funds. He supported an income tax. He understood the importance of the PFD to rural villages. He wondered why the state was paying oil companies to take oil out of the ground. 10:20:10 PM COLE RICHARDS, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. He spoke to his reasons for attending UAF. He stressed the importance of the stability of the University, which could only be maintained with financial support. He spoke to the need for the unique programs at UAF. He highlighted examples where the research was used. 10:22:11 PM JULIA GESTRICH, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001 particularly for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Research Department. She shared that she was a geophysics student at UAF. She was concerned about the future of the graduate programs. She highlighted the benefits of the programs that attracted students from around the world. She explained that students would often remain in Alaska to work if they had the opportunity. 10:24:40 PM LIAM TONEY, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001 and the University of Alaska because of its renowned research program. He had been drawn to the state by UAF's stellar reputation as an Arctic and earth science research institution. He shared that graduate students helped with research and day to day operations of the centers. He believed a cut of $130 million to the UA system would cause irreparable damage. He spoke to the negative future repercussions. 10:27:00 PM RANDY GRIFFIN, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. He was opposed to the governor's vetoes and cuts to UAF. He noted he did not work for UAF. He shared a story about needing help with creating Excel macros for work; a graduate of the University had helped him. He had turned back his PFD in the last four years due to the budget deficit. He had donated $2,000 of his PFD in 2015 to UAF through the Pick.Click.Give program. 10:30:17 PM ANDY DURNY, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. He was in favor of a broad-based income tax and overriding the governor's vetoes. He discussed that the meeting represented democracy in action. He thanked the legislature for passing an operating budget that listened to the public testimony of the majority of Alaskans. He believed the governor's vetoes represented a complete failure of democracy. He stressed that the governor's cuts obliterated the budget passed by the legislature. 10:33:33 PM MAEGAN DANIELLO WELTZIN, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. She testified in support of overriding the vetoes and restoration of the funds. She stressed it was essential for Alaska to have services for homeless, elders, and future generations. She would rather have the services rather than the PFD. She shared two personal experiences. She shared that she is a professor at UAF. She emphasized the stress the cuts were causing for students wondering if their programs would continue and whether employment was possible in the state after earning their degrees. She stressed that her path would not have been possible without a quality education system provided by the North Star School District and UAF. 10:36:25 PM ALBERT SONAFRANK, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. He talked about the cut to the Pioneer Home and how it affected his grandmother. He thanked the committee for coming up with a compromise budget. He graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Alaska. He wanted the Permanent Fund to support the people of Alaska. He supported either reducing the PFD or instituting an income or sales tax. The state needed a different means of generating revenue. 10:40:07 PM THERESA TOMCZAK, UAF ATHLETICS, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. She reported traveling in the 1980s on the ferry system and talked to some people that were going to Alaska in order to receive a PFD. She thought people should pay for services and did not have an inherent right to a dividend. She thanked members for their work. 10:44:14 PM CHRIS MILLER, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001 and restoring the veto reductions. He stressed that the same debate had been going on in February and there was a royal mess. He loved Alaska and residents had moved to the state for hundreds of different reasons that had been expressed during the meeting. He stressed the uncertainty the cuts had caused. He shared that he ran a private business and had already lost contracts and seen impacts of the uncertainties. He believed it was the 12th time he had communicated his opinions on the matter. He believed Alaskans would keep fighting the fight to protect what they had spent 100 years building. 10:46:51 PM JOE MATTIE, UAF ATHLETICS, FBX LIO, shared that he had moved to Alaska in 1969 and he and his wife had started their business in 1979. He wondered why all of the wasteful spending was not eliminated. He shared that their business was doing well, partially because they did not waste. He wanted to see the waste dealt with prior to asking for money. He did not care whether the legislature voted to override the governor's vetoes, whether a state income or sales tax was implemented - he was staying in Alaska. He supported the governor's efforts. 10:49:40 PM SANDRA COSTA-MATTIE, UAF ATHLETICS, FBX LIO, shared detail about her life in Alaska. She found the compassion people had for each other and the state heartwarming. She supported the governor and his efforts for Alaska. She asked the legislature to create the ability for residents to make a state donation/voluntary contribution/self-tax. She shared that 45 states already benefitted from a self- tax from public participation. She stressed that history had proven that a state lottery was lucrative. She stated that individuals could choose where the money went. She understood that budgeting was not easy. She asked the state to operate as a business. 10:55:12 PM JUNE ROGERS, SELF, FBX LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. She had been involved in community advocacy over 45 years. She was personally passionate to see diversity and increased opportunities in the state. She was a mother of three and had grandchildren. She had a diverse background. She shared that she had been born in Fairbanks and her family had a long history in the state. She detailed that her grandmother was Inupiaq, her grandfather came from Sweden, and her father was from Ireland. She shared that her grandmother had been influential on her life; she was born in Golovin and raised her family in Haycock. She loved to travel, but Fairbanks was where she chose to live. All of her grandchildren lived in Fairbanks. She was frustrated with the times in Alaska. She hoped the funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts and other agencies would be restored. She stated it was not possible to continue allowing devastating actions to continue storming through communities in order to maintain an unrealistic dollar amount for the PFD. She thanked the legislature for its arduous efforts. 11:00:48 PM Co-Chair Foster asked about Ms. Rogers' comment she was related to half the state. He asked who came from Haycock. Ms. Rodgers responded that her mother was born in Haycock. Her grandmother had been born in Golovin and moved to Haycock when she married. Co-Chair Foster shared that his great grandfather was from Sweden and he was Inupiaq through his grandmother who was born in Haycock. His grandfather was part Irish. He stated that Haycock was now a ghost town. Ms. Rodgers reminded Co-Chair Foster she had mentioned that they may be related, while on her last visit to Juneau. She recalled that Co-Chair Foster had asked about one of her cousins who was a pilot. Additionally, her uncle Art Johnson served as a legislator many years back prior to his passing. Co-Chair Foster recalled that Art Johnson was a pilot. Ms. Rodgers replied that he had been a pilot for Wings and had done the mail route. 11:02:14 PM ARTEM ZHDONOV, SELF, FBX LIO, supported HB 2001. He spoke against the governor's cuts. He worked as an engineer at UAF. He encouraged all legislators to work together to find a compromise. He believed the governor had turned his back on Alaskans to support oil tycoons and the Koch Brothers. He stated that the governor and his supporters believed a lack of taxes and a balanced budget created through cuts would attract business to the state. He relayed that studies disputed the claim. He shared that businesses were looking to expand in areas with a strong education base. He stated the governor was dividing Alaska. He stressed that UAF was one of the biggest employers in Fairbanks. He urged restored funding to the University, senior benefits, the arts council, and the Online With Libraries program. 11:05:35 PM ANN MARIE RUTKOWSKI, SELF, FBX LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She supported reducing or eliminating oil tax credits. She believed it was atrocious to be supporting already profitable corporations that sent much of the money out of state. She did not support gutting the state. She had worked in many fields in Alaska and had kept the money in state. She valued the services provided by the state. She shared that she had attended the nursing program graduation in Nome the previous year, which had been a special experience. She thanked the committee for its time and attention. 11:08:05 PM Representative LeBon thanked all of the testifiers for their endurance. He indicated that the legislators were headed to Juneau in the morning to deal with the situation. He shared that the committee had been in Anchorage and Wasilla and had heard around 400 people speak from throughout the state. He reiterated his appreciation for the testimony. 11:09:05 PM Representative Knopp was thankful for hearing from the public. He shared that the testimony had been inspirational. His regret was that he would have liked to have an open dialogue during the meetings. He shared that the House had created a coalition, which he knew had been the right thing. He highlighted the common thread of testimony regarding the need for additional revenue. He shared that the governor had stated that he would not consider additional revenues in the current year. He highlighted the heartfelt testimony the committee had heard. Co-Chair Foster asked if any of the committee members online wanted to say anything. 11:12:15 PM Representative Merrick thanked everyone for testifying. She looked forward to seeing the committee members in Juneau the following day. Vice-Chair Ortiz thanked the public for testifying. Representative Wool thanked everyone for coming out and testifying. He was proud of all of the Fairbanksans who had turned out to testify. He referenced his earlier statements related to the PFD. He shared that in the last five years the legislature had cut over $1 billion from the operating budget. He detailed that the legislature had been working on making cuts over time. He noted that the previous year was the first year the University had not been cut. He pointed out that the budget passed by the legislature for the following year did cut the University. He highlighted the passage of SB 26 that provided a new way to fund government with Permanent Fund earnings. The current budget funded important services. He continued to explain work done by the legislature. Representative Grier Hopkins thanked everyone for turning out. Co-Chair Foster reminded the public they could provide written comments via email. HB 2001 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. Co-Chair Foster thanked everyone that stayed. There was still a big crowd at the Fairbanks LIO. He reported the number of people who called in. Legislators would be returning to Juneau the following day. He reported that the governor had changed his special session call to Juneau.