HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE March 16, 2007 1:37 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Chenault called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 1:37:35 PM. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Mike Chenault, Co-Chair Representative Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair Representative Bill Stoltze, Vice-Chair Representative Harry Crawford Representative Les Gara Representative Mike Hawker Representative Reggie Joule Representative Mike Kelly Representative Mary Nelson Representative Bill Thomas, Jr. MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Richard Foster ALSO PRESENT Representative Andrea Doll; Representative Beth Kerttula; Elizabeth Porter, Love, INC; Julie Morris, Faith Based Church Initiatives; George Briggs, Juneau Coop Christian Ministry; Mary Hakala, Great Alaska Schools; Pamela Mueller-Guy, Southeast Alaska Independent Living; Brian Johnson, Client, Southeast Alaska Independent Living; Mike Zigler, Great Alaska Schools; Brenda Taylor, Great Alaska Schools; Susan Musante, SOTERIA-Alaska; Stephanie Ashley, University of Alaska Southeast; Kevin Skeek, University of Alaska Southeast; Michael Ciri, University of Alaska Southeast; Jai Cary, University of Alaska Southeast; Walter Majorous, Juneau Youth Services; Melinda Cavanaugh, Adult Day Program; Beth Rivest, Juneau Community Charter School; Marianne Mills, Southeast Senior Services; Bev Ingram, Alaska Infant Learning Program; Darryl Tseu, Juneau Community Charter School; Harriet Milks, Juneau Community Charter School; Rosemary Hagevig, Catholic Community Services; Martha Penrose, Juneau; Bob Doll, City and Borough of Juneau; Eva Bennett, Juneau; Kathie Wasserman, Alaska Municipal League; Carl Rose, Alaska Association of Alaska School Boards; Pam Dunker, Juneau; Andy Story, Juneau School Board; Jeff Irwin, Independent Living, Juneau; Harold Stepp, Juneau; Maria Rosales, Juneau Community Charter School, Lisa Greenough, Juneau Community Charter School; Becky Bear, Alaska Personal Tours PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE None GENERAL SUBJECT(S): HB 95 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." HB 96 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." Public Testimony - Juneau  (no action taken)  The following overview was taken in log note format. Handouts will be on file with the House Finance Committee through the 25th Legislative Session, contact 465-6814. After the 25th Legislative Session they will be available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.   TIME SPEAKER DISCUSSION  1:40:55 PM Elizabeth Testified in support of funding Porter, Love, $414,000 for the Office of Faith Based INC Initiatives. She related the services provided by Love, INC.  1:42:38 PM Julie Morris, Spoke in support of funding for the Faith Based Office of Faith Based Initiatives. Church Some of the money would go toward Initiatives administering a federal grant which would help small social service organizations like Love, INC and the Glory Hole.  1:44:13 PM George Briggs, Highlighted Glory Hole services and Juneau Co-op spoke if favor of funding faith-based Christian organizations. Spoke of the need for Ministry increased funding to accommodate the  homeless.  1:47:19 PM Mary Hakala, Spoke in favor of funding for quality Great Alaska schools. She reminded the committee of Schools the numbers of parents concerned about K-12 education programs.  1:48:50 PM Pamela Mueller-Testified in favor of funding of Guy, Southeast independent living grants such as for Alaska SAIL. She spoke of personal benefits Independent from these grants.  Living 1:52:25 PM Brian Johnson, Testified in support of funding for Client, interpretative services.  Southeast Alaska Independent Living 1:53:46 PM Mike Zigler, Spoke in support of funding for K-12 Great Alaska education programs. He said he would Schools like to see money going to the classrooms, rather than to pay retirement funds.  1:56:04 PM Susan Musante, Explained that her organization targets SOTERIA-Alaska the seriously mentally ill. She spoke in support of funding for mental health programs. She requested restoration of funds for SOTERIA.  1:59:11 PM Brenda Taylor, Spoke as a parent of a Juneau Charter Great Alaska School student. She testified in Schools support of continued funding for charter school grants. She thanked the committee for past funding.  2:04:15 PM Stephanie Spoke in support of the Governor's Ashley, increments for the University.  University of Alaska Southeast 2:05:11 PM Kevin Skeek, Testified in favor of full funding for University of the University.  Alaska Southeast 2:06:05 PM Michael Ciri, Spoke as a student in favor of funding University of for the university. He related a Alaska personal experience with the university Southeast system. He requested the adoption of the Board of Regents amended budget request.  2:09:11 PM Jai Cary, Related her personal story as a student University of and as an employee of the university. Alaska She spoke in support of the Governor's Southeast increments for the University.  2:11:54 PM Walter Thanked the committee for funding for Majorous, behavioral health grants, fetal alcohol  Juneau Youth syndrome, and Bring the Kids Home Services initiative. He requested the restoration of funding for Bring the Kids Home. He related the history behind Denali KidCare funding cuts and requested an expansion of the program.  2:15:41 PM Melinda Shared her experience of caring for an Cavanaugh, aged parent. She requested funding for Adult Day the Adult Bridge Program.  Program 2:18:04 PM Beth Rivest, Related a personal story as a parent of Juneau a child in the charter school. She Community testified in support of continued Charter School funding for charter school grants.  2:19:26 PM Marianne Mills, Testified in support of funding for Southeast Senior Community Grants. She listed Senior Services cost savings by funding these grants.  2:24:44 PM Bev Ingram, Testified in favor of funding for the Alaska Infant Alaska Infant Learning Program. She Learning spoke about the need to fund programs Program for autism diagnosis. She spoke of federal law regarding early intervention.  2:28:35 PM Testified in support of funding for Darryl Tseu, schools fewer than 150 pupils, such as Juneau the Juneau Community Charter School.  Community Charter School 2:30:01 PM Testified in support of $250,000 in Harriet Milks, funding for schools with fewer than 150 Juneau pupils, such as the Juneau Community Community Charter School. She stressed the Charter School breadth of educational philosophies and challenges in meeting students' needs.  2:33:39 PM Spoke in support of funding for human Rosemary services needs of the state such as Hagevig, Keep the Seniors Home, for restoring Catholic funding for Denali KidCare to 200 Community percent of the poverty level, for Services additional funds for early intervention services, and for an equitable distribution of matching grants (see written remarks). She stressed the importance of the non-profit sector for its contributions to delivering much- needed social services.  2:36:23 PM Voiced support for Adult Daycare Bridge Martha Penrose, program and other senior grant programs Juneau that allow seniors to be cared for in their homes or with their families.  2:39:46 PM Testified in support of the governor's Bob Doll, proposal to reinstate municipal revenue Member, sharing and asked that it be divorced  and Borough of   Juneau 2:43:17 PM Voiced support for the legislatative Kathie consideration of PERS and TRS Wasserman, stability. Testified in support of the Alaska governor's proposal to reinstate $48.1 Municipal million for municipal revenue sharing.  League 2:45:44 PM Carl Rose, Spoke in support of funding for Alaska education programs. He pointed out Association of that the PERS and TRS liability is a Alaska School concern. He referenced the sic-point Boards concern from previous testimony. He testified in support of the governor's proposal to reinstate municipal revenue sharing grants.  2:50:26 PM Testified in support of Independent Pam Dunker, Living Grants. She stressed the need Juneau to support the hearing impaired with services.  2:53:58 PM Expressed appreciation for education Andy Story, funding in the previous year. She Juneau School observed that the governor's proposed Board funding level would result in a $1.8 million reduction to the Juneau School District. She asked the Committee to look at district cost factors. She testified in support of full funding for pupil transportation.  2:58:52 PM Testified in support of Centers for Jeff Irwin Independent Living. These centers help allow individuals to remain in the work force and to live independently.  3:02:23 PM Testified in support of assisted living Harold Stepp support for seniors. He shared his personal story with the committee.  3:05:42 PM  Recessed 3:36:22 PM  Resumed Testified as a parent in support of Maria Rosales, continued funding for charter school Juneau grants.  Community Charter School 3:38:00 PM Spoke in support of continued funding Lisa Greenough, for charter school grants. She noted Juneau the inequity in funding of various Community sized schools. She brought attention Charter School to a new charter school, the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School in Anchorage. She related a positive personal experience with charter schools.  3:45:44 PM Spoke in favor of funding for tourism,  Becky Bear, Alaska Personal Industry. She described independent Tours tourism activities which sometimes get overlooked by the cruise industry.  3:53:05 PM  Adjourned.