HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE SECOND SPECIAL SESSION July 16, 2019 2:07 p.m. 2:07:09 PM [MEETING HELD AT THE MAT-SU LIO AND RECORDED IN JUNEAU] CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Foster called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 2:07 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair Representative Tammie Wilson, Co-Chair (via teleconference) Representative Jennifer Johnston, Vice-Chair Representative Dan Ortiz, Vice-Chair Representative Andy Josephson Representative Bart LeBon Representative Kelly Merrick Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard Representative Cathy Tilton MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Ben Carpenter ALSO PRESENT Denise Dotson, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Kathy Clements, Self, Mat- Su LIO; Vickie Turner Malone, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Carol Carman, Self, Mat-Su LIO; David Long, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Maggie Humm, AK Legal Services Corp, Mat-Su LIO; Gunnar Knapp, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Garvan Bucaria, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Andrew Brewer, Merrick, Mat-Su LIO; Tasha Belka, Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corp, Mat-Su LIO; Patricia Fisher, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Mark Lackey, CCS Early Learning, Mat-Su LIO; Joe Schlanger, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Nancy Blake, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Charles McKee, Self, Anchorage; David Rudolph, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Deborah Till, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Elizabeth Holt, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Amy Pettit, Alaska Farmland Trust, Mat-Su LIO; Linda Strode, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Beth Fread, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Ashley Peltier, American Lung Association, Mat-Su LIO; Jessica Wright, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Melissa Gudobba, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Dianne Shibe, MSEA, Mat- Su LIO; Kim Evans, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Barb Doty, Self, Mat- Su LIO; Mike Widney, Save the PFD, Mat-Su LIO; Bill Kendig Self, Mat-Su LIO; Mandy Gershon, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Joel Sigman, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Linda Shine, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Tim Shine, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Jerry Hupp, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Anthony Baiocchi, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Mike Coons, Greater AK Chapter AMAC Action, Mat-Su LIO; Laurie Kari, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Crystal Gillespie, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Marjie Cunningham, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Karen Salisbury, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Sara Marie Williams, Hemp for Healthcare in Alaska, Mat-Su LIO; Mary Mounce, Self, Mat-Su LIO; David Werner MD, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Elizabeth Ripley, Owner, Mat-Su Health Foundation; Nick Papacostas, President, Alaska Chapter American College of Emergency Physicians, Mat-Su LIO; Tom Quimby, Emergency Physician, Mat-Su Regional Hospital, Mat- Su LIO; Lin Davis, Self, Kodiak; Christopher Kurka, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Kathleen Graber, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Brooke Heppinstell, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Diana Sloan-Basner, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Robin Lockwood, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Rhonda Stark, citizen, business owner, Mat-Su LIO; Chelsea Gregersen, AK Legal Services Corp, Mat-Su LIO; Barbara Shew, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Valerie Baffone, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Dee Quinn, Self, Mat-Su LIO; John Rozzi, Mat-Su Coalition on Housing & Homelessness, Mat-Su LIO; Dave Rose, Mat-Su Coalition on Housing & Homelessness, Mat-Su LIO; Gretchen Clayton, Valley Interface Action, Mat-Su LIO; Dianne Woodruff, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Johan Moropoulos, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Cody Johnson, Self, Mat-Su; Jonathan Rudd, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Bruce Williams, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Joel Fuller, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Tammy Fisher, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Margaret Adsit, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Matthew Bockey, Alaska Legal Services, Mat-Su LIO; James Sellen, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Janel Gagnon, No More Mat-Su, Mat-Su LIO; Meghan Aube-Trammel, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Ron Johnson, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Gregory Push, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Laurie Phillips, Wasilla Homeless Commission, Mat-Su LIO; Carolyn Porter, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Amy Henry, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Brendan Carpenter, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Kristen Nilsson, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Barbara Williams, ADATWC Families, Mat-Su LIO; John Barton, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Georgiana Gooch, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Sharon Hein, Self, Mat- Su LIO; Jesse Sumner, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Michael Tridwell, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Lynx Mullen, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Becky Stoppe, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Sara Saxton, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Jeffery Knauf, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Gini King-Taylor, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Stephanie Mowers, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Burt Houghtaling, Self, Mat-Su LIO; House Speaker Bryce Edgmon; Senate President Cathy Giessel; Representative Geran Tarr; Senator Lyman Hoffmann; Senator David Wilson; Representative Delana Johnson; Representative Adam Wool; Senator Shelly Hughes. PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE Terry Snyder, AARP, Mat-Su LIO; Mary Forbes, Self, Kodiak; Robyn Cassidy, Self, Kodiak; Alyson Currey, Self, Juneau; Suelynn Hight, Self, Mat-Su LIO; Jacquelyn Dozier, Self, Wrangell; Pattrice Illguth, Self, North Pole; Lily Werts, Self, Anchorage; Ghert Abbott, Self, Ketchikan; Tracie Haan, Self, Palmer; George Pierce, Self, Kasilof; Alice Bioff, Self, Nome; Laura Bess, Self, Juneau; Mark Wheeler, Self, Juneau; Luann McVey, Self, Juneau; Tom Rutecki, Self, Juneau; Hannah Atkinson, Self, Kotzebue; Nicole Barrome, Alaska Federation of Natives, Anchorage; Dave Maxwell, Self, Palmer; Jeff Guard, Self, Anchorage; Laura Steele, Self, Juneau; Kristin Garot, Self, Juneau; Terri Mullis, Self, Fairbanks; Shannon Medlock, Self, Anchorage; Travis Friesen, Self, Palmer; Ellen Frankenstein, Self, Sitka; ~Elizabeth Bacom, Self, Petersburg; Laura Stats, Self, Juneau; Teresa Savel, Self, Palmer; Bill Price, Self, Wasilla; Kathleen Grace, Self, Anchorage; Bill Lawrence, Self, Delta Junction; Catherine Hatch, Self, Juneau; Erika Ammann, Self, Anchorage; Melanie Keenan, Self, Wasilla; Lauren Carlton, Self, Anchorage; Donna Goldsmith, Self, Anchorage; Cynthia Farrens, Self, Wasilla; William Aube, Self, Palmer; Carol Ryan-Aube, Self, Palmer; Russel Sampson, Self, Wasilla; Emily Ferry, Self, Juneau; Michelle Jett, Self, Anchorage; Ron Bernier, Self, Meadow Lakes; James Squyres, Self, Rural Deltana; Representative Gary Knopp. SUMMARY HB2001 APPROP: ERA FOR PERMANENT FUND DIVIDENDS HB 2001 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. PUBLIC TESTIMONY Co-Chair Foster reviewed the agenda for the meeting. 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." 2:09:15 PM Co-Chair Foster asked testifiers to limit their remarks to two minutes. ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY 2:11:09 PM Co-Chair Foster explained the committee process for public testimony. 2:12:03 PM DENISE DOTSON, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, was disappointed with the process of the legislature thus far. She was disgusted. She had been a resident since 1980. She noted all of the opportunities found in Alaska. She opposed government interference. She spoke in testified in opposition to HB 2001. She supported Governor Dunleavy's reductions. She spoke of giving and giving and giving, costing citizens additional money. She criticized the legislators for not doing their jobs. She reiterated that the legislature was not acting on behalf of the people of Alaska. 2:16:10 PM KATHY CLEMENTS, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, had been in the state for over 40 years. She believed the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) belonged to the people of Alaska. She thought anyone could donate their PFD if they wanted to. She supported the cuts made by the governor. She talked about someone wanting free teeth. She reiterated her support of the cuts that had been made. 2:18:38 PM VICKIE TURNER MALONE, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, talked about Alaskans working across the aisle. She noted some of the past leaders of Alaska. She thought the governor was blowing Alaskans apart. She referenced the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) sweep. She advocated legislators going to Juneau, as it was properly set up to do business. She spoke in support of the budget submitted to the governor by the legislature. 2:23:07 PM CAROL CARMAN, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, moved to Alaska when she was three months old. She thanked the minority members of the House Finance Committee for following the Alaska Constitution and for following the governor's proclamation. She continued thanking the minority members for several other things. She supported a full PFD of $3,000 and the governor's vetoes. 2:26:33 PM DAVID LONG, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, testified in opposition to HB 2001. He applauded the governor for his vetoes. He suggested the state had to work within its means. He stated that proposed new taxes would not be enough to close the budget gap. He believed in a full dividend. He urged members to work towards a sustainable budget. 2:28:40 PM TERRY SNYDER, AARP, MAT-SU LIO (via teleconference), spoke on behalf of AARP members. She asked the legislature to restore the funding for the Senior Benefits Program, Legal Services, and the Medicaid Adult Dental Program. She spoke in support of Alaskan elders. 2:31:07 PM MAGGIE HUMM, AK LEGAL SERVICES CORP, MAT-SU LIO, provided background information about the role of Alaska Legal Services. She spoke of the years she practiced in the field and the rampant violence and substance abuse. She highlighted that state funding had provided critical legal services to several different groups. She had worked in the Mat-Su office for over eight years. She spoke of additional contribution made by Alaska Legal Services. She reported that three offices were threatened to be closed as a result of the reduction in funding. Co-Chair Foster asked how many offices Alaska Legal Services had. Ms. Humm responded that there were 13 offices. 2:34:00 PM GUNNAR KNAPP, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, provided a brief bit of information about his background. He indicated that most people should look at how they were spending their money in reference to how much they were being paid. He spoke of extravagant spending when oil revenues were huge. He indicated that the Permanent Fund was a good idea when the state had excess revenues to protect the funds from being spend on boondoggle projects. He suggested that it was entirely reasonable to ask if it was reasonable to continue paying the high amount of the PFD. He thought Alaska was facing more than determining how much of a dividend to be paid. He posed the questions about a fair and prudent way of addressing Alaska's needs. 2:38:09 PM GARVAN BUCARIA, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, testified in opposition to HB 2001 and believed it was disgusting. He shared that he was a survivor of depression. He spoke of the hardships people faced. He recalled gas rationing, savings stamps, and other things. He advocated reducing the cost of services. He believed a full PFD of $3000 would be better spent by recipients than the legislature. 2:41:00 PM ANDREW BREWER, MERRICK, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in opposition to HB 2001. He thought the legislature should change the statutes to include designated funds. He argued that the dividend was meant to be an investment for Alaskans. He stated he would fight the lawlessness of the session. 2:43:19 PM TASHA BELKA, ALASKA RURAL REHABILITATION CORP, MAT-SU LIO, discussed budget cuts to critical programs including the Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation (ARRC) and the Division of Agriculture's revolving loan fund. She provided information regarding the corporation. She spoke to the benefits of several lending agencies that provided necessary operating capital for farmers and ranchers. She advocated that funding be restored for essential agricultural programs. 2:45:16 PM PATRICIA FISHER, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, argued for a stronger education system in the state. She thought increased drug use and homelessness were among things that would result from a lack of investment in education. Co-Chair Foster recognized Co-Chair Wilson and Representative Grier Hopkins online. 2:47:06 PM MARK LACKEY, CCS EARLY LEARNING, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in support of early learning programs. He had to make calls about certain schools having to close as a result of the governor's vetoes. He implored the legislature and the governor to work together to come up with a solution. He provided a quote regarding protecting all children. 2:50:35 PM JOE SCHLANGER, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke on behalf of a full PFD. He noted several people struggling to pay their taxes. He asserted that legislators only cared about personal interest groups. 2:53:20 PM NANCY BLAKE, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, believed the governor's budget was a travesty. She supported the legislature's budget that would not devastate the education system, did not leave elders without food or care, did not hinder efforts to address homelessness, addiction, and mental health, and did not remove public safety funding for rural communities. She advocated capping the PFD until there was an equal amount of income tax or wage tax. She supported a reduction to oil tax credits. She asked the legislature to challenge the governor's cuts. 2:56:07 PM MARY FORBES, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke in support of HB 2001 and a reduced PFD. [Ms. Forbes dropped offline]. 2:57:23 PM CHARLES MCKEE, SELF, ANCHORAGE, testified in opposition to HB 2001. He spoke of having testified on another issue that he felt he influenced. He spoke of the fifth amendment of the United States Constitution and constructive larceny. He continued to discuss an issue unrelated to the bill. 3:02:21 PM Co-Chair Foster returned to the testimony of Mary Forbes from Kodiak. Ms. Forbes expressed her disappointment in the governor's vetoes and the entitlement of the PFD. 3:03:23 PM ROBYN CASSIDY, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), supported HB 2001 in its current version. She commended the legislature for the compromise budget. She was dismayed with the governor's vetoes. She was surprised at several of the reductions of which she named several. She talked about an impending recession that would be likely if the vetoes stood. She advocated addressing the revenue stream. She suggested a progressive income tax. 3:05:41 PM ALYSON CURREY, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), asked the legislature to restore the funding from all of the governor's vetoes, reverse the sweep, and pass a responsible PFD amount. She thanked legislators for working together to protect programs for the people of Alaska. She thanked the legislature for working to protect access to essential state services. She stressed that the budget could not be balanced on the backs of the state's most vulnerable residents. 3:07:12 PM DAVID RUDOLPH, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, encouraged members to minimize or abolish the PFD in order to preserve several different programs. He spoke in support of education, food and shelter, public announcements, policing, community support, rural support, and infrastructure repair. He asked that they protect the most vulnerable Alaskans. 3:08:23 PM DEBORAH TILL, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, urged support of HB 2001. She shared that she was a nurse practitioner. She mentioned the impacts of cuts on the most vulnerable Alaskans. She provided a quote from FDR. 3:09:44 PM ELIZABETH HOLT, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, testified in opposition to HB 2001 and fully supported the governor's vetoes. She supported a full PFD. She did not believe the state could keep funding all of the existing programs. 3:11:39 PM AMY PETTIT, ALASKA FARMLAND TRUST, MAT-SU LIO, testified in support of HB 2001 in her roll with the Alaska Farmland Trust. She was a parent and spoke in favor of policy and people. She supported the budget the legislature put forward to the governor. She advocated restoring all funding to the budget. 3:13:53 PM SUELYNN HIGHT, SELF, MAT-SU LIO (via teleconference), opposed HB 2001. She had been a resident of the state for 45 years. She agreed with the governor's budget cuts and felt the current bill was illegal. She supported a full PFD payment of $3000. She did not believe the PFD was a social handout. She supported the governor and urged members to support him. 3:17:52 PM LINDA STRODE, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, thought it was unreasonable for the state to take the proposed cuts. She thought there would be serious ramifications. She noted some of her family members leaving the state. Her family members left because of their concern with education for her grandchildren. She urged members to do their job and restore the veto funding and ensure Alaska's future. 3:20:24 PM BETH FREAD, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, was disappointed that the legislature had not figured out that all of its members were needed to accomplish something. She supported reductions to the budget. She opined that only small portions had been reduced in the budget. The University was being reduced by 17 percent. She attributed the violence in Wasilla to the divide of the legislature. She continued to express her disappointment. 3:23:03 PM ASHLEY PELTIER, AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION, MAT-SU LIO, indicated she would support her written testimony. However, she would review just a few points. She indicated the cuts to Medicaid was devastating. She provided her personal testimony. She spoke in favor of the restoration of cuts to education. She thought she had no reason to stay in Alaska. She urged members to put the health of all Alaskans before a full PFD. Co-Chair Foster commented that he was really listening to people's testimony. He was trying to take away something from each testifier. Representative Wool stated that he was not taking a tally. Vice-Chair Johnston noted that she was taking a tally but was actively listening. 3:27:13 PM JESSICA WRIGHT, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, objected to HB 2001. She shared that she had testified three times on the budget. She was surprised that the budget was still being debated. She supported the governor's vetoes and a full PFD was the right of the people. She believed the legislature should be meeting in Wasilla as proclaimed by the governor. 3:30:08 PM MELISSA GUDOBBA, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in favor of Governor Dunleavy's vetoes and a full PFD. She thought the legislature should stand by the governor. She grew up in Alaska and had depended on the PFD. She was skeptical about the process working. 3:32:52 PM DIANNE SHIBE, MSEA, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in favor of HB 2001. She was concerned about the uncertainty of the proposed cuts. She mentioned the cut to the bond reimbursement. She asked members to put the people of Alaska first. 3:34:18 PM KIM EVANS, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, was an educator, parent, and student. She asked if the legislature was thinking long- term or short-term. She was concerned about the cuts made to the state budget. She thought the cuts were too deep. She talked about the state having the lowest taxes in the nation with the highest payout. She asked what the state would look like if it only focused on the yearly PFD instead of public safety, infrastructure, and education. 3:36:59 PM BARB DOTY, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in favor of compromise. She thought the future of Alaska would include looking at reduced oil tax credits. She also supported an income tax. She had four children, three of whom lived in Alaska presently. She had a daughter attending college out of state but would return. She urged the legislature to look at compromise in terms of the future of Alaska. She asked members to look at the bigger picture and to compromise. 3:39:41 PM MIKE WIDNEY, SAVE THE PFD, MAT-SU LIO, spoke of the brilliance of the Permanent Fund. He thought people were working to destroy the fund. He advocated a full PFD. He believed that taking the PFD from people was a regressive tax. He indicated that he would work towards replacing some legislators. 3:41:25 PM JACQUELYN DOZIER, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 2001 as amended. She spoke of some of the tragedies in her family. She was broke when she moved to Alaska. She came to Alaska and had worked as an educator for years. She supported the Senior Benefits Programs. She thanked the committee. Vice-Chair Ortiz thanked Ms. Dozier for her testimony. 3:44:50 PM BILL KENDIG, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, opposed the legislation. He supported the governor's budget and a full PFD. He objected to the special session being held in Juneau. He suggested that anyone that stayed in Juneau broke the law. He stressed that balancing the budget was imperative. He did not believe a 17 percent cut to the University was large. He thought the University was mismanaged. He was shocked at HB 2001. He thought the governor would veto the bill. 3:48:04 PM Representative Wool interjected that the cuts of $440 million (10 percent of the total budget) brought the total allowable amount within the budget to a $1,600 PFD, which was halfway to $3,000. MANDY GERSHON, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in opposition to HB 2001. She advocated a full PFD. She indicated that if the legislature was to provide a smaller PFD it would not be following the law. She urged members to follow the law. 3:51:49 PM JOEL SIGMAN, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, opined that the legislature did not listen to the people. He was tired of the illegal things they were doing. He spoke about funding that was wasted on construction projects that had to be redone. He thought there would be greater problems in the future. He advocated for the homeless. He thought legislators should walk in the shoes of a homeless person for a year before they made rash decisions about funding. He did not think people cared or listened. 3:57:25 PM LINDA SHINE, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, opposed the cuts to the University of Alaska. She shared that she had been an elementary school teacher. She thought cuts to the University to the point of closure was irresponsible. She did not believe a $3,000 PFD would make up for the loss. She thought the $3,000 would go outside the state to pay for students' education elsewhere. She viewed the vetoes as an overcorrection and implored the legislature to prevent Alaska from being destroyed by an overcorrection. She asked the legislature to reinstate funds for the University, seniors, homeless, and other vital services. 3:59:10 PM TIM SHINE, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, agreed it would be nice to have a $3,000 PFD, but he believed HB 2001 sounded like a reasonable compromise. He shared that he had voted for Governor Dunleavy. He appreciated the governor's pushback on an income tax. He disagreed with the governor's vetoes and believed they were unreasonable. He did not believe the PFD should be prioritized above other state institutions and responsibilities. He appreciated the legislature's responsible budget. 4:01:11 PM JERRY HUPP, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in favor of HB 2001 and an income tax. felt that it would be irresponsible to take a $3,000 PFD while essential state services were being "gutted." He shared that he and his wife had received more in PFDs than they had paid in property taxes over their 30- years in Alaska. He remarked that residents' total contribution to local and state services was effectively zero. He noted that there should be a consideration of Alaska's children. He spoke in support of reinstating the funds affected by the vetoes. 4:03:23 PM Vice-Chair Johnston remarked that there was a request for a break but wanted to ensure that the list was completed. 4:04:10 PM ANTHONY BAIOCCHI, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in support of the governor's intentions. He spoke in support of a budget similar to the budget in 2006. He felt that it was a significant increase. He noted that he had seen income loss and had to personally budget. He felt that Medicaid was increasing the cost of health care of moderate working Alaskans. 4:06:37 PM MIKE COONS, GREATER AK CHAPTER AMAC ACTION, MAT-SU LIO, remarked that he was not a part of a special interest group. He stated that that the PFD formula was existing law. He felt that the bill violated existing law. He continued to highlight that the work was illegal. 4:10:00 PM LAURIE KARI, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke against the governor's vetoes. She worked with agencies to provide homeless prevention in the community. She shared that matching grants had saved the state millions of dollars in the long run, which was something the governor was hoping to veto. She provided additional examples of negative impacts of the vetoes. She encouraged a compromise between the vetoes and a reasonable PFD. She did not want to pull the rug out from under compassionate lifesaving services. She wished the legislature luck in its negotiation on HB 2001. 4:12:31 PM CRYSTAL GILLESPIE, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, remarked that her family had to budget recently due to a change in her circumstances. She felt that the state needed to adjust their lives. She urged the legislature to responsibly budget to the state's money. She stated that the PFD belonged to the people. She felt that the government was growing too rapidly. She wondered whether the programs could be included in the Pick.Click.Give. program. 4:16:11 PM MARJIE CUNNINGHAM, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, urged the committee to restore the funding affected by the vetoes. She remarked that she was a Medicaid recipient and would be affected by the cut to dental coverage. She shared that she was afraid that Medicaid expansion would be the next thing that would be affected by cuts. She felt that there should be a focus on reducing homelessness. She spoke against forcing people onto the street in the name of a promise for a higher PFD. She noted that it was shameful that Alaska was the only state without an Arts Council. 4:18:27 PM KAREN SALISBURY, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, remarked that she and her husband lost their homes at one point during a recession, and she did not want to see that happen again. She stated that her family currently had eight kids in the Alaska school system, and many chose their higher education at the University of Alaska system. She stressed that the highest priority should be education. She felt that there could be a compromise in the budget. She stated that the PFD, education, and services to Alaskans should all be the focus. 4:20:55 PM SARA MARIE WILLIAMS, HEMP FOR HEALTHCARE IN ALASKA, MAT-SU LIO, stated that she was currently homeless. She stated that hemp had many important qualities for the state. She felt that the hemp industry would provide jobs for Alaskans. She felt that the governor was prioritizing oil money over people. She wanted a government that valued education and health care. She remarked that an intelligent and healthy population was a prosperous population. 4:24:03 PM MARY MOUNCE, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke against the reductions to the Pioneer Home. She shared that her sister-in-law suffered from dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease and was currently resident of the Sitka Pioneer Home. She detailed that the monthly cost was $6,750 or $81,000 per year. She spoke in opposition to the proposed increases in cost. She asked the legislature to fight the governor's proposed budget cuts. 4:26:11 PM DAVID WERNER MD, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, shared that he was a former family doctor. He spoke in support of overriding the governor's vetoes, a reduced PFD, and an income tax. He felt that the budget cuts would come at the expense of the government services. He felt that the governor's vetoes would cause a recession. He stressed that there would be a negative impact of institutional knowledge due to the effect of the budget vetoes. 4:29:01 PM ELIZABETH RIPLEY, OWNER, MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION, stressed that the governor's vetoes would have a negative effect on the health of the people in Mat-Su. She stated that state Medicaid dollars helped Alaska to improve the health of its citizens. The foundation was ready to work with the governor and legislature to protect healthcare and critical social services without implementing draconian budget measures. She supported a budget that made good use of state dollars and protected the health of residents. 4:31:48 PM NICK PAPACOSTAS, PRESIDENT, ALASKA CHAPTER AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001. He remarked that Medicaid and Medicaid expansion were "game changers" for Alaskans. Medicaid coverage helped patients who were terribly unwell. He felt that cutting benefits for the patients would have a more costly result. He remarked that preventative dental care was comparatively inexpensive, so removing preventative dental would result in costly infections and other problems. 4:35:19 PM TOM QUIMBY, EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN, MAT-SU REGIONAL HOSPITAL, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001, and the full restoration of the vetoes. He echoed the comments of some previous testifiers. He shared that he grew up in Chugiak and attended UAA. He also graduated from the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) program and had been employed as a firefighter to pay for school. He felt that the cuts disproportionately affected the most vulnerable citizens of the state. He noted that there was a quantifiable reduction in substance abuse, so the cuts may reverse that reduction in the other direction. 4:38:08 PM LIN DAVIS, SELF, JUNEAU, applauded the proposal of HB 2001 and amendments that would restore the governor's cuts. She was currently in Kodiak to catch the Tustumena ferry because she was concerned it would not be around in the following year. She characterized the governor's vetoes as dire and deadly. She was amenable to a smaller PFD. She believed the governor's cuts were egregious and were contrary to his campaign promises. She urged full funding of the UA system, AMHS, public broadcasting, Pre-K, WWAMI, art programs, and other. 4:40:42 PM PATTRICE ILLGUTH, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference), spoke against HB 2001. She remarked that she and her husband had felt the cuts when Governor Walker had reduced the PFDs. She stated that she did not like the school system, so she homeschooled her kids. She felt that the governor made good cuts. She applauded the legislators who went to Wasilla. She remarked that cutting the budget would affect the state's economy. 4:43:47 PM LILY WERTS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported HB 2001. She supported fully funding the vetoed budget items. Additionally, she was in favor of a PFD of $1,600 or a surplus dividend of $929 if it would allow vital services to be maintained. She reported that she and her boyfriend had been planning to buy a home but his job at the University was now in jeopardy. She had been planning to seek a master's degree, but it was unlikely due to cuts to the University. 4:45:34 PM GHERT ABBOTT, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke in support of HB 2001. He believed the bill did the least economic and social damage to Alaska in the short-term. He felt that overturning the governor's vetoes should be the most immediate priority for the legislature. However, he believed the regressive dividend head tax contained in the bill would have the same impact as the governor's vetoes in the long-term. He believed that the elderly, rural communities, students, and working poor Alaskans would be the most impacted. He spoke in favor of an income tax to provide the state with sustainable revenue. 4:47:12 PM TRACIE HAAN, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), spoke in support of HB 2001. She asked what consolation a $3,000 PFD gave to University employees who had lost their livelihoods. She thought the PFD represented the ultimate handout. She stressed that the bill would only limit the PFD, not eliminate it. She spoke to the importance of protecting the safety and health of Alaskans. 4:49:50 PM GEORGE PIERCE, SELF, KASILOF (via teleconference), spoke in support of a full PFD. He shared that he had been in Alaska for 30 years and felt that there should not be funding for nonprofits and special interest groups. He applauded the governor for reducing education funding. He felt that the oil companies should be taxed. 4:53:17 PM ALICE BIOFF, SELF, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in support of HB 2001. She spoke in support of funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA). She highlighted the benefits and work of ASCA. She remarked that ASCA had officially closed the day prior. She shared the many beneficial programs that were a way to integrate art into the educational systems. 4:56:17 PM CHRISTOPHER KURKA, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, felt that the PFD belonged to the people. He felt that reducing the PFD was like an insidious tax. He felt that the legislature had a responsibility to make wise budget choices. 4:58:05 PM KATHLEEN GRABER, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, did not want to testify for or against HB 2001. She spoke against the deconstruction of Alaskan services. She shared that she had paid taxes when she first arrived in the state, and never questioned her responsibility to pay taxes. She stated that residents live in Alaska, because they love Alaska. She hoped that there would be a halt to reducing the quality of life in the state. She stressed that not everyone was tough enough to live Alaska. She remarked that she had lived in Valdez with no television, and bottles of soda were not available when she was a teenager. 5:01:29 PM BROOKE HEPPINSTELL, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She supported having the capital in Juneau. She reported her family had never budgeted on something that had not happened yet - like the PFD. She supported new revenues and improved education. She stressed the importance of discontinuing disparaging the brain power of people who were educated in the state. 5:03:58 PM DIANA SLOAN-BASNER, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, testified in support of the bill. She supported engineers at the University working on climate change issues. She was disappointed that Governor Dunleavy had hired his budget director from the Lower 48. She was curious about the governor's motivation to cut the Ocean Ranger Program that did not cost the state any money. She spoke to the governor's claim the state was open to business, but she thought it appeared the state was closed to seniors, children, and other. She pointed out that the University was the only higher education option in Alaska. She supported making it an affordable, attractive option for students. She asked for a change to the oil tax credits and an income tax. She thanked the committee for its work on the previous budget. 5:07:19 PM ROBIN LOCKWOOD, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, supported the bill. She shared that she had recently graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Alaska. She supported the override of the governor's vetoes. She was disappointed in the outcome on the vote the previous week. The programs impacted her community members. She did not believe every Alaskan had been taken into consideration when the governor had made his vetoes. She asked the committee to consider reinstating a state income tax. 5:09:42 PM LAURA BESS, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), testified in support of the bill. She was opposed to cuts to the University. She was a professor at UAS and wanted to keep her job and remain in Alaska. She urged the legislature to find a way to work together to find a more responsible PFD. She asked the legislature to restore the vetoes. She was shocked by individuals who were only concerned about themselves and not others. She spoke about the over subsidization to the oil industry. She advocated for healthcare and other. The cuts were devastating to communities. Alaska deserved better than the cuts; she supported a responsible PFD. 5:12:46 PM MARK WHEELER, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), testified in support of the bill. He reported he was present in the Juneau Capitol Building. He spoke about hospitality. The governor's budget did not reflect how Alaskans treated each other. He stressed that Alaskans did not turn their backs on the homeless people and other. He shared that he had lost his job working for a nonprofit seven years ago. He stressed that thousands of people would lose their jobs, people may die, and other negative things would occur. He asked what type of a state people wanted. He asked if people wanted to see people leave the state. 5:15:39 PM LUANN MCVEY, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. She had planned to live the rest of her life in Alaska, but now she was reconsidering. She would give up her entire PFD to preserve the University, Medicaid, AMHS, seniors, and other. She supported a personal income tax and the removal of oil tax credits. She asked the committee to do the right thing for the people of Alaska. She thanked the committee for its time. 5:17:37 PM TOM RUTECKI, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), testified in favor of the bill. He shared that the state did not have the revenue to pay for a $3,000 PFD because SB 21 never lived up to expectations. The PFD was important to certain people, especially to village residents. He pointed out that the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program had been gutted and he believed $3,000 per person would not make up for the loss. He shared that Wyoming was much more conservative than Alaska and it had just approved $1.7 million for its university engineering initiative. His PFD would be eaten up by airline tickets because there would be no ferries to travel. He urged the passage of the bill. 5:19:41 PM RHONDA STARK, CITIZEN, BUSINESS OWNER, MAT-SU LIO, opposed the bill. She stressed that emotion would not solve the state's problems. She thought it was important to do the hard things at present and resurrect the Alaska "can do" spirit. She stated that she was a University of Alaska alumni and former employee. Her daughter was a graduate of UAF and had graduated as a scholar. She stressed that Alaska was first in the nation in per capita spending. She detailed that the University was overfunded. She thought the state needed to be better financial footing before it considered taking the PFD. She was not opposed to using the PFD, but less needed to be spent. 5:22:58 PM CHELSEA GREGERSEN, AK LEGAL SERVICES CORP, MAT-SU LIO, shared that she worked with vulnerable Alaskans. She detailed a story about a client who had applied for services. She provided other examples of clients she had assisted. She explained that Alaska Legal Services was the only provider of comprehensive free civil legal services in Alaska. She shared that she currently had to turn away one applicant for every applicant she could assist. She stressed that individuals would have nowhere to turn. She elaborated on the services she provided to clients. 5:26:11 PM BARBARA SHEW, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, detailed that she had served in the military and had been an Iditarod volunteer for the past five years. She shared that many elderly in Alaska were scared. She was opposed to the governor's elimination of funding for the Senior Benefits Program. She relayed her family was all in the Lower 48, but she was happy in Alaska. She stated that the kids in Alaska would have to leave the state to find work, which did not seem right. She shared that she did not plan on her PFD. She thanked the committee. 5:29:38 PM VALERIE BAFFONE, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, supported the bill. She had spent her life in Alaska being afforded many opportunities. She thought the state was taking a turn in the wrong direction. She did not want to see family and friends move because opportunities had been lost. She believed the state constitution did a good job prioritizing things. She was opposed to the budget cuts. She spoke about problems in the state with alcoholism, drug abuse, and other. She did not mind paying taxes, a reduction to the PFD, or a change to oil taxes. She wanted services funded. 5:32:38 PM DEE QUINN, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, supported the bill. She was against the governor's vetoes and was supportive of a reduced PFD. She shared that her children had gone to college and were now living in the state. She stated the future was looking bleak. She felt many jobs would be lost if the budget passed and she thought it would send the state back into a recession. She recalled the horrible recession in the 1980s. 5:34:54 PM JOHN ROZZI, MAT-SU COALITION ON HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS, MAT-SU LIO, supported HB 2001. He found it unfortunate that the situation was pitting the most vulnerable Alaskans against one another. He stated that everyone needed the PFD and everyone needed the state services. He shared that the funding provided in the past eight years had formed a network of coalitions supporting individuals in Mat-Su including the reentry program, opioid taskforce, homeless prevention, food banks, early childhood education, behavioral health providers, and more. The most vulnerable Alaskans were worthy of the programs. He stressed compromise beyond party affiliations to work for the good of the community. 5:37:18 PM DAVE ROSE, MAT-SU COALITION ON HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS, MAT- SU LIO, spoke in favor of the bill. He felt people in the state had been working and working to build things up. He shared that in the Mat-Su people helped people. He thought that programs were built up in the valley and across the state because people cared about other people. He was proud to be in Alaska; he married into the state. He provided detail about his life in the state and his work with homeless. He had not done one of those things by himself, he used the state roads, laws, and system. The state had been there to help him. He hoped the state continued to care about its citizens. He thanked the legislature for working across the aisle and for working together. He spoke about the youth in the state. 5:41:37 PM Co-Chair Foster recognized Senator Shelly Hughes in the audience. GRETCHEN CLAYTON, VALLEY INTERFACE ACTION, MAT-SU LIO, read a statement from Lynn Anslem. She shared the individual had numerous health problems. She could not afford her medications if the vetoes stood. She could not see her physicians if the vetoes occurred. She would become homeless. She considered leaving the state; however, qualifying for health insurance was unlikely. She asked how she would survive. Ms. Clayton spoke about her personal life and shared that she was a diabetic. She had been able to have dental care due to Medicaid coverage. She opposed the vetoes. 5:45:05 PM DIANNE WOODRUFF, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, supported the bill. She thought the original budget passed by the legislature was a compromise. She opposed cuts to housing and homeless programs, children, healthcare, and other. She did not support pitting urban and rural communities against each other. She believed the vetoes would hamstring a number of nonprofits requiring matching funds. She referenced stories she had heard about people becoming homeless - it made a big difference when a person got a temporary handout. She thought an income tax would be a better way to deal with the situation, but she was fine with taking part of the PFD if it was needed. She hoped a plan with income would occur the following year. She was disappointed in the governor. She noted that the capital was in Juneau and meetings should take place there. 5:49:37 PM JOHAN MOROPOULOS, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, detailed that he had moved to Alaska 40 years earlier. He referenced dire predictions about what would occur if the budget cuts came to fruition. He had lived in Greece in the past and in recent years he had witnessed the economic chaos in the country where businesses had closed, and people had lost jobs; Greece had spent money it did not have. He acknowledged the good of the programs offered by the state, but he implored the committee to get its fiscal house in order. He stressed the state could not spend money it did not have. 5:51:37 PM CODY JOHNSON, SELF, MAT-SU, supported HB 2001. He was in favor of looking at other forms of revenue such as an income tax. He implored the committee to override the vetoes. He stressed that his wife would lose her job at the University if the vetoes took effect. He had read that 6,000 residents could lose their jobs. He opposed a $3,000 government handout at the expense of people and their livelihoods. He asked the legislature to pass the bill. 5:52:58 PM JONATHAN RUDD, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, testified against the bill. He supported a full PFD. He thought taking the PFD was not right and pit one group of people against another. He added that the issue had divided the legislature into two sections. He asked the legislature to stick with the original formula. He suggested that when the legislature needed more money, it should ask people to donate via Pick.Click.Give. 5:56:29 PM BRUCE WILLIAMS, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, had lived in the state for many years. He had watched the state receive substantial money. He supported the PFD. He shared that he had had cancer five times. The state could not keep going like it was; change was needed. He thought the legislature had not listened to residents. He shared that he had been taught to listen. He did not like having to live off the state or having cancer numerous times. He did not like asking for help. He shared personal information. He was alive because people had helped him and done the right thing. He shared that Benzene had caused his cancer. He stressed that the legislature could not take the PFDs. He emphasized that people needed the legislature's help immediately. He did not support taking the PFDs from children. He implored the committee to do something immediately. He urged coming together. 6:02:48 PM JOEL FULLER, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, opposed the bill. He shared that he had moved to Alaska in 1958. He supported the governor's vetoes and believed the legislature was not fiscally accountable. He thought a constitutional amendment that would implement a spending cap was needed. He stated that people did not trust the legislature to do the right thing. He supported forward funding the budget. He could spend his money, but he did not have a right to spend the state's money. 6:05:59 PM TAMMY FISHER, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, supported the bill. She did not support cuts to the AMHS or education for young Alaskans. She asked what message they were sending children when education and the University were cut. Taking away the university system would force students to leave the state. She believed the cuts were short-sighted. She believed the state needed to train its educators. She could not imagine the fear elderly people were experiencing currently. She did not believe a full PFD was fiscally responsible. She supported a sales tax and reduced PFD. 6:08:30 PM MARGARET ADSIT, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, supported the bill. She focused on agriculture - cuts to agriculture were devastating to farmers and reduced opportunities to enter the industry. She reported that defunding the marketing Alaskan Grown program was detrimental to the industry. She stated that farmers were fiercely independent. She spoke to agricultural research coming into the state and development of new research. The reduction of research funds meant farmers could not diversify crops. 6:12:02 PM MATTHEW BOCKEY, ALASKA LEGAL SERVICES, MAT-SU LIO, was in favor of the bill. He urged the legislature to restore funding for Alaska Legal Services. He provided details about clients he worked with including victims of sexual abuse, disabled individuals, elderly, and other. All of the clients had something in common - they would not have access to legal services without Alaska Legal Services. 6:14:51 PM JAMES SELLEN, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, opposed the bill. He believed the PFD belonged to the citizens of Alaska. He discussed the University budget and believed it was overfunded. He believed the University had many high paid employees. He wondered how much money the University had received the previous year. He shared that he was on Medicaid. He supported the full PFD. 6:21:23 PM JANEL GAGNON, NO MORE MAT-SU, MAT-SU LIO, supported the bill. She supported a reduced PFD and the implementation of taxes. She was married to a man born and raised in Alaska. She shared that she was a teacher but had been working in her husband's medical practice for the past three years. She volunteered elsewhere. She echoed prior comments made about the disenfranchised and vulnerable, but she had to speak out for children. She shared how frustrating it was for high school students who could not vote. She did not think a person could claim to be a champion for children and support the vetoes. She underscored the high rate of child abuse in the state. She wanted to know how people were not all talking about the issue. She stated that the statistics were not possible without a high number of perpetrators. She stressed that the PFD went to those perpetrators who were not known. 6:25:12 PM MEGHAN AUBE-TRAMMEL, SELF, PALMER, testified in support of HB 2001. She shared personal information. She brought her baby daughter to the meeting because she believed it was important for the legislature to see families that were impacted. She supported the University and underscored her opposition to the governor's cuts. She detailed that if the cuts came to fruition, she would lose her adjunct teaching position. She supported a modest PFD. She had lived in Alaska her entire life and reported that residents had never received $3,000 PFDs. She opposed the governor's vetoes. She thanked the committee for its work on a compromise budget. 6:27:56 PM RON JOHNSON, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, opposed HB 2001. He thought government was just getting larger and larger. He wanted to reset the budget to understand how much money there was and how to prioritize it. He believed it was the time to reduce government. He supported the governor's cuts and a full PFD. He was not willing to give up his PFD until spending was controlled. 6:30:37 PM GREGORY PUSH, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke against the bill. He stressed that the PFD belonged to the people as written in the constitution. He underscored that the founding fathers of the PFD did not want the money to be spent on state government. He was sorry people were losing their jobs, but he saw thousands of families leaving in recent years. 6:34:00 PM HANNAH ATKINSON, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), supported the bill and funding for state services. She encouraged legislators to listen to rural Alaska when considering the budget, which she believed the governor had failed to do. She stated that cutting education, public safety, Medicaid, public radio, and Power Cost Equalization (PCE) would cause considerable hardships to some of the most vulnerable people. She asked the legislature to cut the oil tax credits for oil companies. 6:36:37 PM LAURIE PHILLIPS, WASILLA HOMELESS COMMISSION, MAT-SU LIO, opposed the vetoes. She stressed the homeless problem would increase dramatically if the vetoes occurred. She highlighted the importance of senior benefits, veterans, health, and mental health issues impacting people on the street. She discussed that there had been coalitions formed, but she did not believe the work would be enough if the cuts went through. She implored the committee to look at the people impacted by the issues. She thanked the committee for its work. 6:38:25 PM CAROLYN PORTER, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, testified against the bill. She supported cuts to the budget and a full PFD. She shared that she had worked for three nonprofits and in law enforcement. She stressed that many cuts could be made. She referenced a chart showing the top employees in the state. She detailed that 15 of the 20 top paid employees were University employees. She reiterated cuts could be made. She asked the legislature to follow the law. 6:41:22 PM AMY HENRY, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, opposed the bill. She stated that everyone felt they could spend her money better than she could. She thought it was "me, me, me." She paid all of her own medical bills. She stated there were perhaps too many nonprofits. She stated that people needed to live with the vetoes. She underscored the state could not live on borrowed money. She supported the cuts. 6:43:20 PM NICOLE BARROME, ALASKA FEDERATION OF NATIVES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), was in favor of the bill. She referenced sections of the constitution specifying that the legislature shall provide for education, a university shall be established, and other. She supported the legislature's compromise budget. She opposed the governor's vetoes. She asked the legislature to pass the bill. 6:45:24 PM DAVE MAXWELL, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), opposed the bill. He thought the whole thing was a sham. He shared that government had been his employer. He thought government was corrupt. He had called human resources on individuals who had been falsifying their timecards. He thought the government institutions were filled with money waste. He supported the governor's cuts. He wanted to get rid of the corruption. He had become a whistleblower because he believed in statutes and regulations. 6:50:37 PM JEFF GUARD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported the bill. He reported that Kansas had been doing well until former Governor Brownback had come into office. He did not support Governor Dunleavy's vetoes - the governor was dismantling the state. 6:52:36 PM LAURA STEELE, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), testified in favor of the bill. She was speaking on behalf of herself and her grandparents who were not able to speak today. She supported a reduced PFD or no PFD. She did not support the vetoes. She did not see the situation as an either/or scenario. She thought it was possible to have the PFD and services. She emphasized that she was not part of a special interest group. She did not believe the governor's cuts reflected Alaskan values. She asked for a reduction to the oil tax credits. She asked the legislators to keep fellow Alaskans at the front of their minds when making decisions about the future of the state. She thanked the legislature for its hard work and compromise. She asked the committee to have courage. 6:55:45 PM KRISTIN GAROT, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), supported the bill. She spoke to the detrimental impacts of the governor's vetoes. She feared for the state's future and supported a reduced PFD. She asked the legislature to override the vetoes. 6:58:05 PM TERRI MULLIS, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), opposed the bill. She believed taking the PFD was theft. She thought the legislature should have followed the governor's call to meet in Wasilla. She spoke to lobbying by labor unions. She stated that everyday people could not lobby. She asked about the people who did not have a retirement or medical services. She wondered what would happen to the people who were struggling. She thought the budget was devastating to the people in the middle. SHANNON MEDLOCK, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in favor of HB 2001. She talked about the benefits of the University of Alaska. She was scared for her future and for the future education of her children. She urged members to overturn the University vetoes and to support HB 2001. 7:05:10 PM TRAVIS FRIESEN, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), supported HB 2001. He spoke in favor of the University of Alaska and was concerned with the cuts associated with agriculture and AMHS. He thought a larger PFD was not the answer to the current fiscal program. He would rather have access to education rather than a $3,000 PFD. He continued to speak in favor of several programs. He did not want to receive a PFD if it meant losing programs. 7:08:55 PM ELLEN FRANKENSTEIN, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), supported several of the programs that would be cut by the governor's vetoes. She wanted organizations to be alive and well. She thanked members for representing Alaskans. 7:10:51 PM ELIZABETH BACOM, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of HB 2001 and a smaller PFD. She was overwhelmed by the passionate testimony from Alaskans. She claimed that psychological warfare was occurring in the state presently. She thought the line item vetoes were intended to rile up people in Alaska. She thought a large PFD clouded the real issues. She spoke of those that relied on social services. She asserted that psychological warfare caused many ill effects on people. She urged members to pass HB 2001 and to override the vetoes. 7:13:36 PM LAURA STATS, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), supported HB 2001. She was amazed at the testimony on the complicated issues. She thanked the committee for crafting a reasonable budget. She thought education was a force of democracy. She supported a successful business community. She supported what was best for Alaska as a whole. She favored an income tax. She thought the governor was tyrannical and that his vetoes showed a lack of diplomacy. 7:16:26 PM TERESA SAVEL, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), spoke in support of HB 2001. She supported education including the University and other educational formats. She spoke in favor of the Alaska Performance Scholarship program. She mentioned several different programs that she supported. She thanked some of the members of the legislature for their communications. 7:18:41 PM BRENDAN CARPENTER, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in opposition to HB 2001. He urged members to come together to work on a solution. He loved Alaska. He asserted that government had not been a guiding force. He thought the session location in Juneau was too far away. He talked about Alaskans' breakdown of trust in the legislature. He stressed the need for legislators to work together. 7:23:16 PM KRISTEN NILSSON, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in support of HB 2001 and the Medicaid Adult Dental Program. She supported education and the elders. She reported having discussed how the most vulnerable Alaskans were being threatened. She reiterated support for the committee substitute. 7:26:18 PM BARBARA WILLIAMS, ADATWC FAMILIES, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in support of a full PFD and a balanced budget. She shared that she worked as a disabilities advocate and helped people with worker's compensation. She detailed that families needed their PFDs. She spoke to the importance of balancing the budget. She shared that people working at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API) had been treated poorly. She detailed that some of the workers had been assaulted ten times - she believed the state was treating criminals better than the workers. She stressed the need to do better by providing people with services and treatments they needed. She elaborated on the situation at API. She believed there were many places the state could cut costs. 7:29:17 PM JOHN BARTON, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, believed it was obvious the state was in a crisis and there was a division between people. He suggested considering how to run the state differently. He recommended listening to public input on how to make more efficient use of the state's resources. He stressed that the state was woefully dependent on its limited oil resources. He thought it was important for the legislature to redesign the system and find ways to work together. He supported limiting the ability for special interest groups to be involved in campaigns. 7:31:49 PM GEORGIANA GOOCH, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, favored the governor's vetoes. She provided her personal experience around working for the federal government and the waste that she witnessed. She did not want to see Alaskans leave because of a bankrupt state. She did not spend what she did not have. She advised the state to walk away when it could not afford things. She supported a full PFD. She reiterated her support for the governor's vetoes and a full PFD. 7:35:31 PM SHARON HEIN, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She spoke in favor of the original budget that reflected a compromise. She detailed that it hurt everyone slightly and did not target specific groups more than others. However, she recognized long-term solutions were needed. She recalled numerous oil regimes in the state. She stated that the oil industry had written the current tax plan, which she did not believe was to the benefit of the state. She thought the people who had put together a workable budget could develop a workable tax plan. 7:38:32 PM JESSE SUMNER, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke in opposition to HB 2001. Although he did not doubt that many of the programs were beneficial, he thought the legislature should do an experiment. He suggested distributing the money for programs directly to the people and charging for services. He wondered if people would remit the money back to pay for services. He proposed that the people might not be getting the best value for their money. He thought several people would leave. 7:40:21 PM MICHAEL TRIDWELL, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, shared that he was a Vietnam veteran and had been treated poorly by politicians for years. He shared that he had lost his senior benefit and his grocery budget had severely declined. He would rather see the monthly Senior Benefits Program survive than the PFD. Co-Chair Foster clarified that money had been put into the budget for senior benefits, but it had been vetoed. He shared that the legislature was trying to restore funds for the program. Mr. Tridwell understood. He shared that the news had reported that the program would be cut. He had received a letter stating that he would receive the benefits and had not yet heard otherwise from the state. Co-Chair Foster relayed the legislature had been notified the administration had a shortfall and the legislature had allocated more money to cover the amount prior to the year ending June 30. He shared that he had talked to some cab drivers in Nome on July 1 who had taken people to the credit union to get their checks and they had found out then [that they did not receive their benefits]. He understood what Mr. Tridwell was saying about not receiving any notice. Mr. Tridwell reported that he was okay with the PFD being reduced. He used the funds to fill his freezer and put tires on his car for the winter, but he would survive the winter. 7:43:09 PM BILL PRICE, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), testified in opposition to HB 2001. He reported that the cuts resulted in an overall reduction of 6 percent. He thought the impacts were overstated. He noted that Alaska paid twice the national average per student. He suggested combining the universities with only one chancellor. He thought the university system was failing. He pointed to the administrator who had large salaries. He thought efficiencies could be made. He thought too many people in the state appealed to the emotional reactions to the governor's vetoes. He continued to speak to his objection to the proposed legislation. 7:47:41 PM Representative Josephson thought Mr. Price was inaccurate in his statement that the cuts were only 6 percent. He explained that the money had been moved into an account that the legislature could no longer access. He referred to an article in the Anchorage Daily News regarding cuts to AMHS. He continued to provide clarifying remarks. Mr. Price asked if there were not three administrators that were paid an exurbanite amount. He remarked that the legislature had all session to look at alternative answers to the state's fiscal crisis. He continued to make his point. 7:51:59 PM KATHLEEN GRACE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported HB 2001 and an income tax. She funded three scholarships at UAA. She argued that everyone needed to give a little bit more. She thought Alaskans should not expect a PFD - it was a gift. 7:54:12 PM BILL LAWRENCE, SELF, DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference), spoke in opposition of HB 2001. He supported a full statutory PFD, whatever the amount. He wanted the legislature to abide by the law. He thought it was noble for legislators to want to support programs, but he wondered if the state could support them. He thought legislators should follow the call of the governor. He did not like all of the reductions. However, he wanted the law followed. He mentioned that this father-in-law lost his senior benefits. 7:57:51 PM LYNX MULLEN, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, testified in favor of the bill. She stressed that the budget vetoes hit the most vulnerable Alaskans. She opposed many of the governor's reductions. She understood the importance of the PFD in rural Alaska. She asked for a full PFD. She asked the legislature to cut oil tax credits. She opposed cuts to the AMHS and to the Senior Benefits program. She supported reasonable cuts to the budget a consumption tax. 7:59:11 PM BECKY STOPPE, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She supported the Senior Benefits program. She had previously worked at the local Senior Citizen Center. She recalled that the number one thing requested was supplemental nutrition. The Senior Benefits program allowed for food and medication. She urged the legislature to protect the most vulnerable and to support HB 2001. 8:02:11 PM SARA SAXTON, SELF MAT-SU LIO, thought the vetoes reflected extreme cuts that would devastate the state. She worked in the education field and would see the impacts of the reductions will start to show up. She thought the work done on the supplemental budget was very good. She understood the budget needed to be controlled, but the proposed reductions by the governor were unreasonable. She was amenable to a more moderate PFD in lieu of losing programs. 8:04:46 PM JEFFERY KNAUF, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, spoke of having $186 million of revenue he had been trying to get to the state since 2014 on a project that was already permitted. Unfortunately, he had some large structural problems that he could address at another time. He did not expect fellow Alaskans to go without. He thought $186 million would go a long way to helping out in the current discussion. He spoke of changes in 2014. He thought it was important to realize that there were new revenues waiting to get into the cue for projects already fund that the state did not have to contribute to. He wanted the state to start collecting the $186 million. He also asked that the legislature help with some regulatory framework. He continued to talk about a project without mentioning the name of the project. He talked about maintaining certain values and innovations. He invited legislators to participate more. 8:11:11 PM GINI KING-TAYLOR, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, testified in support of HB 2001. She spoke about supporting the homeless. She talked about non-profits being able to assist the homeless. She relayed that 80 percent of the reductions impacted the homeless. She spoke of the challenges that were reflective of the governor's veto. 8:14:58 PM STEPHANIE MOWERS, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, was concerned with revenues. She supported overturning the governor's vetoes. She did not think it made sense to cut money that was bringing in more money to the state. She opposed the cuts to the Alaska Court System. She had heard much frustration with the education system. She did not think cutting education and starting from the ground up would make the problems go away. She mentioned other programs that were being cut. 8:18:17 PM CATHERINE HATCH, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), strongly supported HB 2001. She was very concerned with devastating the state. She thought the administration position was out alignment of the people. She provided an example of Alaskans coming together. 8:21:31 PM ERIKA AMMANN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 2001. She did not need a full PFD; she would rather have government services. She advocated that the veto monies be restored. 8:23:15 PM MELANIE KEENAN, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), was a 30-year resident and worked as an art teacher at Birch Elementary Charter School. She spoke of the effects of the budget reductions including the loss of the music program at the school. She did not want to sacrifice the future of the children of Alaska. She mentioned several programs she supported. She supported a seasonal sales tax. 8:25:41 PM LAUREN CARLTON, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), noted the division in the state. She mentioned that the amount of the dividend had varied significantly. She had been a licensed merchant marine in her past. She mentioned Crowley Maritime. She worked for the state ferry system. She was willing to sacrifice a portion of her PFD. She had not seen action on creating a fund like Norway's. She talked about being on disability, as she suffered from a rare form of arthritis. She thought the Permanent Fund should be drawn from. She did not support the large University System with three colleges. 8:30:41 PM DONNA GOLDSMITH, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), strongly supported HB 2001. She had lived in Alaska for the previous 20 years. She was an attorney that served several victims in different areas of rural Alaska. She thought the cuts disproportionately affected the poor and vulnerable Alaskans. She suggested that all it took was one high medical bill to push someone into homelessness. She told of a friend she lent money to pay a bill. She spoke of other adverse effects of the governor's vetoes. She asked members to protect the vulnerable. 8:34:26 PM CYNTHIA FARRENS, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), supported HB 2001 to restore funding for the many essential services the state needed. She listed several programs which she favored. She appreciated the committee's scrutiny already given in the budget process. She believed essential services should come before a PFD payout. She hoped the legislature would find significant support for the bill. 8:36:49 PM WILLIAM AUBE, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), favored HB 2001. He spoke of attending the University of Alaska. He noted the benefits of getting a higher education degree. He thought several private sector businesses would be negatively affected. He was willing to pay taxes or to give up his PFD. He thought it had been a disservice to the state to eliminate the state income tax. He supported a sales tax. He appreciated the work of the legislature to overturn the governor's vetoes. 8:39:10 PM CAROL RYAN-AUBE, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 2001. She noted that it took her several years to earn he degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She was a retired teacher from the Palmer School District, and she had 180 students in one semester. She asked that the legislature not strip education especially the university system. She asserted that something was seriously wrong with the cuts. She stressed that members should fully find the budget. 8:42:09 PM RUSSEL SAMPSON, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 2001. She asked members to think of their moms. He mother had been sick and had to be basically put down like a dog. She had had difficulty receiving services because of a lack of insurance. She continued to speak about her personal experience with her mother dying. She asserted that the Valley legislators would have blood on their hands. 8:45:05 PM EMILY FERRY, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), She supported HB 2001. She shared that she was a mother of three kids. She believed that citizens of the state should contribute in the form of an income tax. She spoke of several mega projects that failed. She thought that if people were contributing to state government more people would involve themselves in state spending. she objected to the cuts to the Head Start Program. 8:46:52 PM MICHELLE JETT, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), strongly opposed HB 2001 and fully supported the governor's vetoes. She did not support taking away people's PFD. She continued to provide testimony about recovery efforts. She spoke of hurting the local economy and the court system. She disagreed with the legislation. She mentioned a "spend- down" mentality. She started her own business because of the rampant spend-down mentality. She urged fiscal responsibility and diversification. 8:51:24 PM RON BERNIER, SELF, MEADOW LAKES (via teleconference), spoke in opposition of HB 2001. He supported a full PFD. He had nine children. He thought it was greedy to take from future generations. He claimed that the education cost of Alaska's education system was three times the national average. He advocated using Pick.Click.Give. to donate to the University system. 8:53:51 PM JAMES SQUYRES, SELF, RURAL DELTANA (via teleconference), testified in opposition to HB 2001. He was opposed to the committee's tactics not adhering to the governor's proclamation. He supported a full PFD. He noted a comment made previously by Representative Josephson. 8:55:42 PM BURT HOUGHTALING, SELF, MAT-SU LIO, thanked members for coming to Wasilla to hear testimony. He indicated that legislators were legally bound to meet in Wasilla. He was unwilling to give up a portion of his PFD for someone else, particularly someone that did not have a job. He thought the legislature was a law-breaking body. He continued to provide his testimony regarding the special session. Co-Chair Foster mentioned that written testimony was welcome. He relayed that public testimony would be heard from 2:00 PM to 7:00 pm on the following day and legislators would be in Fairbanks. ADJOURNMENT 9:01:36 PM The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m.