SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE March 30, 2015 2:59 p.m. 2:59:03 PM CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Kelly called the Senate Finance Committee meeting to order at 2:59 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Anna MacKinnon, Co-Chair Senator Pete Kelly, Co-Chair Senator Peter Micciche, Vice-Chair Senator Click Bishop Senator Mike Dunleavy Senator Lyman Hoffman Senator Donny Olson MEMBERS ABSENT None ALSO PRESENT Pam Mueller-Guy, Deaf Service, Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL), Juneau; Robert Kelso, Self, Juneau; Stephen SueWing, Self, Juneau; Mark Miller, Superintendent, Juneau School District, Juneau; Patrick Sidmore, Board Member, Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC), Juneau; Ron Somerville, Self, Juneau; Ed Buyarski, Southeast Master Gardeners, Juneau; Kara Hollatz, Children, Juneau; Patty Winegar, Self, Juneau; Emily Ferry, Self, Juneau; Averyl Veliz, Self, Juneau; Jorden Nigro, Self, Juneau; Will Muldoon, Self, Juneau; Odin Brudie, Self, Juneau; Andi Story, Member, Juneau School Board, Juneau; Bill Hill, Superintendent, Bristol Bay School District, Bristol Bay; Mary Tonsmeire, Self, Juneau; Daniel Moore, fifth and sixth grade teacher, Chefornak; Lynnette Dihle, Self, Juneau; Jane Alzner, Special Education Teacher, Lower Yukon School District, Kotlik; Hilary Zander, Self, Juneau; Patricia George, Advocacy Chair, Alaska State Literacy Association, Juneau; Anita Evans, Juneau Interpreter Referral Line, Juneau; Deanna Hobbs, High School Student, Juneau; Nancy Seamount, Academic Counselor, Alaska's Learning Network (AKLN), Juneau; Cori Stennett, Juneau Violence Prevention Coalition, Juneau; Jim Holien, Klawock Schools, Klawock; Emily Coate Thompson, Parents as Teachers, Juneau; Danny Peterson, Self, Juneau; Melissa Johnson, Prevention Director, Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies, Juneau; Rachel Wintz, Program Coordinator, Girls on the Run, AWARE, Inc., Juneau; Ben Wills, Juneau Choice and Accountability Program, Juneau; Cecelia Westman, Community Engagement Coordinator, AWARE, Inc.; Richard Cole, Self, Juneau; Amy Jo Meiners, Self, Juneau; Simeon Swetzof Jr., Mayor, City of St. Paul; Esther Smith, Self, Juneau; Shannon Adamson, Regional Representative, Masters Mates and Pilots, Juneau; Julianne Curry, Executive Director, United Fishermen of Alaska, Juneau; Lon Garrison, President, Sitka School Board, Sitka; Jennifer Robinson, Executive Director, Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce, Sitka; Peter Hoepfner, President, Cordova School District, Cordova; Representative Dan Ortiz. PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE Doug Walrath, Director, Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center (NACTEC), Nome; Ashley Stickman, Maniilaq Family Crisis Center, Kotzebue; Hannah Atkinson, Co- Founder, MISS Movement, Kotzebue; Lena Hannah, Elder Board of Kotzebue and Maniilaq Family Crisis Center, Kotzebue; Samantha Hawley, Family Crisis Advocate, Maniilaq Family Crisis Center, Kotzebue; Maija Lukin, Mayor, Kotzebue; Eileen Arnold, Interim Executive Director, Tundra Women's Coalition, Bethel; Will Updegrove, Self, Bethel; Jannelle Vanasse, Lower Kuskokwim School District (LKSD), Bethel; Frank Kelty, Fish and Game Advisory Committee, Unalaska; Jon Conwell, Unalaska City School District, Unalaska; Jennifer Shockley, KUCB, Unalaska; Dan Walker, Superintendent, Lower Kuskokwim School District (LKSD), Bethel; Annie Mae Lee, Self, Bethel; Susan Murphy, Board President, LKSD, Bethel; Jeff Dickrell, Teacher, Unalaska; Keri Van Delden, UAF Cooperative Extension, Nome; Dorcas Okpealuk, Self, Nome; Janet Balice, Nome Public School, Nome; Kathy Jordan, CVB, Unalaska; Karen Kruesch, Librarian, Unalaska; Barb Amarok, Bering Sea Women's Group, Nome; Ethel A. Patkotak, Self, Barrow; Jeff Seifert, General Manager, KBRW, Barrow; Deborah Sparks, Self, Tok; Peggy Cowan, Superintendent, North Slope School District, Barrow; Jeff Gavazza, Manager, The Computer Cabin, Tok; Tom Saxton, President, Board of KBRW, Barrow; Todd Poage, Superintendent, Alaska Gateway School District, Tok; Alys Orsborn, Self, Barrow; Lisa Conrad, Self, Tok; Doreen Simmonds, Self, Barrow; Scott MacManaus, Assistant Superintendent, Alaska Gateway School District, Tok; Ginger Evens, Self, Petersburg; Craig Olson, Self, Kupreanof; Jeff Jabusch, Borough Manager, City and Borough of Wrangell, Wrangell; Lacey Simpson, Self, Ketchikan; Steve Berry, Self, Petersburg; Rick Pickrell, Self, Ketchikan; Bett Jakubek, Self, Ketchikan; Don McConachie, Self, Wrangell; Karen Hofstad, Self, Petersburg; Aleisha Mollen, Self, Wrangell; Susan Erickson, Self, Petersburg; Erica Kludt- Painter, Superintendent, Petersburg School District, Petersburg; Barb Larson, Self, Wrangell; Dan Sullivan, Self, Petersburg; Richard Larson, Self, Wrangell; Rick Dormer, Principal, Petersburg High School, Petersburg; Patrick Mayer, Superintendent, Wrangell School District, Wrangell; Bennett McGrath, Self, Petersburg; Deborah Tice, Self, Petersburg; Elizabeth Hart, Self, Petersburg; Tom Abbott, Self, Petersburg; Allison Rice, Self, Petersburg; Larry Miles, Self, Valdez; Gail M. Johnson, Self, Valdez; Rich McClear, Self, Sitka; Harold Blehm, Self, Valdez; Ashley Reece, Student, Cordova High School, Cordova; Paul Nyland, Self, Valdez; Vicki D'Amico, Executive Director, Sitkans Against Family Violence Shelter, Sitka; Elizabeth Collins, Cordova Family Resource Center, Cordova; Coleen Stephens, Owner, Stan Stephens Cruise, Valdez; Susea Albee, Self, Sitka; Kari Sagel, Self, Sitka; Jennifer Gibbins, President, Cordova Chamber of Commerce, Cordova; Shana Anderson, Self, Valdez; John Anderson, General Manager, KCHU Radio, Valdez; Kelsey Appleton, Representative for Steve Graves, Nichols Backdoor Store, Cordova; Mandy Evans, Self, Sitka; Kerin Kramer, Executive Director, Native Village of Eyak, Cordova; Gretchen Clark, Member, Alaska Pathways for Prevention, Sitka; Karl Becker, Self, Cordova; Julia Smith, Community Director, SAFV, Sitka; Nancy Bird, Self, Cordova; Reba Dundas, Senior, Mt. Edgecombe High School, Sitka; Jim Kacsh, Mayor, Cordova; Deborah Yearwood, Student, Sitka High School, Sitka; Robert Beedle, Self, Cordova; Elena Gustafson, Self, Sitka; Debra Adams, Teacher, Cordova; David Otness, Self, Cordova; Mary Wegner, Superintendent, Sitka School District, Sitka; Kristin Carpenter, Member, Cordova City Council, Cordova; Randy Robertson, City Manager, Cordova; Robyn Taylor, Assistant Superintendent, Sitka School District, Sitka. SUMMARY CSHB 72(FIN) APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS CSHB 72(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. CSHB 73(FIN) APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET CSHB 73(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. PUBLIC TESTIMONY: JUNEAU BETHEL, NOME, KOTZEBUE, UNALASKA BARROW, TOK, DELTA JUNCTION KETCHIKAN, WRANGELL, PETERSBURG SITKA, CORDOVA, VALDEZ CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 72(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs and capitalizing funds; and providing for an effective date." CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 73(FIN) "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." 2:59:11 PM ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: JUNEAU 2:59:11 PM ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: BETHEL, NOME, KOTZEBUE, UNALASKA 3:00:01 PM AT EASE 3:01:08 PM RECONVENED 3:03:25 PM PAM MUELLER-GUY, DEAF SERVICE, SOUTHEAST ALASKA INDEPENDENT LIVING (SAIL), JUNEAU, testified in favor of funding for deaf interpreter referral line program. She related that she was the deaf advocate for SAIL and also served on the advisory board for the Alaska Deaf Council. She also shared that she uses the interpreter program on a routine basis for meetings with her supervisor and coworkers, as well as for community meetings. She clarified that access to this program allows her and other individuals who are deaf equal access to employment and other essential services. She added that the program was an important resource when her children were in school. She acknowledged the difficult decisions that the committee was faced with, and requested that they reinstate at least half of the funding. 3:05:33 PM ROBERT KELSO, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of supporting STEM education programs as well as the Answer program. He related that he was a secondary math and science teacher in Kasigluk. He noted that students from rural villages seldom have the opportunity to learn about STEM subjects. He noted that all but one of the sixth grade students he was currently travelling with had never been to Juneau. He related that STEM opportunities were important for future career success that would benefit Alaska. 3:07:20 PM STEPHEN SUEWING, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of restoring funding to Parents as Teachers, Best Beginnings, as well as the one-time funding committed to K-12 education the previous session. He spoke about the positive effects of the programs, including learning success, decreased risky behaviors, and increased child safety. He referred to the state's diminished revenue stream and spoke in support of statewide sales and income taxes with dedicated funding for education. He spoke in support of an endowment from the Permanent Fund or a mechanism to use realized earnings to fund education. 3:09:40 PM MARK MILLER, SUPERINTENDENT, JUNEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of reinstating funding for education. He introduced a Juneau Student named Zeke and used him as an illustrative example of the effects the cuts would have on students. He stated that Zeke and other athletes would each have to raise approximately $1000 each to participate in football. He explained that the school district would be pulling money from the activities budget, which would result in more students having to raise funds to participate in sports. He discussed the importance of the freshman year of high school, and supposed that Zeke and his classmates were likely to have more than 35 students in some of their math and English classes. He indicated his understanding of the fiscal situation, and suggested that he did not need explanations from the committee, but that Zeke and his fellow students did. 3:13:13 PM DOUG WALRATH, DIRECTOR, NORTHWESTERN ALASKA CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTER (NACTEC), NOME (via teleconference), testified in opposition to general fund cuts to regional training centers in Nome, Kotzebue, and King Salmon. He explained that NACTEC was a regional training center developed in collaboration with Nome Public Schools and Bering Strait School District. It was formed in order to engage students with vocational education and address the recurring issue of high dropout rates and low graduation rates. He specified that over 3,500 students from 50 rural villages had completed vocational training programs at NACTEC since 2003. He stated that these programs would have been otherwise unavailable to rural students. He made note of graduation rates that have increased from 32 percent in 2008 to 69 percent in 2014; as well as a drop in unemployment rates during the same time frame. He cited a 2009 study "The Consequences of Dropping out of High School; Joblessness and Jailing for High school Dropouts and the High Cost for Taxpayers." The article indicated that the societal cost of a single dropout would be $292,000 over the individual's lifetime. Based on article, he extrapolated that a return to the formerly low high school dropout rate (and the resultant 40 students who would not graduate) would equate to a cost of $11.7 million. He asked the committee not to ignore the long term ramifications from immediate budget cuts. 3:15:34 PM ASHLEY STICKMAN, MANIILAQ FAMILY CRISIS CENTER, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), spoke in favor of restoring funding to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. She discussed the high rate of domestic violence and sexual assault in her region. She mentioned programs financed by the funds; including Green Dot, Girls on the Run, Stand up Speak up, and the When I'm an Elder Campaign. She recognized the programs as vital ways for youth to speak out against domestic violence and sexual assault and the tools to make a difference in their community. 3:17:21 PM HANNAH ATKINSON, CO-FOUNDER, MISS MOVEMENT, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), spoke in favor of restoring funds to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention programs. She echoed the comments of the previous speaker. She mentioned various programs that benefit from the funding. She mentioned the high rate of suicide, and urged the committee to recognize the importance of the prevention program and what it offered. 3:19:10 PM PATRICK SIDMORE, BOARD MEMBER, ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (AEYC), JUNEAU, testified in favor of funding for Best Beginnings, Parents as Teachers, and Pre-K programs. He noted that the zero to five year olds in Alaska constituted roughly 60,000 people, which would equate to the second largest city in Alaska if they were together. He related that he had an undergraduate degree in economics, and spoke to research that indicated economic benefit from early childhood education. He added that he had about 200 letters written by parents and professionals in support of funding Pre-K programs. 3:20:52 PM RON SOMERVILLE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway (AMHS). He related that he group in a small Southeast community and clarified that he supported building a road to Juneau. He discussed federal overreach and expressed his support for the Citizen's Advisory Commission on Federal Areas (CAFCA). He related that he was once on CAFCA and spoke to the importance of their oversight of combined federal programs overall. 3:22:47 PM ED BUYARSKI, SOUTHEAST MASTER GARDENERS, JUNEAU, testified against the cuts to the AMHS. He stated that the proposed 30 percent cut was unacceptable. He asserted that the AMHS is Juneau's highway. He used examples of road closures to the Knik Arm Bridge, the Tok to Fairbanks Highway, and the Anchorage to Kenai highway as illustrative examples of how the cuts could affect the people of Southeast Alaska. He discussed the negative effect on business, schools, and commerce in coastal communities. He suggested that the cuts were perhaps a way to help move the capital. 3:25:39 PM LENA HANNAH, ELDER BOARD OF KOTZEBUE AND MANIILAQ FAMILY CRISIS CENTER, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), testified in support of reinstating funding for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. She spoke to associated statewide programs that were important in her region. She discussed problems in her community including alcohol abuse and elder abuse. 3:27:35 PM KARA HOLLATZ, CHILDREN, JUNEAU, testified in support for funding for Best Beginnings, Parents as Teachers, and Pre-K programs. She related her personal experience as a teacher, and emphasized that the expectations of children have changed, and are now more rigorous. She asserted that Pre-K programs help with child health, happiness, and success in school. She pointed out that many families do not have the resources to support literacy in the early years by purchasing books. She relayed a statistic that 80 percent of child's brain growth occurs by age 3, and 90 percent by age 5. 3:29:32 PM PATTY WINEGAR, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for early childhood education. She related her personal experience as a K-1 teacher and in a daycare. She implored the committee to put the children first in their consideration. 3:31:10 PM SAMANTHA HAWLEY, FAMILY CRISIS ADVOCATE, MANIILAQ FAMILY CRISIS CENTER, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention programs. 3:31:47 PM MAIJA LUKIN, MAYOR, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), testified in favor of funding for community jails. She explained that the Kotzebue Regional Jail (KRJ) accepted arrestees from the North Slope Borough city of Point Hope and all 11 communities of the Northwest Arctic Borough. She added that KRJ also housed inmates for court hearings from the correctional center in Nome. She related that during 2014 KRJ had 1,095 prisoners, the Kotzebue Police Department arrested 514 people, and the Alaska State Troopers arrest 331; the total number of males being served at KRJ in 2013 was 3,448. She spoke about the responsivity of housing and transporting prisoners if reduction in funding resulted in the facility being closed. She estimated costs of prisoner care and transport (based on the KRJ closure from 2003 to 2005) was over $1.2 million annually; and postulated that the expense would negate any savings hoping to be attained by cuts to existing funding. She discussed the eventuality of the closure of KPJ. She highlighted that the facility served an entire region; and suggested that communities with high prisoner populations, such as Kotzebue, could be equipped with audio-video conferencing equipment for use with the court system. She suggested use of the equipment would reduce travel costs. She emphasized that cuts in funding to community jails would merely shift the cost from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Public Safety. 3:34:50 PM EMILY FERRY, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of education funding as well as funding for the AMHS. She made note of the many letters supporting the AMHS that had been sent to the committee, and read from a letter written by her son: Hi, My Name is Elias. I am six years old. We were going to go on the ferry that you cancelled to the White Pass Railroad in Skagway this summer. We were going to stay in the Denver Caboose Cabin and we were going to go to White Horse. How I could help the ferry is that I could have a lemonade stand from now until our trip and I could give the ferry all the money that I make. I hope you all are willing to drink a lot of lemonade. Ms. Ferry believed that the Juneau Access Project was not a solution. She suggested that there were other solutions for funding for the ferry system that she was happy to discuss with individual legislators or their staff. She closed by saying that many people will likely go without traveling which will impact the economy of Southeast Alaska. 3:37:22 PM EILEEN ARNOLD, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TUNDRA WOMEN'S COALITION, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in opposition to funding cuts to the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) prevention programs. She stressed the importance of resources for prevention work. She was aware that crisis work had to be done. However, she suggested that with prevention work crisis work could be avoided. She opined that there could not be a shift in the current societal norms concerning domestic violence and sexual assault without prevention programs. 3:38:35 PM AVERYL VELIZ, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of full funding for Pre-K programs. She stated that early education benefited her family greatly. She believed that it was crucial to offer positive support for families and communities to help in avoiding child abuse and neglect. She has had hands-on support through Parents-as-Teachers and Best Beginnings. She discussed the benefits of the programs. She felt supported and strengthen by her community. She thought that family and child support was a foreign concept to anyone not living in the big three cities. She spoke about many of her classmates who did not have access to support and the resulting negative effects. She continued that family and childhood education and support were directly connected to Alaska's future adults. She urged support for funding early childhood education. She thanked the committee for the opportunity to testify. Co-Chair Kelly asked where Ms. Veliz lived. Ms. Veliz replied that she lived in Healy, Alaska. 3:41:40 PM JORDEN NIGRO, SELF, JUNEAU, urged the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She stated that she grew up in Gustavus and relayed her experience of listening to public radio as a child. She talked about the benefits of public broadcasting. She mentioned 360 North's Gavel-To- Gavel and the ability of the public listener to stay informed. She asked the committee to restore the funds. 3:43:22 PM WILL UPDEGROVE, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), urged the committee not to be near-sighted in its decisions. He asked the committee not to destroy the state funded education, communications, social services, and transportation infrastructure that has been built over the years just because of declining oil prices and the fallout from SB 21. He urged the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting and emphasized its role in safety. He encouraged members not to use the deficit as an excuse to eliminate programs they personally did not like. He encouraged the restoration of funding for public broadcasting and early childhood education to operational levels at the minimum. He also asked members to consider allowing Alaskans to tax themselves. He expressed his appreciation to testify before the committee. Co-Chair Kelly commented that the state made about $400 million to $500 million more because of SB 21 than the state would have under the old system. 3:45:11 PM WILL MULDOON, SELF, JUNEAU, urged the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He felt it was integral to the state. He indicated that he had been a volunteer for public broadcasting for over 16 years. He relayed that the experience was both educational and rewarding. He thanked the committee for its time. 3:46:29 PM ODIN BRUDIE, SELF, JUNEAU, voiced opposition to funding cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System. He indicated that he had worked in the natural resources and visitor industries and asked to restore funding for the scheduled AMHS. He believed that communities that relied on the marine highway would otherwise be harmed. He mentioned that he was a ski team coach that traveled to Skagway recently. He also stated that craftsmen and contractors relied on the ferry system as a main transportation method for Alaskan timber and wood products from the saw mills in Hoonah. He urged the legislature to proceed with caution when trimming the AMHS budget in order to reduce the negative impacts on the local and state economies. 3:47:52 PM JANNELLE VANASSE, LOWER KUSKOKWIM SCHOOL DISTRICT (LKSD), BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the LKSD Boarding School. She relayed her experience in trying to find a way for rural students to access the same college readiness courses and experiences available at larger schools without going to a four-year boarding school. She indicated that LKSD piloted a program in which students from village schools attended Bethel Regional High School for a semester at a time; one semester in both their junior and senior years. They then returned to their village school. She elaborated about the curriculum and reported on the results of the pilot program. She reported that 60 percent of the students that completed the program have moved on to college. She reported additional results and discussed the expansion of the program. She asked the committee to keep funding for the LKSD Boarding School in the budget. She thanked the committee for its time. 3:50:36 PM ANDI STORY, MEMBER, JUNEAU SCHOOL BOARD, JUNEAU, spoke in support of preserving one-time funding for education. She was a twelve-year member of the Juneau School Board. She reported that the loss of the one-time funds for Juneau students equaled $1.1 million. The revenue from the one- time funding would allow Juneau School District to keep class sizes down and to maintain complete class offerings to qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship. The funds would also keep arts and career technical offerings in schools. She wondered what could be more important than the education of Alaska's children. She asked the committee to please keep one-time education funding in place. 3:52:49 PM BILL HILL, SUPERINTENDENT, BRISTOL BAY SCHOOL DISTRICT, BRISTOL BAY, asked for the reinstatement of one-time funding passed the prior year for education. He reviewed some of the tough budget decisions that have already been made by the school district including laying off custodians, classified staff, three of six elementary teachers, and combining elementary classes. He also reported implementing some creative ideas with funds outside of the base student allocation. He encouraged the committee to reinstate the provisions included in HB 278 passed in 2014. 3:54:13 PM FRANK KELTY, FISH AND GAME ADVISORY COMMITTEE, UNALASKA (via teleconference), asked that funding be restored to keep the Patrol Vessel (P/V) Stimson in Unalaska. He gave some technical details about the vessel. He was concerned with relocating the vessel for several reasons including the fact that the United States Coast Guard was reducing a number of their assets and that new state water fisheries were developing in the Bering Sea. He reported that the Pacific Cod resource was at an all-time high. He expressed concerns with response time for safety emergencies with the vessel in Kodiak. He also brought up other economic concerns with the loss of associated population including crew members and their families. 3:58:10 PM JON CONWELL, UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, UNALASKA (via teleconference), spoke in favor of the reinstatement of one-time funds passed the prior year for education. He drew particular attention to funding for the broadband assistant grant and the Online with Libraries grant. Unalaska was a recent recipient of the broadband assistance grand the school district had been able to double its bandwidth capacity from three megabits per second to six megabits per second which would allow for online testing. He discussed federal eRate funding. He wanted funding restored so that the Unalaska School District could continue to provide basic access to the digital content commonplace in other parts of Alaska. He appreciated the opportunity to be heard. 3:59:57 PM MARY TONSMEIRE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of Medicaid expansion. She indicated that she had been a nurse for forty-seven years. She felt that everyone should have access to healthcare. She did not understand any hesitation in accepting the expansion for the underserved and working poor. It did not make sense to her at all. She asked that certain language be removed from the current budget that said, "Prohibiting the expenditure of funding in the Medicaid appropriation on the medical expansion of population." She surmised that services could be expanded to citizens without impacting the state budget. 4:01:40 PM JENNIFER SHOCKLEY, KUCB, UNALASKA (via teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She discussed the advantages of public radio including emergency broadcasting. She suggested that the total elimination of funding for public broadcasting would have a disproportionate effect on Alaska's rural communities and asked that it be reinstated. She concluded that public radio was not a public nicety but provided essential services for the entire Aleutian chain. She also mentioned that public radio was a closely interwoven network. 4:03:33 PM DANIEL MOORE, FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE TEACHER, CHEFORNAK, spoke in favor of the Southeast Regional Resource Center's (SERRC) Answer 2.0 Program. He relayed his observations as a first-year teacher in a remote village and the challenges children face. He suggested that the Answer 2.0 Program reached out to children to provide information about different jobs and occupations that they could pursue. He concluded that the children in the villages deserved a chance and supported SERRC's program. 4:05:26 PM LYNNETTE DIHLE, SELF, JUNEAU, urged the committee to restore the one-time education funding. She mentioned being a resident of Juneau for over forty years and that her children and grandchildren also lived in Juneau. She referred to a recent news article in which Senator Lisa Murkowski cautioned the state when considering cuts to think of the farmer who was in trouble yet knew not to use his seed corn. She restated her requested for the restoration of one-time funding for education, kindergarten through twelfth grades. DAN WALKER, SUPERINTENDENT, LOWER KUSKOKWIM SCHOOL DISTRICT (LKSD), BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke on behalf of restoring funds for LKSD variable linked residential boarding program. He discussed the benefits of the program and reported that it was designed to give students shorter experiences away from their homes that better prepares them for post-secondary experiences. He discussed the start-up monies that were originally provided by the Gates and Rasmussen Foundations. He also testified in support of restored funding for broadband for Alaska school districts. He opined that broadband access was incredibly important to educating Alaska's students. 4:09:17 PM ANNIE MAE LEE, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), urged the restoration of $1.5 million for CDVSA for prevention programing. She relayed her personal affiliation with some of the prevention programs and intimated that she had been involved with some of them since the age of fourteen. She believed her voice could touch others in terms of bringing awareness to domestic violence and sexual assault. She discussed the importance of educating others in domestic violence and sexual assault and that the money provided to the CDVSA programs allowed her to share her experience and hope with other teens. She stated that it would be a shame for the programs not to continue. 4:11:37 PM JANE ALZNER, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, LOWER YUKON SCHOOL DISTRICT, KOTLIK, spoke in favor of funding for SERRC' Answer 2.0 Program. She explained the benefits of the program including learning about job opportunities within the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) program. She asked for continued support of the Answer 2.0 Program. 4:12:27 PM HILARY ZANDER, SELF, JUNEAU, testified on behalf of reinstating violence prevention funding. She discussed her work as a coach and committee member for the Girls on the Run Program. The program was an after school violence prevention and empowerment program for pre-teen girls. She conveyed an outline of the program and some of its benefits and positive results. She suggested that funding was need to continue the current momentum of the program. 4:13:50 PM PATRICIA GEORGE, ADVOCACY CHAIR, ALASKA STATE LITERACY ASSOCIATION, JUNEAU, spoke in support of reinstating funds for Best Beginnings, Parents-As-Teachers, and Pre-K programs. She specifically identified the Imagination Library Program, a part of the Best Beginnings Program. She outlined how the Imagination Library Program worked and discussed the resulting benefits. She provided some positive statics for students from Juneau who have participated in the program. She thanked the committee for the opportunity to testify. 4:16:03 PM SUSAN MURPHY, BOARD PRESIDENT, LKSD, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in favor of the boarding school in Bethel. She also urged the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She felt that public broadcasting played an important role in providing local, statewide, and national news as well as emergency messages. She discussed the bridge that KYUK radio provided by broadcasting in the Yup'ik language three times a day. She urged continued support and thanked the committee for its consideration. 4:18:34 PM ANITA EVANS, JUNEAU INTERPRETER REFERRAL LINE, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of the Interpreter Referral Line program. She shared information about her professional background. She discussed the need for an interpreter to be flexible and have access to technology. She stressed that if funding was lost for the program it would impact deaf individuals statewide. She relayed that the program played an important part in educating local businesses, agencies, and the general public about their legal responsibility to provide communication access for the deaf. She surmised that more expenses would accrue if the program lost funding. 4:21:15 PM JEFF DICKRELL, TEACHER, UNALASKA (via teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting and the local public radio station KUCB. He stressed the importance of receiving national and local news and the ability to communicate with the community. He relayed that without the funding the ability to get news out of the community would be eliminated. 4:22:39 PM DEANNA HOBBS, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, JUNEAU, spoke in opposition to funding cuts to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention. She spoke to a video she had been a part of making that focused on healthy relationships, healthy sexuality, and nonviolence. She spoke to the benefits the video had provided for youths. She mentioned a variety of prevention programs that had been successful. She relayed that without funding youth-led projects like the video would be impossible. She strongly opposed the cuts to prevention programs. NANCY SEAMOUNT, ACADEMIC COUNSELOR, ALASKA'S LEARNING NETWORK (AKLN), JUNEAU, spoke in support of programs teaching healthy relationships. She spoke in favor of funding for AKLN. She detailed that the program offered equity for children in all schools. She believed that everything that could be done to ensure that graduating seniors were graduating into something meaningful such as college should be done. The distance education program offered advance placement classes, foreign language electives, and other. The network worked diligently to identify needs, especially in smaller schools. She stated that it was essential in the competitive workplace that students were ready for college. 4:27:21 PM KERI VAN DELDEN, UAF COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, NOME (via teleconference), implored the committee to maintain funding for Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) violence prevention. She highlighted a recent radio call-in show in her community related to violence in communities. She shared that in the past community members did not discuss the topic openly. She stressed that the funding had made a difference in communities. She shared that youth were talking about violence prevention in schools. She reasoned that a reduction in violence would save the state money. 4:29:23 PM DORCAS OKPEALUK, SELF, NOME (via teleconference), provided testimony from a colleague in support of funding for Pre-K education and Head Start. Her coworker believed the program would better prepare her child for school; it taught the basics for learning. 4:30:50 PM JANET BALICE, NOME PUBLIC SCHOOL, NOME (via teleconference), urged support of Pre-K funding at 75 percent that would allow the program to continue. She detailed that the program had been designed for collaboration with Head Start. Costs were paid with federal and private funds as well; therefore, the cost to the state was $6,000 per student compared to the $18,000 cost for K- 12 education. She stated that studies showed that early childhood education prevented children from dropping out later on, needed less public support, and other. Additionally, Pre-K programs helped children prepare for kindergarten. 4:33:15 PM CORI STENNETT, JUNEAU VIOLENCE PREVENTION COALITION, JUNEAU, urged the restoration of funding for violence prevention programs. She shared that she had been a mentor for the past two years involved with Lead On projects. She had personally witnessed the positive impact the program provided for teens throughout the state. She spoke to a Lead On summit that provided youth an opportunity to learn and work together to prevent violence and promote healthy relationships. She provided information about a group of students that created a video about healthy relationships and nonviolence. The programs taught students to find their voices and to realize their ideas are valued. 4:35:34 PM JIM HOLIEN, KLAWOCK SCHOOLS, KLAWOCK, urged the committee to restore the one-time education funds passed the prior year. Additionally, he spoke in support of funding for the ferry system. He pointed out that the general economy would negatively impact schools. He detailed the reductions to the ferry system would negatively impact schools in Southeast Alaska. He stressed the importance of the one- time education funding. 4:37:12 PM KATHY JORDAN, CVB, UNALASKA (via teleconference), spoke in favor of the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). She shared that the only way to get to Unalaska was by plane. The community relied on the ferry system for tourism. She shared that many travelers had booked trips, which would have to be canceled if the cuts went through. Businesses relied on supplies brought in by the ferry. Additionally, some smaller communities used the ferry to travel to Unalaska for access to daily living supplies. The community had lost service in the past due to other circumstances and the loss had dramatically impacted communities in the region. 4:39:33 PM KAREN KRUESCH, LIBRARIAN, UNALASKA (via teleconference), testified in favor of the Online with Libraries (OWL) program. She stressed that internet was expensive and tightly capped; many residents did not have internet access and used the library as a connection to the outside world. She detailed that the community had a large population of transient workers who relied on the internet for connection to family, to apply for jobs, and to take university courses. Funding from the program had allowed the library to provide high-speed internet to the community. She emphasized that the program was essential to the community. 4:41:57 PM BARB AMAROK, BERING SEA WOMEN'S GROUP, NOME (via teleconference), encouraged the committee to maintain funding for Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) shelters around the state. She highlighted the need for long-term intervention. The Bering Sea Women's Group provided rapid response by way of emergency travel and housing and a 24-hour crisis line. The group partnered with organizations to provide services. She shared that community organizations were doing their part to prevent violence and support healing. 4:43:43 PM EMILY COATE THOMPSON, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the Imagination Libraries, Parents as Teachers, and Best Beginnings. She provided information about the large number of public testimony that had been given when the House had cut the operating budget. She stressed the importance of the issue. She shared that 69 percent of Alaska's families had two parents in the workforce. The convenience of having a book sent in the mail made it easier for parents to read to their children. She stated that Alaska ranked in the top five states for child abuse and neglect. She reasoned that the statistic made it clear that not every parent had the skills needed to be a child's first teacher. She asked the committee to reinstate $2 million for Parents as Teachers and Best Beginnings. 4:45:15 PM DANNY PETERSON, SELF, JUNEAU, urged the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He provided information about his involvement in public radio. He discussed the benefits of public radio and the devastating impact the proposed cuts would have. He stressed that the cut would take the Alaska Rural Communication Service off air. He believed it was unacceptable for Alaskans to be left guessing in the event of an emergency. He also talked about the importance of accessibility. He reasoned that rural residents ought to have the ability to see the legislative process in action; accessibility and transparency of government should be a right for all of the state's citizens to access. 4:47:24 PM MELISSA JOHNSON, PREVENTION DIRECTOR, AIDING WOMEN IN ABUSE AND RAPE EMERGENCIES, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of restored funding for domestic violence prevention. She relayed that the Center for Disease Control estimated that in the U.S. the cost of medical care, mental health services, legal services, and lost productivity due to intimate partner violence equaled $8.3 billion annually. She shared that Alaska had the highest rates of domestic and sexual violence in the country. She stressed that funding domestic violence intervention work without funding prevention work was like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. She stated that funding prevention programs should not just be about the money. She stated that according to statistics close to 60 percent of the women present during the meeting would experience domestic violence and sexual assault. She discussed the effectiveness of prevention programs. 4:50:01 PM Lindsay Hennekam, AWARE, Inc., Juneau{ urged support for sexual and domestic violence prevention. She shared testimony from a local teen who was actively involved in prevention efforts in Juneau. My name is Rylie Landen. I am 17 years old. I'm a Junior at Juneau Douglas High School and a participant for the 2014 Lead-On for Peace and Equality in Alaska program. Through Lead On not only was I able to develop personal skills such as communicating with peers and adults, organizing an event, the outline logistics. But also Lead On has allowed, through the individuals who attend, to inspire and inform others about respect, healthy relationships, consent, leadership, and culture. The whole Lead On mini-summit was a motivating, cultured experience that teens should have the opportunity to grow through. We had time to come up with the dominant problems our community faced, keep in mind this is from teen perspectives, which was an eye-opening experience since teens are commonly told the problems and not actually asked what we think they are. The Juneau Lead On group wanted to focus on inclusivity among teenagers since that was a prominent issue in our high schools. In undergoing this task we came up with the idea for an event that would allow all high schoolers to attend for free and discuss important topics, share their talents, and all come together as a whole instead of cliques. More than 150 high schoolers on their Friday night came to Teentopia and spent their evening learning about respect, healthy relationships, and about the peers who sat beside them. Now that's just incredible. Since the event, I have had tons of positive feedback and numerous peers asking the date for the next Teentopia. I understand there must be budget cuts made, but I hope you consider to continue funding the Lead On program. I was born in Juneau and have grown up here, so Alaska is truly my home. Lead On is a program Alaskan kids need; for it does make a difference in the communities. It causes kids to become inspired by one another and to make a difference that teens usually don't have the opportunity to do. 4:52:10 PM RACHEL WINTZ, PROGRAM COORDINATOR, GIRLS ON THE RUN, AWARE, INC., JUNEAU, she read a letter from a Girls on the Run participant. Dear Girls on the Run, I want to thank you for helping me see the girl inside of me. I'm thankful to have friends and coaches like you. You've helped me through my ups and downs. You've taught me that you don't need makeup, beautiful hair, and you don't need to smoke, gossip, bully, or be cool. You have to be you and that's all that matters. Just be yourself and carry on. Don't let the people get to you. You're pretty, smart, kind, caring, and beautiful the way that you are. You are who you are and I want to thank you for that. When you run it's like a portal where your fears just disappear. Thank you, Cora Mashburn. Ms. Wintz outlined the Girls on the Run program. She shared that the program integrated running games that taught girls to respect themselves and others. She spoke to the many goals of the program. She detailed that the program built confidence and improved attitude about body image, self- esteem, and other. The program built up protective factors that made girls less likely to be victims of domestic violence in the future. The program had been implemented in 14 communities; the goal was to expand the program statewide. 4:54:33 PM BEN WILLS, JUNEAU CHOICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of supporting domestic violence prevention. He shared that the program provided groups for men who have used domestic violence. He detailed that instead of focusing on scolding men for acts they had committed, it focused on reconsidering the system of beliefs about women, relationships, power, and love they have deep down that make in ok to hurt those closest to them. He spoke to the sheer amount of unawareness men in the program had about what healthy relationships look like. The groups he facilitated included men who had found themselves at the age of 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 years old with criminal records and hurting hearts in part because they had tried to make adult relationships work with teenage ideas about love and intimacy. He stressed the importance of the work done by AWARE and its coalition members. The men he worked with did not have the opportunity to benefit from prevention programs; as a result they came to court ordered group to discuss the things they should have learned as kids. He emphasized the success of the programs and urged the committee to maintain funds for prevention. 4:56:50 PM CECELIA WESTMAN, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR, AWARE, INC., spoke in favor of restoring funding for domestic violence prevention. She worked to implement and maintain programs that encourage and support men in positive relationships and mentorship to change the social norms of violence prevalent in Alaska. She detailed that the social norms of violence were not limited to a specific race, economic status, or education level. The agency sought to change the social norms that created environments of violence through prevention work. The prevention program assisted in community implementation of curriculums and programs that engage emotionally healthy men as mentors to young men. She listed programs including Coaching Boys into Men, Alaska Men Choose Respect, Compass, and Boys Run. She provided further detail about the programs. Coaching Boys into Men was in direct response to the violence normalized in sports culture. The hope was that the program would eventually reach boys throughout Southeast Alaska. She stressed that if the legislature cut $1.5 million for prevention programs, the program may not reach boys that had desperately been asking for it. The programs were in place to prevent violence before it occurred. 4:59:24 PM RICHARD COLE, SELF, JUNEAU, urged the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He owned a small business that primarily operated in rural Alaska. He stressed that the importance of public media could not be stated strongly enough. He detailed that constituents around the state received their information about the legislature and state issues through public media. He stressed that public media was part of the state's vital infrastructure and the glue that held the Alaskan society together. He emphasized public broadcasting was the sole source of media in many rural communities. He underscored that public media provided communities with information about civic messages. He believed the cut could be disastrous for some rural communities. 5:02:50 PM AMY JO MEINERS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding education. She invited the committee to attend any of the Juneau public school classrooms. She stated that she currently works at a local school, in two separate buildings. She shared that she has a colleague who teaches 31 children in Kindergarten. She stressed that the previous budget reductions had significantly impacted the education system. She understood that there were some current budget shortfalls, but encouraged the committee to prioritize safety and education of young children. 5:04:21 PM SIMEON SWETZOF JR., MAYOR, CITY OF ST. PAUL, spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting, and funding for education. He stated that the one channel offered in his small town offered some local news. He stressed that his town did not have access to national networks, because they had been completely removed from the list of channels offered through cable and satellite television. The weather in his area could get very severe, so the internet service may not be available in a time of crisis. He stressed that the public media access in his town was critical for providing information and communication to the residents. He felt that education budget reductions were detrimental, because people were required by law to attend school. 5:06:19 PM ESTHER SMITH, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention. She stated that she had spent the previous two years developing relationships with Juneau teenagers who actively participated in domestic and sexual violence prevention programming. She stressed that Alaska had an extremely high rate of domestic violence and sexual assault, and remarked that many people in the room knew some survivors of violence. She shared that she had witnessed the positive effects of prevention programming, like Lead on for Peace and Equality, and Stand Up Speak up Alaska. She was honored to witness local teens creatively strive to create a safer community. 5:09:41 PM SHANNON ADAMSON, REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, MASTERS MATES AND PILOTS, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. She stated that she worked for the organization that represented all vessel employees on the Alaska Marine Highway System. She shared that there were approximately 750 shipboard employees. Those employees and their families mostly lived in Alaska, and relied on the ferries for their livelihood. Approximately 35 ports in communities rely on the ships, not only for the transportation of people, but for goods and services. Alaskan residents and visitors had already booked tickets and made travel plans around the current published schedule. She felt that the reductions would cost the state more in lost revenue, than what could be gained in savings. She felt that a drastic change to an already published schedule would result in long-term consequences that had not yet been considered. 5:11:42 PM JULIANNE CURRY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNITED FISHERMEN OF ALASKA, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI). She shared that 72 percent of active fishing permit holders were Alaskan residents; the seafood industry is Alaska's top private sector employer, creating over 63,000 direct jobs per year; one in seven Alaska residents were employed by the seafood industry; Alaska commercial fishing permit holders lived in 189 Alaskan communities; estimated earnings by Alaska-based permit holders was $756.2 million per year; the seafood industry paid $44.2 million in fisheries business taxes, and $13.4 million in fisheries resource landing taxes, half of which were shared with 65 communities and boroughs; the seafood industry paid $9.6 million in seafood marketing assessment taxes, which was used to protect the value of Alaska seafood. She stressed that the drastic budget reductions resulted in decreased time and area for harvest, and a reduced ability to market Alaska's seafood. 5:13:52 PM AT EASE 5:35:10 PM RECONVENED ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: BARROW, TOK, DELTA JUNCTION 5:36:25 PM ETHEL A. PATKOTAK, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. She remarked that her community already faced difficulty in employing workers to repair or replace the current radio transmitters in eight separate villages. She shared that the airfare from Barrow to Wainwright is $400 roundtrip. She stressed that the funding for public broadcasting should be maintained, because it served a vital community function for those that did not have access to the internet. The local public radio station served emergency broadcasting, community service announcements, and was the only place that people can listen to public meetings. 5:38:14 PM JEFF SEIFERT, GENERAL MANAGER, KBRW, BARROW (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He stated that the radio station served an area of over 90,000 square miles, and was the only broadcast station in the area. It was the only source of news, information, and weather for many people in the villages. He shared that many of the residents relied on KBRW to provide information about whether or not the weather was safe enough to return or embark on fishing excursions. He stressed that KBRW provided much more than music and entertainment. 5:39:37 PM DEBORAH SPARKS, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Tok Legislation Information Office (LIO), and the Tok Forestry Division. She stated that the Forestry Office had saved the Tok community many times during her lifetime, and losing the service would put the community at risk. The money saved would cost the state more, if a disaster occurred. The Tok LIO allowed community members to access information, ask questions, and testify on legislation. She stated that without the service, they would be required to either call in to the meeting or drive to Fairbanks. Those two options were not possible for most of the Tok residents. She stressed that the community of Tok had experienced an elimination of many public services recently, so the current recommendations would only eliminate more employment and public services. 5:41:20 PM PEGGY COWAN, SUPERINTENDENT, NORTH SLOPE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BARROW (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the school Broadband Assistant Grant Program. She stated that the program allowed schools to have a ten megabits per second download speed. The broadband was important for the students and a proper use of the state's limited funds. The $5 million from the previous year would allow the North Slope School District $327,000 from the state, and the federal e-rate reimbursement would be $933,000. The return would be even higher for districts with a higher poverty level than the North Slope. 5:43:10 PM JEFF GAVAZZA, MANAGER, THE COMPUTER CABIN, TOK (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the rural Legislative Information Offices. He shared that he helped many residents who did not have basic computer skills, and felt that the LIO provided a great service to those individuals who did not have access to telephones or personal computers. 5:45:50 PM TOM SAXTON, PRESIDENT, BOARD OF KBRW, BARROW (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He stated that the radio station served an area of over 90,000 square miles, and was the only broadcast station in the area. It was the only source of news, information, and weather for many people in the villages. He shared that many of the residents relied on KBRW to provide information about whether or not the weather was safe enough to return or embark on fishing excursions. He stressed that KBRW provided much more than music and entertainment. He felt that the legislature should have maintained the previous tax structure in order to gain more revenue. Co-Chair Kelly announced that the state was making more money currently, than it would have under Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share (ACES). Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered if there was cable television in Barrow. Mr. Saxton replied in the affirmative. 5:48:32 PM TODD POAGE, SUPERINTENDENT, ALASKA GATEWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOK (via teleconference), spoke in support of education funding. He urged the committee to reinstate the one-time funding of $3.2 billion. He felt that public education should be adjusted regularly to respond to changing education and technical requirements. 5:50:50 PM ALYS ORSBORN, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference), announced that there was cable television in Barrow, but some of the villages did not have cable television. She spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. She remarked that there were many services on public television, including emergency alert systems. She remarked that there was no newspaper in her community, so public radio was the only source of news for most people. 5:52:49 PM LISA CONRAD, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for broadband expansion in schools. She stated that the program allowed schools to have a ten megabits per second download speed. The broadband was important for the students and a proper use of the state's limited funds. The $5 million from the previous year would allow the North Slope School District $327,000 from the state, and the federal e-rate reimbursement would be $933,000. The return would be even higher for districts with a higher poverty level than the North Slope. 5:54:45 PM DOREEN SIMMONDS, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. She remarked that there were many services on public television, including emergency alert systems. She remarked that there was no newspaper in her community, so public radio was the only source of news for most people. 5:56:25 PM SCOTT MACMANAUS, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, ALASKA GATEWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOK (via teleconference), urged the reinstatement of one-time funding for public schools. He felt that the committee should examine other revenue streams for the actual long-term costs of many of the proposals, in order to leverage the state's resources for the benefit of all. The Alaskan school districts balance their budgets each year according to the law. He focused on its key mission, and the where there could be the greatest impact with limited dollars to educate the students. He felt the greatest impact was on focusing on getting parents involved in their children's education, and preparing students for kindergarten. The research on the importance of early childhood education shows that students who were not academically behind entering kindergarten required intensive intervention. Students who continue to remain academically behind in the third grade normally did not ever catch up, and were more likely to drop out of school. Pre-school programs were results-driven; had tremendous long-term impacts to the state; and needed legislative support. In this current budget crisis, the state should invest in human capital. ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: KETCHIKAN, WRANGELL, PETERSBURG 6:00:13 PM GINGER EVENS, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in opposition to the proposed budget reductions of public broadcasting and education. She shared that the Petersburg School District was fiscally responsible in planning and budgeting for the future. The district's plan included the four year Obesity Prevention and Control grant that was included in the proposed budget cut. She stated that the grant was supposed to be a four-year grant of $150,000 per year, but was reduced to two years. This reduction would reduce the district's budget at an additional $150,000. The district had planned and budgeted conservatively, based on previously promises. She urged the committee to provide the three years of forward-educational funding while the state worked on a long-term plan to increase future revenue sources. Co-Chair Kelly handed the gavel to Co-Chair MacKinnon. 6:01:38 PM CRAIG OLSON, SELF, KUPREANOF (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He felt that the proposed reduction would cause permanent damage to his local radio station, KFSK. The station would lose local news reporting with the layoff of its news reporters. The reduction would result in a decrease in federal support for the state's stations, and a loss of translators that serviced outlying areas like Kupreanof, Pt. Baker, and Whale Pass. He understood that there should be budget restrictions, but felt that a 100 percent reduction was too drastic. Co-Chair MacKinnon handed the gavel to Co-Chair Kelly. 6:02:45 PM JEFF JABUSCH, BOROUGH MANAGER, CITY AND BOROUGH OF WRANGELL, WRANGELL (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. The economy of Southeast Alaska was based on tourism, fishing, timber, some mining, and government. He shared that the federal government had virtually closed down the timber industry; shutdown Glacier Bay to fishing, which limited prime fishing areas; and had not responded to sea otters destroying areas used for commercial harvesting. The Alaska Marine Highway was a large part of the tourism infrastructure. There were already reservations purchases, so he hoped that the state would honor current commitments, and make budget reductions after the upcoming tourism season. Many vendors in Wrangell turned away other opportunities, and would face even further financial hardships with the sudden reservation cancellations. The Alaska Marine Highway was also used for transporting students for activities, and used for moving equipment and goods. 6:05:16 PM LACEY SIMPSON, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. In rural Alaska, public broadcasting was often the only means to send and receive vital information. Radio stations were mandated by the federal government to serve communities; were obligated to engage the citizens; and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its citizens. Ketchikan's local station, KRBD, was a member of the local emergency planning commission, which was a portable radio broadcast tower that could be set up in the event of a disaster. She stated that KRBD was the only station in the area with a local news team to provide comprehensive nightly local newscasts. Various points of view and relevant information on public radio provided courtesy of local, state, and national reports was of great importance to isolated Alaskan communities. Numerous non-profit, government, and community organizations utilized KRBD on a weekly basis. The service was critical for the organizations to reach the community and serve their own mission. 6:07:19 PM STEVE BERRY, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He felt that the 100 percent budget reduction was detrimental to those who depend on public radio. Rural communities in the state depended on the radio to stay informed on state, local, and emergency information. He stated that the local public radio station was the only radio station in Petersburg. He shared that he did not have cable television, so he depended on the local public radio station for information. 6:08:30 PM RICK PICKRELL, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. He shared that a study conducted in 2003 estimated the cost of domestic violence to be approximately $5.3 billion, with regards to medical costs and lost work hours. He stressed that the cost of prevention was much more prudent than the possible out- lying costs. 6:09:21 PM BETT JAKUBEK, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. She shared that she had served on many local community boards. She explained that the cable television in Ketchikan did not provide any local news or timely information. She stated that KRBD was the only radio station in Ketchikan with a backup generator, so the radio could provide information in the case of an area-wide outage. She shared that there were many seniors and elders in the community that did not use the internet, so they receive their information from the radio. Currently, 48 percent of KRBD's budget was locally funded from membership. She announced that KRBD had been broadcasting for 39 years; had well-served the community; was the link for all of the local non-profits; offered all members the ability to do public service announcements; had the most comprehensive community calendar; and was the most reliable source for information and timely updates. She also shared that the station provided the teleconferences for the legislative information. 6:11:35 PM DON MCCONACHIE, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He shared that he was not employed by the radio, but relied on the radio as a citizen. He felt that a 100 percent budget reduction was too extreme and unnecessary. He stated that Wrangell's local station, KSDK, was very well supported by the local public and businesses. He supported public radio and understood that reductions should be made, but did not support a 100 percent reduction. 6:12:57 PM KAREN HOFSTAD, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. She felt that the reduction would result in eliminating important communication for the state. She shared that it took years to set up the communication system, and felt that the reduction would eliminate those efforts. She echoed the previous testifiers' statements. 6:14:41 PM ALEISHA MOLLEN, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. She shared some of the benefits of the Wrangell public radio. She shared that KSDK provided the opportunities for volunteer shows by all ages, including herself. She also broadcast the local basketball games. She shared that there were a couple of third grade age people who had pledged during her show, and now they want to be guests on her show. She felt that the station provided an opportunity to provide confidence; teach public speaking; and learn a sense of community and volunteerism. She shared that KSDK provided news, community calendar, and sports information for the elder population who did not use the internet. Marine weather was also provided for the fishermen who did not have access to the internet, which saved lives. 6:17:21 PM SUSAN ERICKSON, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting; and K- 12 and early childhood education. She echoed the remarks of the previous testifiers. She shared that the local radio station was the only emergency alert system. She stressed that the reductions to the radio on the state level would result in loss of federal funds, and the stations would not survive in that financial environment. She felt that the reduction would result in eliminating important communication for the state. She shared that it took years to set up the communication system, and felt that the reduction would eliminate those efforts. Co-Chair Kelly shared that the committee was tracking the public testimony. 6:20:01 PM ERICA KLUDT-PAINTER, SUPERINTENDENT, PETERSBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting, the Alaska Marine Highway System, and education. She understood that reductions would occur in the current environment, felt that considering cuts without considering revenue sources was somewhat irresponsible and did not allow public school funding to adjust gradually, over time, according to the three-year funding plan approved by the legislature in the previous session. She stressed that oil revenue should not be the sole revenue generator for the state. She felt that it was time to consider and income tax or accessing the Permanent Fund. 6:21:58 PM BARB LARSON, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. She felt that the ferry system enhanced Alaska's tourism industry. The ferry system support the community, and stressed that the reduction would have a negative effect on the local economy. 6:25:26 PM DAN SULLIVAN, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting, the Alaska Marine Highway System, and the urged the reinstatement of the one-time education funding of $3.2 billion. 6:26:46 PM RICHARD LARSON, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. He echoed the remarks of Ms. Larson. The economy of Southeast Alaska was based on tourism, fishing, timber, some mining, and government. He shared that the federal government had virtually closed down the timber industry; shutdown Glacier Bay to fishing, which limited prime fishing areas; and had not responded to sea otters destroying areas used for commercial harvesting. The Alaska Marine Highway was a large part of the tourism infrastructure. There were already reservations purchased, so he hoped that the state would honor current commitments, and make budget reductions after the upcoming tourism season. Many vendors in Wrangell turned away other opportunities, and would face even further financial hardships with the sudden reservation cancellations. The Alaska Marine Highway was also used for transporting students for activities, and used for moving equipment and goods. 6:27:28 PM RICK DORMER, PRINCIPAL, PETERSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of education funding. He also spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. 6:29:15 PM PATRICK MAYER, SUPERINTENDENT, WRANGELL SCHOOL DISTRICT, WRANGELL (via teleconference), urged the reinstatement of the one-time funding from the previous legislative session. He also testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. 6:30:55 PM BENNETT MCGRATH, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. She felt that eliminating all funds for FY 16 would devastate Alaska radio stations. The reductions would cripple local operations, as the two sources of operating revenue represented between 45 and 70 percent of annual operating for the stations. Weakened urban providers would not be able to assist urban and bush stations. Some of the smaller outlying communities would experience complete radio stations. 6:32:20 PM DEBORAH TICE, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), testified against all of the reductions to education funding. She felt that the budget cuts would only negatively affect the children. She remarked that the education system was currently at critical mass, so the reductions were causing the districts across the state to implode. She stressed that the cuts to early education would only adversely affect the efforts at the K-12 level. 6:33:46 PM ELIZABETH HART, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway, and spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting, and urged the reinstatement of education funding. 6:36:01 PM TOM ABBOTT, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He felt that the 100 percent budget reduction was detrimental to those who depend on public radio. Rural communities in the state depended on the radio to stay informed on state, local, and emergency information. He stated that the local public radio station was the only radio station in Petersburg. He shared that he did not have cable television, so he depended on the local public radio station for information. 6:38:23 PM ALLISON RICE, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. She felt that the reduction would result in eliminating important communication for the state. She shared that it took years to set up the communication system, and felt that the reduction would eliminate those efforts. She echoed the previous testifiers' statements. Vice-Chair Micciche announced that he was using his phone for state business. 6:40:56 PM AT EASE 6:51:55 PM RECONVENED ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: SITKA, CORDOVA, VALDEZ 6:52:01 PM LON GARRISON, PRESIDENT, SITKA SCHOOL BOARD, SITKA, spoke in support of public education. He implored the committee to restore the one-time education funding of $32.2 million to the FY 16 operating budget. He shared that Sitka was keenly aware of the state's financial dilemma. He felt that it was his job to advocate the needs, and to illustrate the consequences of the lack of appropriate resources to carry out the mission. The Sitka School district had weekly emailed the legislature and governor focusing on the great efforts in education in Sitka, outlining what was at stake with the drastic budget reductions. 6:54:35 PM JENNIFER ROBINSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GREATER SITKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SITKA, spoke in support of education funding and testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. She stated that the chamber recognized the significant return on investment that a quality education provided. Healthy local schools encouraged the in-migration of families, increasing its immediate and future labor supply, and bolstering the local economy. She also stressed that inadequate funding had a negative impact on the ability of the Sitka School District to continue valuable programs that work to keep students in school and work toward career readiness. Access to quality education had shown to raise incomes and increase productivity, while failures in educating the workforce was associated with higher levels of crime and welfare dependency. Public funds that could otherwise be used for education were spent on crime control, drug treatment, and welfare programs. The overall skill level of the local labor force was one of the key drivers pushing local job and wage growth. Skilled workers and a quality labor force gave businesses incentive to operate and grow in Sitka, giving a competitive edge that encouraged economic growth and prosperity. 6:57:38 PM LARRY MILES, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He echoed the remarks of some of the previous testifiers. He felt that the reductions would greatly adversely affect the rural stations. He stressed that cable television did not have anything to do with public broadcasting. 7:00:09 PM GAIL M. JOHNSON, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. She expressed surprise in the drastic budget reductions. She did not fully understand the budget process, but felt that the reductions went too far. Co-Chair Kelly explained the budget process. Vice-Chair Micciche stated the subcommittee work was incorporated into a draft of the budget. 7:04:16 PM RICH MCCLEAR, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He stated that he had worked to keep public broadcasting funded at the federal to work develop a system that ensured Alaska received a reasonable share of federal funds. There was a formula which benefited Alaska stations, to ensure that listener and state support garnered significant federal funds. The framework, though modified, was still in effect. Alaska state funding of public broadcasting leveraged federal funds. 7:06:35 PM PETER HOEPFNER, PRESIDENT, CORDOVA SCHOOL DISTRICT, CORDOVA, spoke in support of education funding. He also testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway, and funding for domestic violence prevention programs. 7:09:16 PM HAROLD BLEHM, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting, and funding for three positions on the State Parks Advisory Board. He stated that the budget proposed to eliminate three positions. The Valdez position represented 100 percent of the dedicated State Park personnel in his part of the state. He stated that there were many people that visited Valdez in order to avoid the crowds on the Kenai peninsula. 7:12:32 PM ASHLEY REECE, STUDENT, CORDOVA HIGH SCHOOL, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke in support of $1.5 million in domestic violence and sexual assault prevention funding. The funds supported agencies, like the Cordova Family Resource Center, which coordinated the domestic violence and sexual assault prevention effort. She was a member of the youth peer mentoring program, Believe it or Not I Care (BIONIC). She shared some personal experiences in the prevention strategies and efforts. 7:14:37 PM PAUL NYLAND, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He emphasized the value for the money that was invested in public radio. He shared that the local radio station in Valdez, KTHU, had a large broadcast area. Local support would not be enough to cover the large area, and the services provided by local, state, and federal support was extremely important in continuing to provide important public information. 7:16:35 PM VICKI D'AMICO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SITKANS AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE SHELTER, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for Sitkans Against Family Violence (SAFV). She shared that she had 26 years of first-hand experience. She felt that there was not much hope to eradicate inter-partner violence, until she understood primary prevention. She observed partnership building, training, and collaborative plans. She stated that the plan was a thoughtful and all inclusive program, and was based on the public health model. 7:19:24 PM ELIZABETH COLLINS, CORDOVA FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Cordova Family Resource Center (CFRC). She stated that one of the programs within the center was called, "Lean On", which was a conference that taught young people how about creating peace and equalities in the communities. She was one of the first participants in the program in 2008, and stressed that one of the keys to ending violence in communities was prevention. 7:21:03 PM COLEEN STEPHENS, OWNER, STAN STEPHENS CRUISE, VALDEZ (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for tourism marketing. She stressed that investing dollars in tourism directly benefitted Alaska's economy. She stressed that her family and her 30 employees depended on the tourism industry. 7:23:44 PM SUSEA ALBEE, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. She felt that the reduction would result in eliminating important communication for the state. She shared that it took years to set up the communication system, and felt that the reduction would eliminate those efforts. She echoed the previous testifiers' statements. 7:25:57 PM KARI SAGEL, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged the reinstatement of education funding that was promised in the previous legislative session. She urged the committee to reinstate the one time funding of $32 million that was promised from the previous legislative session. The promised funding was important and pertinent, because the school districts were currently drafting their budgets for the following year. 7:27:27 PM JENNIFER GIBBINS, PRESIDENT, CORDOVA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for industries that create jobs, like the Alaska Marine Highway System. She shared that there were approximately 750 shipboard employees. Those employees and their families mostly lived in Alaska, and relied on the ferries for their livelihood. Approximately 35 ports in communities rely on the ships, not only for the transportation of people, but for goods and services. Alaskan residents and visitors had already booked tickets and made travel plans around the current published schedule. She felt that the reductions would cost the state more in lost revenue, than what could be gained in savings. She felt that a drastic change to an already published schedule would result in long-term consequences that had not yet been considered. 7:30:10 PM SHANA ANDERSON, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. She echoed the remarks of some of the previous testifiers. She felt that a 100 percent reduction was too drastic a measure. 7:32:11 PM JOHN ANDERSON, GENERAL MANAGER, KCHU RADIO, VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He stated that a 100 percent budget reduction would be detrimental to his radio station. He stressed the importance of receiving national and local news and the ability to communicate with the community. He relayed that without the funding the ability to get news out of the community would be eliminated. 7:34:44 PM KELSEY APPLETON, REPRESENTATIVE FOR STEVE GRAVES, NICHOLS BACKDOOR STORE, CORDOVA (via teleconference), read from a prepared testimony by Mr. Steve Graves in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway System. 7:36:24 PM MANDY EVANS, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting and public education. She felt that the reductions were only short- term fixes, and would have long-term negative effects on the community. She suggested that the total elimination of funding for public broadcasting would have a disproportionate effect on Alaska's rural communities and asked that it be reinstated. She also mentioned that public radio was a closely interwoven network. 7:38:18 PM KERIN KRAMER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIVE VILLAGE OF EYAK, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. She stressed that the ferry system was extremely important to the residents of Cordova, and reducing the budget and system would result in negative effects to the state economy. 7:39:29 PM GRETCHEN CLARK, MEMBER, ALASKA PATHWAYS FOR PREVENTION, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in favor of restored funding for domestic violence prevention. She relayed that the Center for Disease Control estimated that in the U.S. the cost of medical care, mental health services, legal services, and lost productivity due to intimate partner violence equaled $8.3 billion annually. She shared that Alaska had the highest rates of domestic and sexual violence in the country. She stressed that funding domestic violence intervention work without funding prevention work was like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. She stated that funding prevention programs should not just be about the money. She stated that according to statistics close to 60 percent of the women present during the meeting would experience domestic violence and sexual assault. She discussed the effectiveness of prevention programs. 7:41:19 PM KARL BECKER, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. He shared that he had lived in Cordova during a time a very unfavorable service due to scheduling issues. He felt that the ferry system was much better than it had been previously, and urged the committee to maintain its current level of service and funding. 7:42:34 PM JULIA SMITH, COMMUNITY DIRECTOR, SAFV, SITKA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. She stated that she had worked to implement prevention plans in Sitka 7:44:08 PM NANCY BIRD, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. She stated that the reductions would not balance the budget, but would only create some massive negative effects on the economy. She stated that the marine highway was never expected to pay for itself. 7:46:25 PM REBA DUNDAS, SENIOR, MT. EDGECOMBE HIGH SCHOOL, SITKA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. She stated that she had participated in those programs. She had recently researched statistics, corresponded with legislators, and was currently raising awareness through her involvement with the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee. She shared that one out of three teenagers experienced dating violence before completing high school. Alaska had some of the highest rates of domestic violence and sexual assault in the nation. 7:48:10 PM JIM KACSH, MAYOR, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. He stressed that the economy in Cordova depended on reliable transportation. He explained that the ferry system was used to transport millions of dollars of goods and services. He stressed that a long term break in service would have a severely negative impact on the already fragile economy. He remarked that he conducted business in Anchorage, so he relied on the ferry system in order to keep his business thriving. 7:49:17 PM DEBORAH YEARWOOD, STUDENT, SITKA HIGH SCHOOL, SITKA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. She stated that she was the secretary of Sitka High School's student council, and was a member of the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee. She had personally witnessed the value in programs that worked to positively alter the lives of students in Sitka. She shared that one of the effective programs was titled, "Coaching Boys Into Men", which was a national program that encouraged healthy masculinity and respect for women. 7:50:43 PM ROBERT BEEDLE, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. He stressed that the ferry system was important for the economy, and was provided access to acute medical care in Anchorage. He echoed the remarks of some previous testifiers, and stressed that the "only road" out of Cordova was the ferry system. 7:52:24 PM ELENA GUSTAFSON, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. She shared that she had personally seen the impact of prevention programs and funds. She had helped to implement many of the programs that would be directly impacted by the drastic budget reduction, including Girls on the Run; Stand Up Speak Up; and Talk Now Talk Often. 7:54:35 PM DEBRA ADAMS, TEACHER, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of early education funding. She echoed the testimonies of some of her former students. She also testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. She remarked that there were many residents of Cordova who returns to the community after attending school out of state, because there was a high quality of life in Cordova. 7:58:17 PM A letter from Michael Pickett was read that supported funding for Girls on the Run. 7:59:17 PM DAVID OTNESS, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), felt that many of the budget reductions were too extreme. He spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He remarked that Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share (ACES) was the reason why the reserves and savings were currently robust. He cautioned the committee to be careful when determining reductions, because there could be a "domino effect." 8:02:01 PM MARY WEGNER, SUPERINTENDENT, SITKA SCHOOL DISTRICT, SITKA (via teleconference), testified in support of reinstatement of the one-time education funding increment from the previous legislative session. She felt that the reductions to education had an exponentially negative impact. She stressed that students did not have a second chance at education. 8:03:27 PM KRISTIN CARPENTER, MEMBER, CORDOVA CITY COUNCIL, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. She stated that she had witnessed before and after Cordova's streamlined ferry service. She stressed that the streamlined ferry service had a remarkably positive effect on the community and the economy. 8:05:39 PM RANDY ROBERTSON, CITY MANAGER, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway. He shared that he had worked with current and former legislators. He shared that he had explained to the legislators that many of the residents of Cordova had Costco cards, and used those cards near Anchorage. Often the residents of Cordova would fill their cars full of groceries and goods, and use the ferry as a means of transport. He felt that reducing ferry service would adversely affect the economy in other parts of the state. 8:08:10 PM ROBYN TAYLOR, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, SITKA SCHOOL DISTRICT, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for education. She encouraged the committee to reinstate the one-time funds promised to schools for education with the passage of HB 278 in the previous legislative session. She shared that the Sitka School District was currently facing a significant budget deficit of approximately $2.7 million. She stated that the district continuously evaluated ways to be fiscally resourceful and responsible, while meeting the many demands of education including unfunded mandates. She stressed that the students' education would be impacted by the elimination of the funding. CSHB 72(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. CSHB 73(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. ADJOURNMENT 8:10:45 PM The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.