SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE April 11, 2019 1:09 p.m. 1:09:12 PM CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee meeting to order at 1:09 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Natasha von Imhof, Co-Chair Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair Senator Click Bishop Senator Lyman Hoffman Senator Peter Micciche Senator Donny Olson Senator Mike Shower MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Bill Wielechowski Senator David Wilson ALSO PRESENT Paul Kelly, Board Member, Juneau Board of Education, Juneau; Brian Wilson, Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homeless, Juneau; Lorilyn Swanson, Self, Juneau; Julie Nielsen, Self, Juneau; Mayor Beth Weldon, Self, Juneau; Ed Mercer, Chief of Police, Juneau; George Reifenstein, Chairman of the Board, KTOO, Juneau; Tom Brice, Self, Juneau; Judy Crondahl, Self, Juneau; Bridget Smith, Self, Juneau; Lin Davis, Self, Juneau; Joe Nelson, Self, Juneau; Helen Unruh, Self, Juneau; Nikki Love, Self, Juneau; Linda Squibb, Self, Juneau; Alyson Currey, Self, Juneau; Carl Brodersen, Self, Juneau; Hannah Weed, Self, Juneau; Lora Vess, Self, Juneau; Noah Williams, Self, Juneau; Emily Thompson, Self, Juneau; Philip Licht, Executive Director, Set Free Alaska, Juneau; Melinda Messmer, Self, Juneau; Susi Gregg Fowler, Self, Juneau; Odette Edgar, Self, Juneau; Laurie Craig, Self, Juneau; Bob Sylvester, Self, Juneau; Sander Schijvens, Self, Juneau; Gene Therriault, Self, Juneau; Mollie Kablen, Self, Juneau; Nils Andreassan, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League, Juneau; Cindy Boesser, Self, Juneau; Komiko Urata, Self, Juneau; Lily Pother, Self, Juneau; Erin Walker-Tolles, Self, Juneau; Brian Holst, Self, Juneau; Kristi West, Self, Juneau; Dr. Emily Kane, Self, Juneau; Calvin Zuelow, Self, Juneau; Heather Parker, Self, Juneau; Griffin Plush, Self, Juneau; Emily Ferry, Self, Juneau; Brenda Taylor, Self, Juneau. PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE Laura Stats, Self, Juneau; Vicki Jo Kennedy, Self, Juneau; Marilyn Menish-Neucci, Self, Petersburg; Wilbur Karmun, Kotzebue Broadcasting, Inc., Kotzebue; Alice Bioff, Alaska State Council on the Arts, Nome; Krystal Hensley, Parent, Nome; Stacy West, Parent, Nome; Lisa Sookiayak, Parent/High School Teacher, Nome; Deb Trowbridge, Community Member/Regional Head Start Director, Nome; Mark Springer, Self, Bethel; Noah Alexie, Self, Toksuk; Eileen Arnold, Self, Bethel; Vivian Korthius, AVCP, Bethel; John Mcintyre, AVCP, Bethel; Martha Whitman-Kassock, Assoc. Village Council Presidents, Bethel; Kathy Hanson, Self, Bethel; Wassile Guy, Self, Bethel; Susan Taylor, Self, Bethel; Ron Waska, Self, Bethel; Sam Weskoff, Self, Bethel; Jane Winzen, Self, Kotzebue; Anthony Cravalho, Self, Kotzebue; Marne Eggleston, Self, Kotzebue; Drew Hansen, Self, Anchorage; Michael Berger, Self, Anchorage; Bradley Cruz, Self, Anchorage; Michelle Hawleens, Kids Corp Inc., Anchorage; Mark Browne, Self, Anchorage; Zackery Bander, Self, Anchorage; Corrine O'neil, Rural CAP, Anchorage; Ed Quiver, Rural CAP, Anchorage; Barry Andres, Rural CAP, Anchorage; Caroline Storm, Great Alaska Schools, Anchorage; Laura Norton-Cruz, Alaska Children's Trust, Anchorage; Cody Ray Elde, Self, Anchorage; Jon Zasada, Alaska Primary Care Association, Anchorage; Deena Mitchell, ASD School Board, Anchorage; Sarah Murphy, Self, Anchorage; Sean Sullivan, Rural Cap, Anchorage; Lisa Smith Fiegel, Self, Anchorage; Kristin Ramstad, Self, Anchorage; Verne Boerner, Alaska Native Health Board, Anchorage; Cindy Gilder, Self, Anchorage; Andrew Cutting, Alaskan Children's Trust, Anchorage; William Harrington, Self, Anchorage; Susan Pearson, AWAIC, Anchorage; Mary Tesche, Aleutians East Borough, Anchorage; Tina Carpenter, Rural Cap, Anchorage; Eve Van Dommelen, Alaska Food Coalition, Anchorage; Sarah Dykstra, Self, Anchorage; Jackie Cason, Self, Anchorage; Cara Durr, Director of Public Engagement, Food Bank of Alaska, Anchorage; Jacque Murray, Safe Harbor Muldoon, Anchorage; Jennifer Mitchell, Safe Harbor Muldoon, Anchorage; Denise Star, Safe Harbor Muldoon, Anchorage; Sarah Osborne, Self, Anchorage; Rehene Merkouris, Self, Anchorage; Dirk Shumaker, Executive Director, Kids Grow Anchorage, Anchorage; Elstan Laniesen, Self, Anchorage; James E. O'Malley MD, Self, Anchorage; Matthew Hirschfeld, Alaska Pediatric Partnership, Anchorage; Jasmine Khan, Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, Anchorage; Mackenzie Slater, Self, Anchorage; Taylor Donovan, Self, Anchorage; Jaylene Peterson-Nyren, Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage; Shelly Vebdetti-Vuckovich, Self, Anchorage; Rose Hubbard, Self, Anchorage; Jaimie Donley, Hope Community Resources, Anchorage; Nick Papacostas, Alaska Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, Anchorage; Mark Wiggin, Self, Anchorage. SUMMARY SB 20 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS SB 20 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. SB 21 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET SB 21 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. PUBLIC TESTIMONY SENATE BILL NO. 20 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." SENATE BILL NO. 21 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program, including supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." 1:09:22 PM Co-Chair Stedman discussed the agenda. ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: JUNEAU 1:11:05 PM LAURA STATS, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke against the governor's proposed budget. She felt that the budget would have a negative effect on the people of Alaska. She felt that the budget did not serve the people, and did not allow for society as a whole to thrive. She felt that the departments should be funded across the board. 1:13:03 PM VICKI JO KENNEDY, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), stated that there was $11 million that was appropriated from the Alaska Aerospace Corporation. She spoke against funding that organization, and felt that the elderly people could use that money. 1:14:13 PM MARILYN MENISH-NEUCCI, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke against the governor's proposed budget. She also spoke against any constitutional amendments. She expressed concern that the governor kept referring to people that were against the budget as "special interest groups." She remarked that the people opposed to the budget wanted to use the Marine Highway; receive a high education; affordable health care; and affordable rates at the Pioneer Home. 1:15:42 PM PAUL KELLY, BOARD MEMBER, JUNEAU BOARD OF EDUCATION, JUNEAU, spoke against the proposed budget cuts to education funding. He remarked that there were recent reduced budgets, and there were required negative adjustments within classrooms. 1:17:10 PM BRIAN WILSON, ALASKA COALITION ON HOUSING AND HOMELESS, JUNEAU, spoke against the proposed cuts to the Homeless Assistance Program; the Special Needs Housing Grant Program; the Human Services Community Matching Grant Program; and the Community Initiative Matching Grant Programs. The grants funded homeless prevention, emergency shelter, housing vouchers, and vital case management for the most vulnerable citizens. 1:18:35 PM LORILYN SWANSON, SELF, JUNEAU, urged funding of the Senior Benefits program within the budget. She stressed that there were currently 11,597 Alaska 1:20:32 PM JULIE NIELSEN, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the budget cuts to the University system. She encouraged an examination of alternative forms of revenue. 1:22:16 PM MAYOR BETH WELDON, SELF, JUNEAU, presented her testimony with the city manager, Rorie Watt. She encouraged protecting funding for school, and to keep the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) operational. 1:24:14 PM ED MERCER, CHIEF OF POLICE, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for an prosecutor. 1:26:48 PM GEORGE REIFENSTEIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, KTOO, JUNEAU, spoke against the proposed cuts to public media. 1:28:05 PM TOM BRICE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the University of Alaska system. He spoke against privatizing the Pioneer Home system. He spoke in support of using the Permanent Fund earnings to fund those programs. 1:29:13 PM JUDY CRONDAHL, SELF, JUNEAU, felt that there was not enough time to address each program. She encouraged the committee to take care of the vulnerable population in Alaska. She stressed that there was tremendous oil wealth, and felt that the state citizens should be paying an income tax. She felt that state services were a reflection of a functioning society. 1:30:51 PM BRIDGET SMITH, SELF, JUNEAU, felt that the governor's budget was vastly inadequate. She spoke specifically to funding education and public media. 1:32:13 PM LIN DAVIS, SELF, JUNEAU, felt that the governor's budget was set to dismantle the lives of Alaska. She used an analogy of baked Alaska, burnt apples, and other baking analogy. 1:34:18 PM JOE NELSON, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for Alaska Legal Services. He spoke in support of moving into growth mode. 1:36:04 PM HELEN UNRUH, SELF, JUNEAU, echoed the previous comments. She remarked that there should be creativity in responding to the debt. She urged support of funding for the ferries. She also spoke in support of Head Start. 1:38:08 PM NIKKI LOVE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of education and the ferries. She urged support of senior and elder care programs. She asked that Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) be limited, so the government can have proper funds. 1:39:44 PM LINDA SQUIBB, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of early childhood education at the level approved from the year prior. 1:41:18 PM ALYSON CURREY, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of Medicaid and Public Health. She stressed that the cuts would disproportionately affect women and families. 1:43:03 PM CARL BRODERSEN, SELF, JUNEAU, felt that the governor's budget as unethical. He spoke in support of ferries, education, and public media. He also urged support of an income tax. 1:43:54 PM HANNAH WEED, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of early childhood education. 1:44:50 PM LORA VESS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the proposed cuts to the University of Alaska system. She felt the budget would decimate higher education in Alaska. 1:46:41 PM NOAH WILLIAMS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the budget. 1:47:51 PM EMILY THOMPSON, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for early childhood education. She spoke with a child on her lap. 1:49:28 PM PHILIP LICHT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SET FREE ALASKA, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for behavioral health grants. He also urged support in aligning with the House proposal. He felt that behavioral health was considered primary care. 1:51:08 PM MELINDA MESSMER, SELF, JUNEAU, urged support of early childhood education programs. She shared that she had graduated from the University of Alaska system, and urged support of that funding. She spoke in support of funding for AMHS. 1:52:20 PM SUSI GREGG FOWLER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the ferry system. She spoke in support of the State Arts Council. 1:54:23 PM BRENDA TAYLOR, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the governor's budget. She urged support of using the PFD and a statewide income tax. She felt that it was the responsibility provide the best environment for children. ODETTE EDGAR, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for the programs for homeless assistance. 1:58:10 PM LAURIE CRAIG, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of public media. 2:00:22 PM BOB SYLVESTER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of housing homeless programs. 2:01:32 PM SANDER SCHIJVENS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the education system. He stated that he was the chair of the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Advisory Council. 2:02:58 PM GENE THERRIAULT, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for the Human Services Community Matching Grant Program. 2:04:42 PM MOLLIE KABLEN, SELF, JUNEAU, stated that there was work in public media to ensure that the process was available to everyone in the state. 2:05:05 PM NILS ANDREASSAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, JUNEAU, offered data that showed that the proposed budget would impact local government by $900 million. He stated that an additional $1 billion was suggested to be removed from the PCE endowment, where it had earned 8 percent over the last ten years to GF where it would earn less than 2 percent. He noted that the governor had suggested that school bond debt reimbursement be repealed, which would shift $1 billion to local taxpayers. 2:07:24 PM CINDY BOESSER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of an income tax. She continued to quote from a book written by former Governor Jay Hammond about the PFD. 2:09:47 PM KOMIKO URATA, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the elimination of funding for the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) program. She shared that there were members of her family who had participated in the program. 2:11:43 PM LILY POTHER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the proposed cuts to education. She supported the use of alternative funds to fund education and other services. 2:13:13 PM ERIN WALKER-TOLLES, SELF, JUNEAU, presented a resolution from her organization to use the PFD to pay for state services. She suggested that shifting costs to the people of Alaska was detrimental. 2:14:41 PM BRIAN HOLST, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of using the PFD dollars to help pay for state services. He appreciated forward funding for public schools. 2:15:54 PM KRISTI WEST, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of standing up to the governor's red pen. 2:17:04 PM DR. EMILY KANE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in favor of taking care of Alaska's vulnerable. She did not want to see the most vulnerable Alaskans cut off at the knees. She urged members to open their hearts. 2:18:26 PM CALVIN ZUELOW, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of appropriately funding the budget. 2:19:21 PM HEATHER PARKER, SELF, JUNEAU, asked members to think of Alaska's future. She thought the governor's proposed reductions were too deep. She asked the committee to provide money for Pre-K, and other essential services. She asked for funding to be maintained for the AMHS. 2:21:00 PM GRIFFIN PLUSH, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding the UA system adequately. He was concerned with the potential of increased tuitions. 2:23:25 PM EMILY FERRY, SELF, JUNEAU, advocated for an income tax. She spoke in support of funding for education including the University system and the Parents as Teachers Program. She thought if education was not properly funding, it would be detrimental to students of the program. ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: NOME, BETHEL, KOTZEBUE, UNALASKA 2:25:01 PM WILBUR KARMUN, KOTZEBUE BROADCASTING, INC., KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), spoke in favor of public broadcasting. He told of the areas served by the broadcasting company he worked for. He spoke of the benefits of public broadcasting. He asked the committee to reconsider cuts to public broadcasting. 2:27:00 PM ALICE BIOFF, ALASKA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in favor of support for the Alaska State Council of the Arts. She talked about the benefits of the Arts on the economy and other benefits including the Silver Hands Program. She mentioned other beneficial programs. She mentioned the National Foundation of the Arts might pull its funding. 2:29:26 PM KRYSTAL HENSLEY, PARENT, NOME (via teleconference), urged members to support Head Start and early learning. 2:30:18 PM STACY WEST, PARENT, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in favor of funding for Head Start. 2:31:03 PM LISA SOOKIAYAK, PARENT/HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, NOME (via teleconference), asked that funding for Head Start and Early Education be restored. She had children in the Head Start Program and was an advocate 2:31:54 PM DEB TROWBRIDGE, COMMUNITY MEMBER/REGIONAL HEAD START DIRECTOR, NOME (via teleconference), urged members to place Head Start funding back into the budget. 2:32:58 PM AT EASE 2:33:49 PM RECONVENED 2:34:19 PM MARK SPRINGER, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in support of an income tax. He asked that funding for WAMMI and public broadcasting be restored. He spoke in support of funding for the AMHS. 2:35:09 PM NOAH ALEXIE, SELF, TOKSUK (via teleconference), spoke in favor of properly funding education. He thought it was very important for kids to learn. He thought early education was very important and advocated for funding for the Head Start Program. 2:36:32 PM EILEEN ARNOLD, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), supported a limited PFD and supported an income tax. She asked that the homeless assistance program be restored. She asked that PCE funding continue. She advocated for several other items to be funded. 2:37:31 PM VIVIAN KORTHIUS, AVCP, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in favor of public safety, economic development, and wellness. She spoke in favor of funding for the VPSO Program. 2:38:52 PM JOHN MCINTYRE, AVCP, BETHEL (via teleconference), expressed concerns about the reduction to the PCE Program. He thought that if PCE was cut it would affect the funding provided by the federal government. 2:40:27 PM MARTHA WHITMAN-KASSOCK, ASSOC. VILLAGE COUNCIL PRESIDENTS, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in favor of funding for the VPSO Program. She spoke about the public safety infrastructure within the region. Public Safety was the number one priority of AVCP. 2:41:56 PM KATHY HANSON, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), advocated for funding for public broadcasting. She provided an example of how public broadcasting contributed to many aspects of the benefits of public broadcasting. 2:43:11 PM WASSILE GUY, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in favor of public media. He stated that there should be further oil and gas exploration. SUSAN TAYLOR, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), suggested that a $3000 PFD was simply a bargaining chip. She spoke in favor of using the PFD for state services including Medicaid. She supported the PCE Program. She asked members to not cut the budget as proposed by the governor. 2:45:52 PM RON WASKA, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), suggested that budget cuts would have a severe impact on the villages. He suggested that the cuts would bring death to the people. 2:46:56 PM SAM WESKOFF, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), opposed cuts to VPSO Program, the PCE Program, and Education. 2:48:06 PM JANE WINZEN, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), felt that the governor's budget was deceptive, and would not make legislating future budgets easy. She stressed the understanding between core services and the cost of those services. 2:49:40 PM ANTHONY CRAVALHO, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), asked the Senate to reject the governor's budget. He wanted to see Medicaid and Behavioral Health funded properly. He supported a state income tax and the use of PFD monies to pay for state services. 2:50:55 PM MARNE EGGLESTON, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), opposed the $12 million cut to Behavioral Health. She favored a state income tax and a lowered PFD. She thought oil credits should be reduced. 2:52:10 PM AT EASE 2:53:31 PM RECONVENED ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: ANCHORAGE 2:53:37 PM DREW HANSEN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported early childhood education. He supported the Parents as Teachers Program. He also supported the Head Start Program. 2:55:31 PM MICHAEL BERGER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke of the evidence of crime on the street in Anchorage. He advocated spending money to fight crime and deal with addiction. 2:57:04 PM BRADLEY CRUZ, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the University of Alaska. He also supported the WWAMI Program. 2:58:30 PM MICHELLE HAWLEENS, KIDS CORP INC., ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of Parents as Teachers. She talked about the benefits of the program for families. 3:00:07 PM MARK BROWNE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged suspending tax credits to oil companies. He advocated for a sales tax from May 1 - September 30th to capture tourism dollars. He also supported an income tax. 3:01:49 PM ZACKERY BANDER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported the WWAMI Program. He urged members to protect Alaska's medical sector. 3:03:08 PM CORRINE O'NEIL, RURAL CAP, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported the Homeless Services System. She provided information about the program. She suggested that without state funding, federal dollars could not be leveraged. 3:04:53 PM ED QUIVER, RURAL CAP, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), asked for funding for the Rural Cap Program. 3:05:37 PM BARRY ANDRES, RURAL CAP, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported funding for the Rural Cap Program and for funding for the Behavioral Health Program. He talked about cost shifts and services being reduced. 3:07:12 PM CAROLINE STORM, GREAT ALASKA SCHOOLS, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged support for public education funding. She asked members to honor its commitment to forward fund education. It was the best investment for Alaska's future. She also supported paying taxes. 3:08:27 PM LAURA NORTON-CRUZ, ALASKA CHILDREN'S TRUST, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged support for the Parents as Teachers Program and for education. She noted that smaller class sizes were better for learning. She also favored funding for basic needs. 3:10:24 PM CODY RAY ELDE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the Rural Cap Program. 3:11:57 PM JON ZASADA, ALASKA PRIMARY CARE ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), opposed cuts to the Adult Dental Benefits, the WWAMI program, and to the University system. He also opposed cuts to senior services, and community grant programs. 3:13:14 PM DEENA MITCHELL, ASD SCHOOL BOARD, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of public education funding. She hoped members would maintain the forward funding from the previous year. She advocated for early childhood education. 3:14:48 PM SARAH MURPHY, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), opposed the drastic cuts proposed in the governor's budget. She supported the WWAMI program and funding for the university system. She spoke of Alaska's primary care needed in Alaska. She was willing to pay a tax. 3:16:39 PM SEAN SULLIVAN, RURAL CAP, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), opposed the proposed cuts in the budget to the Rural Cap Program. He thought the reductions would have a long-term effect on the mental health of Alaskans. 3:18:04 PM LISA SMITH FIEGEL, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), asked the committee to restore Medicaid funding. She also urged the restoration of funding for early education. She supported Parents As Teachers and the Imagination Library. 3:19:37 PM KRISTIN RAMSTAD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported funding state services rather than receiving a large PFD check. She listed a number of state services she favored. She supported funding education including funding for the university. 3:21:08 PM VERNE BOERNER, ALASKA NATIVE HEALTH BOARD, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), advocated for funding for Medicaid. The governor's proposed budget reduction would result in lost federal matching dollars. She urged members to protect the Medicaid Program that served Alaskans. 3:22:46 PM CINDY GILDER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), was concerned with the governor's budget. She favored a smaller PFD and supported an income tax. She did not want the governor's budget supported. 3:23:33 PM ANDREW CUTTING, ALASKAN CHILDREN'S TRUST, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), did not believe the governor's budget was in the best interest of Alaskans. He did not believe in cutting health care or education. He spoke of the importance of investing in Alaska's children. He did not want Alaska's future at risk. 3:25:18 PM WILLIAM HARRINGTON, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), did not believe the legislature would come together. He thought the state would experience a large loss of population. He advocated for a vigilante override committee. 3:26:58 PM SUSAN PEARSON, AWAIC, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke on the benefits of AWAIC. She was thankful for some of the critical funding that remained in the budget. However, there were cuts that would affect victims of sexual assault. She spoke of funding that needed to be restored in order to obtain matching federal funds. 3:28:46 PM MARY TESCHE, ALEUTIANS EAST BOROUGH, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in favor of the School Debt Reimbursement Program. She advocated for education funding. She indicated that the borough was making cuts but could not cut its way out. 3:30:14 PM TINA CARPENTER, RURAL CAP, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in favor of funding for Head Start. She provided some statistics for communities with the Head Start Program. Staff positions would be terminated if the cuts remained in the budget. She spoke of the benefits of funding early education. 3:31:46 PM EVE VAN DOMMELEN, ALASKA FOOD COALITION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke 3:33:24 PM SARAH DYKSTRA, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of education funding. She also supported a progressive income tax to support vital services in Alaska. 3:34:34 PM JACKIE CASON, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), did not support the governor's proposed budget. She spoke in support of additional revenue sources. 3:36:01 PM CARA DURR, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, FOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of services for low income Alaskans. She urged support of funding for Medicaid. 3:37:19 PM JACQUE MURRAY, SAFE HARBOR MULDOON, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for homeless assistance programs. 3:38:01 PM JENNIFER MITCHELL, SAFE HARBOR MULDOON, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), stated that she was a homeless resident at Safe Harbor. She felt that reducing the budget would result in additional homelessness. 3:38:46 PM DENISE STAR, SAFE HARBOR MULDOON, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), stated that she was a former homeless person. 3:39:39 PM SARAH OSBORNE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of education funding. 3:41:36 PM REHENE MERKOURIS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) program. She remarked that Alaska was the only state in the country without a medical school. 3:43:35 PM DIRK SHUMAKER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KIDS GROW ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of early education program funding. 3:45:20 PM ELSTAN LANIESEN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), addressed the issue of the integrity of the budgeting process. He felt that there should be a good-faith relationship with the governor. He wondered whether the governor was working with the legislature in good-faith. He felt that the governor did not support the constitution. 3:47:20 PM JAMES E. O'MALLEY MD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI). He felt that eliminating the program was a poor idea, and not supported by any data. 3:48:45 PM MATTHEW HIRSCHFELD, ALASKA PEDIATRIC PARTNERSHIP, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged support of funding for early intervention funding, such as funding for early childhood education programs. 3:50:07 PM JASMINE KHAN, ANCHORAGE COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of funds for the homeless assistance programs. 3:52:15 PM MACKENZIE SLATER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI). 3:54:05 PM TAYLOR DONOVAN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the retention of all homeless service funding. 3:54:56 PM JAYLENE PETERSON-NYREN, SOUTHCENTRAL FOUNDATION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of adequate funding for Medicaid. 3:56:45 PM SHELLY VEBDETTI-VUCKOVICH, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of early childhood education. She encouraged an examination of new revenue. 3:58:59 PM ROSE HUBBARD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for grants to prevent homeless. 4:01:04 PM JAIMIE DONLEY, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of making senior and disabilities Medicaid service funding a separate appropriation at the year prior's funding amount. 4:02:18 PM NICK PAPACOSTAS, ALASKA CHAPTER OF THE AMERICIAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI). 4:04:15 PM MARK WIGGIN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for public media. He stated that he had supported public media financially. He felt that public media provided essential safety information. He remarked that, without state funding, many local radio stations might be at risk. Co-Chair Stedman discussed the following day's agenda. SB 20 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. SB 21 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. ADJOURNMENT 4:07:35 PM The meeting was adjourned at 4:07 p.m.