Legislature(2015 - 2016)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/30/2015 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB72 || SB73 | |
| Public Testimony: Juneau | |
| Public Testimony: Bethel, Nome, Kotzebue, Unalaska | |
| Public Testimony: Barrow, Tok, Delta Junction | |
| Public Testimony: Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg | |
| Public Testimony: Sitka, Cordova, Valdez | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 72 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 73 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
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.