Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/11/2007 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB95 || HB96 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 95 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 96 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HOUSE BILL NO. 95
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan
program expenses of state government, for certain programs,
and to capitalize funds; making appropriations under art.
IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska; and
providing for an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 96
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital
expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental
health program; and providing for an effective date."
This was the third hearing for these bills in the Senate Finance
Committee.
1:12:19 PM
Co-Chair Hoffman announced the continuation of public testimony,
and the order in which communities would be asked to testify.
1:14:27 PM
SONYA HANDFORTH-KOME, Executive Director, Iliuluik Family and
Health Services Clinic, Unalaska, testified via teleconference
from an offnet location in Unalaska in support of funding for
community health centers. The health center in Unalaska serves
approximately 21,000 patients each year, and is 800 air miles to
nearest health care provider in Anchorage. The clinic was
approximately 70 percent patient funded and received grants to
fund remaining expenses. Alaska was "one of the few states" that
did not provide direct funding to community health centers.
1:18:27 PM
RICHARD WYLAND, Mayor, Seldovia, testified via teleconference
from an offnet location in Seldovia in support of revenue
sharing. He told of the "desperate need" for revenue sharing in
Seldovia. Major cuts, including police services, would occur
without revenue sharing.
1:21:06 PM
PTARMICA MCCONNELL, Mayor pro-tem, Port Alexander, testified
from an offnet location in Port Alexander in support of revenue
sharing. She spoke of the negative effects of the cessation of
revenue sharing on the ability of small communities to provide
services for their residents.
1:22:40 PM
Co-Chair Hoffman informed that $48.1 million had been included
for municipal revenue sharing in the proposed Senate version of
the operating budget.
1:23:10 PM
GRAHAM WARD, Glennallen, testified from an offnet location in
Glennallen in support of Senate Bills 143 and 144. As an owner
of a campground in Glennallen, he supported increased funding
for tourism marketing.
1:24:34 PM
NEIL DARISH, Co-Owner, McCarthy Lodge, testified via
teleconference from an offnet location in McCarthy in support of
increased funding for tourism advertising. He shared that he
employed many local McCarthy residents and reinvested his income
in the community.
1:26:20 PM
VERA GORDON, Catholic Social Services, Delta Junction, testified
from an offnet location in Delta Junction in support of
maintained funding for the Delta Junction Job Center. The Job
Center was utilized by residents who did not have computer
access elsewhere, and who would otherwise have to travel
approximately 90 miles to Fairbanks to apply for employment.
1:27:38 PM
LENA VERECHKOVA, Catholic Social Services, Delta Junction,
testified via teleconference from an offnet location in Delta
Junction in support of continued funding of the Delta Junction
Job Center. She spoke of the many services offered by the Job
Center.
1:28:33 PM
DR. DOUGLAS STARK, Senior Councilman, Homer, testified from an
offnet location in Homer in support of municipal revenue
sharing. The Homer Borough would be required to raise sales tax
to a combined city and borough total sales tax of 7.5 percent in
the absence of revenue sharing. He foresaw a higher sales tax
driving residents to buy their goods outside of Homer, thus
exasperating the local revenue shortfalls.
1:29:47 PM
PIUS AGIMUK, Mayor, Toksook Bay, testified via teleconference
from an offnet location in Toksook Bay in support of municipal
revenue sharing. Revenue sharing funds the Village Police
Officers (VPOs), refuse collection, and other necessary services
for residents.
1:31:36 PM
SAM MOYUK, testified from an offnet location in Savoonga. He
spoke of the difficulties his community was experiencing in
identifying matching funds for the removal and replacement of
tank farms, and requested the reinstatement of municipal revenue
sharing.
1:32:27 PM
MYRON KINGQEETUK, Manager, Savoonga Native Store, testified from
an offnet location in Savoonga in support of municipal revenue
sharing. He shared that high fuel prices were "hurting" the
community.
1:33:15 PM
SHIRLEY MARQUADT, testified via teleconference from an offnet
location in Unalaska in support of municipal revenue sharing.
She told that revenue sharing monies had historically been used
to assist in funding local non-profits, such as Meals on Wheels.
She added that the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and
the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) required contributions were
funded separately from any revenue sharing considerations. Those
contribution rates had increased $1.6 million over the prior
year, and she encouraged that the two issues be addressed
separately.
1:35:08 PM
RICHARD BENEVILLE, Nome Discovery Tours and Nome Chamber of
Commerce, testified via teleconference from Nome in support of
increased funding for a statewide tourism advertising program.
He told of the benefits the Alaska Travel Industry Association
(ATIA) provided to Alaska through increased national awareness
of Alaska as an independent traveler destination.
1:37:22 PM
MITCH ERICKSON, Executive Director, Nome Chamber of Commerce,
testified via teleconference from Nome in support of the
municipal revenue sharing and Power Cost Equalization (PCE)
programs. He explained that the loss of revenue sharing and PCE
funding resulted in "very hard times for many people".
1:38:54 PM
SHARON SPARKS, Office Manager, Alaska Legal Services, testified
via teleconference from Nome in support of funding for the
Alaska Legal Services Corporation.
1:39:30 PM
ELLEN RICHARD, President, Native Village of Wales, testified via
teleconference from an offnet location in Wales in support of
increased funding for community health centers. She spoke of the
dilapidated condition of the medical equipment in the Wales
clinic, as well as the clinic itself. She also informed that the
clinic was sometimes without heat due to the high price of fuel.
1:41:08 PM
WINTON WEYAPUK JR., Vice President, Native Village of Wales,
testified via teleconference from an offnet location in Wales in
support of revenue sharing. He set forth that the village relied
on revenue sharing to provide services to the community, such as
VPOs.
1:42:59 PM
WALTER WEYAPUK, Native Village of Wales, testified via
teleconference from an offnet location in Wales in support of
revenue sharing. He described the health clinic as "minimally
equipped", and spoke of the lack of other community services.
1:44:09 PM
FRANK OXEREOK JR., Native Village of Wales, testified via
teleconference from an offnet location in Wales in support of
municipal revenue sharing. He told of the high cost of fuel in
the village, and the need for increased law enforcement
presence. He was "glad to hear that the money was coming in".
1:45:30 PM
CHRISTINE KOMONASEAK, Native Village of Wales, testified via
teleconference from an offnet location in Wales in support of
municipal revenue sharing and energy assistance. She spoke of
the necessity of a clean water source for residents and
increased availability of housing in the village.
1:46:35 PM
LUTHER KOMONASEAK, Native Village of Wales, testified via
teleconference from an offnet location in Wales in support of
municipal revenue sharing. He informed that Wales is frequented
by hunters from Russia, and the lack of water and sewer services
create unsanitary living conditions. He added that the village's
dump site had received State funding but is too close to
airport, and should be relocated.
1:48:44 PM
DR. NORMAN ECK, Superintendent, Northwest Artic Borough School
District, testified via teleconference from an offnet location
in Kotzebue in support of public broadcasting. He described the
integral role the local public radio station provided to his
area, including community and job announcements and local
language broadcasts.
1:51:59 PM
SUSAN COX, Executive Director, Camai Bristol Bay Borough
Community Health Center, testified from an offnet location in
Naknek in support of funding for rural health clinics. She spoke
of the many services the clinic provided for area residents,
Bristol Bay fishermen, and tourists. She detailed the high costs
of operating the community health care center in a remote
location.
1:54:28 PM
LATESIA GUINN, Executive Director, Bethel Family Clinic,
testified via teleconference from an offnet location in Bethel
and introduced MICHAEL DOSER [name and spelling unverified],
Board Member, Bethel Family Clinic, who spoke in support of the
community health centers appropriation bill, SB 106. Alaska is
one of only 14 states that do not assist in funding the
community health centers. Alaska's health clinics served
approximately 80,000 patients the previous year, and are an
important aspect of health care in the State.
1:56:34 PM
JEANNE GERHARDT-CYRUS, Parent, testified via teleconference from
an offnet location in Kiana in support of behavioral health
grants that would provide staffing for the local Boys and Girls
Club. She mentioned the high rate of suicide in the area, and
the Bring the Kids Home Initiative. She shared that one of her
children received residential treatment, but due to the lack of
services upon returning home, he was currently in the custody of
the Department of Corrections.
2:00:21 PM
AGNES MOSES, testified via teleconference from an offnet
location in Golovin in support of restored municipal revenue
sharing. She detailed the services this funding would provide to
local residents, including funding the city's insurance, road
maintenance, and VPO positions.
2:01:30 PM
ELAINE PRICE, Project Manager, City of Coffman Cove, testified
via teleconference from an offnet location in Coffman Cove in
support of revenue sharing to assist in the provision of
required services. PERS and TRS relief would not benefit many
small communities, as they do not participate in those
retirement systems.
2:02:50 PM
JO PUTMAN, Secretary, Public Defenders Office, testified via
teleconference from Nome in support of funding for Alaska Legal
Services offices. She told that the Public Defenders Office
represents only clients appointed counsel by a judge, and all
other individuals in need of legal assistance inundate the few
Legal Services Offices in operation.
2:03:57 PM
DANIEL LIENBERGER, Mayor, Bethel, testified via teleconference
from an offnet location in Bethel in support of the restoration
of revenue sharing. He divulged that 2006 represented the first
year of net migration out of Bethel in "a generation" due to
high cost of living. Revenue sharing would allow the city to
provide services without the "depressing" effect of raising
sales tax. He recommended a long-term plan for revenue sharing
to assist smaller communities in planning their budgets.
Mr. Lienberger also addressed the "PERS and TRS issue". The city
of Bethel, like many other Alaskan communities, witnessed
dramatic increases in retirement liability costs over the
previous year. He encouraged a long term solution to attend to
that looming financial burden.
2:08:09 PM
CONNIE WALKER, Holy Cross, testified via teleconference from an
offnet location in Holy Cross in support of the reinstatement of
revenue sharing. She spoke of the community benefits that are
supported by revenue sharing, and informed that PERS and TRS
funding should be considered separately.
2:10:19 PM
JIMMY HURLEY, Former Mayor, Ekwok, testified via teleconference
from an offnet location in Ekwok in support of municipal revenue
sharing. While sales taxes generate some revenue for the
community, revenue sharing is vital to the health of the area.
He added that the village safe water project needed to be "tuned
up".
2:12:08 PM
DR. DAVID BAINES, Family Physician, Iliuliuk Family and Health
Services Clinic, Unalaska, testified via teleconference from an
offnet location in Unalaska in support of funding for community
health centers. The clinic provided a broad spectrum of services
for uninsured and underinsured patients on a sliding scale, and
state funding would allow the clinic to continue to provide
those important services.
2:14:20 PM
BEN ESCH, Nome, testified via teleconference in support of fully
funding the Alaska Legal Services Corporation at $300,000. As a
superior court judge, he recognized the steps the legal system
had taken in providing information via the Internet. He
explained that in civil cases such as divorce or child custody
hearings, the judge can appoint counsel only under certain
circumstances. He encouraged the Committee to fund Legal
Services to better serve all Alaskans in need of legal
assistance, regardless of their financial situation.
2:16:17 PM
DAN O'HARA, Mayor, Bristol Bay Borough, testified from an offnet
location in Bristol Bay in support of restored municipal revenue
sharing. He was concerned with the increasing costs of health
care, energy, and local school funding.
2:18:27 PM
BEVERLEE TYNER, Craig, testified via teleconference from an
offnet location in Craig in support of funding for the Alaska
Legal Services Corporation. She worked with the elders in the
area, and generalized the income level on Prince of Whales
Island as "low". She mentioned that there were no legal services
available on the Island, and she referred people in need of
legal assistance to the Legal Services Office in Ketchikan. She
encouraged the continued funding for Alaska Legal Services.
2:21:07 PM
BILL ALTLAND, Owner, Whales Tail Pharmacy, Craig, testified via
teleconference from an offnet location in Craig in support
continued funding for community health care centers. The
community health center in Klawock was the only emergency care
provider accessible Mr. Altland's family and other residents of
the island.
2:23:00 PM
SHERRY DECKER, Owner, Hair Doctor Styling Salon, Delta Junction,
testified via teleconference from an offnet location in Delta
Junction in support of funding for the Delta Junction Job Center
during the current "boom". She spoke of the effective assistance
provided by the Delta Junction Job Center, and noted that in
rural communities, on-line employment activities are less
successful. She listed savings to the State in the form of less
"welfare" expenditures.
2:25:18 PM
FERDINAND SHARP, Mayor, Manokotak, testified via teleconference
from an offnet location in Manokotak in support of municipal
revenue sharing. The community utilized one third of budgeted
funds for fuel for work vehicles that performed services such as
snow removal.
2:27:03 PM
RICHARD ELSTROM, City Manager, Saint Mary's, testified via
teleconference from an offnet location in Saint Mary's in
support of revenue sharing. He echoed previous speakers' remarks
on the subject, noting that the city expended revenue sharing
funds for basic needs, including the salaries of the city
employees.
2:28:27 PM
BYRON CHARLES, Ketchikan, testified via teleconference from an
offnet location in support of the Alaska Job Corps Center in
Palmer. He told of the benefits the Center had provided to both
him and his daughter, and requested further funding for the
Center.
2:31:14 PM
RON PECK, President Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA),
Anchorage, testified in Juneau in support of increased funding
for "core" and "independent" marketing programs. He informed
that the number of independent travelers to Alaska had been
declining in recent years, and that the increased funding would
allow ATIA to support tourism marketing in smaller, out-lying
areas of the State.
2:33:38 PM
KIRK HOESSEL, President, Alaska Wildland Adventures, Girdwood,
testified in Juneau in support of increased "destination
marketing funding" to ATIA. He emphasized that the increase
would provide support and benefits for thousands of small
businesses throughout the State as well as support rural
economic development.
2:36:23 PM
DAVE WORRELL, Communications Director, ATIA, testified in Juneau
in support of increased funding for ATIA. He likened
"reinvesting" in Alaska's tourism industry to the State's
reinvestment in commercial fisheries through contributions to
the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI). He requested the
Committee add $18 million to fund "core" tourism marketing and
an additional $8.5 million for independent tourism marketing.
2:37:11 PM
Senator Elton, as the former Executive Director of ASMI, pointed
out that the seafood industry sees an 18 cent "match" on every
dollar it contributes to ASMI. ATIA, by comparison, enjoys a
funding rate of four dollars for every dollar it spends on
advertising. He "felt compelled to note the difference," as the
current ATIA request would double the State's contribution while
ATIA's contribution rate would not increase.
2:38:11 PM
Mr. Worrell admitted that there existed an inequitable
difference in funding proportions. He qualified that in years
past, the ATIA budget had been funded approximately 50 percent
by voluntary contributions made by large industry companies, and
the State had matched those funds. ATIA anticipated less
voluntary contributions from large industry members due to the
passage of the "cruise ship ballot initiative," and thus deemed
it appropriate to designate a portion of those monies collected
to be used by ATIA in its advertising efforts.
2:39:21 PM
JILL SIMPSON, Director, International Marketing, ATIA,
Anchorage, testified in Juneau in support of increased funding
for ATIA. She explained that Alaska is not competitive in the
global marketplace. International travelers were important to
Alaska because they tended to spend more time exploring Alaska,
which resulted in more revenue for the State, including rural
areas that do not benefit from cruise ship traffic.
2:41:01 PM
HEATHER DUDICK, Marketing Director, Alaska Wildland Adventures,
Girdwood, testified in Juneau in support of increased funding
for the "destination marketing" program operated by ATIA. She
spoke of the benefits ATIA provides to small, independent
tourism companies through the "vacation planner" publication and
the ATIA webpage, which allow business owners to showcase their
offerings to a larger audience.
2:43:20 PM
JOHN KREILKAMP, Vice President of Operations, Cruise West,
Anchorage, testified in Juneau in support of increased funding
for ATIA. He informed that Cruise West offers tours to twenty
small costal communities in Alaska. These boats bring a "cash
economy" to areas that would not be able to effectively market
themselves as a tourism destination.
2:45:21 PM
CAROL COMEAU, Superintendent, Anchorage School District,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support of the
modified PERS and TRS rates, as a set rate would allow school
districts more certainty in their budget planning. She supported
consideration of the "area cost differential" contained in the
Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) study completed
by the University of Alaska, but only if Anchorage also received
an increase in funding.
Co-Chair Hoffman asked the annual cost to the district of the
new contract recently negotiated and accepted by the assembly.
Ms. Comeau replied that the first year costs were considered in
the current budget, but anticipated the need for additional
funds to account for the increase in subsequent years.
2:49:34 PM
JOHN STRIPE, Board Member, Access Alaska, Anchorage, testified
via teleconference from Anchorage in support of a permanent
$100,000 increase in the funding for Independent Living Centers.
The centers had received level funding but had experienced a 112
percent increase in costs. He additionally requested an
allocation of at least $94,000 for interpreter referral services
for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
2:53:54 PM
DEBORAH HANSEN, Director of Marketing and Sales, Rust's Flying
Service and K2 Aviation, Anchorage, testified in Juneau in
support of increased funding for ATIA marketing efforts. She
explained that small tourism companies spend their profits
within the State, differing from large cruise ship companies
that take their revenues out-of-state. She received 20 to 160
"leads" each month through the ATIA travel planner service,
which provided advertising that the small businesses would
otherwise not be able to afford.
2:56:28 PM
TIM STEELE, Anchorage School Board Member, testified via
teleconference in Anchorage in support of a "set" employer
contribution rate for PERS and TRS benefit obligations. He spoke
to the need for "forward funding" to assist school districts in
fiscal planning.
2:59:13 PM
SANDRA HEFFERN, Owner and CEO, Ready Care, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage in support of an increased
reimbursement rate for personal care attendant services. The
current reimbursement rate of $21 per hour had not been
increased since 1998, though operational costs had increased
dramatically. She identified an inequity between the Medicaid
reimbursement level provided for institutional care and the
reimbursement provided for home-based care in the proposed
budget. Hospitals and nursing homes received an increase every
four years, and an inflation adjustment in alternating years.
Home care had not received an increase since 1998, and she
opined that the budget reflected a preference for
institutionalizing the elderly or disabled.
3:03:22 PM
ANTHONY RIVAS, Student Body President, University of Alaska
Anchorage, testified via teleconference from Anchorage in
support of increased funding for the University's fixed costs.
As a student, he understood that the University would suffer if
it was not able to provide attractive programs, such as
engineering and nursing, to draw in new students.
3:05:01 PM
JOHN ROBERSON, Student Body President-Elect, University of
Alaska Anchorage, testified via teleconference from Anchorage in
support of full funding for the University's fixed costs. He
spoke of "frustrated" students entering the nursing program,
which has a two-year waiting period.
3:06:34 PM
KIRMANIE RAVARIERE, Student, University of Alaska Anchorage,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support of fully
funding the fixed costs of the University. He identified
international benefits that could be achieved by sufficiently
funding the University of Alaska's programs, including
international political, social, and economic gains.
3:10:08 PM
MARK BEGICH, Mayor, Anchorage, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage in support of revenue sharing throughout Alaska. He
informed that the average property owner in Anchorage would
enjoy a savings of approximately $420 per home if revenue
sharing dollars were applied to property taxes, as is the
practice in that city. He stressed the vast difference between
municipal revenue sharing and PERS and TRS funding assistance,
as 94 communities without State employees would not benefit from
the PERS and TRS monies. Municipal revenue sharing would provide
these communities with a small portion of the State's oil
proceeds.
3:14:50 PM
Co-Chair Hoffman reminded that the proposed Senate budget
contained $48.1 million to fund municipal revenue sharing.
Mr. Begich exclaimed the funding was "fantastic".
3:15:24 PM
NORMAN TATE, Student, University of Alaska Anchorage, testified
via teleconference from Anchorage in opposition to the proposed
"savings cuts" to the University system. He spoke of the
reductions' ability to stem new programs, and possibly affect
existing programs. This could drive students out of Alaska to
seek the educational programs they desire.
3:17:33 PM
STEPHAINE GORDER, Anchorage, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage in support of additional funding for ATIA. She was a
life-long Alaskan who operated a small tour company, and spoke
of the "unified front" ATIA provided small business through
their advertising efforts.
3:18:58 PM
NICOLE THIBODEAU, Director, Covenant House Alaska, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage in support of human services
matching grant funds. She told that the grants are utilized by
non-profit organizations to leverage additional federal and
private funding and donations. The groups receiving these funds
provided needed services to the citizens of Alaska at a low cost
to the State.
3:20:30 PM
TONI JONES, Anchorage, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage in support of funding for the University if Alaska
Anchorage. She spoke of a 35 year "relationship" with the
University, including her current position as an adjunct
instructor. She shared that the fixed costs of the University
affected all other areas of its educational mission.
3:25:49 PM
KARLA JUTZI, Director, Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually
Impaired, testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support
of an annual grant for the special projects portion of the
Alaska division of vocational rehabilitation. She told of the
Center's ability to assist visually-disabled Alaskans,
particularly individuals in rural areas.
3:29:06 PM
JANET SWANSON, Contractual Marketing and Sales, Major Marine
Tours, testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support of
increased funding for ATIA marketing efforts. She mentioned that
she worked for four small tour companies, and tourism has
allowed her to pay her bills and save for her retirement.
3:30:41 PM
AL KOCH, General Manager, All Alaska Tours, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage in support of increased,
sustainable funding for ATIA's destination marketing programs.
He predicted that a decline in marketing investment would result
in a down turn in visitors to the State. He warned that this
would have negative economic impacts on the State economy.
3:33:28 PM
KATHY DUNN, Marketing Director, ATIA, Anchorage Resident,
testified in Juneau in support of increased funding for ATIA.
She told that she had worked in tourism since 1982. She
published the state vacation planner for ATIA, and distributed
the publication as requested to people who were planning Alaskan
vacations. Requests for the vacation planner varied from 10,000
to 100,000 per month. ATIA is able to advertise on television 12
weeks per year, and increased funding could allow twice that
amount of air time.
3:36:11 PM
MATTHEW ROGERS, Graduate Student, University of Alaska
Anchorage, testified in Juneau in support of full funding for
the University of Alaska. He detailed the many various ways
university graduates can positively affect State operations,
including engineering, health care and construction management.
3:37:56 PM
SUZANNE RUST, Rust's Flying Service and K2 Aviation, Anchorage,
testified in Juneau in support of increased funding for ATIA
marketing efforts. As a small business owner she knew the jobs
she provided on a seasonal and year-round basis allowed
individuals to live in areas of the state with limited
employment bases, such as Talkeetna. She contended that each
dollar spent on tourism advertising increased the likelihood
that a person would select Alaska as their vacation destination,
thus adding to the State economy.
3:40:12 PM
PAT LUBY, Advocacy Director, AARP Alaska, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage in support of the request for the
Alaska primary care health clinics. Community health centers
consistently accept Medicare patients where other providers do
not. He pointed out that "Medicare doesn't do much good if you
can't find a physician." Increased funding would allow expanded
access to healthcare for Medicare patients.
3:41:31 PM
MARILYN KASMAL, Executive Director, Alaska Primary Care
Association, testified via teleconference from Anchorage in
support of funding for community health centers. She told that
Alaskans spend $32 million on unnecessary emergency room visits,
which could be avoided if individuals had other options for
healthcare services. She informed that U.S. Senators Murkowski
and Stevens recommended State funding support for these
important health centers. She detailed the savings community
health centers provide to the State in the form of reduced
Medicare costs.
3:44:44 PM
JULIE SAUPE, Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB),
testified in Juneau in support of increased funding for ATIA.
She informed that ATIA marketing efforts often dovetail with the
ACVB marketing programs, and sometimes extend to very different
markets, thus increasing the scope of the advertising.
AT EASE 3:46:33 PM / 4:34:43 PM
NOTE: Due to a technical difficulty, the testimony provided
between 4:34:43 PM and 5:30:57 PM was not recorded on FTR.
Therefore, the timestamp associated with each testifier is for
reference only. An alternate recording of this time period is
available through the link to Gavel-to-Gavel on Basis.]
Co-Chair Hoffman called the meeting back to order. Public
testimony from individuals in Kenai, Valdez, Kodiak, Ketchikan,
Mat-Su, Seward, Glennallen, and Tok would now be heard. He asked
that comments be held to two minutes in order to accommodate all
those desiring to testify.
4:36:07 PM
LAURA CLOWARD, Executive Director, Seward Chamber of Commerce,
Conference and Visitors Bureau, testified via teleconference
from Seward and urged the Committee to support the $18,000,000
request for core funding for Alaska Travel Industry Association
(ATIA) and the separate $8,500,000 ATIA request for funding to
market independent travelers. This marketing effort would allow
Alaska to be competitive with other states. Tourism is critical
to more than 275 small business Chamber members. In addition to
strengthening the economic base of communities and the State,
visitor spending is relied upon to enhance business growth and
to provide summer employment opportunities.
4:37:35 PM
PAUL CARTER, Owner, Hotel Edgewater and Charter Option, Co-Owner
Crackerjack, and President, Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing
Council, testified via teleconference from Seward. Tourism
supports his family and his business' 45 employees. It also
benefits numerous support services businesses. The State must
"reinvest back into the tourism industry to ensure that visitors
continue to come to Alaska". Unlike states such as Florida and
Hawaii which had dedicated state or tourism taxes, Alaska, at
one time, did not have any mechanism through which to support
its marketing efforts, and, over time, Alaska's marketing
dollars dropped to 38th out of the 50 states. 25 other states
now spend more than double the amount spent by Alaska.
Mr. Carter exclaimed that Alaska now has the opportunity to turn
this situation around. The recently enacted cruise ship head tax
will generate a significant amount of money for the State's
general fund. Some of it should be reinvested into marketing the
State. In addition to benefiting tourism businesses, this
investment would be a net benefit to State coffers. He urged
support for the $18,000,000 and $8,500,000 ATIA funding
requests.
4:39:43 PM
MICHELLE GLAVES, Executive Director, Soldotna Chamber and
Visitors Center testified in Juneau in support of ATIA's two
funding requests. She described the variety of small businesses
in Soldotna that benefit from the tourism industry and expressed
that funding ATIA is vital to the survival of the tourism
industry and their supporting service industries. Increased
funding for the tourism industry would also be beneficial to
communities. This is an economic development issue, a small
business issue, and a way of life issue.
4:41:39 PM
SHANON HAMRICK, Executive Director, Kenai Peninsula Tourism
Marketing Council (KPTMC), testified in Juneau on behalf of the
400 small businesses on the Kenai Peninsula that depend on
tourism. 25 percent of all the businesses licensed on the
Peninsula and 30 percent of all the sales tax revenue generated
there are tourism related. ATIA is an asset to KPTMC as
leveraging local marketing dollars with those of ATIA affords a
wider national and international marketing reach. Tourism brings
new money to the area. It is also a renewable resource that
encourages entrepreneurship and provides opportunities for new
businesses and new jobs. Supporting ATIA's funding requests
would be an investment in the State's future.
4:43:16 PM
Senator Elton asked regarding the fee required to join KPTMC.
Ms. Hamrick specified that the basic membership fee is $100 a
year. Expanded marketing opportunities were also available for
an additional charge.
4:43:46 PM
MYA RENKEN, Executive Director, Kenai Convention and Visitors
Bureau, testified in Juneau in support of the funding requests
for ATIA. She recently mistook an advertisement for the State of
Maine as an ad for Alaska as it also featured a moose and a dog
sled team. This solidified her concern that Alaska has a
tremendous amount of competition for tourism, not only in this
country but globally. Funding ATIA would allow local and ATIA
dollars to partner together to deliver a strong message. ATIA's
marketing efforts could be characterized as the industry's
fishing net as it is well-researched, would be strategically
placed, and would generate results.
4:45:32 PM
BONNIE QUILL, Executive Director, Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su)
Convention and Visitors Bureau, testified in Juneau and
announced this was her fifth year of participation in the ATIA
Legislative Fly-In. Funding ATIA is critical as the tourism
industry has taken "a big hit" this year. She voiced
appreciation for her community officials' support for tourism;
they recognize the positive impact it has. Absent a cooperative
advertising effort between ATIA and local businesses, the
message would not reach prospective out-of-state visitors as
local advertising budgets are too small.
4:46:52 PM
SANDRA WHITE, Representative for ATIA and Talkeetna Air Taxi,
testified in Juneau and shared the history of her family's long
involvement in the tourism industry. She is grateful to have a
job that can not only support her, but is challenging and
enjoyable. Tourism provides many employment opportunities to
Alaskans, especially youth. The State, which spends
approximately five or six million dollars a year on marketing as
compared to a $12.8 million average in other states, currently
ranks 38th out of 50.
Ms. White expressed that, unlike cruise ship passengers,
independent visitors tend to visit the State more than one time.
To emphasize that point, she noted that Alaska, at 30 percent,
has one of the highest repeat visitor rates. The small
businesses that comprise the majority of the State's tourism
industry cannot promote the State on a national level without
State funding support. She urged the Committee to fund the two
requests in support of tourism as it is a renewable resource
that promotes economic diversity and infuses a huge amount of
cash into the State. Because the State's marketing efforts have
been researched and honed, the return on this investment is
high. She also urged the Committee to support the industry's
request for a ten percent match to the State funding as
otherwise, the industry would be in "big trouble".
4:50:22 PM
PAUL FELTHAUSER testified via teleconference from Mat-Su in
support of the $110,000 request for special projects grant for
the Alaska Center for the Blind which would provide visual aids
and training for visually impaired individuals in rural areas.
The Lions Club would be assisting in this endeavor. The lighted
magnifier glass provided to him by the Center has helped him
become more independent than ever before.
4:52:35 PM
VERN HALTER, Dream a Dream Dog Farm and Dream Inn Bed &
Breakfast (B&B), testified via teleconference from Mat-Su and
described his endeavors as being "a true small family business".
Alaska has tremendous tourism competition, and supporting ATIA
would be one of "the most positive things" the State could do to
support the economy.
4:54:29 PM
PAUL METZNER testified via teleconference from Mat Su and spoke
in support of reinstating the Senior Longevity Bonus Program.
The elimination of that program by the Governor Frank Murkowski
administration was contrary to the promise to the State's
seniors by the Alaska Legislature. Longevity Bonus Program
payments had a direct influence on program recipients' budgets.
For example, he and his wife decided to use their monthly
Longevity payments to support the purchase of a new car. Now
they are burdened with those car payment obligations. Many
seniors live on fixed incomes and the loss of this program has
affected their quality of life. Those payments also added a
multiplier to the economic well-being of the State as seniors
spent that money locally.
4:58:35 PM
DAVID PETERSON, Executive Director, Valdez Convention and
Visitors Bureau, testified in Juneau on behalf of the
organization's 175 members "that are directly dependent" on the
visitors that ATIA's marketing efforts bring. ATIA's marketing
campaigns has also generated "thousands of leads" for Valdez
businesses. Additional marketing money is now required to turn
around the current decline in the State's ability to compete as
a travel destination. The money reinvested into the visitor
industry marketing efforts would improve the State's position in
the marketplace and would reap a ten to 100-fold return.
5:00:36 PM
MARIAN ROMANO, Assistant Mat-Su Borough Manager, testified in
Juneau and thanked the Committee for considering Public
Employees Retirement System (PERS), Teachers Retirement System
(TRS), and revenue sharing funding in the budget. The Borough,
which is "the fastest growing area in the State", has been able
to provide needed services despite losing some federal revenue
funding sources and having to absorb cost increases. It is very
"fugal with the public's money", and she assured the Committee
that any revenue sharing funds provided by the State would be
used to reduce citizens' property tax rates. In conclusion, she
encouraged the Committee to maintain the proposed TRS and PERS
employer contribution rates of 12.56 percent and 22 percent
respectively.
5:02:39 PM
PATTI MACKEY, Executive Director, Ketchikan Visitors and
Convention Bureau, testified in Juneau in support of ATIA's
funding requests. "Tourism is an all-encompassing industry". It
enhances the economic well-being of many State tourism business
sectors, from transportation to retail to accommodations to
food. Those businesses, in turn, support other business sectors
including the construction industry, professional services such
as accountants, and fuel suppliers. This is an opportunity to
invest in a renewable resource that will benefit the State for
years to come.
5:04:21 PM
MARK MILLER, State Tourism Planner, ATIA, testified in Juneau in
support of ATIA's funding requests. The tourism industry
maintains the pristine beauty of the State while allowing small
businesses to grow and prosper. A [unspecified] report compiled
by the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development indicates that the taxes generated to local
communities by tourism are substantial. That money helps
communities "sustain themselves" year-round. He encouraged the
Committee to fund ATIA at the requested levels as it would allow
the State to compete with other markets.
5:08:04 PM
NANCY ST. JOHN-SMITH, Medical Site Manager, Cottonwood Health
Center, testified via teleconference from Kenai in support of a
$2.3 million appropriation request for Alaska community health
centers. These centers provide health care to the underserved:
those who might lack transportation; have low or no income; have
a mental illness, no or low insurance, or seasonal employment.
In addition, the centers have recently experienced an increase
in people on Medicare as a result of many private medical
practices curtailing serving them due to reductions in Medicare
reimbursements. She recounted a recent encounter with a patient
who praised the caring service he had received at the Center.
The increasing demand on the centers is evidence that their
services are necessary and increased funding is required.
5:10:29 PM
ELLEN ADLAN, Chair, Board for Central Peninsula Health Centers,
testified via teleconference from Kenai and requested support
for the $2.3 million dollar request for community health
centers. Their services fill a void for those who cannot afford
health insurance or face other obstacles.
5:12:34 PM
COLLEEN STEPHENS, Stan Stephens Cruises, testified via
teleconference from Valdez and attested to the positive impacts
of tourism including the job opportunities it provides to local
youth. Even though her family's company spends "a considerable
amount of money" on marketing, that effort would not be as
successful without ATIA's marketing support. Tourism generated
revenue benefits more than those businesses directly involved in
it. She urged the Committee to fully fund the ATIA marketing
requests in order to promote further growth of the State's
economy.
5:15:36 PM
STAN STEPHENS, Owner, Stan Stephens Cruises, testified in Juneau
in support of the $18 million and $8.5 million funding requests
for ATIA. The value of tourism to the State is often not
recognized. It is a big industry. Additional funding assistance
is required in order for the industry to reach its full
potential.
5:17:17 PM
DAVE COBB, Business Manager, Valdez Fisheries, testified via
teleconference from Valdez in support of the ATIA funding
requests. A multitude of businesses have been created because of
the tourism industry, but more funding is required for the State
to successfully compete in the global tourism market. It is
difficult for small businesses to market themselves to residents
of the State, much less to markets elsewhere.
5:18:52 PM
SUSAN GILPATRICK, Small Business Owner, testified via
teleconference from Valdez. The hotel she owns directly benefits
from tourism and her other business, a greenhouse, indirectly
benefits from it. She urged the Committee to support the funding
requests for ATIA as the domino benefits of tourism are far-
reaching.
5:19:38 PM
JOHN DEVENS, Owner, Lake House Bed & Breakfast, testified via
teleconference from Valdez and spoke to the benefits of tourism.
His business and its support industries were testaments of the
huge pass-around factor of the money spent by visitors in the
State. Valdez is increasingly becoming more economically reliant
on tourism as other employers in the community, specifically the
Alyeska Pipeline Terminal, reduce their employment
opportunities. The requests for $18 million in core funding for
ATIA and the $8.5 million to support a marketing campaign geared
for independent travelers is important to the economic well-
being of the State.
5:21:16 PM
Lu ANECHIAERICO testified via teleconference from Ketchikan in
support of the Senate Finance Committee's [unspecified]
subcommittee funding recommendation for public radio. "Public
radio is an important source" for local, state and national
information.
5:22:31 PM
ROY ECKERT, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, testified via
teleconference from Ketchikan in appreciation of the fact that
revenue sharing funding was reinstated into the State's
operating budget. Many communities in Southeast Alaska have
experienced economic downturns, and without State revenue
sharing assistance, communities would be required to raise
taxes, short-fund schools, and/or short-fund essential services.
5:23:55 PM
KEVIN GADSEY, Southeast Alaska Independent Living, testified via
teleconference from Ketchikan in support of increasing the
budget for services for people with disabilities by $100,000. He
also urged support for a $100,000 request to provide interpreter
services for the deaf. These funding requests would improve the
lives of people with disabilities; it would empower them and
allow them to contribute to society.
5:26:03 PM
CATHY LECOMPTE, Campus Director, University of Alaska Ketchikan,
testified via teleconference from Ketchikan and urged full
support for the operating budget request for the University of
Alaska. The Ketchikan campus, while small, has a dedicated staff
who desire to contribute to the workforce development in the
State. Increased funding is required to address increased fixed
costs the University is experiencing. Without adequate funding,
programs and staff would be reduced. Small campus would feel the
affect more than larger ones.
5:27:24 PM
KAREN HARRIS, Owner, Alaska Garden Gate Bed and Breakfast,
testified via teleconference from Mat-Su in support of the two
funding requests for ATIA.
5:28:09 PM
KAREN LAMBERT, Employee, Alaska Legal Services, testified via
teleconference from Kodiak and urged the Committee to further
the Committee's [unspecified] subcommittee recommendation to
provide $300,000 for legal services for low-income individuals
in the State; without it, society should not be considered
"fulfilled".
5:29:00 PM
BARBARA BOLSON, Employee, Kodiak College, testified via
teleconference from Kodiak and urged the Committee to fund the
University of Alaska "at a level" that would cover fixed cost
increases and its workforce development programs. The University
has been prohibited by the Legislature from using internal
savings to address these issues. She asked that consideration to
given to an amendment being developed by Committee member
Senator Thomas "that would remedy the subcommittee's poorly
advised actions" on the University's budget.
5:30:03 PM
CAROLYN FLOYD, Mayor, City of Kodiak, testified via
teleconference from Kodiak, in support of funding the full-time
citizenship assistance position within the Kodiak job center.
She attested to the invaluable service provided by the
individual who currently holds that position and the benefit of
the program to the citizens of the community.
5:30:57 PM
NITA NICOLAS, Kodiak Barangay Lions and Filipino American
Community Association, testified via teleconference from Kodiak
and urged the Committee to fund the citizenship assistance
position housed in the Kodiak job center.
5:31:46 PM
[NOTE: FTR recording reestablished at this point.]
JENNY YORK, Administrative Assistant, Aleutian Campus Tok
Center, University of Alaska, testified via teleconference from
Tok and voiced appreciation for the Committee's difficult task
in managing the State's operating budget and keeping the State's
spending in check. She urged the Committee to carefully
consideration a forthcoming amendment that would be presented by
Senator Thomas which would allow the University to address its
fixed costs increases.
Ms. York also asked the Committee to reinstate the funding for
the lone position in the Tok employment office. While the office
is considered "low volume" when compared to Anchorage, it does
provide a vital service to the area. Eliminating this position
would increase the workload in the Anchorage and Juneau job
centers and would ultimately require them to increase their
staffing levels. Elimination of this position would further
"marginalize" rural towns.
5:32:50 PM
ROBERT WILKINSON, Chief Executive Officer, Copper Valley
Electric Association, testified via teleconference from
Glennallen, in support of reinstating funding for the Glennallen
employment center. "This one-person office performs many vital
services to the" numerous communities in the Copper River basin.
One of the arguments in favor of closing this office is that the
services provided by the office were available via the internet.
That argument is unjustified as many of the individuals living
in the large rural Copper River basin area are seasonally
employed and many of the unemployed live a subsistence
lifestyle. Few have access to computers and internet access is
limited. Eliminating the job center would increase the regions'
employers' job recruitment expenses and would make finding
employment more difficult for individuals.
5:34:58 PM
PARK KRINER, Small Business Owner, testified via teleconference
from Glennallen and urged that funding for the Glennallen
employment center be restored. As the owner of the Caribou Hotel
and Restaurant, the Glennallen Chevron, a grocery store and
several apartments, he hires approximately 80 employees each
spring. Other times of the year, he employs approximately 40
people. The professional testing and employment services
provided by the employment center are crucial to his and other
communities' businesses.
Mr. Kriner stated that closing the office would not save the
State a significant amount of money. He suggested that money to
support the center would be available were the State to correct
inefficiencies and over-staffing in other State operations. He
shared personal experiences attesting to the inefficiencies of
other State operations. Retention of the single position in the
Glennallen employment center is urged.
5:38:13 PM
ANDRE HINES, Crossroads Medical Center, testified via
teleconference from Glennallen in support of funding community
health centers (CHCs) in the State. Alaska is currently one of
14 states that do not fund such centers. The Crossroads Medical
Center, which is a small facility, serves an area the size of
Ohio and includes Glennallen, the Copper River Basin, and
Gakona.
Ms. Hines shared that in addition to serving as a primary care
facility, the Center provides urgent care service 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. It also provides pharmaceutical and
laboratory services, behavioral health, school health, home
visits, and counseling.
Ms. Hines communicated that the Center has to recruit and house
its medical staff. This has been difficult. The doctor currently
serving the Center was hired through a temporary service and
costs in excess of $1,000 a day including salary, housing, and
transportation. The Center has been unable to have a permanent
physician on staff for approximately one and a half years. The
current Physicians Assistant (PA) on staff is overworked; it is
feared she will leave if not provided additional help. State
funding assistance is required in order for the Center to hire
an adequate number of qualified staffers.
Ms. Hines advised the Committee that the range of critical
medical demands placed on an Alaskan CHC exceeds those placed on
an urban CHC, in Chicago for example, as there are no nearby
alternatives. She also noted that were an individual here to
require up to 72 hours of care, the Center would be reimbursed
the same for that service as a facility in Chicago would for
only providing services for half an hour.
5:41:47 PM
GILBERT GUTIERREZ testified via teleconference from Glennallen
and requested reinstatement of the funding for the Glennallen
job service position. The service is important to the vast area
including Glennallen, Copper River, and Kenny Lake, as it
provides "a window" for employment not only for the unemployed,
but for employers. The Center is the focal point of opportunity
for many training programs conducted in the area. Absent it,
residents of the area would be forced the expense of driving to
other areas for help. In addition, many people do not have
access to computers and rely on the job service for employment
notices. Shutting the employment office would be discriminating;
"it would treat the area differently by denying services" to
individuals in the area.
5:44:44 PM
ALAN LEMASTER, Owner, Gakona Junction Village, testified via
teleconference from Glennallen in support of funding for the
Glennallen employment center. This Center helps employers stay
in compliance of ever-evolving employment regulations. Closing
the center would be a disservice to the area; it would force
4,000 Copper Valley residents to rely on Anchorage services.
Closing this office would not save money; the position would
simply be moved to Anchorage or Fairbanks and the level of
service to individuals in the Glennallen area would be
diminished.
5:47:22 PM
JEROME SELBY, Kodiak Island Borough, testified via
teleconference from Kodiak and thanked the Committee for
reinstating community revenue sharing. History will show that
this Legislature's financial support for communities was more
important than the financial support of the proposed gas
pipeline project as, without it, up to 100 small communities in
the State would disappear before the pipeline project began
operation. Many communities have already had to curtail basic
services. This funding is critical and appreciated.
Ms. Selby also urged that funding for the citizenship assistance
position in Kodiak be reinstated as that service is critical to
the minority communities in the area.
5:49:45 PM
JOHN PAGE, Owner, Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking Company, testified via
teleconference from Seward in support of the ATIA funding
requests. This should be considered an investment in the State's
future. Other parts of the world have come to the realization
that this investment "pays off". A quality marketing program is
required for the State to stay competitive in the global market.
Mr. Page attested to the decline over the past few years in the
number of independent travelers that many small businesses rely
on. He is not simply requesting a handout as the State netted
$20 million in tourism related taxes and fees in 2005. This
funding will generate returns to the State as well as helping
small companies like his grow and prosper.
5:51:10 PM
NICOLE CHURCH, Small Business Owner, testified via
teleconference from Ketchikan and urged for increased tourism
funding to attract independent travelers. In the past, the State
received outside marketing support such as the mystique of
Alaska featured in movies or the State being discussed in
classrooms "that stimulated desire in Americans and other
travelers to visit Alaska". Other things that generated interest
in the State included World War II, the Homestead Act, and
fishing and timber businesses. The independent travelers in the
1800 and 1900s also "played their part in keeping the dream of
wanting to visit Alaska alive in the hearts and minds of
Americans who read their writings, saw their photos, and talked
to them upon their return."
Ms. Church emphasized that because of these things, the State
was not forced to market itself as diligently as other
destinations were required to. That has changed, and the State
was recently preempted as the number one place most Americans
wanted to visit. While the affordability of cruise ship travel
has brought a multitude of visitors to the State over the past
decade, the limited amount of time spent in each port has
lessened the fiscal impact their visit has on local small
businesses.
Ms. Church also noted the cruise ship passengers "go away with
the feeling that I'll seen Alaska. Few of them have really
experienced Alaska and nothing is being done to encourage them
to return on their own. Local businesses benefit when visitors
spend three or four days in an area. "The longer stay also
allows the visitor to form a lasting impression that they take
back home with them." They are great ambassadors for publicizing
the State. Research also indicates that when a person has an
extended stay in the State, they are likely to be repeat
visitors.
Ms. Church communicated that while many Americans attest to
having more time to travel more destinations with aggressive
marketing campaigns are being offered via such things as the
Internet.
Ms. Church advised that the economy is also working against the
State, as air travel, ferry tickets, gas prices, lodging, meals
and entertainment costs have increased dramatically. This has
forced people to take shorter vacations and stay closer to home.
Thus, the State must "be more persuasive" in its efforts to
promote the State.
Ms. Church professed that cruise lines and companies "are so
successful in packaging tours that [simply] require a credit
card number many of today's tourists are reluctant or unsure of
how to plan an independent trip and what the value of it really
is. This is where our State marketing efforts need to be
focused. Two-thirds of the guests that stay at my husband and my
bed and breakfast come from outside the United States. Travelers
from other countries seem to be more aware of the benefits of
traveling on their own by air or by our ferry when they go on
vacations. American travelers need to be reintroduced to the
value of independent travel. This can only happen if the State
is seriously committed to investing in a marketing campaign
targeted at these independent travelers."
5:56:29 PM
PAM FOREMAN, Kodiak Island Convention and Visitors Bureau,
testified in Juneau regarding the importance of ATIA's marketing
dollars to a small community. The approximately 220 small
businesses members of the Kodiak Convention and Visitors Bureau
depend on the Bureau to market Kodiak as a destination; the
Bureau in turn depends on the State's marketing program,
operated by ATIA, "to help it market to the world".
Ms. Foreman declared that the impact of ATIA's advertising is
much larger than the reach afforded by a small community's
budget. She urged the Committee to fully fund the $18 million
being requested to support ATIA's core marketing program and the
$8.5 million being requested to attract independent visitors.
Independent visitors are of particular importance to Kodiak.
This investment would contribute to the economies of communities
and to the State.
AT EASE 5:58:30 PM / 6:12:46 PM
SHELLEY HUGHES, Governmental Affairs Director, Alaska Primary
Care Association, testified via teleconference from Mat-Su in
support of the $2.3 million funding request for CHCs. As a
fiscal conservative, her support for this funding is not done
lightly.
Ms. Hughes testified as follows.
Community health centers are based on efficient business
models and what they are able to accomplish on a dollar is
simply amazing. It's important for you to know that
community health centers are already saving the State $10
million in State Medicaid dollars. How and why? Because the
Medicaid patients that uses the community health center as
his or her medical home costs 30 percent less than a
Medicaid patient seen elsewhere.
Here's a quick example. A particular diabetic test
performed at the community health center in Wasilla is less
than $50. That same test performed at the local hospital is
over $200. Here's another. A patient in a rural area avoids
the hospitalization because of community health center
services and saves Medicaid tens of thousands of dollars.
With State funding to strengthen and expand community
health centers, the State would realize even greater
savings to Medicaid.
Just by re-directing 4,000 Medicaid patients across our
State to use community health centers as their medical
home, the savings right there would be over two million.
And avoiding 4,000 inappropriate emergency room visits to
community health centers would save another two million.
Waiting another year for the health care strategy council's
recommendation or for Medicaid reform legislation to
include funding will put off these savings to the State for
another year. The wise things to do would be to invest in
the community health centers now. They need your support
urgently as they've experienced ten percent increases in
operational expenses, flat federal funding, and increased
patient loads.
You should also know that we have a number of communities
in Alaska that have been denied the federal funding
repeatedly. The State must step up and do its part if we're
to expect federal funds for these communities. This will
take boldness on your part as the item is not yet in the
budget but I know that each of you have that trait or you
wouldn't be sitting where you are today.
I ask, respectfully, that you please do the right and the
wise thing. Please add a budget amendment to HB 95 for $2.3
million for community health centers. Thank you honorable
co-chairs and Committee members for your outstanding
service for all us here in Alaska and especially at this
late hour for your time and consideration of this issue.
May you all have an excellent evening.
6:16:42 PM
There being no further testifiers, Co-Chair Hoffman thanked
those who testified on the bills and announced that public
testimony was now closed. Further action on these bills is
anticipated to occur on Thursday or Friday of this week.
The bills were HELD in Committee.
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