Legislature(2015 - 2016)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/03/2016 01:00 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB256 || HB257 | |
| Public Testimony: Bethel, Cordova, Kotzebue, Nome, Valdez, Wrangell | |
| Public Testimony: Off-nets | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 256 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 257 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 256
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs, capitalizing funds, making
reappropriations, making supplemental appropriations,
and making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for
an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 257
"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."
1:04:22 PM
Co-Chair Neuman discussed the meeting agenda.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: BETHEL, CORDOVA, KOTZEBUE, NOME, VALDEZ,
WRANGELL
1:05:51 PM
KATHY HANSON, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), thanked
the committee for its work. She urged the committee to
restore funding for public broadcasting. She needed to
ensure that the committee understood how important public
broadcasting is to rural Alaska. She emphasized that public
broadcasting was the only region-wide means of
communicating emergency messages, search and rescue,
weather, and public safety information. She stressed that
even with local donations the station could not survive
another round of deep cuts. She relayed that if the state
did not fund public broadcasting, federal matching grants
would be lost.
1:07:23 PM
SALLY RUSSELL, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), was
willing to pay a state income tax and forgo her PFD to keep
money flowing to seniors, children, mentally ill, and
public broadcasting. She shared that public radio ran the
news daily in Yupik and in English; it was the community
source for statewide, national, and international news. The
rural/urban divide seemed to be stretching to a breaking
point. She stated that the local station would be looking
at closure in a couple of years if funding was cut so
drastically.
1:09:30 PM
DAVID TRANTHAM, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), stated
that during the hard financial times it was time for "us"
to start paying a little more. He spoke in support of
public broadcasting. He shared that the radio station
provided news to rural communities. Any support the
committee could give to restore a portion of the funds for
public broadcasting would be appreciated. He stressed that
it was incredibly important for the region; it kept
residents informed of emergencies and news. He did not want
to lose federal funding.
1:12:05 PM
BARBARA BRYSON, IMAGINATION LIBRARY, VALDEZ (via
teleconference), thanked the committee for its work. She
spoke in support of funding for the Imagination Library and
Best Beginnings. She stated that unfortunately there were
many communities in the state that needed the financial
help that Best Beginnings supported. She shared that
research showed that kids were more successful in school
when they read regularly at home. Alaska ranked lower than
41 other states based on fourth grade testing results. She
discussed the high number of kids enrolled in Imagination
Library in Alaska. She stated that about 7,000 kids
repeated a grade in Alaska. She detailed that it was much
more cost efficient to make an early financial investment
to start children on track than to be forced to intervene
during K-12 years in order to keep a child on track.
1:15:00 PM
MOLLIE GOOD, VALDEZ CONSORTIUM LIBRARY, VALDEZ (via
teleconference), testified in favor of the Online with
Libraries program and early literacy training. She shared
that the early literacy training that had been provided to
the Valdez library staff would not have been possible
without OWL video conferencing. She discussed that OWL
leveraged federal e-rate funds. She stated that OWL
broadband support and video conferencing supported internet
costs for 43 of the smallest Alaskan public libraries. She
spoke in favor of full funding for broadband.
1:16:15 PM
KIMBERLEE MICHAUD, VALDEZ IMAGINATION LIBRARY, VALDEZ (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the Imagination
Library. She shared that the program had provided
invaluable early literacy through its book delivery program
to over 300 children in the community. She testified in
favor of full funding for Best Beginnings and Parents as
Teachers. She spoke to the importance of early learning.
She encouraged the committee to solve the fiscal issues
facing the state and to support its children.
1:17:54 PM
GAYLE EASTWOOD, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. She explained that public radio was the only
means of hearing the news in the bush. She discussed that
public radio was essential in keeping individuals in the
bush connected. She understood that cuts must be made
somewhere, but she did not support cuts to public radio.
She stated that money could be saved in other areas. For
example, she did not believe that the Department of Fish
and Game needed vessels for seasonal use. She suggested
contracting for vessels from the commercial fleet for the
stock assessment surveys and other. She asked for the
elimination of the fast ferries, but supported Alaska
Marine Highway System (AMHS). She stressed that AMHS was
the road in Southeast. She stated that removing the bars
from the ferries was a mistake because they had made money.
1:20:29 PM
STEPHEN TODD, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of sustainable funding for public broadcasting. He
did not support a 100 percent cut, which would cause the
local station to shut down. Without the funds the station
would lose its federal funding. He stressed that public
radio was crucial for the region; it informed the community
about emergencies, government issues, kids' sports, news,
and other. He stated that without public broadcasting the
community would not be connected. The community did not
have the resources to recoup the extensive loss.
1:22:48 PM
PATRICK MAYER, SUPERINTENDENT, WRANGELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
WRANGELL (via teleconference), urged the committee to keep
education in the forefront of budget discussions. He
supported the increase of $50 to the Base Student
Allocation (BSA). He discussed that costs continued to
escalate. He shared that monies in the Wrangell School
District and others across the state were put to good use
for the students. He was concerned about the significant
proposed cuts to Department of Education and Early
Development. He emphasized that districts relied on support
they received from the department. He believed that if the
department's budget was cut any further it would not be
able to adequately address compliance issues that supported
the state's ongoing receipt of federal dollars for programs
like Title 1. He spoke against the cuts that would reduce
personnel.
1:24:29 PM
CHRIS HATTON, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She relayed that the local public radio station kept the
community informed of local, regional, and national news.
She shared that living in small town Alaska afforded her
the luxury in choosing whether to engage in the broader
issues; she chose to be informed. She stated that public
broadcasting kept the community connected about local
events and updates related to safety and emergency
services. Without the radio station she would have little
information about state government.
1:26:44 PM
KIM KNUDSEN, NORTON SOUND HEALTH CORPORATION, NOME (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for
behavioral health services. She had worked for a youth
residential program early in her career, but it had been
shut down due to a lack in state funding. The goal had been
to keep the region's children in the communities without
sending them out. After the program had closed kids had
been sent out of the region and some had never returned.
She was concerned that it would happen again. She had heard
that the Nome youth facility may have to shut down due to
cuts. She stated that sending kids out of the region was
costly and inefficient. She stressed the importance of
maintaining services for families, adults, and children in
rural Alaska. She spoke to Medicaid expansion and stated
that the revenue increase had not yet been realized. The
cuts to behavioral health grants would dramatically impact
rural Alaska.
1:28:36 PM
DOUG WALRATH, NACTEC, NOME (via teleconference), supported
more time spent on revenue generation for the state. He was
opposed to the cuts to pre-K grants and education. He was
concerned that the cuts would hamper children at the
expense of the state's future workforce. Cuts made today
were not true budget reducing measures; a dollar saved
today was not a savings if it cost the state $3 in 10
years. He stressed that one way or another the state would
pay for services. He thanked the committee for its work.
1:30:46 PM
STEVEN RANDALL, PARENT, NOME (via teleconference),
testified in opposition to education cuts. He had seen how
pre-K education had enhanced his child's growth mentally,
physically, and socially. He did not believe that his
daughter would be ready to apply herself without the
education. He believed education should be the forefront of
a child's life. He stressed that preschool gave children
the ability to move forward.
1:32:45 PM
JON STAVIG, CFO, CITY OF CORDOVA, CORDOVA (via
teleconference), asked the legislature to not make budget
cuts the sole purpose. He spoke to the importance of
getting beyond the difficult financial times. He voiced
opposition to funding cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway
System. He referred to a study showing that for every
dollar the state put into the AMHS, $2 was generated into
the economy. He stated that the budget removed the fast
ferry funding; he appreciated the service, but using the
slower vessels would result in decreased economic activity.
He relayed that Cordova was facing its own budget
challenges; fisheries tax receipts had been well under
projected estimates in recent years and federal timber
receipts had steadily declined over the past several years
and may sunset after the coming year. Additionally,
contract jails funding had been cut by $100,000 the
preceding year. He thanked Representative Edgmon for
maintaining funding at the $7 million level in the current
year. Cordova provided the maximum allowable local
contribution to its schools. He wanted to continue
supporting the schools at the current level. He asked the
committee to remember the health of the local governments
and economy.
1:34:51 PM
ALEXIS COOPER, CORDOVA DISTRICT FISHERMEN UNITED, CORDOVA
(via teleconference), spoke in support of the commercial
fishing industry. The success of the businesses relied on
the Department of Fish and Game's ability to provide
responsive in-season management. Management that ensured
the sustainability of the resource and maximized
opportunity to harvest the surpluses. She discussed that
existing commercial fisheries taxes generated revenue that
benefitted rural and urban communities. Continued cuts to
DFG would threaten its ability to maintain its core
management functions and the revenue it generated for
Alaska. She stressed that commercial fisheries were one of
the state's most sustainable industries and with proper
funding it would generate opportunity and revenue for the
state and its residents in perpetuity.
1:36:52 PM
MIKE MICKELSON, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He testified against cuts to the Department of Fish and
Game. He relayed that cuts to the department directly
impacted his bottom line and the amount of fish taxes
coming into the state. He discussed that if fishing was not
open because Fish and Game did not have the budget to fly
and do stream counts, it would directly impact all
participants' revenue stream. He opined that it would be
much better to implement an income tax than to cut the
budget further. The number of people he employed could
directly be impacted by DFG management decisions. He
supported a restructuring of the PFD or the elimination of
the dividend to bring in revenue.
1:38:45 PM
AT EASE
1:50:34 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Neuman noted that there were currently no
additional testifiers online.
1:51:00 PM
AT EASE
2:00:53 PM
RECONVENED
DENNY WEATHERS, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke
in opposition to the operating and mental health budget.
She stated that oil revenue may be a part of the state's
shortfall, but the real problem was due to government
overspending. She stated that politicians had created a
debt. She was opposed to the use of the Permanent Fund
Dividend as a source of revenue. She discussed that
Alaskans depended on the PFD. She stressed that Alaskans
did not need any new taxes. She supported cutting
government and end to over spending.
2:03:41 PM
AT EASE
2:17:37 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Thompson noted that there were currently no
additional testifiers online.
2:17:59 PM
AT EASE
2:34:58 PM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Saddler noted that there were currently no
additional testifiers online.
2:35:30 PM
AT EASE
2:50:13 PM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Saddler noted that there were currently no
additional testifiers online.
2:50:36 PM
AT EASE
3:10:59 PM
RECONVENED
JOHN ANDERSON, KCHU RADIO, VALDEZ (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. He thanked the committee for its work. He was
opposed to the zeroing out of the budget for public radio.
He stated that even a cut of 50 percent was better than a
cut of 100 percent. He relayed that federal funds were
contingent on state funding. He relayed that the Valdez
station would close if it lost all of its state funding. He
thought that the foundation of democracy was a well-
informed public.
3:13:02 PM
BETSY JUMPER, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
stated that public radio was vital for rural Alaska, and it
was sometimes a matter of life and death. She communicated
that not everyone had electronics and fancy computers or
cell phones. She related that people depended on public
radio to get messages and relay very important information.
3:14:11 PM
MARY NANUWAK, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), testified
in support of funding for mental health services. She spoke
to mental health and people who became discouraged and
turned to alcohol and drug use. Often time's people ended
up doing things they should not do as a result. She
believed that money remaining in the Alaska Mental Health
Trust Authority (AMHTA) should be going to the regions or
the villages, which would do more good. She stated that
everyone in the villages worked together and understood
what the problems were. She testified in support of funding
for public radio because many times it was the only way
villages could keep up with news. She relayed that many
village residents did not have access to computers.
3:16:29 PM
NIKKI HOFFMAN, ORUTSARARMIUT NATIVE COUNCIL SENIOR
SERVICES, BETHEL (via teleconference), testified against
cuts to senior services. She asked the committee to
consider prudence when cutting the operating budget for the
program. She detailed that the senior services program in
Bethel served approximately 60 plus elders. The program had
two primary state funding grants including the nutrition,
transportation, and support service grant and the adult day
service grant. She stated that the funds were used to
provide vital services to meet the basic needs of older
Alaskans living in Bethel. She pointed out that the elder
population was increasing, and discussed the importance of
nutrition. She discussed the expense of nutrition in rural
parts of the state, and stated that the seniors in the
region relied heavily on the food that was provided. She
discussed that many clients relied on the senior services
program for transportation to the adult day center. She
encouraged the committee to increase the funding for senior
services.
3:20:21 PM
AT EASE
3:34:47 PM
RECONVENED
HENRY HUNTER SR., ALASKA VILLAGE COUNCIL PRESIDENTS (AVCP),
BETHEL (via teleconference), testified in support of the
Power Cost Equalization program (PCE). He shared that the
program helped families in the AVCP region. He related that
the Secretary of Energy had visited the area and understood
the hardship associated with the high cost of energy in the
region and the low income of the majority of the 56
villages in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta. He thought it would
pose a hardship for low income families if the state cut
into the PCE program. He supported funding for veterans
programs. He discussed that there was a high percentage of
older veterans living in the region who lived on a fixed
income.
3:37:36 PM
KRISTIN CARPENTER, COPPER RIVER WATERSHED PROJECT, CORDOVA
(via teleconference), encouraged the committee to consider
new revenues for the state. She expressed concern about
cuts to the Department of Fish and Game; Cordova relied
heavily on sound fisheries management to ensure that its
fishery was sustainable. She believed there were many
places where proposed cuts had the potential to really hurt
the fishing industry in Cordova. She discussed potential
cuts to research, fish weirs, and other areas. She voiced
opposition to funding cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway
System. She discussed the importance of the ferry system to
communities. She referenced a McDowell group study related
to the generation of funds for the Alaska economy by the
ferry system. She mentioned a recent presentation by fiscal
analyst Gunnar Knapp and discussed the importance of
diversification of revenue. She did not see a way to cut
enough from the budget. She would rather have her Permanent
Fund Dividend taken than see all of the proposed cuts.
3:40:55 PM
AT EASE
3:46:37 PM
RECONVENED
JEFF JABUSCH, CITY OF WRANGELL, WRANGELL (via
teleconference), expressed support for funding the budget
at the governor's proposed level that included some funding
of revenue sharing, which accounted for 10 percent of the
community's general fund budget. He stated that the cut
would come at a cost of reduced services, especially in
smaller communities that did not seem to have the revenue
generating options and tax base of larger communities. He
observed that there may be other ways to assist local
governments if the cuts were necessary. For example, he
stated that a good look at the property tax exemption law
would be an option. He specified that Wrangell had the
highest percentage of senior exemptions in the state. He
stated that it was hard to fund services when a large
percentage of the property was exempt for seniors. He had
no problem for seniors in need receiving the exemption, but
in many cases the exemption was for the wealthier. He urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He pointed out that public radio was essential to the
community. He supported a balanced budget.
3:49:22 PM
MARVIN POYOUROW, SOCIAL WORKER, NORTON SOUND REGION, NOME
(via teleconference), testified in support of funding for
behavioral health services. He addressed the Nome Youth
Facility and stated that it would be very difficult for the
youths to have a life if they had to go to a community that
was far away from their own and in a system where they had
less chance of making it and returning home. He discussed
his work coordinating psychiatric emergency services in the
region. He stated that the program had so few resources
that it was almost outsourcing 8 out of 10 patients. He
estimated that the region had the highest suicide rate in
the state. There was significant prevention work underway
to try to prevent more suicides. He appealed to the
committee to look to Medicaid as a revenue source, and
worried that opportunities would be lost while the public
was waiting.
3:52:23 PM
TIM ANDREWS, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
stated that he was a beneficiary of the local radio station
KYUK, and relayed that it important programs for the
community. For example, he spoke to fisheries regulations
and explained that public radio was the only source of any
kind of information when people were out at fish camps. He
discussed utilization of public radio for information
related to game harvest parameters. He mentioned that many
people did not have internet services or other means of
communication beyond public radio. He stated that the
station also provided weather alerts to the community.
3:55:02 PM
Co-Chair Thompson discussed the afternoon schedule for
public testimony.
3:55:31 PM
AT EASE
4:16:17 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: OFF-NETS
4:16:17 PM
STEPHEN ALEXANDER, SELF, ELFIN COVE (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. He was the local tsunami liaison in Elfin
Cove. He indicated how important public radio was in
providing emergency notifications to the rural areas of
Alaska. He relayed that internet service was sporadic in
the area where he lived and, therefore, felt that losing
funding would be a significant hit to the area's emergency
alert system. He urged members to support public radio and
thanked the committee for allowing him to testify.
4:18:58 PM
GARY E WILLIAMS, ORGANIZED VILLAGE OF KAKE, KAKE (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. He spoke about the importance of
public radio because of emergency communications stressing
its critical role in his community. He also noted other
benefits such as having access to world news and
entertainment. He thanked the committee members for their
time and urged the continuation of funding for public
radio.
4:21:12 PM
IVAN IVAN, CITY OF AKIAK, AKIAK (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for revenue sharing. He
commended Governor Walker for proposing extra funding for
the program. He spoke about the removal of $35 million by
the House Finance Committee on February 29, 2016. He felt
that a community should never be ignored or forgotten
because of its distance or citizenship. He asked committee
members to consider continued funding for a very important
program. He suggested that cities of Alaska were common
voices of reason for the governor and legislators as they
guide government. He mentioned the high cost of living in
rural areas of Alaska. He thanked members for the
opportunity to testify and asked for their support for the
revenue sharing program.
4:24:20 PM
JAMES SQUYRES, SELF, RURAL DELTANA (via teleconference),
urged members to make deeper cuts to the budget. He
disagreed with the governor's vision of a state income tax
or slicing off a portion of the PFD. He endorsed the
judicious use of the earnings reserve and the power of the
Majority under the caucus rule. He suggested lowering the
overall budget to $4.5 billion in the current year. He
furthered that after achieving a $4.5 billion budget
legislators should look at funding sources such as the PCE
fund and the Higher Education Fund. Had these measures been
taken in the prior year a valuable precedence in the crisis
as many had advised. He relayed having attended the
governor's 3 day tax workshop held in the previous summer.
He disagreed with the governor's suggested plan. He
provided several examples of how the fiscal crisis could be
resolved. He concluded his testimony urging the legislature
to roll back the size of government.
4:26:21 PM
PAM GOODE, SELF, RURAL DELTANA (via teleconference),
expressed her concern hearing testimonies from others from
around the state encouraging additional taxes and the use
of PFD's. She had never met one person who said they wanted
to be taxed, nor had her husband who was an accountant. She
spoke against the governor's fiscal plan and implored the
legislature to make additional cuts.
4:28:26 PM
ALBERT NINGEUOLK, SELF, SHISHMAREF (via teleconference),
testified that he supported what the Alaska Commission on
Aging was advocating for to help Alaska's elders. He
relayed that living in rural Alaska was very expensive
particularly for elders living on a fixed income. He argued
on behalf of the continuation of funding for senior
services such as the senior benefits program and the home
heating program. He cited examples of the high cost of
living in Shishmaref. He voiced his support for programs
that help the elders. He invited the governor to his
village to stay for a week to provide perspective. He
thanked the committee for the opportunity to provide his
testimony.
4:30:18 PM
ROSALIND ATTATAYUK, XYZ SENIOR GROUP, NOME (via
teleconference), testified against cuts to senior services,
services for the disabled, and mental health services. She
relayed her concerns about the high costs of living in
rural Alaska. She emphasized the importance of facilities
like XYZ Senior Group. She invited one of the members to
live in a rural village for a year to have a better
perspective of village life. She mentioned having to skip
meals because of the high cost of food, sleeping without
heat, and using honey buckets.
4:33:53 PM
EMILY GRAY, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, ALLAKAKET (via
teleconference), spoke in support of maintaining the
revenue sharing program. She opined that without the
program her community would lose many services. For every
second class city the monies were used for basic services
such as administration costs, road maintenance, street
lights, garbage disposal, and maintaining proper cleaning
and sanitizing of the health clinic. The city greatly
appreciated the revenue sharing funding. She believed that
without the funding all of the basic services would not be
met. She relayed the negative impacts that would
potentially result with the loss of services. She urged
committee members to restore this vital funding. She
thanked the committee for listening to her testimony.
4:35:41 PM
MARY BRYAN, SELF, SEWARD (via teleconference), spoke of
being an elderly person of 80 years old who had lived in
Alaska since 1944. She advocated on behalf of people living
in the rural areas as well as for seniors. In Seward the
Independent Living Center, slated for a 5 percent decrease
in funding, was accessible to seniors. She also urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
felt that the state had to do something for the elderly.
She thanked the committee.
4:38:22 PM
MARY MCMAHON, PRESIDENT OF ALASKA SECONDARY SCHOOL
PRINCIPLES, PALMER (via teleconference), spoke in favor of
funding education. She also stated that she was willing to
do her part. She encouraged members to think of Alaska's
students as the future of Alaska. She also supported
enhanced revenue measures. She encouraged the restoration
of the broadband assistance grant for rural Alaska, as it
was a critical component for districts to be able to
provide innovative ways of advancing student learning
through technology. Shae asked that the statewide mentoring
program be restored in order to retain teachers in rural
areas. She was concerned with cuts made to Department of
Education and Early Development because of the potential
impact on support to districts throughout the state. She
asked legislators to hold the Base Student Allocation (BSA)
steady. She thanked the committee for the work it did and
for its time.
4:40:49 PM
DONALD HARTMANN, SELF, HAINES (via teleconference),
testified against cuts to senior services. He understood
the necessity of cutting the budget. He did not think it
made sense to cut programs that actually saved the state
money. He relayed a personal story about being handicapped.
He was depended on an electric wheel chair for mobility and
had spent most of his life in and out of nursing homes. The
last time he had lived in a nursing home was about 8 years
prior. He was able to live independently though Southeast
Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) which changed his life. He
had home support allowing him to live independently and
SAIL helped in in applying for home modification grants to
get a chair lift installed and to make his bathroom
wheelchair accessible. If he had not had the help of SAIL
he would still be living in a nursing home paid for by
Medicaid costing the state significant money. He urged
legislators to reconsider their decision. He thanked the
committee.
4:43:07 PM
MELISSA ARONSON, SELF, HAINES LIBRARY (via teleconference),
indicated she was willing to do her part including paying
taxes. She urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. The state funds that went to public
radio were used to match federal funds and funds for other
grants. She felt that the service was necessary in the
rural areas especially for emergency notification purposes.
She also testified in favor of the Online with Libraries
program. She thanked the committee.
4:44:35 PM
JEANNE GERHARDT-CYRUS, SELF, KIANA (via teleconference),
was concerned with funding cuts for lower-level services
available in rural communities. In particular, community
developmental disability grants which allow people with
disabilities to remain in their own community around their
family and culture. She support behavioral health grant
funding as well. She felt that without on-the-ground
supports programs could not meet the level of needs leading
to a rise in the level of crisis and ultimately additional
costs to the state. She added that cutting certain services
would sabotage prison reform and increase recidivism of
people with disabilities. She also opposed closing the Nome
Youth Facility. Removing youth out of region to a city did
not bode well for them taking them away from family and
culture. She urged members to restore funding for
community-based services. She thanked the committee for its
time.
4:46:52 PM
MERILEE WEYIOUANNA, SELF, NOME (via teleconference), urged
support for the XYZ senior group. The program helped
provide meals for people such as herself. She would
otherwise to struggle to cook for herself to be able to
eat. She thanked the committee for listening.
4:47:55 PM
GEOFF WIDDOWS, SELF, YAKUTAT (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He stressed the importance of public radio in his small
community. Although the community had cell service and
internet, they were both Raven Radio had been a tremendous
asset to the community of Yakutat and other communities. He
asked the legislature to fund public radio as much as
possible. He appreciated the opportunity to testify.
4:49:15 PM
MELISSA LESTER, SELF, GALENA (via teleconference), called
in reference to the possible closure of the Northway
Department of Transportation Facility. She and her husband
had lived in Northway for 3.5 years while he was stationed
there as an Alaskan State Trooper. She contended that the
Northway DOT provided construction, road maintenance, and
trooper vehicle maintenance. She defined his previous
territory, which consisted of thousands of miles, and
commented on the importance of road and vehicle
maintenance. The DOT facility provided safety for the
trooper who, in turn, provided safety for citizens. She
wanted to support the funding for the Northway DOT
facility. She thanked the committee members for their time.
4:52:08 PM
STEVE ST CLAIR, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), thanked
certain legislators for recognizing that Alaska was in a
fiscal crisis. He specifically thanked Representative
Gattis for her hard work. He did not agree with funding
non-profit organizations if the state offered the same
services. He thought a matrix should be established for
non-profits to measure success and failure. He favored the
United for Liberty Plan, a road map to a sustainable
budget. He recommended that legislators used it as a tool
to attain a sustainable budget. He also suggested that the
state should not fund anything that was not
constitutionally mandated. He suggested that one university
rather than three was mandated in the constitution. He
encouraged anyone that supported paying additional taxes or
donating a portion of their PFD could send a check to
Department of Revenue. He wished the committee well.
4:54:11 PM
ARLENE SOXIE, XYZ SENIOR GROUP, NOME (via teleconference),
was willing to pay a small tax for education, as it was
vital for the future of the children of Alaska. She
referred to a previous state tax. She spoke against cuts to
senior services. She also supported the funding of
behavioral health programs and believed heating assistance
was necessary for those living in rural Alaska. She
encouraged legislators and sympathized with the job they
had ahead of them. She thanked the committee.
4:56:08 PM
TIMOTHY SCHUERCH, MANIILIQ ASSOCIATION, KOTZEBUE (via
teleconference). The Maniiliq Association was the tribal
health organization that provided health and social
services to about 8 thousand people in the Northwest part
of the state. The association understood the challenge
legislators faced and was supportive of their efforts. He
spoke of having met with President Obama about expanding
payment of the federal share of Medicaid in an amount that
totaled about $100 million in savings to the state Medicaid
budget each year. There were some cuts he did not favor, He
encourage restoring funding to the following programs: The
senior and community based grants, the community
development and disability grants, the adult Medicaid
dental program, and the behavioral health and recovery
grants. The 4 grant programs enabled the provision of
critical services to some of Alaska's most vulnerable
individuals (Low income elders and children, and the
disabled). He did not believe it was right to balance the
budget on the backs of the poorest and most venerable
Alaskans. The grant program funding levels did not meet the
needs. The state had to subsidize these programs with other
federal funds despite major cuts to administrative
overhead. In his region and in much of Alaska there was
some of the highest suicide, alcoholism, drug abuse,
domestic violence, and sexual assault rates in the nation.
Although the state needed to meet its budget goals, cutting
these program was not the way to do so.
4:58:38 PM
MAYOR CLAY WALKER, DENALI BOROUGH, HEALY (via
teleconference), testified in support of the governor's
budgetary contribution of $35 million to the Community
Revenue Sharing Program. The importance of community
revenue sharing to the state's municipalities could not be
overstated. He reported that a number of smaller
communities relied on the program to provide essential
services. The Denali Borough used the funds to support
services such as fire and emergency medical service which
help support the health and safety of those that live and
visit the borough. He believed it was imperative for the
state to work in partnership with the municipalities
through the revenue sharing program. The municipalities
were born of Title 29 [Statute reference]. He opined that
the state's responsibilities would increase of
municipalities were to shut down. He strongly urged support
of the Community Revenue Sharing Program.
5:00:32 PM
T FRANK BOX, ACCESS ALASKA HEAD INJURY SUPPORT GROUP,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), reported being a
facilitator of the support group. They had a discussion at
the beginning of March 2016 about the budget shortfalls.
Everyone agreed that they depended on their PFD for co-pays
and school supplies for their children. They thought the
state should only touch PFD's as a last resort. Everyone
supported a broad-based income tax. The net effect would be
that PFD monies would be used to pay the taxes. He relayed
some of his personal experience. He recalled the budget
shortfalls felt in the 80s. He could appreciate the task at
hand for legislators. However, some of the proposed cuts
would penny-wise and pound foolish. He mentioned a durable
medical equipment program at Access Alaska that helped
support Medicaid. He thought it would be a good idea to
drop the lawsuit against Governor Walker, and stop the
litigation against Medicaid expansion. He thank the
committee.
5:03:19 PM
DORDIE CARTER, HOLLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, HOLLIS (via
teleconference), testified in favor of the Online with
Libraries Program, the eRate program, and internet service.
The library had been using the OWL eRate supported internet
since the beginning of the program. Internet access under
the program revolutionized the library and brought what it
could offer to its patrons in line with their needs. She
provided other examples of the benefits of the programs.
She urged the committee to restore funding of the OWL
program.
5:05:50 PM
DEBRA SCHNABEL, HAINES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HAINES (via
teleconference), spoke against a statewide income [Sales}
tax. She relayed that a state sales would add a burden for
lower income residents for essential goods. She also
mentioned that local retailers were already at a huge
disadvantage when competing with internet based suppliers.
She opined that a state sales tax would drive more
purchases to the internet and discourage local commerce.
She also urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. She thought it was an important industry. She
ended by saying thank you.
5:07:36 PM
JAN HILL, MAYOR OF HAINES, HAINES (via teleconference),
spoke in favor of the revenue sharing program. Cutting the
program could lead to the imposition of sales or property
taxes. She asked legislators to reconsider maintaining the
funding for revenue sharing. She also testified in favor of
the Online with Libraries program. She mentioned the other
services that OWL provided. She further urged the committee
to restore funding for public broadcasting, a service
heavily relied on. She also supported funding for the ASMI
program.
5:10:16 PM
CARL KANCIR, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified against cuts to senior services. He did not
support an income tax or a sales tax. He also recommended
moving the capital.
Co-Chair Thompson noted that there were no additional
testifiers online currently.
5:13:29 PM
AT EASE
5:26:02 PM
RECONVENED
JOHN STRASENBURG, SELF, TALKEETNA (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. He spoke of its importance in providing
community events, educational announcements, news, meeting
dates for local organizations, and emergency announcements.
He pointed to various examples of emergency situations
where public radio had been very important. He was
concerned with the youth facility closing in Nome. He
stressed that Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities was refusing to fund maintenance for an
underpass associated with Susitna Valley High School that
would enable students to safely cross the Park's Highway.
He testified in support of funding for the University and
testified against cuts to senior services. He encouraged
implementing an income taxes. He thanked the committee.
5:28:48 PM
RUTH WOOD, SELF, TALKEETNA (via teleconference), opposed
only making cuts. She believed everyone needed to help in
different ways. She believed some people would have to pay
a bit more in taxes. She also urged the committee to
restore funding for public broadcasting. She stressed the
importance of being able to hear about emergencies. She
testified in support of funding for the University and
mentioned the importance of research especially the cold
weather research program. She favored capping the PFD as
well. She ended with thinking beyond just cutting the
budget.
5:30:51 PM
JOAN MCBEEN, SELF, TENAKEE SPRINGS (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. She had been in Tenakee since 1977; the
community did not have public radio at that time and had
realized how important the service was for emergency
information, communications, safety, information, and news.
She encouraged the reinstitution of an income tax. She
supported fuel, alcohol, and tobacco taxes. She wanted to
stop subsidizing the oil companies. She believed Alaskans
could work together to solve the problem. She was willing
to do some sacrificing, but did not want to completely give
up some of the important services that were necessary for
remote community living.
5:32:52 PM
GALENA ERICKSON, SELF, SEWARD (via teleconference), [note:
testimony indecipherable].
5:33:40 PM
DEBORAH POTTER, SELF, SKAGWAY (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She communicated that in many rural communities public
radio was as the only link to the outside world and to
vital local news events. Public radio was Skagway's only
source for critical information like weather alerts, road
closures, and changes to ferry service. She implored the
committee to restore funding to the vital service.
5:35:00 PM
JENNIFER THUSS, SELF, SKAGWAY (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She stressed that public radio built a sense of community.
The most important thing about public radio was that it
provided fastest way to share information on the national,
state, and local level. She thanked the committee for the
opportunity to testify.
5:36:12 PM
DAVID STONE, SELF, YAKUTAT (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
shared that the community only had one radio station that
provided state, national, and international news.
Additionally, the station provided emergency service
warnings about weather events and other. He relayed that
many residents could not afford commercial television via
satellite. He suggested that many people would be
disenfranchised if they did not have access to public
radio. He strongly opposed a 100 percent cut to public
radio.
Co-Chair Thompson noted that there were currently no
additional testifiers online.
5:38:27 PM
AT EASE
5:47:17 PM
RECONVENED
5:47:25 PM
HEATHER POWELL, RAVEN RADIO BOARD MEMBER, SITKA (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. She was an educator and spoke in
support of public radio stations. She referred to KCAW,
Sitka's radio station. She addressed the importance of
receiving health and safety information provided via public
radio. She detailed that the station provided local
broadcasts, covered cultural events, and other. She
stressed the essential nature of receiving the information
and relayed that it could not be replaced by a non-local
service. She remarked that the radio station was at the
heart of the local community. She looked forward to seeing
the legislature fund public radio.
5:49:48 PM
MARK HALBER, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
discussed a personal experience with an Office of Children
Services case that had been ongoing for three years. He
remarked that the agency had spent over $10,000 to
administer random drug tests. He stated that the money the
agency spent on foster care and other services amounted to
over $250,000 on the unresolved case. He addressed costs of
taking children out of their homes.
Co-Chair Thompson reviewed the agenda for the following
meeting scheduled on Monday, March 7th.
HB 256 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 257 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Thompson discussed the schedule for the following
week.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 14.pdf |
HFIN 3/3/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 15.pdf |
HFIN 3/3/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 16.pdf |
HFIN 3/3/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 17.pdf |
HFIN 3/3/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 18.pdf |
HFIN 3/3/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 19.pdf |
HFIN 3/3/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 21.pdf |
HFIN 3/3/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 20.pdf |
HFIN 3/3/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |