Legislature(2003 - 2004)
03/06/2004 10:05 AM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
Public Testimony
HB 375-APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
HB 377-APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes
and handouts will be on file with the House Finance
rd
Committee through the 23 Legislative Session, contact 465-
rd
2156. After the 23 Legislative Session they will be
available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.
LOG SPEAKER DISCUSSION
TAPE HFC 04 47, SIDE A
000 Co-Chair Harris Convened the House Finance Committee
meeting in order to take statewide
testimony on the FY05 Operating Budget.
150 ERIC LEE, PETERSBURG Addressed concerns with the ferry
service being cut and how it will affect
the fishermen of that area. Spoke to
concerns that the fast ferry will only
carry three vans, which would be a
problem for getting the fish out to
market.
850 DIANA CARBONELL, Urged that the Legislature reinstate the
HOMER Federal Title 10 funds to help women and
children. Without those funds, it will
but Alaskan women at risk for
reproductive concerns.
1028 Co-Chair Harris Stated that Representatives Hawker and
Coghill were working on that issue.
1052 JEAN STEELE, HOMER Spoke in support of funding for mental
health programs.
1409 PAULA PINDER Spoke against reductions to domestic
violence and sexual assault.
1531 MEG MITCHEL, HOMER Spoke in support of full funding for
mental health and disability programs.
She noted that this is the most
vulnerable population of the State.
1746 VALERY MCCANDLESS, Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska
MAYOR, WRANGELL Marine Highway System. Spoke in support
of additional funding for education.
She added continued funding for the
Youth Core programs.
2056 JOEL HANSON, SITKA Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska
Marine Highway System.
2334 Co-Chair Harris Asked how often does the ferry go to
Sitka.
2347 Mr. Hanson Replied not often.
2355 JOY LIGHT, SITKA Spoke in support of funding for mental
health programs. She supported taxing
out of State fishermen.
2452 CORNELIA HUESSCHER, Spoke in support of funding for mental
SITKA health programs.
2707 JACK OZMENT, SITKA Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska
Marine Highway System.
2909 EMILY WARD, HOMER Voiced opposition to the cuts in
Medicaid Services. Spoke in support of
funding for mental health programs. She
urged that Title 10 funds be reinstated
and family planning.
3001 JULIE LAFOUNTAIN, Spoke in support of funding for mental
HOMER health programs.
3143 SANDY JOHNS, HOMER Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
Funds for family planning clinics.
3301 DEBORAH GERMANO, Spoke in support of additional funding
HOMER for education. Expressed support for
the implementation of a statewide income
tax.
3508 PHYLLIS KAUFMAN, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
HOMER Funds for family planning clinics.
3519 KAY LYNN NIELSEN, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
HOMER Funds for family planning clinics.
Expressed concern over cuts to in state
services.
3647 MICHELLE WANEKA, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
HOMER Funds for family planning clinics.
3828 MARY ELLEN PURCELL, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
HOMER Funds for family planning clinics
services.
3944 KARL RIFFENSTEIN, Urged that the Division of Vocational
SITKA Rehabilitation remain open throughout
the State.
4116 ANNE MORRIS, SITKA Expressed concern over cuts to in state
services. Urged that the Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation remain open
throughout the State and that funding
not be cut.
4311 JOHN BARTELS, SITKA Urged that the Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation remain open throughout
the State and that the funding not be
cut.
4459 SHEILA FINKENBINDER, Expressed concern over cuts to in state
WORKFORCE services. Urged that the Division of
DEVELOPMENT CENTER, Vocational Rehabilitation remain open
SITKA throughout the State and that the
funding not be cut.
TAPE HFC 04 47, Side B
4623 BONNIE RICHARDS, Urged that the Division of Vocational
SITKA Rehabilitation remain open throughout
the State and that the funding not be
cut.
4315 JERRY KAINULAINEN, Urged that the Division of Vocational
SITKA Rehabilitation remain open throughout
the State and that the funding not be
cut.
4006 CHRIS FONTAINE, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
HOMER X Funds for family planning clinics
throughout the State of Alaska. She
noted that it will affect cancer
screening and family planning services.
3808 SHAY HOFFMAN, HOMER Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
Funds for family planning clinics. She
reiterated concerns voiced by Ms.
Fontaine.
3700 ELIZABETH NEWMANN, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
ANCHORAGE Funds for family planning clinics.
3531 Co-Chair Harris Observed that the operating budget is
not completed and reassured testifiers
that their comments would be taken into
account.
3459 MATT PANCRATZ, HOMER Spoke in support of funding for mental
health and developmental disability
programs.
3315 TARRI THURMAN, Spoke in support of the Katchemak Bay
KATCHEMAK BAY FAMILY Family Planning Clinic, Homer.
PLANNING CLINIC,
HOMER
3143 JULES HARLUETT, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
FRITZ CREEK Funds for family planning clinics and
spoke in support of the Katchemak Bay
Family Planning Clinic, Homer.
3127 MARY LOU KELSEY, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
HOMER Funds for family planning clinics.
3043 HOWARD HEDGES, HOMER Spoke in support of funding for mental
health programs.
2901 KIM SMITH, HOMER Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
Funds for family planning clinics.
2703 RUEBEN JOHNSON, Spoke in support of funding for mental
SITKA health programs.
2550 HELEN CRAIG, SITKA Spoke in support of vocational
rehabilitation services.
2355 BOB BENTON, SITKA Spoke in support of funding for mental
health programs. Noted support for
additional revenue measures.
2120 JANE ALBERTS, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title
PRESIDENT, Funds for family planning clinics.
KATACHEMAK BAY
PLANNING CLINIC,
HOMER
1831 BOB MEDINGER, Spoke in support of the Governor's
UNIVERSITY OF increments for the University.
ALASKA, BETHEL
1645 WINIFRED KELLY, Testified in support of funding for
TUNDRA WOMEN'S women's shelters and domestic violence
COALITION, BETHEL programs.
1542 RONDI BEAN, TUNDRA Voiced support for programs that address
WOMEN'S COALITION, teens against violence.
BETHEL
1508 ZACH FRANSLER, Testified in support of funding for the
TUNDRA WOMEN'S Tundra Women's Coalition, which provides
COALITION, BETHEL programs for teens against violence and
women's shelters.
1253 AARON ATCHLEY, Spoke in support of the Governor's
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA increments for the University.
FAIRBANKS
1050 BARBARA SMITH, In support for funding for the Cordova
CORDOVA FAMILY Family Resource Center, which works with
RESOURCE CENTER, domestic violence.
CORDOVA
939 NANCY BIRD, CORDOVA Expressed support for the implementation
of a statewide income tax. Voiced
support for programs to support
fisheries. Testified in support of full
funding for public broadcasting.
622 MARK WASIERSKI, Voiced support for the public health
BETHEL nursing program.
537 SUSANNE EDELME, Expressed support for the public health
BETHEL nursing programs. Spoke in support of
vocational rehabilitation services.
316 AMELANIE GRIFFITH, Testified in support of funding for the
TUNDRA WOMEN'S Tundra Women's Coalition, which provides
COALITION, BETHEL programs for teens against violence and
women's shelters.
214 SUSAN TAYLOR, BETHEL Testified in support of funding for
social programs to help teens and women
and correctional rehabilitation
programs. Voiced support for the public
health nursing program.
TAPE HFC 04 48, SIDE A
419 BOB DOLL, BETTER Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska
FERRIES FOR ALASKA, Marine Highway System and the
JUNEAU degradation of service. He pointed out
that the Alaska Marine Highway System
would be about $9 million short. All of
the savings would have to occur after
October and the burden would fall on the
outlying communities with the fewest
resources.
631 BETH LACROSS, Spoke in support of funding for mental
KETCHIKAN health programs.
816 BECKY BOLLING, Voiced support for the public health
KETCHIKAN nursing program.
1056 GERI KELLY, Voiced support for the public health
KETCHIKAN nursing program.
1136 MAUREEN KELLY, Voiced support for the public health
KETCHIKAN nursing program. She added her concern
to cuts in public health.
1258 MARGI GILMON, Testified regarding cuts to public
KETCHIKAN health. She stated that public health
should continue to have family planning
services available and education
programs.
1526 JAMES FISHER, Expressed concern over cuts to in state
SOLDOTNA services. Noted support for additional
revenue measures.
1739 Co-Chair Harris Asked what an acceptable measure would
be.
1756 Mr. Fisher Expressed support for the implementation
of a statewide income tax.
1817 Co-Chair Harris Asked about earnings of the permanent
fund.
1849 Mr. Fisher Replied that would work also and a broad
base tax.
1923 ELLA LANIER, VALDEZ Spoke in support of funding for mental
health programs. Spoke in support of
additional funding for education.
Expressed concern with reduction of
funding cuts to senior services.
2122 NOEL ARAKELIAN, Expressed concern with reduction of
VALDEZ funding cuts to senior services.
Expressed concern over cuts to in state
services. Voiced opposition to the cuts
in Medicaid Services. She supported the
need for a broad based tax in lieu of
cutting services.
2325 SHARON REESE, VALDEZ Spoke in support of funding for mental
health programs.
2355 DOUG DEORCIE, VALDEZ Spoke in support of the Governor's
increments for the University and full
funding for the budget. Spoke in
support of additional funding for
education for K-12.
2608 Co-Chair Harris Asked how to fund the increases.
2624 Mr. Deorcie Commented that there are PERS and TERS
expansion are causing inflated budget.
He commented that Permanent Fund would
work, broad base tax, tourism and oil
tax.
2945 CHRIS CHAMBERS, Spoke in support of the Governor's
VALDEZ increments for the University and full
funding. Expressed support for the
implementation of a statewide income tax
and noted that the Permanent Fund should
not be touched.
3155 SUSAN KILLARY, Spoke against cuts to the component of
KODIAK domestic violence and sexual assault
services to women and children.
3421 WALLY JOHNSON, Testified in support of full funding for
KODIAK public broadcasting. He commented that
this is a "quality of life" issue.
3634 Co-Chair Harris Noted that there were reductions to
public radio in the subcommittee
reports.
3653 MARGARET HALL, Expressed concern with reduction of
KODIAK funding cuts to senior services.
Voiced opposition to the cuts in
Medicaid Services. She encouraged that
a good fiscal plan be adopted.
Expressed support for the implementation
of a statewide income tax and use of the
permanent fund earnings.
3824 TOBY SULLIVAN, Urged that the Division of Vocational
KODIAK Rehabilitation remain open throughout
the State and that the funding not be
cut. Expressed support for the
implementation of a statewide income tax
and reconsideration of oil taxes.
3953 D. SCOTT SMITH, He asked if medical services were
KODIAK removed from Kodiak Island, how would
residents get by. Spoke against cuts to
Medicaid, and felt there must be
alternatives.
4237 REPRESENTATIVE DAN Expressed that he sat on subcommittee,
OGG and was able to put funds back in for
ASAP program for the juvenile portion.
TAPE HFC 04 48, Side B (malfunction)
4323 JOHN WENSLEY, KENAI Expressed concern over cuts to the
education funding and suggested that it
be inflation proofed.
TAPE HFC 04 49, Side A
042 CATHY CARROW, Spoke in support of additional funding
SOLDOTNA for education. Expressed support for
the implementation of a statewide income
tax.
110 Co-Chair Harris Asked she would be the head of the "Just
Say Yes" campaign on Kenai.
138 RICHARD WARRINGTON, Spoke in support of funding for mental
KENAI health programs. He commented on the
number of brain injuries that exist
statewide.
421 MARY WARRINGTON, Spoke in support of funding for mental
KENAI health programs and voiced opposition to
the cuts in Medicaid Services. Spoke in
support of additional funding for
education. She spoke against taking the
Permanent Fund away but did support a
broad based income tax.
558 LINCOLN WENSLEY, Spoke in support of additional funding
KENAI for education.
633 AMBER CLARK, VALDEZ Spoke in support of the Governor's
increments for the University and full
funding and spoke in support of
additional funding for education K-12.
755 KRYSTAL CALISON, Spoke in support of the Governor's
VALDEZ increments for the University.
828 RANIER MASTERS, Spoke in support of the Governor's
VALDEZ increments for the University and full
funding and spoke in support of
additional funding for education.
1119 LINDA FLEMING, Expressed concern with reduction of
VALDEZ funding cuts to senior services.
Voiced opposition to the cuts in
Medicaid Services. Spoke in support of
the Governor's increments for the
University and full funding.
1240 LORRANIE STEWARD, Spoke against cuts to the component of
KODIAK domestic violence and sexual assault
services to women and children. Spoke
in support of funding for mental health
programs.
1504 DAWN JURADO, KODIAK Urged that the Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation remain open throughout
the State and that the funding not be
cut.
1644 BOB JOHNSON, DOCTOR, Commented on the volunteer services
KODIAK available in Kodiak and all the non-
profits. Many services have been
severely compromised but the job of the
Legislature should be the caring for
people.
1853 Co-Chair Harris Noted that all legislators share that
concern.
1912 AARON DOLPH, KODIAK Spoke in support of funding for mental
health programs.
2125 CHARLIE KING, KODIAK Expressed support for the implementation
of a statewide income tax. He spoke to
a Permanent Fund for education. He
agreed that the existing permanent fund
should be capped at $25 million dollars.
All dollars over that should be placed
into another account for uses by the
State.
2356 Co-Chair Harris Explained that the issue is not coming
up with a creative solution. There is a
political problem, not a fiscal problem.
Many people throughout the State
recommend different options on how to
deal with these concerns.
2524 LISETTA ALVEREZ, Voiced opposition to the cuts in
KODIAK Medicaid Services.
2736 PATRICIA GIBBS, Expressed concern with the cuts
KODIAK happening with the early intervention
programs. She stated that she supports
substance abuse programs and teen
courts. Fully funds grant for mental
health. Youth are a precious resource.
Spoke in support of additional funding
for education. Expressed support for
the implementation of a statewide income
tax.
2920 COLLEEN NEWMAN, Spoke against cuts to the component of
KODIAK domestic violence and sexual assault
services to women and children.
3154 KRISTIN PANAMAROFF, Spoke in support of funding for mental
KODIAK health programs.
3344 GINA POPE, Spoke in support of the Governor's
DILLINGHAM increments for the University and the
small campuses throughout the State.
Expressed concern over cuts to in state
services.
3604 CRISTY TILDEN, Commented on the concerns in that area
DILLINGHAM with alcohol and drug abuse. She noted
the programs that have helped those
people. Expressed concern over cuts to
in state services.
3808 SIGNEY NELSON, Spoke in support of funding for mental
DILLINGHAM health programs.
3937 MIKE LANE, BARROW Voiced support for tobacco prevention
and cessation programs.
4223 Representative Observed that the House has authorized
Hawker 20 percent funding for tobacco
prevention and cessation programs.
4357 Lee Stoops Testified in support of additional state
trooper positions and stressed the need
for the positions to be located in rural
areas. Testified in support of full
funding for public broadcasting.
4541 SUZIE ERLICH, Noted support for additional revenue
CHAIRMAN, ASSEMBLY, measures and a long-term solution to
KOTZEBUE stabilize the budget.
TAPE HFC 04 49, Side B
4641 Representative Observed that the city of Nome supports
Foster the POMV. He added that many others have
supported an income tax and noted that
legislators need to hear from their
communities.
4255 BRAD REEVES, ALASKA Testified in support of full funding for
PUBLIC BROADCASTING public broadcasting. Voiced support for
ASSOCIATION, continuation of funding for the public
KOTZEBUE broadcasting satellite infrastructure.
He observed that there would be a loss
of stations if the proposed cuts remain.
3939 CHARLES BECK, NORTON Spoke in support of funding for mental
SOUND HEALTH health and alcohol and substance abuse
CONSORTIUM, NOME programs.
3728 SHELLEY LONG, Voiced opposition to the cuts in
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Medicaid Services. She spoke in support
MATSU RECOVERY of substance abuse program funding.
CENTER, MATSU Noted support for additional revenue
measures. Expressed support for the
implementation of a statewide income
tax.
3438 KATHY ROBERTS, MATSU Voiced opposition to the cuts in
Medicaid Services. She stressed that
seniors would be adversely affected by
reductions.
3257 SYDNEY JACOBS, Spoke in support of vocational
PALMER rehabilitation services. Urged that the
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
remain open throughout the State and
that the funding not be cut.
3226 DAN DUCEY, MATSU Spoke in support of vocational
rehabilitation services and recounted
his personal experiences.
2959 TRISH WALTER, Voiced opposition to the cuts in
SERVICES FOR Medicaid Services.
CHILDREN AND ADULTS
MATSU
2601 BILL JOHNSON, MATSU Spoke in support of vocational
rehabilitation services.
2320 GERALD MILBRETT, Spoke in support of vocational
MATSU rehabilitation services. He recounted
help he received through the Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation.
2126 RUSSLE NELSON, Spoke in support of the Governor's
DILLINGHAM increments for the University.
1928 DON FORD, MATSU Urged that the Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation remain open throughout
the State and that the funding not be
cut. Expressed support for the
implementation of a statewide income
tax.
1645 PEARL STRUB, MATSU Voiced support for the Bristol Bay
Campus.
1347 CHARLES GREGORY, Stated that he had suffered a heart
KAKE attack and that he used medical services
in Sitka. He spoke in support of
medical services in Sitka.
1108 ROBERT BUNSEY, Spoke in support of vocational
KODIAK rehabilitation services. Expressed
support for the implementation of a
statewide income tax. Spoke against use
of the Permanent Fund.
0823 JOHN HOUSER, KODIAK Testified in support of funding for
community mental health programs. He
explained he had a nervous breakdown and
would like the Kodiak office to remain
open. Spoke in favor of a sales tax.
0458 DR. BOB JOHNSON, Spoke in support of a long-range fiscal
KODIAK plan. Expressed support for the
implementation of a statewide income tax
and the POMV. Urged leaving the CBR
alone.
TAPE HFC 04 - 50, Side A
0113 BARBARA LEWIS, Spoke against an access road from Haines
HAINES to Juneau. Testified in support of
funding for community mental health
programs. Expressed support for the
implementation of a statewide income
tax. Suggested increasing oil company
taxes per barrel.
FRANCIS OZENNA, Described the local problems and needs
LITTLE DIOMEDE including their limited mail service;
ISLAND law enforcement; two years of shoreline
erosion that was funded locally;
transportation services, specifically a
small boat harbor; new housing and
better medical attention; and solid
waste disposal. The local bird
sanctuary limits housing construction.
The town hasn't received disaster
funding although it has serious erosion
problems.
0801 CORY THOLE, SKAGWAY Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska
Marine Highway System. Did not support
the highway from Haines to Juneau and
would prefer full funding for the ferry
system.
ADJOURNMENT
1112 The meeting was adjourned at 4:09 P.M.
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