Legislature(2001 - 2002)
02/20/2002 09:09 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
SENATE BILL NO. 289
"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, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an
effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 245
"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, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an
effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 298
"An Act relating to certain licenses for the sale of tobacco
products; relating to tobacco taxes and sales and cigarette
tax stamps; relating to provisions making certain cigarettes
contraband and subject to seizure and forfeiture; relating to
certain crimes, penalties, and interest concerning tobacco
taxes and sales; relating to notification regarding a
cigarette manufacturer's noncompliance with the tobacco
product Master Settlement Agreement or related statutory
provisions and to confiscation of the affected cigarettes; and
providing for an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 246
"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."
HOUSE BILL NO. 335
"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, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an
effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 336
"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."
HOUSE BILL NO. 337
"An Act making capital appropriations and reappropriations,
and capitalizing funds; 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. 403
"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, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an
effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 404
"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."
HOUSE BILL NO. 414
"An Act making supplemental and other appropriations; amending
appropriations; and providing for an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 415
"An Act making supplemental and other appropriations; amending
appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and
providing for an effective date."
This was the first hearing for these bills in the Senate and House
Finance Committees.
MARK HAMILTON, President, University of Alaska, reminded the
Committee that during his first presentation to the Committee in
1999, he expressed "how the level funding of the 90's had
essentially broken the machine," and "enrollment and morale were
down." He expressed now, however, with support from the
legislature, the University is turning into a "success story." He
stated that in FY 00, when the University received its first
general fund increase in many years, the University began to make
plans and the "tide was turned." He noted the University's reliance
on general funds for a large portion of its overall budget has been
decreasing as referenced in the University of Alaska handout titled
"Actual General Fund Compared to Total Funds FY 86-FY 01" [copy on
file]. He summarized that the general fund percent of total funding
has declined from a high of 47 percent to the current 38 percent,
and the percentage is projected to drop to 35 percent of the total
funding under the proposed FY 03 budget.
President Hamilton stated the decrease in general fund percentage
of total funds is indicative that "more students mean more tuition;
more corporate donations; more federal funds; more foundation and
grant funding."
President Hamilton stressed that what is harder to see from the
handout information is the "enormous increase in spirit,
enthusiasm, and hope" that has resulted from the support of the
Governor and the Legislature." He continued, "our faculty, staff
and students have been energized."
President Hamilton stated that Alaska "lost" 30,000 of its young
people between 1990 and 2000, and this loss undermined the balance
of ideas, energy, and life experiences "between the youth and the
more experienced." He exampled the determination of a young
University of Alaska student, Jim Border, who in 1930 thought
Alaska could be connected to the "Lower 48" by road. President
Hamilton stated it took more than a decade but the road was built.
President Hamilton reported that the University has "made
significant progress in keeping our young people in Alaska." He
highlighted several programs that have attracted students such as
the Young Scholars program, which has resulted in a 50 percent
increase in Alaska high school graduates attending the University
of Alaska. He added that the number of Alaskan high school students
who graduated in the top ten percent of their class and who are
attending the University of Alaska was increased 400 percent. He
credited Legislative support for the turnaround in keeping Alaska's
youth in the state. He expressed this "has sent a clear and
resounding message. The students heard it, the faculty heard it,
the parents' of students heard it, and Alaska's businesses heard
it."
President Hamilton opined, "the turnaround is a direct reflection
of your insistence that we support the only instrument of economic
development diversification this state or any state has, and that's
its education system." He stated that the University, along with
the Legislature, is addressing "the call" from the citizens of the
state for a long-range fiscal plan. He stressed the need for the
state to "support a vibrant education system…pre-school through
post-secondary."
President Hamilton stated the University should serve the needs of
the State and toward that endeavor, the University has asked for
support and direction from the Legislature, industries and state
agencies. He continued that the business response has been
"staggering." He stated businesses requested "courses, degrees,
training, basic and applied research, community outreach…in other
words, the services of a state higher education system." He
contended, "an aging workforce, the high costs, and bad results, of
bringing workers from out of state, the needs for constant training
and re-training…these are real problems that are inhibiting
Alaska's ability to achieve and maintain a solid financial
footing."
President Hamilton explained that for the past three years, the
University has "asked for much less than the state demanded from
us" as he declared the University is "not willing to ask for money
we can't responsibly spend."
President Hamilton communicated to the Committee the details of
programs the University has created as a response to the needs of
the state such as: the two-year nursing program in Fairbanks and
Kodiak; the radiology, dental assistance and other health programs
offered at most campuses; Information Technology programs; and
Early Childhood and teacher education programs as well as
certificate and associate level industry and trade programs.
President Hamilton stressed, in addition to course offerings, new
instructional programs providing counseling, job placement, and
academic advising have "generated significant improvements in the
day-to-day lives of our students."
He stressed to the Committee "accountability is foremost to the
University," and affirmed the University's commitment to the
initiative process. He stated the University holds itself
accountable to the agencies and corporations that invest in the
University, and that the University conducts a quarterly review on
each initiative. He gave as an example a $400,000 state
appropriation that would be returned, as the program it was
intended for was unsuccessful.
President Hamilton affirmed the University's commitment to quality,
and informed the Committee that the University had recently
completed national "institutional and program accreditation." He
continued that the Nursing review "was so good they will require no
more review for six years - an accomplishment granted to less than
20 percent of all nursing programs in the country."
President Hamilton shared the academic accomplishments of the
University in debate and finance competitions, and highlighted the
hosting of such conferences as the Breadloaf Writers Conference
held each summer at the Juneau campus. He noted that University
"engineering students routinely score at twice the national average
on standardized licensure exams" and "nursing students are usually
in the top two to three percentile nationally in first time passing
for their licensure exams."
President Hamilton stated the FY 03 operating budget request has
been described as a $21.6 million increase; however, this figure
includes funding for the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation
(ASTF) and postsecondary funding which were committed to the
University as general funds. He commented he did not agree that
their inclusion in the overall increase of funds "was fair," and he
considers the increase of funding to be $16.9 million in new money
with $3.8 million allotted to cover fixed costs in excess of normal
inflation, and $5.7 million to cover negotiated labor contracts
which were already approved by the Legislature.
President Hamilton stressed that the University is generating more
funds, and stated the balance of the new money is going to meet the
expanding program activities to meet the needs of Alaska's business
and industry.
President Hamilton detailed some of the items in the request: in
technology "the need is to assure access to networks for
classrooms, labs and offices on the main campuses;" in student
services the request would support a variety of programs such as
peer counseling, marketing and advising; expanded programs in
finance and general business; and to address health, information
technology, education, trades and technology; and project
management courses in the engineering field under Workforce
Development.
President Hamilton stressed the success of a "model program" for
recruiting and retaining Alaska Native students in engineering at
the University of Alaska Anchorage. He stated the program is
primarily supported through corporate donations.
President Hamilton furthered that an increase in funding would
allow for statewide delivery of additional nursing programs, and
that the biomedical health research request for $420,000 would
enable the University to receive grant money of $4.6 million.
President Hamilton detailed how the increase would positively
affect the liberal arts program, teacher education programs,
natural resource management programs, and service learning programs
that incorporate community service into the curriculum.
President Hamilton noted the information on page 28 and page 29 of
the University of Alaska Fiscal Year 2003 Operating & Capital
Budget Requests booklet [copy on file] denotes that the University
is asking for zero general fund money and permission to receive $3
million in non-general funds for the "EPSCoR (SYS) program" as well
as zero general funds and $7 million in industry funds for the
Center for Nanosensor Technology to promote manufacturing expertise
in Alaska.
President Hamilton expressed that "research is an industry in the
state of Alaska" and ranks number three in payroll and number six
in employment in the state. He cited the number of people employed
at the University with research grant funding, and stressed "how
important it is to understand how much a University looks and acts
and contributes like a major business," and "that many states are
pouring money into their state university research components in
order to built their state economy."
President Hamilton acknowledged the support that the Legislature
has given the University; however, he stressed the need for
continuing investment in the University system in spite of the
fiscal "storm" that Alaska is facing.
Senator Leman asked President Hamilton to explain the ramifications
of and the benefits derived from research projects.
President Hamilton detailed several of the research projects
currently underway at the University such as the microprocessing
project called Nanotechnology. He stated it is hard to determine
what all the spin-offs of these projects are; however, they bring
new technologies into the state in addition to research monies. He
remarked that the University is in discussion with other research
entities such as the wireless industry, and stated this is "the
only way we will ever spin-off and develop and diversify the
economy of Alaska." He stated that four years ago there were zero
technology research projects at the University and now there are
three, and that number will be growing.
Senator Leman asked whom the University has hired as Vice President
for Research.
President Hamilton announced the University had hired the former
director of Woods Hole, a renowned research entity, for the new
position of Vice President for Research.
Senator Hoffman asked if rural campuses are attracting the same
percentages of Alaska's high school graduates as the main campuses.
President Hamilton stated, "the rural campuses have significantly
increased their student bodies and their retention;" however, the
rural campuses have different percentages of the graduating
students than the main campuses. He stated the focus at the rural
campuses should be on the rate of retention, and that the expansion
of course offerings at the rural campuses has helped increase
enrollment numbers.
President Hamilton stressed how important the issue of continuing
education for rural Alaskans is to the University. He stated that
in addition to the Alaska Scholars program which is awarded to the
top ten percent graduates in every Alaska high school, the
University has developed a program called the Emerging Scholars
Program, which offers rural students at risk of failing school, an
opportunity to continue their education. He expressed that three of
the eight students initially in this program would earn an
associates degree in May 2002. He stated it took them three years
instead of the typical two years; however, this "means they have
completely caught up and successfully accomplished the college
curriculum," including the "catch-up" courses.
President Hamilton informed the Committee the University has
approximately "$8 million in federal grants specifically and
directly associated for the recruitment and the retention of our
Native students."
Senator Hoffman commented these "are not very high student numbers"
and questioned the program's success rate. He asked about the
University's commitment to developing infrastructure at the
University's rural campuses.
President Hamilton stated there has been "significant improvement"
at the rural campuses. He stated that when he joined the
University, the total capital budget designated for rural Alaska
campuses was $70,000; now it is "several millions of dollars." He
exampled that Bristol Bay had been waiting for twelve years to have
a campus built, and it is finally being built now.
Senator Hoffman commented that the University could not take
"credit for the Bristol Bay campus as it was on the list and it was
because of legislative action that made it a priority."
President Hamilton agreed that the Legislature has the final say in
what projects are selected, and noted that the University's Board
of Regents exerted considerable effort in support of that campus.
Representative Davies inquired as to the University's deferred
maintenance status; specifically as to what might be "critical
future needs."
President Hamilton referenced the list of Capital Appropriations
the University has received since FY 90, beginning on page 161 of
the handbook. He stated this list reflects, "what happens when
money is allocated without any continuity and planning." He
detailed that several years ago, the University received a large
amount of "desperately needed" deferred maintenance money, but "had
absolutely no staff left to plan and supervise these things." He
stressed that the University now has "the necessary staff." He
contended that "it takes a long time to plan for any project" and
he relayed, for instance, that when a dorm is remodeled, many
faucets of the job have to be planned including housing residents
in other facilities, and "if you have money to fix three dorms, you
can absolutely guarantee that its going to be three separate
projects because you can't just kick everybody out all at once." He
stated that building and remodeling projects take some time, are
accounted for, and "are on the right track now as there are people
in place to take care of the project."
President Hamilton stressed "it is clear that we need to
concentrate on science and lab facilities as "there are just
enormous opportunities out there to continue to both provide the
instruction and provide the kinds of research that needs to be done
in the state of Alaska by Alaskans." He spoke to the opportunity to
compete for some "enormous pockets" of research money, and informed
the Committee the first year he was employed at the University of
Alaska, "the University was bringing in $70,000 in National
Institute of Health (NIH) research grant funding out of a total NIH
budget of $28.6 billion. He commented that even without a vice
president of research position to further that cause, "this year,
we will receive approximately $7.5 million dollars." He stressed
that research monies provide the University with a "powerful
economic instrument," as well as being "very important instruments
for the state's economy."
Representative Croft inquired as to the status of the University's
community colleges.
President Hamilton responded there was a recent directive by the
University's Board of Regents stating their commitment to
revitalize the community colleges. He stated this effort is a
result of the people of Alaska's needs. He informed the Committee
"in 1950, 20 percent of the jobs in America required a four year
degree. This is the year 2002 and only 23 percent of the jobs do."
He stated this is the result of "the enormous increase in jobs that
require post-secondary education or require refresher courses." He
forecast that by the end of this decade "the University of Alaska
will still be characterized by having most of its students as part-
time" with there being "an enormous number of students associated
with what we would refer to as the community college roll." He
continued "the funds that were directed to work-force development"
by the Legislature for the last several years, "have gone a long
way toward revitalizing our capability to provide that workforce
training and the former community college mission.
Representative Hudson, noting that approximately half of the
requested FY 03 budget increase would support salary maintenance,
inquired if the University typically negotiates three-year
contracts.
President Hamilton responded yes.
Representative Hudson asked if this is the third year of such a
negotiation.
President Hamilton responded "basically, yes," however, a portion
of it supports an increase for non-union or "non-represented
staff."
Representative Hudson asked if the fixed cost increases are
"absolute requirements."
President Hamilton stated that the budget includes "those
extraordinary pieces of inflation that are associated with running
a University" such as the double digit increases associated with
library materials and Information Technology expenses. He reminded
the Committee "three quarters of the normal inflation costs are
covered by money generated from University receipts."
Representative Hudson asked what is included in the administrative
support request.
President Hamilton responded this request would provide additional
administrators in offices throughout the campuses. He explained
that as the University has transitioned "from $350 million of total
expenditures to $620 million this year," additional staff is needed
to "run the business practices" and the overwhelming amount of new
dollars and new programs into the system that have to be accounted
for."
Representative Harris noted the University has received funding to
address the shortages of teachers and nurses in the state and asked
how the funding has addressed these needs.
President Hamilton replied this is a larger "problem" than the
University could solve.
SFC 02 # 13, Side B 09:59 AM
President Hamilton stated that on the national level, "42 percent
of individuals who graduate with a teaching degree never teach"
and, "half of those who do quit within three years." He reported
that to address this situation, the University "has absolutely
changed the teacher education program from the ground up in direct
context with the principals and superintendents of the state of
Alaska." He explained that in the traditional program, "the
individuals did not go into the classroom until the last semester
of their senior year. Now they go in as first semester freshman."
He contended that people need to "see what it is we are training to
be, and understand that from the beginning."
President Hamilton stated the University has begun two-year nursing
programs in both Kodiak and Fairbanks "with one beginning this year
in Juneau." He continued that Licensed Practitioner Nursing (LPN)
programs would begin at three different sites, on a "rotational
basis." President Hamilton disclosed that increases in money would
not be the "complete solution" for the Allied Health program as the
"needs are so enormous that at some stage of the game, you quite
literally will run out of facilities in which to execute the
program."
President Hamilton speculated that the nursing and education
workforces would "continue to be supplemented through the end of
this decade, as the University can not possibly begin to provide
all of it." He stressed, however, that the University would try to
"provide all we can." He summarized that the demands continue to
grow in these fields and the process needs to be "staged" and be
"built in increments as has been requested every year."
Senator Olson inquired as to what has been done to "address the
nursing shortage occurring, especially in rural hospitals."
President Hamilton stated the plans are listed in the handout
material. He continued that the University has sought advice and
has begun partnerships in rural areas. He noted there are much
higher demands for the LPN programs in the rural areas, and stated,
"these courses are administered from Anchorage but delivered and
greatly supported by distant delivery." He reiterated that these
courses would be on a rotational basis and, for example, would "be
offered in Bethel in even years and offered in Dillingham in odd
years."
Senator Olson asked the history of the number of nursing graduates.
President Hamilton responded that the numbers reflect "clearly
more" students and more programs; however, the University would
research this information and provide it to the Committee.
Senator Wilken asked the status on enrollment numbers in order to
get a "sense of success."
President Hamilton stated that enrollment dropped precipitously in
the 1990's as the result of the flat funding and loss of programs.
He continued that 2001 was the first time since the early 90's that
enrollment went up, and it "jumped again" this year. He stated the
University "attracted a very significant increase" in first time
college students…right out of high school. He opined this "reflects
that the word is out that the University is a great quality program
where you have good experience." He also stated that returning
students appreciate that classes are small, that students can talk
to their professors, and that the professor knows their name.
President Hamilton stated "where we haven't seen the increases has
been in the other core courses that are more directly associated
with the old kind of community college mission such as Associate
Degrees." He advised, "this corner needs to be turned" as it
"represents the greatest number of potential students" for us." He
stated increasing the students in this category "will be a major
focus."
President Hamilton asserted that retention is another key element
to the success of the University and that "our retention is
terrible."
Co-Chair Williams asked President Hamilton for suggestions for a
long-term fiscal plan that would enable the legislature to be able
to fund the University's needs.
President Hamilton responded, "I would really encourage you to
invest," as he does not "believe there is any possibility that we
can save ourselves into prosperity." He said the state should
approach the fiscal problem the same way a typical citizen would:
instead of buying a new car, keep the one you have in good repair;
instead of buying a new home, paint the one you have; and when it
is time for the child to go to college, take out a loan and invest
in his or her education. He stated "we as individuals invest in
education," and he "would recommend the same course of action" to
the legislature.
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