Legislature(2017 - 2018)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/16/2017 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB22 || SB24 | |
| Public Testimony: Juneau | |
| Public Testimony: Glennallen, Seward, Homer | |
| Public Testimony: Statewide Offnet | |
| Public Testimony: Anchorage | |
| Public Testimony: Kenai, Kodiak, Dillingham | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SENATE BILL NO. 22
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; repealing appropriations; making
supplemental appropriations and reappropriations, 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."
SENATE BILL NO. 24
"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."
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: JUNEAU
9:09:03 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman noted that each testifier would be allowed
two minutes to share their testimony with the committee.
9:09:54 AM
SARAH HARGRAVE, ALASKA NURSES ASSOCIATION, JUNEAU,
testified in strong opposition to cuts to funds for public
health nursing. She contended that cuts to public nursing
would result in the loss of critical public health
services, particularly in rural Alaska. She asserted that
public health nursing was not duplicative of community
health centers or tribal health. She testified that public
health nursing played an important role in families,
schools, homes, and workplaces, and was not confined to the
walls of clinic buildings. She stressed that public health
nursing was the backbone of the Alaskan public health
infrastructure. She identified that the public health
nursing budget had be reduced by 20 percent over the last
two fiscal years. She warned that further cuts would put
the health and security of all Alaskans at risk. She stated
that access to the critical services provided by public
health nurses was an imperative component to the stability
and health of the state as a whole. She relayed that cuts
to public health in other states had resulted in the
outbreak of preventable diseases. She said that public
health nursing was not duplicative of primary care; without
consistent, local, reliable, and high quality public health
services, and presence in the form of public health nurses,
Alaska would find itself at the precipice of a health
crisis.
9:11:48 AM
STAN LUJAN, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of early
childhood education. He discussed his 40-year history as a
teacher and superintendent in the state. He urged support
of Pre-K programs, Best Beginnings, Parents as Teachers,
and the Imagination Library. He believed that funding early
learning programs was critical for the educational success
of Alaska's children. He offered several facts pertaining
to the negative impact of illiteracy on society as a whole,
and asserted that 90 percent of the state's welfare
recipients were high school drop-outs. He concluded that it
was imperative for the state to continue funding early
childhood education.
9:14:28 AM
KEN WEBER, ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN,
JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for early childhood
education. He relayed that he was a former teacher, and had
observed the positive effects of early childhood education.
He considered early childhood education to be an investment
in the community. He felt that an income tax would better
serve the state, rather than further cuts to early
childhood programming.
9:15:45 AM
LESLEY KALBRENNER, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, JUNEAU, spoke in
support of funding for the Parents as Teachers program. She
echoed the comments of the previous speaker. She asserted
that the program had positively affected her relationship
with her son on a holistic level. He described how the
program had maintained value in her life as her child had
grown. She appealed to the committee to provide funding for
the Parents and Teachers program.
9:17:55 AM
TALEA KELLAR, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, JUNEAU, testified in
support of funding for the Parents as Teachers program. She
shared that she was a home visitor for the program, and
highlighted that there were families that did not have the
ability to make it to testify before the committee; it was
for these families she was testifying. She believed that as
a home visitor she was in the unique position to build
strong relationships with the families she worked with,
which was especially important to families that were
isolated or experiencing stress in their lives. She added
that for some families the program was a way gain
information and empower positive change.
9:19:31 AM
JOHN BENNETT, ALASKA CENTER FOR RESOURCE FAMILIES, JUNEAU,
testified in support of funding for early childhood
education. He relayed that children were most malleable
during their first 4 years of life, and were most affected
by both adverse and positive experiences. He asserted that
early childhood programs would produce better citizens and
save the state money in the future. He understood that the
state currently faced a budget crisis, but expressed that
every dime spent on early childhood programs would save
dollars in the future, while also saving hearts and minds.
9:20:59 AM
LINDA MILLER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support for funding
for early childhood education. She relayed that she was a
retired teacher, and had many teachers in her family. She
discussed differing levels of preparation for kindergarten
age children. She pointed out that 9:00 a.m. on a Thursday
morning was not a time that teachers could take advantage
of to testify. She expressed appreciation for the work of
the committee. She expressed that Alaska's children were
the state's most important resource. She spoke in support
of an income tax.
Co-Chair Hoffman relayed that anyone who could not make it
to testify before the committee during the times scheduled
could submit written testimony to the committee.
9:23:41 AM
JORDEN NIGRO, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding
for public broadcasting. She discussed her upbringing in
rural Alaska and the positive effects of public radio in
her pursuit of critical thinking on complex issues. She
spoke in support of an income tax. She mentioned the
Permanent Fund Protection Act (PFPA) which had been passed
in the Senate the previous day. She stressed the need for
revenue-based solutions to combat the fiscal crisis. She
urged the committee to do what was right, and not what was
popular; and to address the budget problem in a meaningful
and sustainable manner.
9:25:39 AM
KIRK DUNCAN, COAST ALASKA, JUNEAU, spoke in support of
public radio. He recognized the financial distress of the
state and that cuts to the state budget were necessary, but
asked the committee to leave public broadcasting funding at
the same level as the previous year. He discussed the
positive effects of public broadcasting. He spoke in
support of an income tax. He urged the committee to avoid
draconian cuts to the budget.
9:27:30 AM
JOY LYON, ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN,
JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for early childhood
education. She shared that she was the president of the
Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC)
Southeast. She read from article VII of the Alaska State
Constitution:
Section 1. Public Education
The legislature shall by general law establish and
maintain a system of public schools open to all
children of the State, and may provide for other
public educational institutions.
Ms. Lyon argued that "all children" mentioned in the
constitution would include children ages birth to five
years old. She noted that other state constitutions had an
age set in writing, and thought that the writers of the
Alaska constitution had been forward-thinking. She
discussed evidence that showed the importance of early
childhood education. She discussed her personal history
working in early childhood education and working with
underprepared children. She discussed adverse outcomes
after not having proper support in early childhood. She
asserted that cutting early childhood programs would cost
more money in the future. She relayed that the AEYC board
had passed a resolution in support of an income tax.
9:30:04 AM
AVERYL VELIZ, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the Parents
as Teachers and Best Beginnings programs. She stated that
her family was part of a pilot program with Parents as
Teachers; which had included periodical evaluations to
evaluate verbal, gross motor, fine motor, and social-
emotional skills. She acknowledged the Imagination Library
and thought it had enhanced her family's literacy skills.
She discussed her son's performance in school and thought
it had demonstrated the effectiveness of the Parents as
Teacher's program. She thought all children should have the
same opportunity for kindergarten readiness. She spoke in
support of an income tax or a state sales tax.
9:32:37 AM
MELINDA MESSMER, ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG
CHILDREN, JUNEAU, testified in support of the Parents as
Teachers program. She discussed services provided by the
program. She relayed that she had anecdotally found that
parents found helpful emotional support through the
program. She urged the committee to support the program.
9:34:02 AM
NIKKI LOVE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for
early childhood education. She stated that she was a
community engagement coordinator with AEYC, and a child
nutrition advocate. She discussed the challenge of
isolation as a parent. She echoed comments of the previous
speakers in support of early childhood education. She spoke
in support of an income tax.
9:35:19 AM
ALIZA KAZMI, ALASKA NETWORK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL
ASSAULT, JUNEAU, testified in opposition to Amendment 13 in
the budget for the Department of Public Safety. The
amendment proposed to transfer funds from the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (Undesignated General
Funds [UGF]) to fund a new Alaska State Trooper position.
She asked members to reference her written testimony. She
commended legislators for prioritizing public safety. She
discussed victim's services; which included sexual assault
response, shelter and immediate safety, advocacy services,
and crisis lines. She mentioned the Sexual Assault Response
Team (SART), which included law enforcement, a medical
provider, and an advocate.
9:37:13 AM
ELIZABETH SIDDON, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in opposition to
cuts to Medicaid waiver services for individuals with
developmental disabilities (IDD). The cuts would limit the
number of day-habilitative services that a person could
receive to 8 hours per week. She relayed that she had a
young son who experienced cerebral palsy who was on an IDD
waiver, through which he was able to go into the community
with a caregiver and interact. She informed that she served
on the Governor's Council on Early Intervention, the Alaska
Early Childhood Coordinating Council, and the Early
Childhood Coordinating Systems Council. She had learned
about behavioral supports and the importance of the social
and emotional development of children. Through the
governor's council she had attended a conference at which
there was a cross-state learning collaborative that focused
on the social and emotional development of children. If the
subject was a priority for the state, she considering
limiting the hours of day-habilitative services to be
counter-intuitive. She understood that if the change was
made to the Medicaid waiver, the state would have to
justify that it would not cause harm to individuals.
9:39:36 AM
AT EASE
9:39:39 AM
RECONVENED
Ms. Siddon continued discussing how limiting the IDD waiver
hours would be detrimental to those on the waiver as well
as caregivers and parents.
Co-Chair Hoffman understood that the money had been
restored in the Senate's budget.
9:40:15 AM
Senator Micciche relayed that he had checked with the
Department of Health and Social Services, and the average
number of waiver hours was 11, and the subcommittee had
increased the day-habilitative hours from 8 to 12. He
continued that there was still a cut, but understood that
the limit was the average hours that the typical waiver
recipient received.
Ms. Siddon stated that the IDD waivers served a range of
ages and ranges of disabilities. She struggled to know how
to represent the breadth of people who were served by the
waivers. She argued that putting a hard cap on the hours
was not appropriate and would be better left to individual
plans of care. She noted that DHSS Senior and Disability
Services was already scrutinizing plans, and the hours
limit could be done on an individual basis.
Senator Micciche stated that the committee had received
hundreds of calls and emails pertaining to day-habilitation
services. He asserted that there was not a hard cap on
hours before, and there was not currently. The level of
funding had bene brought up to 12 hours, but was still
managed on an individual case load.
9:42:15 AM
BLUE SHIBLER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for
day-habilitative services. She discussed the importance of
social and emotional learning for young children. She
relayed that she was the chair of AEYC board, and supported
funding for early childhood programs such as Best
Beginnings and Parents as Teachers. She supported an income
tax.
9:44:18 AM
ALYSON CURREY, PLANNED PARENTHOOD, JUNEAU, testified in
opposition to cuts in the Department of Health and Social
Services funding for medically necessary abortion services.
She reminded that in 2001 the Alaska Supreme Court ordered
the department and the state to pay for the services,
citing that blocking funding violated the equal protection
clause of the Alaska Constitution. She continued that
removing the funding for the budget would put the
department in the position of either violating the law, or
cutting other important healthcare programs to pay for the
services. She urged the committee to support birth control
and preventive care. She spoke in support of funding for
public health nursing. She remarked that Alaska led the
nation in rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). She
mentioned an HIV outbreak in the Bristol Bay area the
previous year. She opposed proposed cuts to domestic
violence and sexual assault victim's services; such as
sexual assault response teams, immediate shelter, and other
support services.
9:46:39 AM
JOANN QUIGG, ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG
CHILDREN, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for early
childhood education. She discussed her personal challenges
with being the mother of twins and a four-year-old. She
discussed her personal experience with the Parents as
Teachers program and the Best Beginnings program. She
encouraged the committee to consider an income tax rather
than cutting funding for programs.
9:48:04 AM
NIAMH DARDIS, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding
for disability services. She discussed the challenges of
families with children that experienced disabilities. She
asserted that children with disabilities had the right to
equal access to the community, and could do so through
access to skilled providers. She maintained that many
opportunities for young people in the community were
already under-resourced. She thought that increased cuts to
disability support services would force parents to have
increased dependency on other state benefit programs. She
had observed an increase in the number of families with
children with disabilities that had open cases with the
Office of Children's Service's. She had worked with three
families in the previous year that had a child removed from
the home after the family was unable to care for the child.
Two of the three children she mentioned had to leave the
community of Juneau. She urged the committee to restore
funding for 1915 Medicaid waivers, and asked that no hard
caps be put on services. She emphasized the each family had
individual needs.
9:51:26 AM
JONATHAN ESTES, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding
for disability services. He relayed that he was a foster
parent, and had a daughter that experienced an intellectual
disability. He discussed his experience with utilizing the
services of REACH, Inc., which had helped immensely with
communication and social skills, and had provided access to
the community. He urged the committee to support funding
for children with disabilities.
9:53:15 AM
CHRISTINE CULLITON, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of
funding for disability support services. She relayed that
she was the parent of a child with significant
disabilities. She discussed the drastic steps her family
had to take to secure services for their daughter. She
discussed her experience with agencies. She discussed the
15 hour cap on day-habilitation as applied to those
individuals residing in group homes. She was concerned that
there might not be in transparency in the language provided
by the department. She expressed concern about the "average
hours" discussed in the context of a group home plan of
care. She was concerned that a cap would result in
individuals being moved to facilities outside of the
community. She urged the committee to follow up with the
department and ask hard questions about the caps. She
supported an income tax.
9:56:00 AM
COREY GILMORE, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of
funding for disability support services and opposed putting
a cap on the allowed hours for day-habilitation. He relayed
that he had been in Juneau for five years, after living in
Maine, where there had been no day-habilitation or
supported living services available. He stated that he used
22.5 hours per week of day-habilitation services that
enabled him to get out in the community. He discussed his
personal experience with needing assistance to navigate due
to low vision. He thought it was hypocritical to cut
services while offering a PFD.
9:59:41 AM
MARK MILLER, JUNEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT, JUNEAU, testified in
opposition to cuts to education. He reminded the committee
of its constitutional obligation to establish and maintain
a system of public schools. He informed that the district
budget was due in two weeks. He reminded that the district
had already committed funds to re-hire all of the
district's tenured teachers. He asserted that significant
cuts to education after funds were already dedicated was
hugely problematic. He thought cuts to education would hurt
kids and would not make a significant difference to the
fiscal gap. He supported the PFPA and an income tax.
10:01:42 AM
DEBRAH CLEMENTS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the
Parents as Teachers program. She shared that she was a
business owner and a new parent. She discussed the
challenge of being a parent and shared that the Parents as
Teachers program had been extremely helpful. She supported
a cut to the dividend to pay for state services.
10:03:09 AM
RICHARD COLE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of public
media. He considered pubic media to be particularly
important in Alaska. He discussed the importance of access
to impartial and accurate news. He used examples of
important public media functions such as daily local news,
emergency safety information, and local community
engagement. He discussed the importance of public media in
the lives of state residents, particularly in rural areas.
He urged the committee to fund public media.
10:06:06 AM
GABI FLATEN, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for
disability services. She discussed the experience of her
son, who had a traumatic brain injury and experienced a
myriad of disabilities, and who was a recipient of the home
and community-based Medicaid waiver. She worked as a
service coordinator for individuals with medically complex
disabilities. She was in favor of restoring all funding for
day-habilitation services, and opposed any caps. Her son
had received 14 to 20 hours per week of day-habilitation
services, depending upon his school schedule. She discussed
the advantage of her son's community experience enabled
through day-habilitation. She discussed the long-term
importance of her son being in the community. She
emphasized that if day-habilitation services were capped,
it would limit the ability of individuals to work, and gain
and achieve skills needed to be an adult in the community.
She thought it would be counterintuitive to change the
waivers, and thought hours of day-habilitation would be
better assessed through individual plans of care.
10:11:11 AM
KAYLA WISNER, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding
for early childhood education. Her family had received
support from the Imagination Library. She referred to
previous testifiers who spoke in support of day-
habilitation services. She discussed the benefits of having
children with disabilities integrated in the community.
10:13:05 AM
LILY POTHIER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for
the Parents as Teachers program. She spoke of the benefits
her family had received from the program. She discussed her
son's difficulty with language and identified services she
had received from Parents as Teachers and REACH. She
discussed the benefit of early intervention. She shared
that she and her husband had been well-equipped by the
program. She urged the committee to leave funding in early
childhood education program.
10:15:33 AM
PAUL BERAN, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in favor of an income
tax. He asserted that the people of the state favored a
state income tax. He thought an income tax would give
individuals a greater sense of ownership and responsibility
for the government. He referred to an email he had sent to
the committee. He referenced the bible. He supported an
income tax.
10:17:01 AM
BRENDA TAYLOR, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of an income
tax. She relayed that she was heavily involved in
volunteering in education. She echoed the comments of the
previous testifier. She supported an income tax. She was a
member of the Juneau Science Technology Engineering and
Math (STEM) Coalition, and participated with Great Alaska
Schools. She was a co-chair of the Juneau-Douglas High
School Site Council. She referred to cuts to the Juneau
School District over the previous 6 years. She referred to
the inability of middle school classes to do hands-on labs
due to the size of the class, and the lack of materials.
She discussed a new science curriculum that needed
materials and a coordinator. She suggested that even a 5
percent cut would be problematic for future educational
opportunities. She discussed engineering courses that had
been planned for the summer but were cancelled due to lack
of resources.
Co-Chair Hoffman thanked the testifiers and thanked the
community of Juneau for welcoming the legislature. He
stated that the committee would be "at ease" until
additional people wanted to provide public testimony.
10:20:42 AM
AT EASE
10:33:07 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Hoffman relayed that the committee would stand at
recess until 1:00 p.m.
10:33:20 AM
RECESSED
1:02:54 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Hoffman restated that there was no money yet for
the DEED budget, but anticipated a 5 percent reduction in
the DEED budget.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: GLENNALLEN, SEWARD, HOMER
1:04:48 PM
CONNIE CAPRIO, SELF, SEWARD (via teleconference), testified
in support funding for the Independent Living Center. She
felt that the Independent Living Center had helped her live
a full life.
1:06:02 PM
CHARLOTTE NICOLET, ADVOCATE, INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER,
SEWARD (via teleconference), testified in support funding
for the Independent Living Center. She shared that there
were many items available for those in need such as
wheelchairs and crutches. She stated that the Mental Health
Trust grants helped to provide funding for the Independent
Living Center. She stressed that there was a positive
outcome, because of the funding that was historically
provided. She remarked that there was also a tax deduction
program in line with the Independent Living Center.
1:08:08 PM
BRYAN ZAK, MAYOR, CITY OF HOMER (via teleconference), spoke
in support of public radio, Best Beginnings, the Alaska
State Library, and behavioral health funding. He stressed
that the budget reduction affected jobs. He hoped that
there would be other solutions such as a state income tax.
He remarked that there were many workers from outside of
the state, who did not contribute to the state economy
through income taxes.
1:10:21 PM
JIM HORNADAY, MEMBER, KENAI PENINSULA COLLEGE COUNCIL,
HOMER (via teleconference), spoke in support of the budget
submitted by the University of Alaska (UA) Board of
Regents. He remarked that UA had experienced a $3 million
reduction, and cut 329 positions. He felt that there were
many local residents in the Kenai Peninsula Borough who
contributed greatly to the college. He remarked that there
were important courses offered by the college, and
continually evolved to serve the community.
1:12:31 PM
LISA ASSELIN MARTIN, MEMBER, HOMER EARLY CHILDHOOD
COALITION, HOMER (via teleconference), spoked in support of
early childhood education program funding. She spoke in
support of Best Beginnings, Parents as Teachers, Statewide
Pre-K, and the Imagination Library. She shared that many
books were delivered to children under the age of 5 across
the state.
1:14:29 PM
DAVE LEWIS, EMPLOYEE, INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER, HOMER (via
teleconference), spoke against reducing the mental health
budget. He felt that the budget would affect the most
vulnerable in the state. He spoke in support of a statewide
income tax.
1:15:27 PM
PAM VANHOOZER, PARTICIPANT, INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER,
HOMER (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for
the Independent Living Center. She shared that she was
newly blind and was able to learn to use a cane at the
Independent Living Center. She asserted that the knowledge
she learned from the Independent Living Center had helped
her become a functioning member of society.
1:16:16 PM
ANNE WIELAND, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for public radio. She stressed that the
radio provided information. She remarked that Homer had
some serious wildfires, and the local radio station
provided information regarding the wildfires and other
weather warnings. She felt that the public radio news
provided balanced points of view. She urged the committee
to restore 100 percent of the essential services of public
radio. She remarked that Representative Don Young had
announced that public radio was one of the most essential
services for Alaskans.
1:18:21 PM
ANN DIXON, HOMER PUBLIC LIBRARY, HOMER (via
teleconference), testified in favor of the Online with
Libraries (OWL) program. She stated that many relied on the
library to access the internet. She also spoke in support
of early childhood education programs. She also urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
1:20:33 PM
JOYANNA GEISLER, INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER, HOMER (via
teleconference), requested that full funding be restored to
the Independent Living Center. She remarked that no one
lived at the center, but rather provided support for those
who wanted to live in the homes of their choosing. She
remarked that many of the employees working at the center
were also experiencing disabilities. She remarked that the
center helped transition individuals from nursing homes
back into the community. She stressed that any further
reductions would sorely impact the services across the
state.
1:22:54 PM
KATE FINN, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
shared that she relied on public radio for information
related to marine weather warnings and other local
announcements. She stressed that the radio was a personal
safety information center. She stressed that continued
federal funding was required to continue public radio. She
understood the financial situation, and spoke in support of
partial use of the permanent fund dividend and a state
income tax.
1:25:13 PM
CAROL SHULER, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), spoke
against funding for full-price airplane tickets for health
consultants, and full price payments of medical equipment.
She spoke in support of Medicaid waiver services. She felt
that the waiver services provided individuals with travel
services to function within the community.
1:27:35 PM
WILLARD DUNHAM, SELF, SEWARD (via teleconference), spoke in
support of public safety, public health, and roads. He
testified in support of an increased alcohol tax and a
statewide income tax. He felt that the legislature should
create a fiscal strategy.
1:29:48 PM
HANNAH BENGTSON, REPRESENTATIVE, PARENTS AS TEACHERS,
GLENNALLEN (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funding for Parents as Teachers. She explained the Parents
as Teachers program. She shared that the program enhanced
family, and provided information to prevent abuse and
neglect. The program used screening tools should a child
need special services. She remarked that the funding would
provide more opportunity for independence for families in
Glennallen.
Senator Micciche introduced Monica Henson Wilson, who was
shadowing Senator Micciche.
Co-Chair Hoffman wondered whether Ms. Wilson wanted to
testify. Ms. Wilson declined.
Vice-Chair Bishop introduced Amber Chamberlain, who was
shadowing Vice-Chair Bishop.
1:33:16 PM
RECESS
1:41:46 PM
RECONVENED
1:42:18 PM
TYROAN REDISKE, ALASKA YOUTH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION,
HOMER, spoke against DEED budget reductions. He stated that
he hoped to obtain the Alaska Performance Scholarship.
Vice-Chair Bishop queried Mr. Rediske's college major. Mr.
Rediske replied that he hoped to major in marine biology.
1:43:45 PM
KARL PFEIFFENBERGER, ALASKA YOUTH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION,
SEWARD, spoke against the budget reduction for the Alaska
Performance Scholarship. He shared that he knew of many
college students who relied on the Alaska Performance
Scholarship. He felt that it was important for many to
continue their education.
1:45:01 PM
JOSEY SHAW, SELF, GLENALLEN, spoke against DEED budget
reductions. He spoke in support of the Alaska Performance
Scholarship. He remarked that further cuts to DEED would
increase class size and limit the time to access the
teachers in a personal manner.
1:46:36 PM
RECESS
2:00:54 PM
RECONVENED
2:01:25 PM
JUNE DOEPKEN, SELF, SEWARD (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for DEED. She remarked that the larger
classrooms made it difficult for students to have access to
their teachers. She stressed that teachers would only spend
more of their own money to pay for education. She spoke in
support of the gasoline tax and statewide income tax.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: STATEWIDE OFFNET
2:03:30 PM
WILLIAM DEATON, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), opposed
the current budget. He felt that there should be continued
budget reductions. He spoke against funding for a new
ferry. He spoke against the legislators' per diem. He spoke
against an income tax. He felt that all nonessential items
in the budget should be reduced. He spoke against the OWL
program, because it did not impact classrooms. He spoke
against funding for the marine highway. He did not want the
state to become a "nanny state."
2:06:09 PM
ANTHONY HABRA, SUPERINTENDENT, HAINES BOROUGH SCHOOL
DISTRICT, HAINES (via teleconference), spoke against the 5
percent reduction to the Base Student Allocation (BSA). He
shared that his district had reduced its personnel
significantly in the previous year. He felt that education
funding cuts would negatively affect classrooms.
2:07:19 PM
ELIZABETH TYSON, SELF, SKAGWAY (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She remarked that public radio provided essential and
emergency information services. She spoke against increased
military spending.
2:08:32 PM
EVELYNN TREFON, SELF, NEWHALEN (via teleconference), spoke
against a state sales tax. She spoke in support of a state
income tax. She shared that an income tax would put money
back into the state economy. She also spoke in support of
limiting the PFD to $1000. She felt that the oil and gas
tax credits should be rewritten. She spoke in support of
the community sharing funding, and felt that it should be a
reliable funding source. She urged the committee to find
new revenue sources.
2:12:29 PM
TIM BAUER, SUPERINTENDENT, ANNETTE ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT,
METLAKATLA (via teleconference), spoke against the 5
percent reduction to the BSA. He remarked that there were
positions that must be filled, but the reduction did not
allow for appropriate funding for qualified teachers. He
stressed that unqualified teachers would be required to
teach outside of their expertise, and the education would
suffer.
2:15:16 PM
GINGER FORTIN, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for ferry service from Homer to
Ketchikan in the winter. She felt that cross gulf ferry
service was needed at least once or twice during the
winter. She also urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. She felt that public radio was
essential for islands and small communities.
2:16:23 PM
JENNIFER SHOCKLEY, SELF, UNALASKA (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. She pointed out that over one-half of the
population lived in rural communities, and did not have
access to high speed internet. Those communities relied on
public radio for community information and emergency
services information. She stressed that public media
provided quality education programs for children. She
remarked that the public broadcasting network provided an
opportunity to learn more about the legislature, therefore
providing an educational opportunity.
2:19:24 PM
KAREN MURDOCH, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
stated that the local public radio station provided
wildfire, earthquake, and tsunami emergency warnings. She
felt that the public radio provided critical information
for statewide issues. She did not feel that the public
radio budget reduction would not balance the budget. She
spoke in support of an income tax, and hoped that her tax
would support public radio.
2:20:49 PM
MARILYN DOUCETTE, ADULT DISABLED CHILD IN JUNEAU, MAINE
(via teleconference), spoke against the budget reductions
for funding for her disabled child. She testified against
the cap of 12 hours for disability assistance. She shared
that her son and his partner each had cerebral palsy. She
remarked that her son may become depressed, if he was
forced to stay indoors.
2:23:16 PM
JOAN MCBEEN, SELF, TENAKEE SPRINGS (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. She remarked that the public radio was
essential to her small community. She shared that she was
on the Tenakee Springs City Council, and spoke in support
of revenue sharing. She stated that the program provided
funding for projects in her community. She spoke in support
of a statewide income tax. She testified against oil tax
credits.
2:24:58 PM
GEOFF WIDDOWS, SELF, YAKUTAT (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He understood the dire fiscal situation. He shared that
Yakutat experienced poor internet and cell phone service,
so the public radio was often the only form of
communication in his community.
2:26:08 PM
KAY ANDREWS, PRESIDENT, SOUTHWEST REGION SCHOOL DISTRICT,
ALEKNAGIK (via teleconference), spoke against the 5 percent
reduction to the BSA. She felt that the reduction would
result in a personnel reduction. She stated that the
teachers and other staff would experience a greater burden
than their current situation. She stressed that there would
be a major cut to the school district, but noted that she
lived in the largest geographic area in the state.
2:29:05 PM
JESSICA SUTTON, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke
against the cap to the day services. She remarked that her
son was autistic, and it was difficult for her to be a mom,
to work, and go to school. She hoped that the cap would be
removed.
2:30:06 PM
SIMON VANSINTJAN, SELF, SKAGWAY (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He stated that the local radio station already experienced
significant cuts in the year prior. He stressed that the
public radio station in Skagway was significantly important
to the community. He announced that the public radio
station was the only source of news in the town.
2:31:36 PM
GEORGE PIERCE, SELF, KASILOF (via teleconference), felt
that the budget was unacceptable. He urged the committee to
restore funding for public broadcasting. He understood that
there should be at least 25 percent budget cuts to state
agencies. He felt that allocating money to the state
agencies would waste money. He spoke against cuts to
essential services. He felt that the legislature was only
concerned with special interest groups. He spoke against
limiting the PFD. He felt that the legislature should
listen to the residents of Alaska.
2:33:54 PM
ROBERT PURCELL, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
stated that he had been involved in disaster relief across
the country. He had seen the critical role that public
radio played in preparing and informing communities of
disaster events. He stressed that public radio was
essential in communicating with the public. He felt that
the state should be a partner with local communities in
providing public radio.
2:36:23 PM
CHERI SMITH, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), spoke
against the transfer of funding from the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault fund to a new state
trooper position. She appreciated the public safety in the
state, but remarked that victims of crime came to the
shelters. She felt that the funding should remain in place
for the shelters. She understood the budget situation in
the state, but stressed that taking money from the council
took money from the agencies. She stated that she had to
recently reduce her staff by two advocates, and encouraged
the committee to look elsewhere to fund the new trooper
position.
2:39:15 PM
ALEX MATSOV, SELF, SKAGWAY (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
remarked that the local radio station was essential to stay
informed and active in the community. He felt that public
radio was essential to Skagway.
2:40:08 PM
NICKI SHELTON, SELF, HOONAH (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for Parents as Teachers, Pre-K programs,
Best Beginnings, and the Imagination Library. She stressed
that early childhood education had a strong link to brain
development. She felt that the programs focused on
literacy. She remarked that Hoonah did not have a public
library, so the programs provided the only source for books
in young children's homes. She remarked that there was a
profound impact by the programs on children before the age
of five. She stressed that the programs provided early
intervention, which made it possible for children to enter
kindergarten without additional services. She also spoke in
support of a state income tax.
2:43:20 PM
AT EASE
2:43:33 PM
RECONVENED
2:43:44 PM
DAVID BOYLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA POLICY REFORM,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), highlighted additional cuts
he felt should be made to the budget: page 3, line 33, The
Alaska Land-Mobile Radio, $4.4 million; page 6, line 16,
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, $10.3 million; page
10, line 19, Department of Education IT, $1 million; page
10, line 31, Pre-K $2 million; page 11, line 5, 1 percent
for Art Council, $2.8 million; page 11, line 25, WAMI, $3
million; page 11, line 27, Alaska Performance Scholarship,
$11.8 million; page 19, line 19, performance bonuses for
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), $6
million; page 20, line 17, adult preventative dental in
DHSS Medicaid; page 22, line 19, Alaska Vocational
Technical Center, $15 million; page 25, line 8, Alaska
Aerospace Corporation, $11 million; page 27, line 24,
Alaska State Troopers special projects, $2.6 million; page
29, line 29, prisoner transport, $2.3 million; page 36,
line 13, Fairbanks organized research UAF, $155 million;
page 10, line 11, foundation formula, delete the harmless
provision and reduce other factors; and page 10, early
learning coordination, $8.6 million. He stressed that he
wanted "hard cuts." He stressed that the Medicaid reform
and criminal justice reform did not reduce any costs.
2:46:14 PM
AT EASE
2:46:43 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Hoffman handed the gavel to Vice-Chair Bishop.
2:46:53 PM
MELANIE LESH, SELF, GUSTAVUS (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the public services budget. She urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
echoed the remarks of Senator Egan in regards to the
importance of funding for public broadcasting. She stressed
that public radio was essential to small communities. She
remarked that public radio connected the entire state, and
felt that the reduction would damage existing
infrastructure.
2:49:45 PM
SABRA ANCKNER, BOARD MEMBER, ALASKA PUBLIC HEALTH
ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of public health nurses. She explained some of the
services provided by public health nurses. She remarked
that many public nurses provided continued education to
nurse practitioners and nurses. She stressed that there
were cuts in the federal budget to vaccinations and
essential air services, so the public health nursing
services were even more essential to the state.
2:51:38 PM
JEANNE GERHARDT-CYRUS, SELF, KAINA (via teleconference),
spoke against cuts to community services and Medicaid. She
stressed that the cuts may help in the short term, but
stressed that the cuts would see an increase in emergency
services and crisis intervention. She announced that
emergency services and crisis intervention were more
expensive were cumbersome to administer.
2:53:47 PM
MARY DEIHL, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), urged funding
for a cross gulf ferry service in the winter. She shared
that she could not drive to visit her friend, because the
roads did not allow it in the winter.
2:54:27 PM
STACY CEDGWICK, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke
against funding for day home services. She stated that she
knew of someone who would not be able to participate in the
community without the day home services.
2:55:46 PM
MARK LARSEN, SELF, SKAGWAY (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
remarked that most of the small communities in the state
only had one option for radio. He stressed that public
radio was critical in providing unbiased news and emergency
information. He stressed that the radio provided access to
the outside world.
2:57:54 PM
KARIL LOPEZ, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
against the reduction to funding for Medicaid waivers. She
shared that she had a child with a disabilities, and was
active in various disability advocacy groups. She stated
that parents of children with disabilities were
resourceful. She remarked that there was a long waiting
list for Medicaid waivers. She hoped that the committee
would identify additional revenue to close the budget gap.
Vice-Chair Bishop handed the gavel to Co-Chair Hoffman.
2:59:32 PM
AT EASE
3:15:25 PM
RECONVENED
3:15:53 PM
AUSTIN ROOF, SELF, SAND POINT (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He stressed that public broadcasting played a critical role
in his community. He stressed that the public radio
provided essential emergency services information. He
stressed that state funding was critical for public
broadcasting. He felt that it was a small portion of the
budget. He spoke in support of funding for education. He
stressed that education was not a place that should see
additional reductions.
3:18:02 PM
DEBORAH HOLLAND, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of additional budget cuts. She felt that
the rural areas should be taxed. She remarked that the
urban centers of Alaska paid to cover the costs in rural
communities.
3:19:06 PM
ASHLYN ANTONELLI, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for education. She remarked
that many high school graduates were entering the
university under college level. She felt that there should
also be continued funding for UA. She stressed that raising
the cost of tuition for UA was detrimental to students. She
felt that the university could not continue to cut
programs.
3:21:02 PM
AT EASE
3:30:09 PM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Bishop handed the gavel to Co-Chair Hoffman.
TREVER STORRS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA CHILDREN'S TRUST,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of
Alaska's children. He provided information about the
organization that was focused on the prevention of child
abuse and neglect. He emphasized the best return on
investment was to invest in children earlier on in life
rather than later. He did not support the legislature's
solution to cut the budget. He shared there was a solution
that was better for Alaskans. He quoted the economist
James Heckman who believed that in an era of tight
government budgets the real question was how to use the
available funds wisely. The best evidence supported the
policy to invest in the very young. He spoke to struggles
later in children's lives. For every dollar invested in
early childhood education, $7 dollars was saved later. He
underscored that the ages zero to five were the most
critical time in a child's life. Early childhood education
combatted adverse experiences. He did not support cuts to
pre-K, Best Beginnings, and other programs.
3:33:07 PM
TERI ELIZABETH KING, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference),
provided information about her personal and career
background. She shared that her young son had Down's
syndrome. She emphasized the importance of programming for
children to learn adaptive skills. She spoke in support of
funding for children's education programs. She stated that
social services had been great in the community. She did
not want to see the services disappear. Cognitive
development was imperative for children who learned
differently.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: ANCHORAGE
3:34:51 PM
CHARLES MCKEE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
addressed birth certificates and trust accounts. He
remarked that former Governor Wally Hickel had said that
Alaska was an owner state. He believed Alaska was a public
corporation and a commodity along with its resources. He
shared that he had provided written testimony as well. He
stated the Bar Association had taken control and ran the
state's credit out the back door. He stated the legislature
could fund the government on its own. He referred to a
document he would provide the committee related to credit.
3:37:38 PM
DEENA BISHOP, SUPERINTENDENT, ANCHORAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of
education. She understood the budget problems facing the
state. She emphasized the importance of investing where it
mattered. Investing in the future meant investing in the
knowledge and skill capacity of the people in Alaska. She
stressed that schools, teachers, and other workers felt the
pressure of outcomes. She underscored that the system must
ensure better outcomes for students. The district had made
major changes to support the state, while expecting quality
education. She stated that the district had an agreement
for shared services for the first time, which would
eliminate redundant work. The district had changed
boundaries of students and had closed schools. The district
had a $15 million deficit; it was changing practices to
address the issue. She noted the deficit was with the BSA
flat funding. She underscored the importance of education
for the state. She urged the committee to avoid further
cuts to the BSA. She supported creating new ways to bring
in revenue and other.
3:40:13 PM
MR. TAM AGOSTI-GISLER, ANCHORAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the
BSA, bond debt reimbursement, and busing. She stated a 5
percent reduction to the BSA would mean $27 million in cuts
to education in the district. She stated the impact to the
ASD would be $16 million if the foundation formula was
underfunded without changing the BSA. She emphasized the
numbers were frightening. Further reductions would most
likely result in class size increases. She spoke to the
average costs of a full time employee. She stated the
district had cut 100 non-school based personnel at the
education center, in information technology, purchasing,
and other, which accounted for 25 percent of their
reductions. She spoke to one person being expected to do
the job of three people. She addressed declining student
enrollment and position eliminations. The district had also
made reductions to individuals in special education. She
emphasized that the district had increased efficiency and
had made cost reductions. She added that the district had
established shared services agreements with the
Municipality of Anchorage.
3:43:28 PM
STARR MARSETT, ANCHORAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of education. She stated
that reductions to pre-K grants would result in unprepared
students. She spoke to increased costs related to pupil
transportation. She opposed a 5 percent cut to education,
which would cost ASD $27.2 million. She shared that a total
of 393 full time positions had been reduced. She provided a
breakdown of the reduced positions. The district had used
savings to pay the $10.8 million in debt reimbursement that
had been taken by the governor. She stated that if funding
continued as is the district would continue to face a
deficit and reduce positions.
3:45:51 PM
JIM ANDERSON, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, ANCHORAGE SCHOOL
DISTRICT, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to cuts to education. He addressed the
governor's past veto of bond debt reimbursement, which had
forced ASD to use savings to cover the shortfall of nearly
$10.8 million. The district did not have funds to cover the
deficit in the coming year. Decisions by the legislature
would be made after the district had developed its budget.
He stressed that moving responsibility for education to
taxpayers did not decrease the cost of education, it merely
shifted the cost. He stated that the foundation formula had
a max cap cities could provide to the district - Anchorage
historically had met the cap annually, but it would be
unable to provide additional resources to make up any new
cuts within the foundation formula. He urged the committee
to consider the impact of amendments being made at the
national level as well. The district could get hit at both
levels.
3:48:11 PM
CARLY DENNIS, ALASKA YOUTH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION,
ANCHORAGE, spoke about her love for Alaska and shared that
the group was focused largely on conservation issues. She
encouraged committee members to preserve the state for
future generations. She supported teachers, schools, and
students.
3:49:15 PM
MICHAEL BAILEY, PRESIDENT, ALASKA ASSOCIATION ON
DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for senior and disabilities
Medicaid services. He supported an amendment offered by
Senator Micciche that added funding to partially restore
service levels. He shared information about the
association. He spoke to the impact of reductions in
communities across the state. He understood that reductions
had to be made to address the budget shortfall. The
association remained committed to recalibrate appropriate
levels of service in a manner consistent with a shared
vision for the system.
3:50:54 PM
DAVE DONLEY, HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICES, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for Hope
Community Services. The organization greatly appreciated
the budget subcommittee's increment reducing cuts to
services. Hope supported a unified vision to address the
critical needs of disabled Alaskans. He supported finding
good outcomes for disabled Alaskans.
3:52:04 PM
STEVE HENNESSEY, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
pointed out that the highest form of mental wellness was
the ability to self-advocate. He stressed that the
individuals were not able to advocate for themselves when
someone took something from them. He thanked the committee
for restoring some funding for day habilitation mental
health services. He stressed that the individuals receiving
the services were a return on investment because they got
jobs and worked their hearts out. He asked the committee to
reconsider the mental health budget.
3:53:07 PM
EMILY CROSS, PUBLIC BROADCASTING KNBA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in opposition to cuts to public
broadcasting. She stressed that cuts would result in
reduced radio services across the state. The cuts would
impact 95 percent of the state's population and would have
a domino effect by severely impacting the station's ability
to administer and attract 25 percent federal matching
funds. The return on the state's dollar invested was
approximately $6 to $1. She asked for support of public
broadcasting.
3:54:37 PM
CAROL WATERS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of education funding. She provided information
about her professional background in education. She
stressed it was imperative to increase funding for the
education of the state's children. She believed it should
be the state's top priority. She supported increased
funding for early childhood, secondary, and university
education.
3:56:38 PM
DREW HANSEN, RURAL CAP AND PARENTS AS TEACHERS, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of the Rural CAP
Parents as Teachers program. He spoke to the cost benefits
of early childhood programs. He stated that for every
dollar invested in Parents as Teachers a $3.29 monetary
benefit was realized for participants and taxpayers. He
shared detailed information about the finding. He shared
that Rural CAP was a community action program across the
state and had the ability to screen and assess children in
Head Start who had transitioned from the Parents as
Teachers program. Data showed that Parents as Teachers
children entering their next educational setting were more
on target developmentally and had more skill sets related
to school readiness. He stated it was possible to only cut
to a certain depth.
3:58:56 PM
AMY SIMPSON, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in opposition to cuts to pre-K, Parents as
Teachers, and Best Beginnings. She was saddened by the cuts
because it would make education more difficult for children
to enter prepared for kindergarten and their ability to
learn. She spoke to the return on investment of early
childhood programs. She believed the cuts would have far
reaching impacts on students later on. She proposed that
Alaska should stop depending on one funding source for all
revenue. She supported an income tax to help pay for
services - it would not be easy or without sacrifice. She
had also heard the state needed people from outside Alaska
for its workforce. She stressed education to improve the
state's workforce. She asked the committee to restore
funding to education.
4:01:29 PM
MEGHAN JOHNSON, DIRECTOR, LEARN AND GROW, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of early education
for children. She shared information about the organization
that provided resources to all early care and learning
programs. She asked the committee to consider what its
values were related to children and families in Alaska. She
spoke to the critical investment provided by early learning
programs. She spoke to the importance of access to early
childhood education. The early care and learning community
was working very hard to align its systems in order to have
a comprehensive, quality, affordable, and accessible system
for all of the state's young children. She stressed that
for many of Alaska's families it was not an option to stay
home for care. She spoke in support of Head Start, pre-K,
and licensed childcare programs. There was ample data to
show that the high quality education made a difference. She
spoke to the dramatic impact on the economy in the future.
4:04:04 PM
PANU LUCIER, DIRECTOR, SYSTEM FOR EARLY EDUCATION
DEVELOPMENT, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of a long-term fiscal plan that invested in young
children and families. She supported diverse revenues to
minimize the use of the budget reserve. She urged the
committee to make budget decisions that maintained services
and support for young children and their families. She did
not want to jeopardize leveraged revenue for early
learning. She spoke to the unintended consequences of cuts
to education including increased dropout rates and other.
She emphasized the state could invest now or pay the price
later.
4:05:37 PM
HOPE FINKLESTEIN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
stressed that taxes were not a dirty word. She underscored
that she was willing to pay to live in Alaska. She reminded
the committee that people in the state experienced crisis
including suicide, domestic violence, drug abuse and other.
She stressed it was not possible to cut the state's way out
of the deficit. She did not support balancing the budget on
the backs of the state's vulnerable citizens including the
poor, elderly, and disabled. She did not want to give away
the state's precious natural resources. She thanked the
committee for investing in the health and education of the
state.
4:07:54 PM
DEENA MITCHELL, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for education. She was concerned the
formula funding for education and pupil transportation had
not been included in the bill. She spoke to the drastic
increase in medical costs in the past ten years, which had
resulted in the need to cut school budgets. All school
districts statewide had made significant cuts to their
budgets that impacted students. She referred to testimony
from the ASD that significant cuts were coming if the BSA
remained at its current level. She emphasized that class
sizes would increase and critical support positions would
be eliminated. She did not support the cut to the school
bond debt reimbursement would have the same impact. She
implored the committee to create a comprehensive budget
plan. She stated a compromise included broad based income.
She strongly supported a state income tax. She underscored
the importance of maintaining investment in the next
generation.
4:10:41 PM
ABBE HENSLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BEST BEGINNINGS,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support for
funding for Best Beginnings. She discussed that children
were all unique, which was the reason it was important to
have early development programs such as Best Beginnings,
Parents as Teachers, and pre-K grants. She spoke to the
value of investment in the early years of a child's life,
which reduced the need for investments later on. She
provided information about the program worked to ensure all
children begin school ready to succeed. Since the program's
inception 10 years earlier, the program had partnered with
Department of Education and Early Development in the work.
She provided further information about the organization.
She spoke in support of the Imagination Library, which
provided books to children between birth and five years of
age - the program had spent $548,000 on books in 2016; the
estimated market value of the books was over $1 million,
which represented a savings of about $1 million.
4:14:24 PM
RONNIE BROWN, HEAD START, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of pre-K, Parents as Teachers, and Best
Beginnings. She shared a personal story about her life
experience. She had Head Start to thank for helping her
child be a successful student. She spoke to the desire to
have successful children, but people did not always know
how to make that happen. The programs provided parents
tools to help their families and children.
4:16:30 PM
ABBY BELTZ, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to major cuts proposed to programs for
individuals with disabilities. She shared a personal story.
She had worked as a special education teacher to help
people with cognitive impairment. She had worked to help
individuals with disabilities play an active role in their
community. She had been shocked and horrified by proposed
major cuts that would limit client services to only eight
hours per week. She noted that thankfully it had recently
changed in the bill. She believed the cuts went against the
grain of celebrating Alaska's diversity. She asked
committee members to imagine they were only able to get out
of their homes for eight hours per week. She asked the
committee to consider that many people did not have family
support systems to step in and help. She provided a quote
by Gandhi: "The true measure of any society can only be
found in how it treats its most vulnerable members."
4:19:18 PM
MILDRED PARKER, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST,
THREAD, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in
support of early childhood education. She provided
information about the organization that worked to help
children achieve life-long success. She had been working in
the field for over 18 years. She urged the committee to
support early education programs such as pre-K. She stated
if the goal was to improve high school graduation and
performance, it was important to invest in children.
4:20:38 PM
MICHELLE JERO, GUARDIAN, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for disabled services. She
expressed gratitude to Senator Micciche for hearing the
voiced of many families who had been saved by the Medicaid
waiver. She was proud of Alaska for closing an institution
and for standing strong to say that all members of the
community belonged in the community. She spoke to increased
social skills, access to work opportunities, socialize, and
other. She was grateful for the alliance between the
provider agencies, Key Coalition and the trust. She urged
the committee to look at an integrated approach of
additional revenue and using the Permanent Fund. She was
willing to pay her share in order to maintain services for
those in need.
4:22:10 PM
BRENDA MOORE, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH TRUST BOARD, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in opposition to cuts that
would impact children, disabled individuals, Adult
Temporary Assistance, and other. She knew the cuts had not
been proposed lightly. She hoped the committee understood
that many of the proposed cuts would increase the need for
acute and costly care. The board was urging the committee
to develop a fiscal plan that provided enough revenue to
provide fiscal certainty.
4:24:12 PM
CAT COWARD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of Alaska public schools and public media. She was
extremely concerned about the complete cut of funding to
public media and the exclusion of formula funding and
transportation amounts to the schools' budgets. She
stressed that children and public media were not perks,
they were fundamental to the state's communities. She
supported an income tax and access to the Permanent Fund in
order to maintain a vibrant community. She asked the
committee to restore funding to public media and schools.
4:25:16 PM
RYAN BUCHHOLDT, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of the governor's request of $325 million UGF
for the University of Alaska. He provided information about
his education and professional career. He stated that the
proposed reduction would hinder the university's ability to
respond to its fiscal reality; even a flat budget was an
effective cut in the face of fixed cost increases such as
utility increases. He urged the committee to restore the
university's budget.
4:27:06 PM
CHRIS TRULETES, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of the governor's budget for the University. He
supported a sustainable budget that did not destroy the
state's economy and the future of Alaskans. He was in favor
of an income tax and use of the Permanent Fund. He
discussed the desire to have industry in Alaska. He was
concerned if cuts went too deep jobs and families would be
lost. The university was vital to the state's future. He
spoke in support of public media, education, and other.
4:29:53 PM
CARL BERGER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified on behalf of the restoration of funding to public
broadcasting. He had lived in rural Alaska for 31 years
prior to moving to Anchorage. He stressed the importance of
public broadcasting in rural communities. He shared that
the zeroed out funding to radio and television amounted to
approximately $2.7 million. There was no way a station
could operate with the reduced funding; there was only so
much that could be done on a local level. He urged the
committee to restore the funding.
4:32:34 PM
MARY GEDDES, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), shared
information about her personal experience in Alaska. She
did not believe the proposed bill reflected the values that
were important. She addressed proposed cuts to the
Department of Health and Social Services budget and stated
the bill would radically alter how people lived and some of
the cuts would result in greater cost in the long-run. She
emphasized that she and her husband supported an income tax
rather than the proposed budget. She thought the cuts were
penny wise and pound foolish. She noted she had provided
written testimony as well.
Co-Chair Hoffman addressed the schedule for the remainder
of the meeting.
4:35:26 PM
AT EASE
5:04:38 PM
RECONVENED
5:05:16 PM
MARK CARR, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
felt that the public radio and television was essential to
his community.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: KENAI, KODIAK, DILLINGHAM
5:06:20 PM
JADE SPARKS, SELF, KENAI, spoke in support of full funding
for public education. He stated that he was involved in
many different extracurricular activities. He felt that the
proposed cuts would threaten the extracurricular
activities. He stressed that those activities enhanced the
student culture.
5:07:54 PM
ADDISON DOWNING, SELF, KENAI, spoke in support of funding
for education. He remarked that it was difficult to measure
future funding for education. He stressed that the cuts had
a negative effect on teachers and classrooms. He urged the
committee to maintain the same level of funding for
education.
Senator Micciche wondered where Mr. Downing attended
school. Mr. Downing replied that he was from Soldotna High
School.
5:09:49 PM
DARIUS KASPRZAK, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He stressed that he depended on public radio as a direct
link to community information and emergency services. He
remarked on the importance public media in small
communities.
5:11:12 PM
DAN DUNAWAY, SELF, DILLINGHAM (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He echoed the remarks of Mr. Kasprzak. He felt that public
radio provided an essential source of information. He
stressed that public radio provided important weather and
emergency warnings. He stated that commercial fisheries
relied heavily on the announcements from public radio. He
pointed out that zeroing the budget would cause a loss of
federal funding, and jeopardize the access to satellite
broadcasting.
5:13:28 PM
SUZETTE MIZELLE, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), remarked
that she had experienced terrible budget cuts in the 1980s,
and felt that UA could not continue to experience budget
cuts.
5:14:47 PM
PENNY BEARDEN, SELF, NANWALEK (via teleconference), spoke
against funding for education. She understood that
education funding seemed like a large portion of the
budget, but stressed that cutting education was cutting
resources for students. She stressed that young people were
the most valuable resource in Alaska.
5:16:16 PM
MARGARET GILMAN, PARENT, KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH SCHOOL
DISTRICT, KENAI (via teleconference), spoke in support of
maintaining the status quo funding for education. She felt
that the lack of inclusion in the DEED budget was for
political reasons. She assumed that there was an intended
budget reduction of 5 percent, and spoke against that
budget reduction. She remarked that her daughter was on
track for the Alaska Performance Scholarship, but with the
unknown future of the scholarship, it may be more prudent
for her daughter to attend college out of state.
Senator Micciche wondered why DEED was not included in the
budget.
Co-Chair Hoffman announced that DEED funding was not
included in the budget, but there was an intention to
reduce the budget by 5 percent for UA, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities, and Department of
Education and Early Development.
5:19:19 PM
SEAN DUSEK, SUPERINTENDENT, KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH SCHOOL
DISTRICT, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference), testified against
a further reduction for DEED. He announced that his school
had already experienced significant reductions, and further
cuts would negatively impact its students. He announced
that his school district was one of the highest performing
districts in the state. He remarked that he was unable to
provide contracts to new teachers because of the unknown
budget reductions. He stressed that many Soldotna residents
were prepared to pay for essential services. He felt that
it was also important to address the high cost of health
care.
5:21:39 PM
TANA OTCHECK, ASSISTED LIVING HOME, KENAI (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for home and
community based services. She shared that her foster
daughter volunteered at the Salvation Army, and she relied
on the day services hours. She stressed that many
participants in day services were active in their
communities.
5:22:39 PM
DANIEL BOWEN, PARENT, KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH SCHOOL
DISTRICT, KENAI (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funding for public education. He spoke against a 5 percent
cut to DEED. He shared that he was a kindergarten teacher,
and he had seen that reduction in education funding would
force larger classrooms. He stressed that it was difficult
for teachers to address the needs of children in large
classrooms. He stated that Title 1 made it possible to have
personal time with students.
5:25:07 PM
DAVE BRIGHTON, KENAI PENINSULA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, KENAI
(via teleconference), spoke against budget reductions for
DEED. He felt that cuts were not enough to balance the
budget. He remarked that there were already significant
cuts to the Kenai Peninsula School District. He remarked
that the status quo budget would already result in a
reduction in teachers. He requested fully funding of
education. He spoke in support of a sales tax and use of
the Permanent Fund earnings reserve.
5:27:28 PM
JAMES HARRIS, KENAI, PENINSULA BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
TEACHER OF THE YEAR, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference),
testified against the 5 percent cut to education. He did
not believe that it was a creative solution to the budget
problem. He remarked that many teachers were leaving to
other states to "retire with dignity." He felt that there
had been poor decisions and bad choices by the legislature.
He did not believe that cutting the budget would help the
students in the state.
5:29:06 PM
JENNY NEYMAN, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
stated that her local station had hired a contractor to fix
the transmitter. She stressed that state funding was not a
luxury for public radio. She stated that state funding
simply kept the radio on the air. She remarked that the
public radio provided news and emergency information.
5:30:57 PM
LADAWN DRUCE, SELF, STERLING (via teleconference), spoke
against the contemplated 5 percent reduction to education.
She felt that education cuts would directly impact the
students. She stressed that it was not possible to turn
away students. She remarked that teachers were expected to
continue to provide a high quality of students, even in
higher classroom sizes. She remarked that some teachers may
not be able to provide quality feedback on assignments with
the proposed cuts. She testified in support of a sales tax
and a statewide income tax.
5:33:03 PM
FRED STURMAN, SELF, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of continued budget cuts. He spoke against the
funding for 25,000 state employees. He noted that there
were only 17,000 state checks paid to state employees. He
remarked that the state budget had increased by 97 percent
from 2006 to 2016. He did not believe that the Knik Arm
Bridge would be built, so those employees did not need to
continue to work for the state. He felt that the Division
of Motor Vehicles (DMV) could be eliminated. He also spoke
against a private chef.
5:35:19 PM
DAVE JONES, KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT,
SOLDOTNA (via teleconference), spoke against the proposed
cuts to education funding. He stated that, with status quo
funding, his district would see a $3.2 million budget
deficit. He remarked that there would be teachers,
coordinators, custodial positions, and tutors would be
eliminated in his district. He remarked that the school
board would see an approximate $1 million fund balance to
achieve those personnel cuts. He remarked that there were
two main cost drivers for increased costs: health care and
costs related to intensive needs students. He remarked that
the reduction would be highly detrimental to the students
in his district. He stressed that the BSA reduction would
be detrimental to the borough. He thanked the committee for
previous funding.
5:39:55 PM
MARY TOUTONGHI, SELF, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for schools and disability assistance
programs. She requested that the oil credit funding be used
to pay for those programs, because she felt that people
should use alternative sources of energy. She felt that
children should be the most important investment. She spoke
against the cuts of early childhood education programs.
5:42:44 PM
JESSE BJORKMAN, SELF, NIKISKI (via teleconference),
testified in support of new revenues to the state. He spoke
against a 5 percent cut to education. He stated that there
would be an elimination of many essential services for
students. He remarked that there would be a 52 teacher
reduction in his district. He urged the committee to
examine alternative revenue sources.
5:45:10 PM
HEATHER FOXWORTHY, PARENT EDUCATOR, PARENTS AS TEACHERS,
KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding
for Parents AS Teachers. She remarked that she assisted any
family that may be in need of help with their children. She
stressed that many of the families that she assisted did
not feel a common "needy" description. She remarked that
for every one dollar spent on early childhood education,
the state saved 7 to 10 dollars in other parts of the
budget.
5:47:28 PM
MARILYN ROSENE, SELF, DILLINGHAM (via teleconference),
spoke in support of education and prevention programs. She
stated that education, health, safety, and communication
were essential services in rural Alaska. She spoke in
support of an income tax. She also spoke in support of a
state sales tax.
5:49:35 PM
BETH RIVEST, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the cuts to
education funding. She felt that education and self-care
were the foundational principles for functioning in
society. She urged stable funding for education. She
stressed that there should be a sense of expectation, and
rely on relationships. She shared that her son did not do
well in the school system, and felt that stable funding may
provide the support for his different way of learning.
5:51:54 PM
JIM CEDENO, SELF, COMMUNITY OF OLD HARBOR (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for
education. He did not believe that the state could afford a
5 percent reduction in its children. He stressed that there
should not be a gamble for children's' future.
5:53:21 PM
JENNIFER SYCHRA, ADVOCATE, KODIAK WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER,
KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke against the transfer of
funding from the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault for funding for a new state trooper. She stated
that her center provided many tools and resources to help
families have a safe place to stay. She stated that without
the center's services, many people would be stuck in their
homes and continue to face domestic abuse in their homes.
SB 22 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 24 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 22 Public Testimony General Budget Comments and Suggestions.pdf |
SFIN 3/16/2017 9:00:00 AM |
SB 22 |
| SB 22 Public Testimony Public Education.pdf |
SFIN 3/16/2017 9:00:00 AM |
SB 22 |
| SB 22 Public Testimony Early Childhood Education.pdf |
SFIN 3/16/2017 9:00:00 AM |
SB 22 |
| SB 22 Public Testimony Community Support Services - Public Health - Public Safety.pdf |
SFIN 3/16/2017 9:00:00 AM |
SB 22 |
| SB 22 Public Testimony - Public Broadcasting System.pdf |
SFIN 3/16/2017 9:00:00 AM |
SB 22 |