Legislature(2025 - 2026)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/27/2025 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Public Testimony: Nome, Kotzebue, Utqiagvik, Bethel, Unalaska, Dillingham, Offnets | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 57 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 58 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 59 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 56
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; making supplemental appropriations;
making reappropriations; 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. 57
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations and other appropriations; making
reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize
funds; and providing for an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 58
"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."
SENATE BILL NO. 59
"An Act making supplemental appropriations; making
appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for
an effective date."
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: NOME, KOTZEBUE, UTQIAGVIK, BETHEL,
UNALASKA, DILLINGHAM, OFFNETS
9:04:58 AM
TRACEY SCHAEFFER, SELF, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of an increase to the Base Student
Allocation (BSA). She also testified in support of Early
Learning Programs. She also spoke in support of childcare,
and felt that the work force in the state would be enhanced
if there was quality childcare in the state.
9:07:11 AM
EILEEN ARNOLD, DIRECTOR, TUNDRA WOMEN'S COALITION, BETHEL
(via teleconference), spoke in support of programs related
to protecting children. She stressed that the Tundra
Women's Coalition is focused on protecting children, and
she shared their accreditations.
9:10:11 AM
REX NICK, CITY OF PILOT STATION, PILOT STATION (via
teleconference), testified in support of full funding for
$82,000 for Pilot Station. He stressed that the employees
were experiencing financial stress, and also there was a
lack of fuel and the water pipes were frozen.
9:12:03 AM
NIKKI POLLOCK, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
curiosity of more details related to Mr. Nick's testimony.
She remarked that there was a budget deficit, but a very
large portion for the Department of Corrections (DOC). She
stressed that the funding did not include the Division of
Juvenile Justice. She testified in support of fully funding
the Division of Juvenile Justice. She also spoke in support
of funding for meals for seniors in Bethel and across the
state. She felt that funding for the meals would reduce the
cost of Medicaid and Medicare.
9:15:39 AM
ROWENA PALOMAR, DIRECTOR, ADVOCATES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funding for programs related to support for victims of
domestic violence.
9:18:21 AM
AT EASE
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Stedman handed the gavel to Senator Kaufman.
9:19:50 AM
ELLEN JAIMES, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of an increase to the BSA. She stressed the
importance of funding for education.
9:21:02 AM
CRAIG FREDEEN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for the BSA. He remarked
that the BSA would lower the long-term cost of school,
because it was related to maintenance.
9:23:55 AM
JULIE TRUSKOWSKI, RETIRED TEACHER, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for education.
She testified in support of an increase to the BSA. She
remarked that she was an advisor in student sports. She
remarked that the Anchorage School District had announced
that they would cut funding for sports activities in middle
school.
9:25:21 AM
CAROLINE STORM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COALITION FOR EDUCATION
EQUITY, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in
support of funding for an increase to the BSA. She read
Article 7, Section 1; and Article 8, Section 2 of the
Alaska Constitution. She stressed support for an increase
to education funding. She remarked that there were
significant revenues for oil companies, so the legislature
had the power to increase revenue to the state to fund
education services.
9:27:01 AM
NILS ANDERSON, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for behavioral health services. He
shared many stories about the importance of behavioral
health services funding.
9:30:13 AM
JANINE ALLEN, ADVOCATE, SOUTHEAST ALASKA INDEPENDENT
LIVING, HAINES (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funding for Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL). She
specifically spoke in support of funding for home
modifications for those recipients of SAIL.
9:32:08 AM
LAURA STEELE, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke in
support of full funding and an increase to the BSA. She
stressed that she wanted to stay in Alaska, but would need
to leave without a quality education for her children.
9:33:15 AM
FRANCIS MCLAUGHLIN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of an increase to the BSA. He stated that
the cuts to teachers and sports had a detrimental effect on
his family. He remarked that teacher layoffs resulted in
one-third of those teachers not returning. He stated that
his children spoke Mandarin fluently, due to the immersion
program that they were enrolled in. He remarked that being
fluent in another language would be beneficial to national
security.
9:36:33 AM
DENICE GILROY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARCTIC ACCESS AND
INDEPENDENT LIVING NETWORK, NOME (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for home modification and
upgrades. She remarked that the current proposed budget was
half of the recommended amount needed for home
modifications. She remarked that Arctic Access for
Independent Living was vital for supporting seniors in
northern Alaska.
9:38:55 AM
BILL ELMORE, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for education. He remarked that he had
served as a mayor in a community in the state. He felt that
there could be an education endowment to pay for education
in the state.
9:40:14 AM
AT EASE
9:40:41 AM
RECONVENED
Senator Kaufman stated that the committee would take a
recess until 10am.
9:40:56 AM
RECESSED
10:00:35 AM
RECONVENED
10:01:09 AM
ED MARTIN, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to excessive spending. He recalled that he had
written to the committee regarding the Alaska Permanent
Fund. He specified that he wanted an examination of who was
investing in the state. He requested that someone on the
committee respond to his letter to the committee.
Senator Kaufman stated that the committee would recess
until 10:20am.
10:04:45 AM
RECESSED
10:20:28 AM
RECONVENED
10:20:51 AM
TERRI WALKER, SUPERINTENDENT, NORTHWEST ARCTIC BOROUGH
SCHOOL DISTRICT, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of increased funding for the BSA. She remarked that
an increase in funding for education would enhance the
education for students in many villages in and around
Kotzebue. She stated that there was a current athletic
tournament in her community that was enhancing the spirit
and enthusiasm for schools and student learning.
10:23:33 AM
OLIVIA YANCY, SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for
education, and specifically funding related to special
education services. She testified in support of an increase
to the BSA. She explained some of the issues and cases
related to students within the special education programs.
She encouraged an increase to the current funding formula
for education.
10:25:22 AM
Senator Kaufman stated that the next meeting would be that
afternoon at 1pm, which would be a continuation of public
testimony.
SB 56 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 57 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 58 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 59 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Public Testimony Packet 2 022725.pdf |
SFIN 2/27/2025 9:00:00 AM |