Legislature(2015 - 2016)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/07/2016 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB139 | |
| SB140 | |
| SB74 | |
| SB139 || SB140 | |
| Public Testimony: Juneau | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 74 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 139 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 140 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SENATE BILL NO. 139
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs, capitalizing funds, making
reappropriations, making supplemental appropriations,
and making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for
an effective date."
9:09:11 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon directed attention to a proposed
committee substitute for SB 139.
Co-Chair MacKinnon MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee
substitute for SB 139 (FIN), Work Draft 29-GS2740\W
(Wallace, 3/3/16).
Senator Bishop OBJECTED for discussion.
9:10:13 AM
JAMES ARMSTRONG, STAFF, SENATOR PETE KELLY, explained that
the committee substitute (CS) incorporated all of the
numbers that the budget subcommittees had forwarded to the
committee the previous week. He continued that the language
section of the budget had some major technical changes to
the bill that was introduced and amended by the governor's
office. The title was amended to include FY 16
appropriations, and the new version removed all the
dividend "plumbing" that had been encapsulated in the
governor's bill. Additionally, the CS reformatted to
resemble a typical operating budget similar to years past,
and removed the pension obligation bonds contained in the
original bill. In the numbers section of the CS, all the
funding for the Alaska's Liquid Natural Gas Project (AKLNG)
was removed, totaling almost $29 million. He added that the
other body had used excess PCE funds to help fund one of
the agencies, but the provision was not in the CS being
considered.
9:11:31 AM
Mr. Armstrong continued that the CS contained funding for
the single audit within the Department of Health and Social
Services (DHSS), which would be a three-year project of
approximately $932,000. He specified that the CS capped
funds for firefighting crews, not to exceed $1,125,000. He
stated that the CS smoothed out the funding for the
Division of Elections, with $1.9 million in FY 16, and $1.9
million in FY 17. He clarified that in future years, the
division would have $1.9 million in the budget.
9:12:32 AM
Mr. Armstrong pointed out new fund capitalization in the
amount of $7.5 million for Group Health and Life Benefits
Fund, which would fund approximately half of what the
administration was proposing. He directed attention to
excess funding from FY 16 that was put toward the Public
Education Fund in the amount of approximately $435 million.
He highlighted that one third of the amount was used to
displace FY 17 funding for education. He asserted that the
change resulted in education being fully funded, but had a
different fund source.
9:13:18 AM
Mr. Armstrong stated that the CS contained no funding in FY
16 or FY 17 for the Community Revenue Sharing Program. He
furthered that the program utilized a three-year rolling
average, and if the CS remained as it was currently
written, revenue sharing would receive approximately $38
million in FY 17.
Mr. Armstrong continued discussing the CS, noting that the
new version would deposit $80 million in to the Higher
Education Fund in FY 16, and then capitalized the fund. In
FY 17 an appropriation was made to displace funds within
the statewide assistance to TERS, lowering the general fund
(GF) component in FY 17 by $77 million.
9:14:09 AM
Mr. Armstrong noted that the work draft reduced the deposit
to the Renewable Energy Fund by $5 million. He mentioned
three small retirement accounts (for the Elected Public
Offices, Alaska Nation Guard, and Alaska Naval Militia
retirement systems) that were embedded in the numbers
section which were moved to statewide retirement so as to
be housed in the same area of the budget. He added that
there were no Constitutional Budget Reserve provisions in
the CS.
9:15:03 AM
Co-Chair Kelly explained that there would be public comment
on the budget at a later time, and members would submit
amendments later in the week.
9:15:35 AM
Senator Dunleavy asked for a total of reductions when
considering the governor's plan to the House and then to
the Senate. Mr. Armstrong replied that there was a report
from the Legislative Finance Division (LFD) in the member's
packets. He directed member's attention to the bottom of
column 2, $4,511,000,000 was the total listed for the
governor's amended total budget. The House total was
$4,093,520,000 and the Senate total was approximately $27
million higher. He noted that the other body was
considering amendments the following day, and would be
using some PCE funds in non-traditional places. He
summarized that the changes between the two bodies were
contained within DHSS, University of Alaska, and the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
9:16:49 AM
Senator Dunleavy clarified that the amount being considered
was of $4,120,098,000. Mr. Armstrong answered in the
affirmative.
Mr. Armstrong explained that the blue binders before the
members contained the budget action sheets for each
subcommittee, as well as the narratives, so members could
follow along to understand the changes. He noted that after
the CS was adopted, the LFD website would have each
comparison available for consideration.
9:17:29 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked if Mr. Armstrong could quantify
the percentage or dollar amount total of an overall cut
from the previous year to the current year.
Co-Chair Kelly commented that whatever number Mr. Armstrong
discussed, the amount would be different after the upcoming
work on the budget was completed.
Mr. Armstrong discussed the reductions and estimated that
between the governor's reductions, the reductions in the
House, and the reductions from the CS; reduced the budget
overall by nearly $215 million.
Co-Chair Kelly stated that number was consistent with what
he had discussed during a press conference earlier in the
day.
9:19:07 AM
Senator Hoffman asked if column 2 of the LFD report
included all of the governor's amendments that had been
submitted to the Senate for consideration.
Mr. Armstrong stipulated that there had been an amendment
for $2 million that was not included in the CS. He could
not recall the details of the amendment, but was confident
that the governor's office would have a list of amendments
it would want to see restored in the budget.
9:19:38 AM
Co-Chair Kelly clarified that only members of the Senate
Finance Committee would be offering amendments to the
budget. If other Senate members wanted to offer amendments,
they would need to work through the committee members.
Mr. Armstrong discussed the upcoming schedule for
amendments and public testimony.
9:20:39 AM
Senator Bishop REMOVED his objection. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The CS for SB 139(FIN) was
ADOPTED.
9:21:04 AM
Senator Hoffman asked if amendments would be considered if
they were not available to the legal drafters by the
specified time.
Co-Chair Kelly answered in the affirmative.
9:21:19 AM
Vice-Chair Micciche considered that there had been a lot of
misunderstanding regarding past budgetary work, and thought
that it might be helpful to get an overview from LFD
regarding budget changes in the departments over the
previous few years.
Co-Chair Kelly mentioned a recent question from a reporter,
thought it was important the public understood that the
Senate and the House had different ways of counting things
as cuts. He referred to a question about $200 million in
tax credits that were reduced the previous year, and he had
expressed that the Senate did not count the reduction as a
legitimate cut, but rather a "false cut." He characterized
the committee's budget methodology as a form of discipline
that the committee engaged in. He agreed that it would be
positive for LFD to overview budget processes for
clarification. He thought some bloggers had made outrageous
statements about budgetary decisions, and thought it showed
a lack of understanding of the process.
SB 139 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 139
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs, capitalizing funds, making
reappropriations, making supplemental appropriations,
and making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for
an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 140
"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."
3:50:12 PM
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: JUNEAU
3:50:51 PM
FOREST WAGNER, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OUTDOOR STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA SOUTHEAST (UAS), JUNEAU, spoke in
support of funding University programs. He shared that he
was born and raised in Fairbanks, and was an alumni of
University of Alaska. He shared that he had taught at UAS
for ten years. He stressed that the University system was
important to him.
3:53:14 PM
JAYNE ANDREEN, PRESIDENT, ALASKA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION
(ALPHA), JUNEAU, spoke in support of programs that
encouraged healthy communities, specifically public health
nursing and other public health centers. She stressed that
the citizens of the state need to have access to public
health. She stressed that the elimination of funding for
Public Health nurses would affect the public health
centers.
3:55:51 PM
MARK MILLER, SUPERINTENDENT, JUNEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT,
JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for cultural
education paraprofessionals. He offered a coin toss analogy
as related to Alaska Native male students. He stressed that
the graduation rate in Alaska was increasing, but needed to
continue to increase with the help of education
paraprofessionals.
3:57:49 PM
AT EASE
3:58:41 PM
RECONVENED
3:58:44 PM
JOHN CLOUGH, PRESIDENT, ALASKA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, JUNEAU,
spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He
shared that his organization provided cost saving support
to public broadcasting across the state. He shared that
Alaska was diverse, and throughout the state's history
there had always been an intention to bring the communities
together. He shared that public radio depended on state,
federal, and public funding. He shared that much of the
federal funding for public radio was dependent on the
amount of state funding available to the radio. He felt
that the funding for public broadcasting should be, at
least, reinstated to the governor's proposed budget. He
also spoke in support of developing new sources of revenue
for the state.
4:01:32 PM
MICHELLE WEAVER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the
Parents as Teachers program. and early childhood education
programs. She shared that the Parents as Teachers program
had provided tools for her family. She stressed the
importance of early childhood programs. She shared that
each year the child and parent were given new appropriate
tools to fully understand the fundamental developmental
phases.
4:04:09 PM
IAN NIECKO, CASE MANAGER, JUNEAU ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL
HEALTH, JUNEAU, spoke in support of behavioral health
programs. He felt that mental health problems did not
discriminate: they affect all classes, races, ages,
genders, and religions. He shared that the World Health
Organization identified mental illness as the most
disabling health condition in the world, above heart
disease and cancer. He stressed that behavioral health
programs saved time and money. He remarked that the
programs were associated with higher productivity in the
workplace and reduced absenteeism.
4:06:32 PM
GUS MARX, GRANT WRITER, JUNEAU YOUTH SERVICES, JUNEAU,
spoke in support of behavioral health programs. He stressed
that behavioral grants would continue to provide treatment
for teenagers and children facing severe emotional issues.
4:07:40 PM
MARY HAKALA, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of public
education. She urged the committee to adopt the governor's
funding level for K-12 education. She stressed that early
childhood education would result in a successful future.
She also urged support of funding for distance learning.
She testified in support of funding for the University. She
spoke in support of an education head tax and a statewide
income tax.
4:10:10 PM
RACHEL GEARHART, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS,
ALASKA CHAPTER, JUNEAU, testified in support of programs
for mental health programs. She spoke in support of
behavioral health programs. She stressed that Medicaid did
not cover all individuals, and shared that her organization
was required to provide service to everyone.
4:12:07 PM
CALLIE CONERTON, VICE CHAIR, COALITION OF STUDENT LEADERS,
UAS, testified in support of funding for the University.
She stressed that the university provided community support
and events. She also declared the UA support strong
economies for the communities across the state. She shared
that she was currently seeking a degree in elementary
education, and hoped that the funding would continue, so
she could remain in Alaska after graduation.
4:14:03 PM
GEORGE REIFENSTEIN, SELF, JUNEAU, urged the committee to
restore funding for public broadcasting. He shared that he
had worked in various capacities including the fire
department and boy scouts. He remarked that many larger
radio stations provided support for smaller stations, and
reached over 95 percent of Alaska's population. He felt the
savings and new revenue sources should be utilized to pay
for the budget.
4:16:07 PM
AMY LUJAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL
BOARD OFFICIALS, JUNEAU, testified in support of broadband.
She also spoke in support of funding for education
programs. She stressed that many of the state funding for
education programs provided leverage for federal funding.
She advocated for a state financial plan; specifically
spending cuts, new sources of revenue, and use of savings.
4:18:09 PM
SASHA SOBOLEFF, GRAND PRESIDENT, ALASKA NATIVE BROTHERHOOD,
JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for K-12 education
programs, and other education programs. He felt that the
cuts to education marginilized the children. He stressed
that learning should provide challenges through a cultural
lens. He felt that the dropout rate for native Alaskans
should be addressed, like the Alaska's Learning Network. He
stressed that the Alaska's Learning Network provided a
skillset.
4:21:27 PM
FRANK COENRAAD, DIRECTOR, ALASKA'S LEARNING NETWORK,
JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding the Alaska's Learning
Network. He stated that there had been significant
increases in enrollment. He echoed the remarks of Mr.
Soboleff. He stressed that the Alaska's Learning Network
provided support that resulted in an increased graduation
rate.
4:23:33 PM
BOB BARTHOLOMEW, FINANCE DIRECTOR, CITY AND BOROUGH OF
JUNEAU, JUNEAU, shared that the City and Borough of Juneau
had developed significant budget cuts, and shared that he
understood the current fiscal situation. He encouraged the
committee to share the budget cuts in advance. He testified
against a potential increase to the communities'
contribution to the unfunded liability. He stressed that
the unfunded liability was based on the annual
contribution. He stressed that the impacts of the FY 14
contribution had not yet been evaluated, so increasing the
contribution would be premature.
4:26:02 PM
AT EASE
4:26:34 PM
RECONVENED
4:26:56 PM
GORDON KRUSE, DIRECTOR, FISHERIES DIVISION, UNIVERSITY OF
ALASKA FAIRBANKS (UAF), JUNEAU, testified in support of
funding for the University. He shared that the Fisheries
program was ranked one of the highest in the country. He
stressed that UAF trained 65 percent of the fishery related
professions in the state. He stressed that the state was
facing a sharp decline in the state. He shared that UAF
provided outstanding service to the outside of Alaska. He
personally supported a modest income tax, revision to the
oil tax credit structure, and use of the permanent fund.
4:29:54 PM
KATHI COLLUM, BOARD CHAIR, JUNEAU YOUTH SERVICES, JUNEAU,
spoke in support of behavioral health programs,
specifically Juneau Youth Services. She shared that the
grants served many communities across the state. She
stressed that the behavioral health grant funding had been
reduced for the third year in a row. She understood that
many budget cuts needed to occur, but encouraged the
committee to make thoughtful reductions. She spoke in
support of the governor's proposed budget for spoke in
support of behavioral health programs.
4:31:48 PM
ALEX MCGUAN, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of early
childhood education programs. She shared a personal story
about her experience educating a developmentally difficult
student, who she was able to education and intervene at an
early age.
4:34:02 PM
MELINDA MESSMER, HOME VISITOR, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, JUNEAU,
spoke in support of reinstating funds early childhood
education programs.
4:34:42 PM
JADA KAHL, EARLY EDUCATION, LEND, JUNEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT,
JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for early childhood
development programs. She stressed the importance of the
current programs within the communities.
4:36:27 PM
TALEA KELLAR, HOME VISITOR, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, JUNEAU,
spoke in support of funding for early childhood development
programs. She stressed that the proposed cuts were directed
at Alaska's most vulnerable citizens. She stressed that the
programs helped to eliminate the negative issues with the
students. She hoped that the state would continue to invest
in Alaska's future.
Co-Chair Kelly shared that the meeting was broadcast in the
Tom Stewart building.
4:38:59 PM
KELSEY VENECHUK, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of early
childhood education programs. She urged support of Parents
as Teachers. She felt that the program provided essential
support as a parent. She shared that her son had been given
valuable information and education as a result of the
Parents as Teachers program.
4:41:01 PM
AMBER FROMMHERE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding
for early childhood education, specifically Tlingit and
Haida Head Start. She shared that the Tlingit and Haida
Head Start served up to 262 children and their families
throughout Southeast Alaska. She shared that many of the
children also received services through the community
schools by way of infant learning programs and special
education. She furthered that early childhood education
also encouraged family involvement.
4:42:26 PM
TINA PEYERK, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of early
childhood literacy and education programs, specifically the
Parents as Teachers program. She shared that she and her
son benefited from a home visitor, who observed and
discussed his development. She remarked that, because of
the program, it was discovered that her son had some
hearing and vision issues that were able to be treated
early.
4:44:14 PM
CYNTHIA KATZEEK, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of
funding for Parents as Teachers. She shared that she was
assisting in raising her own children and nieces and
nephews. She shared some critical information about how to
interact with her infant. She also spoke in support of the
Imagination Library. She shared that her home visitor
helped her move into her new home, and provided referrals.
4:47:14 PM
BRENDA TAYLOR, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of education
funding. She shared that her son had visited the
legislature at a very young age. She shared that her son
was currently in Greenland representing the Alaska Winter
Games. She stressed that she was supportive of other
programs, but remarked that education was visible in the
schools. She announced that the library in her son's school
was not open during lunch time. She encouraged the
committee to create an income tax and utilize the permanent
fund.
4:49:58 PM
ANDREA DEWEES, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SPANISH, UA, JUNEAU,
spoke in support of funding submitted by the UA Board of
Regents. She stressed that the small campus on UAS saw
significant cuts. She shared that many students at UAS were
the first in their families to attend college. She remarked
that education was essential to the state's intellectual
diversity.
4:51:33 PM
BETH WELDON, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding
for education. She felt that the career and technical
programs were essential to her business, so she could hire
skilled at trained workers. She specifically spoke in
support of the $50 increase to the Base Student Allocation
(BSA).
4:53:02 PM
KIRK DUNCAN, CHAIR, COAST ALASKA, JUNEAU, urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
shared that public broadcasting provided essential
services. He urged the committee to reinstate the
governor's proposed budget for public broadcasting. He also
spoke in support of a state income tax.
4:54:55 PM
RICK IANNOLINO, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of
behavioral health programs. He shared that he had served
vulnerable adults and children for many years. He remarked
that Medicaid did not cover all of the residents of Alaska,
but stressed that his program could not turn people away.
He shared that decreasing funding for mental health
programs would not decrease the number of people with
mental health problems. He remarked that reducing the
grants would be costly to the entire mental health system.
4:56:50 PM
NICK CROWE, JUNEAU YOUTH SERVICES, JUNEAU, spoke in support
of behavioral health programs. He specifically spoke to
support of funding for mental health and substance abuse
programs. He shared that he was currently a member of the
transitional housing programs, to ensure that individuals
did not end up on the street. He stressed that there should
be a consideration of the individuals who were at risk of
various negative influences.
4:58:51 PM
RICK SVOBODNY, SELF, JUNEAU, advocated support of funding
for a portion of the public integrity unit. He stressed the
importance of public integrity for law enforcement. He
shared that there needs to be funding to prosecute for
"white collar crimes." He recollected a case that he
prosecuted for price fixing.
5:02:05 PM
KATHIE WASSERMAN, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, JUNEAU,
testified in support of the governor's proposed $35 million
deposit in the revenue sharing fund. She remarked that
there had already been some cost shifting in school bond
debt, jails, policing, capital budget and Public Employees'
Retirement System (PERS) costs. She was concerned about
smaller municipalities and their ability to provide needed
services.
5:04:00 PM
CLAY WALKER, DENALI BOROUGH MAYOR, VICE-PRESIDENT, ALASKA
MUNICIPAL LEAGUE (AML), JUNEAU, related that the AML body
passed three resolutions. He shared that the top priorities
for AML were the sustainable budget plan, supportive
community revenue sharing, and maintaining the PERS rate.
He spoke to the community revenue sharing program, which he
described as vital to the functional existence of
municipalities. He thought it would be devastating if the
funds were to go to zero in two years as proposed.
5:06:40 PM
MIKE MANN, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding
the Alaska Marine Highway. He also spoke in support of K-12
and University funding. He shared that his children had
grown up in the Alaska education system. He shared his
extensive experience as a fisherman in the state.
5:11:10 PM
ANNE FULLER, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of Pre-K
funding, Mt. Edgecumbe, and research and study at the
University. She spoke in support of the $50 increase to the
BSA. She shared that she remembered paying a state school
tax.
5:12:33 PM
AARON BRAKEL, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of behavioral
health programs. He also spoke in support of all education
programs. He shared that he had attended school across the
street from the Capitol. He acknowledged that his son was
in attendance in the audience, and that his son was the
first child born in the millennium in Alaska. He shared
that he son was a freshman in high school, and had enrolled
in some courses at the University. He urged support of the
University Board of Regents budget recommendations. He aslo
spoke in support of a state income tax and a cap to the
permanent fund dividend.
5:15:52 PM
AMY JO MEINERS, 2016 ALASKA TEACHER OF THE YEAR, JUNEAU,
testified in support of funding for education. She
encouraged the committee to stabilize multiple funding
sources. She felt that the initial oil money revenue was
able to supplant the need for taxes, so quality education
and other services could maintain funding. She expressed
willingness to pay to support a quality public education.
5:18:12 PM
DAVE NEWTON, SELF, JUNEAU, voiced support of basic funding
for education. He specifically spoke in support of Parents
as Teachers, Imagination Library, and other early childhood
education program. He remarked that he had seen changes in
academic levels and the children who had struggled because
of the lack of early childhood education. He shared that he
had worked many years in the school system, and noted that
he had personally seen the negative impact related to the
lack of proper early education.
5:20:52 PM
LISA EAGAN LAGERQUIST, SELF, DOUGLAS, voiced support of K-
12 education funding. She stressed that her children's
school had a positive impact. She shared that she was a
volunteer in her son's class, and had recently participated
in class related to learning about money. She was able to
realize the difficulties that many teachers face. She
shared that her son had seen positive strides in his
education, because of the reading specialists in his
schools.
5:23:31 PM
JOSH KEATON, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of fully
funding education. He urged support of funding for Pre-K
funding. He shared that his son's preschool teacher had
testified in support of education funding, and remarked
that his son had seen the benefits of public education
Alaska.
5:25:29 PM
FRANK RUE, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of the
budget that utilized permanent fund earnings; budget
savings; a state income tax; and an increase in tax to
various activities like gas and tobacco. He felt that the
budget options for schools and resource management would be
severe. He restated that there should be a comprehensive
approach to the budget issues.
5:27:41 PM
SALLY RUE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of education
funding. She shared that she had volunteered as an active
parent for many years in education. She shared that the
budget for education paid dividends at a later time in the
state. She supported the use of the permanent fund for
essential state services. She remarked that the permanent
fund was intended for future state services. She understood
that the state needed a state income tax and other types of
taxes.
5:31:26 PM
DENISE DONIELLO, ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING, JUNEAU, urged
support of funding for senior services. She urged funding
for the Alaska Senior Benefits program, which provided a
critical safety net for people aged 65 years and older who
lived on a fixed income. She remarked that those
individuals depended on the program for access food,
housing, and heat. She shared that the reduction would
impact an estimated 5,438 seniors. She also spoke in
against the reduction in funding for senior community based
grants. The grant funded served the largest number of
seniors at the lowest cost: home-delivered meals,
congregate meals, transportation, adult day services, and
respite for family care givers. She stressed that the
services could prevent the need for higher cost care. She
also spoke in support of funding for the adult Medicaid
dental program, which assisted many low income seniors who
were living dental pain and decaying teeth. She stressed
that Medicaid did not pay for the cost of dentures and most
forms of dental care. Those without dental coverage, could
turn to the hospital emergency department at a
significantly higher cost. She shared that older people
with poor oral health were at a higher risk of chronic
health conditions and cardio vascular disease. She shared
that the program served 4,026 seniors in 2015.
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered if there were 548 seniors in
the senior benefit program. Ms. Doniello replied that the
number was 5,438.
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered if the numbers for the program
were only for the higher level, or was the number related
to the total program. Ms. Doniello responded that the
reduction affected the category of people with the highest
income who received the lowest amount of assistance.
5:33:51 PM
MARCELO QUINTO, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the
governor's proposed budget for the Alaska Marine Highway.
He felt that the committee's proposal to cut $8 million and
scrapping a vessel was too extreme. He felt that the
reduction was at too high a cost to families, and cost jobs
in the private sector. He also testified in support of
mental health programs. He urged the committee to add
$100,000 in the Suicide Prevention Council. He also
testified in support of funding for public broadcasting. He
spoked in support of continued investment in Alaska's
communities. He shared that he was a 75-year resident of
Alaska. He stressed that the native people in the rural
areas of the state felt the budget cuts.
5:37:12 PM
SHAYNA ROHWER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding
for early childhood education. testified in support of
Parents as Teachers. She shared that she had worked as a
doula with many high risk low income families. She shared
that she almost always referred her clients to the Parents
as Teachers program. She shared that the program was a
source of information and also provided social support. She
also urged support of a state income tax and use of the
permanent fund.
5:39:26 PM
TOM BRICE, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding
for public workers to keep transportation and facilities as
safe as possible. He also spoke in support of funding for
broad fiscal plans.
5:40:38 PM
EMILY THOMPSON, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, SELF, spoke in support
of funding for Parents as Teachers. She shared that she
wanted to stay in Alaska, but was worried about the drastic
budget cuts.
5:41:51 PM
JUNE ROGERS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of any taxes
that may be necessary to fund the budget. She also spoke in
support of early childhood education. She remarked that
there were some issues in Fairbanks that may not have
occurred, if money would have been spent on preventative
measures. She shared that she and her family were longtime
residents of Alaska. She felt that Alaskans should share
the privilege of participating in new ideas. She shared
that she had worked in the community to produce a positive
outcome.
5:44:13 PM
LILLIAN WORL, SELF, JUNEAU, spoked in support of the $50
adjustment to the BSA. She read from a prepared testimony
(copy on file). She shared that he children had felt the
cuts to education in the most recent five years' operating
budgets. The Juneau School District had a decrease in the
operating budget by nearly 17 percent, and eliminated
nearly 100 jobs or positions. The remaining staff had
worked hard to continue to provide the best teaching,
learning, and support possible to all students. She
stressed that there were limited available classes to the
students as a result of the budget cuts.
5:47:05 PM
MARA EARLY, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support for
education, specifically the $50 increase to the BSA. She
shared that over 100 staff positions had been cut from the
Juneau School District over the last five years. She
stressed that the remaining workload had been put on the
employees in order to keep student achievement as a
priority.
5:50:03 PM
ANDI STORY, MEMBER, JUNEAU SCHOOL BOARD, JUNEAU, spoke in
support of education funding. She shared that the education
funding would be reflected in the quality of the workforce.
She spoke in support of the scheduled $50 adjustment to the
BSA. She testified in support of a comprehensive budget
plan.
5:52:27 PM
KELLY SORENSEN, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding
for Parents as Teachers. She shared a personal story about
her toddler son, and remarked that she was able to call her
mentor in the Parents as Teachers program. She stressed
that her mentor was often available to help. She shared
that her mentor noticed that her son's vocabulary was not
developing normally. As a result of that observation, her
son was diagnosed with an ear infection.
5:54:43 PM
KATEY BLAGDEN, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of early
childhood education programs like Parents as Teachers,
Imagination Library, and Online with Libraries. She
stressed that investing in early childhood education was
important for the future of Alaska.
5:55:33 PM
NOAH WILLIAMS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding
for the University. He stressed that the proposed budget
strategy was not sustainable to the state. He stressed that
denying Alaskans education would result in detrimental
effects in the future. He understood the need to conserve
resources, but felt that the drastic cuts would only
degrade the economic situation further.
SB 139 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 140 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.