Legislature(2019 - 2020)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/18/2020 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Public Testimony: Anchorage, Mat-su, Offnets | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 205 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 154 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 154
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations, supplemental appropriations,
reappropriations, and other appropriations; making
appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for
an effective date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 205(FIN)(Corrected) am(brf sup maj
fld)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; making
supplemental appropriations; and providing for an
effective date."
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: ANCHORAGE, MAT-SU, OFFNETS
1:05:45 PM
Co-Chair von Imhof OPENED public testimony.
CARRI HARRIS, SELF, ANCHOR POINT (via teleconference),
supported payment of a full Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD).
She expressed dissatisfaction with the legislature as a
whole.
1:07:16 PM
LEILA KHEIRY, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for public radio. She was a general
manager of the public radio station in Ketchikan. She noted
that Ketchikan had its first local case of the COVID-19
virus the previous day. She stressed that the radio station
continued to provide important information to the community
regarding the pandemic. She commented on the financial
impact of the pandemic. She discussed the importance of
shared public health information through the public radio.
1:09:27 PM
MELISSA GUDOBBA, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), felt
that many of the things in the budget were "feel good"
funds. She was concerned that lower income individuals
would suffer inordinately during the pandemic. She was
concerned about lack of supplies during the public health
crisis. She supported a full statutory PFD. She supported
public media. She thought that budget cuts could save
lives.
1:12:11 PM
BERNON HALTER, MAYOR, MATSU BOROUGH, WILLOW (via
teleconference), supported school bond debt reimbursement
at the 70/30 level. He detailed that a 50/50 split would
add to the taxes paid by residents. He supported funding
for the Community Assistance Program. He supported the
Willow Community Library Project, for which he wanted funds
transferred from the Talkeetna Library Project.
Senator Wilson thanked Mr. Halter for his testimony.
1:14:58 PM
MELANIE LESH, SELF, GUSTAVUS (via teleconference),
testified in support of public broadcasting. She asked the
committee to support and to increase funding to support
public television, which offered vital programming like
Gavel to Gavel. She asked to restore funds to the 2016
level. She thought public broadcasting was a vital public
service. She had always been a contributor to public
broadcasting, which provided the only radio service
available in her community. She supported an income tax and
a sales tax to support funding for public services.
1:17:07 PM
JOHN ERICSON, CITY AND BOROUGH MANAGER, YAKUTAT (via
teleconference), supported funding for the Community
Assistance Program and the Alaska Marine Highway System
(AMHS). He relayed that the city had police cars it had
purchased in Anchorage that it was trying to transport to
Yakutat. He had recently attended a meeting of the Alaska
Municipal League and had discussed use of the Permanent
Fund. He supported continuation of the fund into the future
by saving money now to ensure funds for the future. He
mentioned three wells contaminated with PFAS, on DOT land,
near the airport in his community. He shared that DOT was
currently shipping bottled water to the hotel in the area
for drinking and cooking but that the problem could be
solved with sewer and water extensions.
1:19:46 PM
JONATHON GORDAOFF, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference),
supported a more austere budget.
1:20:44 PM
KENT BANKS, RURAL ALASKA COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support
funding for low income weatherization programs. He asserted
that numerous low-income Alaskans needed weatherization for
their homes to reduce their utility burden, promote indoor
air quality, and reduce mold. He stated that Rural Alaska
Community Action Program (Rural CAP) sought continued
funding of weatherization programs. He continued that DOE
funding limits per home were not adequate to support the
necessary infrastructure required to provide services in
most rural locations without additional funding from the
state. He insisted that a combination of DOE and state
funds was necessary to cover additional costs of freight,
storage, and disposal of debris for weatherization
projects, as well as the many other costs associated with
construction in remote locations. He stressed that the
weatherization program had a proven pay-back record through
reduced energy usage and improved health of occupants. He
expounded upon the various benefits of weatherization
programs in rural Alaska. He stated that rising water
levels and melting permafrost were exacerbating problems in
rural areas of the state. He said that weatherization
helped maintain the integrity of homes in rural Alaska.
Co-Chair von Imhof reminded that written comments could be
submitted by email.
1:23:58 PM
VICKI O'BRIAN, KRBD RADIO, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
testified in support of public radio. She was self-
quarantined after being exposed to an individual with
COVID-19. She thought there was a diminished level of
integrity coming from the media and emphasized the
importance of good, factual, information. She highlighted
that the public provides funding for public radio, but she
stressed the importance that the state also provide
financial assistance.
1:26:18 PM
DAVID JACKSON, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
supported funding for public broadcasting and education. He
thought the demand for public media would increase
throughout the state as the COVID-19 virus became more
widespread. He expounded on the various programs available
through public broadcasting and stressed that public media
educated the public regardless of economic status.
1:27:55 PM
DEENA MITCHELL, ANCHORAGE SCHOOL BOARD, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of public media. She
supported funding for K-12 education. She relayed that the
Anchorage School District (ASD) was supporting students
currently through providing meals, nursing services, and
student support. She emphasized that the continuous cuts to
the district since 2011 and lamented stagnant test scores.
She thought it was not possible to do more with less. She
asked for restoration of the one-time $30 million outside
the Base Student Allocation (BSA). She testified that ASD's
many students with behavior issues from Adverse Childhood
Experiences (ACES) could not get needed services because of
budget cuts.
1:30:35 PM
KRISTEN MITCHELL, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference),
testified in support of restored funding for public media.
She acknowledged the public health crisis and the
importance that people have access to accurate and timely
information. She mentioned that the public health crisis
was making fundraising impossible, which would impact
public media negatively.
1:32:15 PM
WAYNE ADERHOLD, PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, KBBI PUBLIC
RADIO, HOMER (via teleconference), expressed support for
public radio. He lamented that the station had been in
deficit spending in 2019 and was greatly in need of
additional funding. He shared that the station had recently
formalized its association with the city and borough
emergency departments to be directly involved in their
information networks during any type of public emergency or
disaster. He relayed that public radio relayed public
service announcements regarding the COVID-19 virus. He
relayed that the station sought funding elsewhere when
appropriate but counted on additional state funding.
1:34:20 PM
[Co-Chair von Imhof handed the gavel to Senator Wilson]
STEPHANIE JURRIES, SELF, CRAIG (via teleconference),
supported funding for shellfish testing. She expounded on
the benefits of the geoduck industry in Alaska. She did no
support increased fees for the shellfish fishery. She
supported public radio funding. She stressed that public
radio was critical to small communities.
1:36:06 PM
MOLLY MATTINGLY, RECOVER ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support additional funding in the
capital project for construction of alcohol treatment
facilities. She discussed Recover Alaska and relayed the
services they provided in the state. She cited that alcohol
was the states Number One health concern. She shared that
funds had been appropriated for alcohol treatment
facilities in FY19, the funds had been vetoed by the
governor. She reminded that the need for treatment
facilities had not decreased in the last year and urged
funding in the Capital Budget to support construction for
facilities. She cited a McDowell Group report that listed
the annual financial burden from alcohol to the state at
$2.4 billion.
1:38:31 PM
MARTIN ATROS, SELF, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for public media. He used
public media for access to public health information and
education. He thought that the recent outbreak of the
COVID-19 virus had taught that government was needed. He
continued that the virus did not respect any boundaries and
all individuals, at every age, needed to be reached. He
stressed the importance of science and access to that
critical information. He supported a state income tax.
1:40:57 PM
FREDRICH ZIMMERMAN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
supported payment of the full PFD. He thought the budget
was too big. He thought that the most important thing for
the people of Alaska was a full PFD.
1:42:47 PM
KJ WARBEY, SOUTH CENTRAL FOUNDATION, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for addiction
services. She thought the legislature knew the value of
mental health and addiction services. She mentioned the
Medicaid 1115 waiver, which would expand Medicaid services.
She detailed the benefits of the expansion. She asserted
that it cost less to provide good behavioral health care
than not. She asked support for designating funds in the
capital budget for mental and behavioral health services.
1:44:58 PM
TOM ABBOTT, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for the AMHS and public
media. He emphasized the importance of public media radio
on public health. He emphasized how far invested funds
could go when utilized by public media. He detailed the
informational work being done to update the community on a
daily basis. He stressed the importance of public radio in
rural Alaska.
1:47:37 PM
ANDY HOLLERMAN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
supported funding for education. He worried about cuts that
would eliminate heath teachers in elementary schools. He
requested restoration of the $30 million in education
funding outside of the BSA. He supported a state income
tax. He stressed the need for the state to explore new
revenue sources.
1:48:47 PM
BODDY DORTON, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
supported funding for reentry services and treatment
centers. He discussed his personal experience with a
reentry program. He shared that through the program he had
acquired his GED and had become a substance abuse
counselor. He stressed that it was very important to
continue funding for substance use disorder treatment.
1:51:02 PM
BILL TREMBLAY, KFFK RADIO, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
testified in support of public radio and the AMHS. He
discussed the importance of using public radio for
informing the public about COVID-19 public health updates.
He expressed concern that public radio was informing the
public about state services but was not being funded by the
state. He stressed the importance of public radio for the
health of the fishing industry. He thought the AMHS could
be managed better to ensure better service and function. He
supported an income tax.
1:53:54 PM
DEBORAH JEFFERY, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for public media and the AMHS.
She thought it was criminal to do away with the AMHS. She
lamented the hiring of Donna Arduin as OMB director. She
testified in strong support for public media. She mentioned
local news, health and safety issues, and other reasons
that public media was important. She and her husband were
contributors to the local radio station. She supported a
state income tax. She thought the state had made many
unwise financial decisions. She did not feel that former
Governor Jay Hammond would agree with the current PFD
debate.
1:56:16 PM
STAR MARSETT, ANCHORAGE SCHOOL BOARD, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in favor of increased education
funding. She thought the state needed a source of revenue.
She discussed efficiencies and cuts made in ASD. The
district was looking at ways to offer the same services
with less money. She urged that the committee consider an
increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA). She stressed
that all costs to the districts had increased while funding
had remained flat.
1:58:08 PM
ELIZABETH JOSEPH, SELF, KONGIGANAK (via teleconference),
supported funding for therapeutic courts and substance use
disorder treatment. She supported additional funding
substance use disorders. She relayed that substance abuse
disorders affected families through the generations. She
stressed that healthy children grew up to be healthy
adults.
1:59:27 PM
JEROME CHRISTIANSEN, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for the AMHS. He asked that the
legislature consider an income tax to raise revenue for
state services.
2:00:10 PM
JIM ALEXANDER, SELF, HOLLIS (via teleconference), testified
in support of the fishing industry in the state. He was a
geoduck diver and shared that geoducks were a valuable
resource for Alaska and China and that the industry
employed many people. He was opposed to the increase in a
geoduck tax.
2:03:52 PM
BERT HOUGHTALING, SELF, BIG LAKE (via teleconference),
expressed distress at taking money from the PFD to pay for
special interests. He said that mental health needed to be
taken care of. He lamented that people were often on
welfare for generations. He opined the many special
interests in Alaska and suggested that the legislature was
controlled by the Recall Dunleavey campaign.
2:04:35 PM
DAVID SCHMID, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of keeping money in the budget for
public radio. He referenced the previous speaker's comments
about special interest groups and thought some might
consider public radio a special interest. He stressed that
public radio kept the public informed. He encouraged the
committee to consider what public media did for the state
and those that were disconnected, especially those
individuals that were quarantined. He supported using the
Permanent Fund to fund government. He supported a state
income tax.
2:06:52 PM
ABBE HENSLEY, BEST BEGINNINGS, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), supported funding for early childhood
programs including: Parents as Teachers, Head Start, and
Best Beginnings. She discussed the brain development that
took place in early childhood. She discussed the importance
of reading to and with children. She discussed the work of
the Imagination Library.
2:09:32 PM
JENNIFER CANFIELD, KTOO BOARD OF DIRECTORS, JUNEAU (via
teleconference), testified in favor of funding for public
media. She praised the services provided by public media to
the people in the state.
2:10:40 PM
AT EASE
2:31:40 PM
RECONVENED
Senator Wilson maintained control the gavel.
BARBARA MONGAR, MATSU REENTRY COALITION, MATSU (via
teleconference), discussed the mission and work of the
coalition. She testified in favor of funding to establish
the statewide reentry programs within the Department of
Corrections. She stressed the importance of providing
services to those transitioning from the prison system back
into society.
2:33:55 PM
BARBARA MORGAN, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in support of increased funding for public radio, the
University, and the AMHS. She emphasized the need for
current an accurate information for the public. She worked
for the University system and stressed the importance of a
strong statewide education system. She discussed the
importance of the University and the adverse effects of the
COVID-19 public health crisis. She lamented the lack of
ferry services for Alaskans. She said that lack of ferry
service was detrimental to coastal communities.
2:36:14 PM
NATHAN HILL, LAKE AND PENINSULA BOROUGH, KOKHANOK (via
teleconference), testified in support of school bond debt
reimbursement. He praised the committee for adding funding
in the supplemental budget for the Community Assistance
Program. He relayed that since 2014, the district had made
timely payments on the $20 million, 20-year bond; if the
state reimburses only 50 percent in 2020, the borough will
be under-reimbursed by $1.5 million, which represented an
under-reimbursement of nearly an entire year of tax
revenue. He said that the borough had approved the bond in
good faith that the state would keep up their end of the
deal. He reiterated his encouragement of the full school
bond debt reimbursement.
SB 154 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CSHB 205(FIN)(Corrected) am(brf sup maj fld) was HEARD and
HELD in committee for further consideration.
Senator Wilson discussed the agenda for the following day,
which would include further public testimony.
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