Legislature(2021 - 2022)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/08/2022 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 | |
| SB162 || SB163 || SB164 | |
| Public Testimony: Southeast, Prince Willam Sound, Kodiak, and Offnets | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 162 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 163 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 164 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SENATE BILL NO. 162
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; making reappropriations; making
supplemental appropriations; 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. 163
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; making capital
appropriations and supplemental appropriations; and
providing for an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 164
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations, reappropriations, and other
appropriations; making supplemental appropriations;
and providing for an effective date."
9:02:14 AM
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: SOUTHEAST, PRINCE WILLAM SOUND,
KODIAK, AND OFFNETS
CYNNA GUBATAYAO, KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the school bond debt
reimbursement program and an increase to the Base Student
Allocation (BSA). She explained that 100 percent of the
area-wide property taxes in Ketchikan were directed toward
education. She spoke in support of roads to support
housing.
9:06:28 AM
LACEY SIMPSON, CITY MANAGER, CITY OF KETCHIKAN, KETCHIKAN
(via teleconference), testified in support of funding for
failing infrastructure, specifically for culvert
rehabilitation in Ketchikan. She spoke in support of the
raw water project in Ketchikan. She spoke in support of
wastewater rehabilitation projects in Ketchikan. She stated
that there were many deferred capital projects that needed
attention.
9:08:38 AM
CAROL RUSHMORE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, CITY AND
BOROUGH OF WRANGELL, WRANGELL (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for a new water plant. She testified
in support of funding to meet the wastewater mandate
deadline. She spoke in support of funding for community
jails.
9:10:21 AM
CATHY RENFELDT, CORDOVA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CORDOVA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
harbor rebuild. She stated that the business community of
Cordova almost completely relied on the fishing industry.
She stressed that the harbor rebuild was necessary to
create more room for vessels, and the current harbor was
ten years past its lifespan.
9:12:34 AM
NANCY BIRD, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for rebuilding of the harbor. She
remarked that the harbor was severely dilapidated and
unsafe. She shared that the harbor supported the local
economy. She stressed that the investment would have long
impact on the economy. She opposed the amendment to
restrict the use of Medicaid for abortions. She urged
forward funding for education and transportation.
9:14:15 AM
PAT BRANSON, MAYOR OF KODIAK, KODIAK (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for structural enhancements for
the fire station. She remarked that there was necessary
funding needed to keep the building safe. She remarked that
there was already a professional services agreement with an
architectural firm.
9:16:10 AM
TOM BRICE, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), testified in
support of funding for the critical mineral, energy, and
health care initiatives at the University of Alaska. He
also spoke in support of the deferred maintenance at the
University.
9:17:11 AM
TONY JACKSON, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), shared that
he was a care provider, and spoke in support of Southeast
Alaska Independent Living (SAIL). He explained his wife's
situation, who received a chair from SAIL to keep her
mobile. He remarked that SAIL had provided assistance for
many with disabilities.
9:18:49 AM
KEN JONES, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for harbor replacement project. He
stressed that there had been assured funding, but it had
previously fallen through. He noted that the harbor
supported many different industries in Cordova.
9:19:56 AM
ROWENA PALOMAR, ADVOCATES FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE, VALDEZ
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for
victims of domestic violence and sexual assault,
specifically for the emergency shelter in Valdez. She
remarked that the shelter were at capacity 100 percent of
the time. She shared that there had been an increase in
costs for utilities. She stressed that there would be
victims without a safe place to stay without the fully
operational system at the shelter.
9:22:05 AM
NATE TAYLOR, CHIEF OF CORDOVA POLICE DEPARTMENT, CORDOVA
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for
community jails. He remarked that the Cordova jail was
almost completely full of pre-trial inmates. He stressed
that there was not staff funded to monitor the inmates.
9:23:13 AM
MAGGIE WINSTON, INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER, KENAI (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the senior
disabilities grant. She shared that she relied on the
community services, because she was almost completely
limited in her mobility. She remarked that the disability
services provided many services to the community, which
ended up saving the state money in medical costs.
9:24:58 AM
ROXANNE MURPHY, BOROUGH MANAGER, KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH,
KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke in support of school
bond debt reimbursement, school construction, the community
assistance fund, increased funding to support villages, and
forward-funding K-12 education. She spoke in support of
assistance for the high cost of fuel.
9:25:48 AM
DOUGLAS OLERUD, MAYOR, HAINES BOROUGH, HAINES (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the dock
rehabilitation project. He stated that the borough had
already raised $2 million for the project. He remarked that
the dock was constantly in disrepair. He was asking for $3
million for the completion of the project.
9:27:07 AM
IVA BRAND, VOLUNTEER CAREGIVER, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for hazard
pay. She stressed that pay for caregivers were not
adequately paid to take care of loved ones.
9:28:56 AM
BETH WELDON, MAYOR, CITY AND BOROUGH OF JUNEAU, JUNEAU,
spoke in support of funding for three projects: the State
Office Building parking lot; the second crossing to open up
housing; and the Capital Civic Center, which was a remodel
of Centennial Hall.
9:31:17 AM
DR. TIM QUIGLEY PETERSON, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of
funding for the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and
Idaho (WWAMI) program. He stressed that those who had lived
here and gone through the program resulted in longer
retention in the medical field in Alaska. He also testified
in support of funding for more slots in WWAMI.
9:32:59 AM
Co-Chair Stedman stated that the WWAMI program might not
handle too large of an increase.
9:33:24 AM
DAN HABEGER, JUNEAU REENTRY COALITION, JUNEAU, spoke in
support of funding for behavioral health treatment and
recovery grants; and behavioral health prevention and early
intervention. He stated that the items would help to ensure
the inmate release support for those reentering into the
community.
9:35:25 AM
JAY MCCUNE, CORDOVA DISTRICT FISHERMEN UNITED, JUNEAU,
spoke in support of funding for $7.5 million for the South
Harbor in Cordova. He shared that there were extreme
drastic issues that have made it difficult to start the
project.
9:36:42 AM
JANET JOHNSON, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for hazard pay, and funding
for caregivers. She remarked that her daughter had moved to
Anchorage, but the caregivers there had been leaving the
field because of stress and low pay.
9:39:02 AM
HEATHER PETERSON, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for caregivers and hazard pay. She
remarked that there was stress and low pay that have caused
people to leave their care giving jobs. She wanted to bring
to light of the hardworking caregivers. She stressed that
most caregivers had an extremely low wage.
9:41:15 AM
DAVID ALLISON, MAYOR, CITY OF CORDOVA, CORDOVA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
harbor project in Cordova. He also spoke in support of
funding for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), and
school bond debt reimbursement.
9:41:54 AM
CHIEF JAMES KERR, PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT, PETERSBURG
(via teleconference), testified in favor of community jail
funding. He shared that cuts made in 2016 had had a
detrimental effect on his community. He said that the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT)
provided 48 percent of the funding and the community
provided the rest. He spoke of actions in the other body
and hoped the committee would follow suit.
9:43:46 AM
DENNIS ZADRA, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified
in support for the south harbor in Cordova.
9:44:14 AM
JONATHAN ESTES, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for personal care services.
He relayed that difficulties in retaining providers and
access for those in need due to cost. He hoped that funding
for the program would be increased.
9:45:34 AM
KRISTEN CARPENTER, PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, CORDOVA (via teleconference),
testified in support for harbor funding.
9:46:31 AM
MIKE VIEIRA, SITKA EDUCATION ASSN., SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in support for an increase in
and inflation proofing of the base student allocation. He
lamented that the community was having trouble retaining
teachers. He relayed that the state of Washington had
recently provided raises for teachers and hoped Alaska
could do the same. He expressed fear that the Sitka High
School staff would
9:48:43 AM
Co-Chair Bishop wanted to know whether there had been a
decrease in consumables in the loan debt programs.
Mr. Vieira replied that there had been a decrease in
consumables in the loan debt programs.
9:49:13 AM
JORDAN FLORY, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), shared
her experience with caregiving and urged support for
adequate pay for services provided. She related that the
lack of pay was not due to non- profit agencies but simply
lack of funding from the state. She urged funding for
hazard pay and increased pay for care providers.
9:52:05 AM
JODY TOW, PETERSBURG BOROUGH, PETERSBURG LIO (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the school bond debt
reimbursement. She stressed the importance of community
assistance payments. She spoke in support of funding for
school major maintenance and construction projects.
9:53:35 AM
TOM WILLIAMS, CITY ADMINISTRATOR, GUSTAVUS, GUSTAVUS (via
teleconference), testified in support of Power Cost
Equalization (PCE). He spoke in support of community
assistance. He also testified in support of the AMHS.
9:56:33 AM
DANNY CARPENTER, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for the harbor in Cordova. He
stressed that the harbor is unsafe, which would result in
someone getting severely injured or killed.
9:57:29 AM
KIM PHILLIPS, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, HAINES (via
teleconference), spoke in support of Parents as Teachers
and pre-K education programs. She shared that the program
supported family through a strength-based approach. She
shared that the program provided services and support for
families, and encouraged families to become advocates for
their children. She stressed that there was a heart to the
home visiting program.
9:59:53 AM
BRENDA STANFILL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA NETWORK ON
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, JUNEAU, spoke in
support of funding for critical services for domestic
violence and sexual assault. She shared that stressed that
victim services programs need adequate funding to ensure
that programs do not cut services. She requested adjusting
the current numbers to those proposed by the House. She
stressed that the services can often be the difference
between life and death for many victims.
10:02:15 AM
TYRELL RETTKE, PATH HOMELESSNESS SHELTER, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the initiative to
create a state housing trust. He stressed that there were
many shortfalls in housing, and hoped that the program
would help to solve the problem. He remarked that a large
number of people suffered from homelessness, because of the
lack of affordable housing.
10:03:19 AM
AT EASE
10:07:34 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Stedman discussed housekeeping.
SB 162 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 163 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 164 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|