Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
03/03/2016 06:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR1 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SJR 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SJR 1-CONST AM: GUARANTEE PERM FUND DIVIDEND
6:32:13 PM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced that the committee would hear public
testimony on SJR 1. He asked Senator Wielechowski, to provide an
overview of SJR 1.
6:32:46 PM
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of
SJR 1, pointed out that the committee had six hours of public
testimony on various plans to use the Permanent Fund's earnings
reserve. He set forth that SJR 1 was something that would
protect the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). He said he knows that
the PFD is important to many Alaskans. He disclosed that he had
heard from his senior citizen and fixed-income constituents that
the PFD was an important aspect of their lives that they relied
on. He stated that SJR 1 would protect the PFD in the
Constitution while leaving the excess portion of the Permanents
Fund's earnings reserve available as was currently done.
6:33:58 PM
CHAIR STOLTZE noted that discussions regarding the PFD had come
during testimony in other bills. He said public testimony on SJR
1 was an opportunity for Alaskans specifically testify on the
PFD.
6:34:45 PM
DON ETHERIDGE, Lobbyist, Alaska AFL-CIO, Juneau, Alaska,
testified in opposition of SJR 1. He asserted that everything
should be left-on-the-table until the state figures out its
budget needs.
6:35:53 PM
JAKE JACOBSEN, representing himself, Kodiak, Alaska, testified
in support of SJR 1. He said he has enjoyed the PFD's benefits
as well as seeing the benefits that the PFD has provided to
people as well. He noted that he agreed with the studies by
Gunnar Knapp and Scott Goldsmith that the PFD clearly provides a
tremendous impact on the wellbeing of people throughout the
state.
6:37:44 PM
DANIEL LYNCH, representing himself, Soldotna, Alaska, testified
in support of SJR 1. He said the resolution was well thought out
and protected the PFD's original purpose. He stated that the PFD
did not make-or-break him, but the dividend made him part of the
involved citizenry. He set forth that changing the PFD program
would hurt Alaska's overall economy. He opined that children
cannot vote and were unrepresented, but their futures would be
effected by the change in the PFD program.
6:38:52 PM
FRED STURMAN, representing himself, Kenai, Alaska, did not
provide a position on SJR 1. He said he was in favor of
additional cuts to the state's budget.
6:40:53 PM
ED MARTIN, representing himself, Cooper Landing, Alaska,
testified in support of SJR 1. He noted that his father
petitioned the Legislature with 40,000 signatures to protect the
PFD the last time the state had a budget situation. He set forth
that enshrining the PFD in the state's constitution was more
important than ever. He asserted that the state should cut
spending, not institute a personal income tax, and the other
half of the Permanent Fund Earnings should be distributed to
Alaskans to purchase land in order to create a private economy
that is not based on government spending.
6:45:13 PM
GARY MCDONALD, representing himself, Muldoon, Alaska, testified
in support of SJR 1 and commended Senator Wielechowski for
presenting the resolution.
6:46:32 PM
GEORGE PIERCE, representing himself, Kasilof, Alaska, testified
in support of SJR 1. He stated that the Permanent Fund was set
up for Alaskans and should be protected. He asserted that
additional spending cuts be made in addition to taxes on
fishing, hunting, and guiding.
6:48:39 PM
BILL LAMBERT, representing himself, North Pole, Alaska,
testified in support of SJR 1. He suggested that the state's
costs be reduced prior to considering changes to the PFD.
6:50:51 PM
JAVEN OSE, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska, did not
provide a position on SJR 1. He stated that he was concerned
that the PFD would be terminated or capped. He said Alaskans
would lose $4,000 over the next 4 years if the PFD was capped at
$1,000. He suggested that Alaskans receive credit for the money
they did not receive for land purchases.
CHAIR STOLTZE noted written testimony from citizens and shared
that Mike Miller for Anchorage opposed SJR 1; Jenny Mahlen, Vice
President, Golden Valley Branch, First National Alaska, opposed
SJR 1 as well.
6:53:22 PM
SHAUNA THORTON, representing herself, Kenai, Alaska, testified
in support of SJR 1. He added that the Legislature should look
at all aspects and long-term effects instead of just going for
the easy low-hanging-fruit.
6:54:46 PM
At ease.
6:56:51 PM
CHAIR STOLTZE called the committee back to order.
6:57:13 PM
LINDSEY WYATT, representing himself, Fairbanks, Alaska,
testified in support of SJR 1. He thanked the committee members
for thinking outside the box regarding the Permanent Fund.
CHAIR STOLTZE remarked that Alaskans were the owners of the
Permanent Fund and hearing comments on all of the PFD's aspects
was appropriate.
MR. WYATT said everybody has to cut, including the state's
school systems. He opined that the state has been through hard
times before and low oil prices were cyclical.
6:59:26 PM
DELICE CALCOTE, representing herself, Sutton, Alaska, testified
in support of SJR 1. She remarked that major changes in the
Permanent Fund's policies should be made to achieve higher
returns with greater social responsibility.
7:01:51 PM
At ease.
7:05:07 PM
CHAIR STOLTZE called the committee back to order.
7:06:00 PM
CHAIR STOLTZE closed public testimony on SJR 1.
[SJR 1 was held in committee.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR 1 Public Testimony to SSTA through 3-9-16.pdf |
SSTA 3/3/2016 6:30:00 PM |
SJR 1 |
| CSSSSB 91 Geriatric Parole Memo from Legal Services to SSTA Members .pdf |
SSTA 3/3/2016 6:30:00 PM |
SB 91 |