Legislature(2019 - 2020)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/03/2019 06:00 PM Senate JUDICIARY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR4 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SJR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 5 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SJR 4-CONST. AM: STATE TAX; INTIATIVE
6:03:43 PM
CHAIR HUGHES announced that the only order of business would be
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4, Proposing amendments to the
Constitution of the State of Alaska prohibiting the
establishment of, or increase to, a state tax without the
approval of the voters of the state; and relating to the
initiative process.
[CSSJR 4(STA) was before the committee.]
6:03:56 PM
CHAIR HUGHES made opening remarks.
6:04:33 PM
CHAIR HUGHES opened public testimony on SJR 4.
6:04:56 PM
LYNETTE CLARK, representing herself, Fox, testified in support
of SJR 4. She stated that Alaskans started to feel ignored a few
years ago and their trust in elected officials began to
diminish. She opined that SJR 4 will give Alaskans more power,
which is what art I, secs 1 and 2, Constitution of the State of
Alaska envisioned. It is the people who are in charge. She
emphasized that restoring trust in both bodies of the
legislature is important.
6:07:49 PM
CHRISTINE HUTCHISON, representing herself, Kenai, testified in
support and echoed Ms. Clark's testimony. The people can help
the legislature make the tough decisions about cutting spending,
she said. She stated support for what the governor is doing and
thanked Senator Micciche and the other committee members for
their work.
6:09:08 PM
MARK SESLER, representing himself, Soldotna, testified in
support of SJR 4 and agreed with Ms. Clark. The people need to
take back their state from special interests, he said. He warned
that 2020 will have consequences for legislators who are not
abiding by their campaign promises. The governor was elected for
a reason, he said.
6:10:15 PM
NORIA CLARK, representing herself, Anchorage, testified in
support of SJR 4. She said an egregious amount of money has been
and continues to be wasted in this state, especially in
Anchorage. She said many people became complacent after the last
election when their candidate was elected but there is still a
fight ahead to support the governor. She said she is speaking
from experience when she says that taxing people is not useful.
The fight before us is boots on the ground, she concluded
6:11:49 PM
KAREN PERRY, representing herself, Chugiak, testified in support
of SJR 4. She reported that her family is "Dunleavy-strong." She
said we are tired of wasteful spending and taking from many to
benefit a few.
ROD PERRY, representing himself, Chugiak, stated support for SJR
4.
6:12:58 PM
KEN BROWN, representing himself, Soldotna, testified in support
of SJR 4. He echoed first caller's comments and said he'd leave
it at that.
6:13:34 PM
GAIL LIMBAUGH-MOORE, representing herself, Soldotna, stated
support for SJR 4.
6:14:22 PM}S
SHOSHANA KUN, representing herself, Fairbanks, testified in
opposition to SJR 4. She opined that the resolution will tie
officials' hands at the city and borough level from considering
a sales tax as a form of revenue.
6:15:01 PM
SUZAN DENZINE, representing herself, Kasilof, testified in
support of SJR 4. She offered her belief that the budgets in all
departments need to be made more efficient. She also stated
support for increasing revenue by drilling for gas. She urged
legislators to work while they're in Juneau so extra [per diem]
isn't necessary. Otherwise, they'll be hurt at the ballot box,
she warned.
6:15:58 PM
LINN MCCABE, representing herself, Big Lake, testified in
support of SJR 4. She pointed out that Alaska is supposed to be
a representative government and input from the people is
essential. She opined that giving the public the ability to vote
on implementing taxes means legislators will have to convince
the public of the need for more money. More people will become
in the process, she said.
6:17:06 PM
WILLY KEPPEL, representing himself, Quinhagak, testified in
support of SJR 4. He also stated support for Governor Dunleavy
and reminded the committee that [the colonies] rejected King
George in 1776 over the issue of taxation without
representation. "I'm for cut, cut, cut," he said.
6:17:43 PM
JULIE SMITH, representing herself, Fairbanks, testified in
opposition of SJR 4. She said a system already exists for local
governments to impose taxes.
6:18:31 PM
JAMES SQUYERS, representing himself, Rural Deltana, testified in
support of SJR 4. He said he was also speaking for his wife Pam
Good. He related that he listened to the House Finance Committee
as amendments were offered to the budget and that convinced him
of the need for this resolution.
6:19:11 PM
MITCHEL SHARMAN, representing himself, Juneau, testified in
support of SJR 4. He opined that the budget should be cut a lot
and that there are other ways to get prisons to pay for
themselves.
6:20:14 PM
MARSHA MUELLER-SHARMAN, representing herself, Juneau, stated
support for SJR 4.
6:20:46 PM
ALEX KOPLIN, representing himself, Homer, testified in
opposition to SJR 4 because the state needs additional sources
of revenue. Many people come to Alaska to work and revenue could
be generated from that through a fair tax system. He said he
doesn't always agree with legislators but he does support them
in their efforts to make Alaska healthy. He said cutting the
budget is not working and he believes that taxing is healthy
because everyone has skin in the game. We need to address this
issue sooner rather than later because the problem escalates as
time goes on, he said.
6:22:33 PM
JOHN LAMBORN, representing himself, Wasilla, testified in
support of SJR 4. He said he and his wife would like Alaskans to
have more say in what goes on in government. He added that they
also support the governor's plan.
6:23:10 PM
KATHY SWANSON, representing herself, Juneau, testified in
support of SJR 4. She said she does not believe taxpayers have
enough say on taxes.
6:23:50 PM
BOB SWANSON, representing himself, Juneau, testified in support
of SJR 4. He offered his belief that it is not possible to tax
one's way into prosperity. He said it has not worked in the past
and will not work in the future. He pointed out that Alaska has
plenty of natural resources to offset the budget deficit. He
stated agreement with the governor that throwing more money at a
problem doesn't necessarily solve the problem. He cited
education as an example. He reiterated his support for SJR 4.
6:25:33 PM
CHRISTINA SINCLAIR, representing herself, North Pole, testified
in opposition to SJR 4. She said elected officials should make
these sorts of decisions for the people.
6:26:14 PM
SABRINA MARTINO, representing herself, Anchorage, testified in
support of SJR 4. She said she believes that the people should
have a voice in whether or not they will be taxed. "I don't
think the legislative body has listened to the people," she
said. She also voiced support for the governor's budget plan.
6:27:04 PM
LINDSAY WYATT, representing herself, Fairbanks, testified in
support of SJR 4. She said there should not be any kind of state
tax without a vote of the people because the legislature doesn't
know whether the people have the ability to pay.
6:28:00 PM
ROBBI DOUGLAS, representing herself, North Pole, testified in
support of SJR 4. She said it's obvious to her that the people
cannot trust elected officials to pay attention to "we the
people."
6:29:03 PM
HAYDEN NEVILL, representing himself, Fairbanks, testified in
opposition to SJR 4. He said the people elect legislators to
make difficult decisions on their behalf about maintaining the
health of the state. They are qualified to make the myriad of
complex decisions about whether or not to impose taxes to raise
revenue. He opined that the people who can't afford it won't
necessarily be taxed.
6:30:08 PM
VERT HOUGHTALING, representing himself, Big Lake, testified in
support of SJR 4. He said the state needs to get spending under
control and SJR 4 will give power to the people to decide
whether or not new taxes are necessary.
6:31:03 PM
ABIGAIL STESSEN, representing herself, Fairbanks, testified in
opposition to SJR 4. She said she believes that the people elect
officials to represent them and this amendment doesn't allow
that.
6:31:34 PM
At-ease.
6:31:39 PM
CHAIR HUGHES reconvened the meeting.
6:36:32 PM
JAMES SANTORO, representing himself, Anchorage, testified in
opposition to SJR 4. He said everyone has to pay taxes even if
they don't like it. He described the resolution as a divide and
conquer measure that will split Alaskans. He said the people
elect their legislators to make these hard choices. He
reiterated his opposition to the resolution and most of the
proposals Governor Dunleavy has put forward.
6:37:38 PM
TRISTAN GLOWA, representing himself, Fairbanks, testified in
opposition to SJR 4. He said he has not heard much support for
constraining the legislature's flexibility to solve the state's
fiscal problems. Imposing barriers to solve the fiscal problems
is not appropriate, he said.
6:38:40 PM
TRAVIS COLE, representing himself, Fairbanks, testified in
opposition to SJR 4. He said elected officials are the voice of
the people and they should make these decisions. He further
stated his objection to the governor's approach to take power
away from the legislature.
6:39:37 PM
TRISTAN SINCLAIR, representing himself, North Pole, testified in
opposition to SJR 4. He said the state was created as a
constitutional republic for a reason. Legislators are elected to
educate themselves and make informed decisions on behalf of the
people.
6:40:22 PM
ERIC MUEHLING, representing himself, Fairbanks, testified in
opposition to SJR 4. He said this resolution will limit
legislative power and restrict the legislature's ability to
raise and spend money. That is their role, he said. Let them do
their job.
6:40:55 PM
RONALD HOWARD JR., representing himself, Ketchikan, testified in
support of SJR 4 to give people an up or down vote on new taxes.
6:41:41 PM
CHAIR HUGHES closed public testimony on SJR 4.
6:41:56 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE expressed appreciation for the testimony.
[SJR 4 was held in committee.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR4 Version U.pdf |
SJUD 4/1/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 4/3/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 4/3/2019 6:00:00 PM SJUD 4/15/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 4/17/2019 6:00:00 PM SJUD 4/19/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 4 |
| SJR4 Transmittal Letter.pdf |
SJUD 4/1/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 4/3/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 4/3/2019 6:00:00 PM SJUD 4/17/2019 6:00:00 PM SJUD 4/19/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 4 |
| SJR4 Sectional Analysis Version U.pdf |
SJUD 4/1/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 4/3/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 4/3/2019 6:00:00 PM SJUD 4/15/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 4/17/2019 6:00:00 PM |
SJR 4 |
| SJR4 Explanation of Changes Version U.pdf |
SJUD 4/1/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 4/3/2019 1:30:00 PM SJUD 4/3/2019 6:00:00 PM SJUD 4/17/2019 6:00:00 PM SJUD 4/19/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 4 |