Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
02/07/2012 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SCR20 | |
| SJR14 | |
| SJR11 | |
| SCR16 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SCR 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 11 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SCR 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SJR 14-MILITARY PERSONNEL CUTS & BASE CLOSURES
9:05:36 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced the consideration of SJR 14, which
he said highlights the strategic importance of Alaska's bases
and military personnel.
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for SJR 14, labeled 27-LS1299\M, as the working document.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI objected for discussion purposes.
KENDRA KLOSTER, staff to Senator Bill Wielechowski, sponsor,
presented SJR 14. The resolution is a result of the base
realignment and closure process in 2005 and a recent possibility
of another round of closures in 2013 and 2015. She related that
it is important that the legislature show support for Alaska
military bases and personnel. There will also be a cut of $487
billion over the next 10 years for military bases. The Alaska
military force is of great importance to Alaska's economy and
strategic location. Thirty-two military installations and more
than 23,000 active duty members and 37,000 active duty family
members contribute to about 13 percent of the state's economy.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted there was one proposed amendment.
9:07:27 AM
LUKE HOPKINS, Mayor, Fairbanks North Star Borough, thanked the
committee for hearing the resolution. He reported on the Base
Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) process from 2005
which resulted in pushing back realignment for Eielson Air Force
Base. He voiced concern about another BRAC round. He stressed
the strategic importance of Eielson Air Force Base in the world
theater. He asked the committee to consider this issue and
support the resolution.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI agreed that the resolution was of great
importance to Fairbanks. He requested information about Mayor
Hopkins' proposed amendment.
MAYOR HOPKINS related that he talked to Senator Coghill about
language that would highlight the importance of interior Alaska.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI thanked the mayor.
9:11:21 AM
C.W. FLOYD, Special Assistant for Military and Veterans Affairs,
Office of Senator Mark Begich, offered to answer questions on
SJR 14.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI requested more information about the BRAC
process.
MR. FLOYD explained that BRAC would require Congressional
approval. A list of military bases under consideration would be
developed and reviewed. In 2005, the BRAC committee came to
Alaska to take testimony regarding the reduction of Eielson
Base. He noted that currently the Congressional climate does not
support domestic BRAC in light of all alternatives.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked what affects the 2005 BRAC had on
Alaska.
MR. FLOYD replied that it brought out facts and dispelled rumors
about costs. Cost savings implications were found to be
significant. The strategic importance was highlighted, as well
as future development opportunities, especially as related to
environmental impacts, unmanned aerial vehicles, and the global
reach of the training centers.
9:18:05 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked about Secretary of Defense Panetta's
prediction that $487 billion in military cuts are expected over
the next ten years. He wondered how that would affect Alaska.
MR. FLOYD opined that it was too soon to speculate on that
issue.
SENATOR PASKVAN recalled heating costs being a concern during
the 2005 hearings. He said it was found that there was a
leveling of BTU consumption by including air conditioning in
cost comparisons of bases.
MR. FLOYD said he assumed it was so, but did not know. He
offered to find out.
9:19:50 AM
JIM PALMER, Senator Lisa Murkowski's Office, agreed that
Congress is not in favor of a BRAC process at this time. Any
downsizing of the military in Alaska would not be a good idea
for America, given the strategic position of Alaska's bases to
Asian Pacific theaters. He noted that the governor, the
legislature, and the Congressional delegation would be working
closely together on this issue. He voiced concern about the
possibility of moving F-16's from Eielson to Elmendorf.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted widespread support on the legislative
level. He asked if moving the F-16's was a precursor for
upcoming BRAC rounds.
MR. PALMER said that would be speculation on his part. He
pointed out that moving the jets from Eielson would make it
easier to put the base in a BRAC situation.
9:23:29 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI withdrew his objection to adopting the CS for
SJR 14. There being no further objection, version M was before
the committee.
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to adopt Amendment 1:
WHEREAS the northern most U.S. Air Force base in North
America is located in central Alaska is home to Red
Flag North exercises that provide access to the Joint
Pacific Range Complex training space for combined
Allied joint training including extensive live weapons
fire, live ordinances, and controlled UAV airspace and
overland supersonic flight; and
WHEREAS the Pacific Air Bridge is supported by Alaskan
Based KC-135 tankers with 24 million gallons of jet
fuel storage supplied by a central Alaska refinery via
direct pipeline; and
WHEREAS the state of Alaska has invested $80 million
of its own capital funds in the last two years to
provide the military exclusive direct ground access to
JPARC which is adjacent to a central Alaska Air Force
base; and
There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI spoke of the importance of Alaska's strategic
location. He said the economic impact of 13 percent is an
important factor for retaining military bases in Alaska.
9:25:27 AM
SENATOR PASKVAN referred to a previous comment on BRAC and the
choice of closing domestic and international bases. He stressed
that domestic bases should be considered last for a BRAC process
because of the tremendous economic impact closing them would
have on communities.
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report CSSJR 14, version M, as amended,
out of committee with individual recommendations. There being no
objection, CSSJR 14(STA) moved from the Senate State Affairs
Standing Committee.