Legislature(2001 - 2002)
03/09/2001 01:41 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
GENERAL SUBJECT(S):
STATEWIDE TELECONFERENCE
HB 103-APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET
HB 104-APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
Juneau, Mat-Su & Anchorage
The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes
and handouts will be on file with the House Finance
Committee through the 22nd Legislative Session, contact 465-
2156. After the 22nd Legislative Session they will be
available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.
LOG SPEAKER DISCUSSION
TAPE HFC 00 - 40
SIDE A
000 Co-Chair Mulder Opened the House Finance Committee
meeting on the statewide
teleconferencing, noting that each
testifier was requested to limit their
testimony to two minutes. He added that
each person could direct their comments
in support or opposition to the proposed
changes to the operating budget bill.
21 KEN DEAN - JUNEAU Testified in support of the $90 thousand
dollar increment for the Independent
Living component.
404 LARRY DUFFY, CHAIR, Testified in support of full funding for
FACULTY ALLIANCE - the University of Alaska.
JUNEAU
510 MARLA LIPPARD, Testified in support of the Governor's
CLINICAL DIRECTOR, request for increased funding for alcohol
GASTINEAU HUMAN abuse programs. Jail does not work.
SERVICES - JUNEAU
750 MIKE WENTZ - JUNEAU Testified in support of the Governor's
request for increased funding for alcohol
abuse programs.
1000 ELVA BONTRAGER, Spoke in support of funding for historic
CARETAKER, HOUSE OF buildings in the Division of Parks.
WICKERSHAM - JUNEAU
1116 MARY LOU SPARTZ - Testified in support of funding for the
JUNEAU deferred maintenance budget in the
Division of Parks.
1259 DANNY MARTIN - Testified in support of the Governor's
JUNEAU request for increased funding for alcohol
abuse programs.
1561 BILL LEGERE - JUNEAU Testified in support of full funding for
the public broadcasting satellite system.
1639 Representative Questioned the affects of the proposed
Hudson funding cuts.
1689 Representative Noted the $1 million dollars it would
Hudson cost to lease the transponder. He asked
if without funding, would the services
could be discontinued.
1697 VENIETIA SANTANA - Testified in support of full funding for
JUNEAU the University of Alaska.
1758 Vice-Chair Bunde Suggested that students would still leave
the state.
1815 MS. SANTANA Felt that the university would be more
competitive if programs were improved.
1871 JANET FORBES - Testified in support of the Governor's
JUNEAU request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
2068 Representative Clarified that the funding for alcohol
Harris treatment had not been reduced. He stated
that the Subcommittee had not approved
the requested increments.
2132 Representative Croft Observed that the speaker was referring
to the $2 million in alcohol and drug
abuse grants that were recommended by the
Governor and were not funded.
2152 Co-Chair Mulder Suggested that funds may be available
through a bill with a fiscal note.
2187 MS. SANTANA Maintained that the program has been
reduced.
2204 Representative Spoke in support of the program. He
Hudson thought that the program has grown. He
suggested that Ms. Santana provide
information on the program's successes.
2271 SUSAN BRYSON - Testified in support of full funding for
JUNEAU the University of Alaska. She responded
to comments regarding the loss of
students in Alaska. She maintained that
the major reason for the loss of students
were the lack of classes in their field.
TAPE HFC 01 - 40,
SIDE B
24 TIA ANDERSON - Testified in support of full funding for
JUNEAU the University of Alaska.
187 DEAN LUMMIS - JUNEAU Testified in support of the Governor's
request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
420 BROWNE WILLARD - Testified in support of the Governor's
JUNEAU request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
691 Representative Pointed out that the State spends a great
Harris deal of funds on drug and alcohol
programs ($37 million dollars).
741 JODIE RUMPH - JUNEAU Testified in support of the Infant
Learning Program.
1019 Representative Croft Asked if the program had requested $700
thousand dollar.
1038 Ms. Rumph Advised that was correct and that the
therapy would educate the parents.
1154 TOM BOUTIN - JUNEAU Voiced appreciation for the Committee
"holding" the line over the previous
years. He commented on the missions and
measures and suggested that perhaps it
was time for an independent review. He
addressed debt service and the general
fund authorization.
1369 SOLVEIG PEDERSEN - Testified in support of full funding for
JUNEAU the University of Alaska.
1390 KIM PERRY - JUNEAU Testified in support of full funding for
the University of Alaska.
1408 CINDY CASHEN - Spoke in support of further funding for
JUNEAU addressing drunk driving offenders.
She added the need for full funding for
all concerns dealing with alcohol abuse.
1643 SHERRY THOMPSON - Testified in support of full funding for
JUNEAU the University of Alaska.
1689 LISSA ROBERTSON - Testified in support of full funding for
JUNEAU the University of Alaska.
1733 KATHRYN CURRIT - Testified in support of full funding for
JUNEAU the University of Alaska.
1764 CARL ROSE - JUNEAU Testified in support of additional
funding for education. He addressed the
recommendations made by the Task Force.
Mr. Rose stated that the numbers
determined by the task force were
responsible numbers. He stressed that the
State has been at flat funding for 15
years. Mr. Rose stressed that the
standards based system needs extra
funding. He asked for full funding for
education as it does not currently meet
the adequacy standard. In the budget
this year, the general fund is being
reduced. In cutting the general fund
spending, the costs are being passed on
to the local communities. The money will
come from responsible long-range fiscal
plan. He concluded that responsibility
needs to happen in the Committee.
1983 Representative Croft Commented that this is the most important
issue that this legislature is facing.
He stated that the process achieved by
the task force should receive the dollars
requested.
2039 Mr. Rose Replied that the study was based on areas
of needs. He commented that school
districts are struggling to buy
textbooks. The special needs students
are being ignored. The largest number
amount is the teacher's salaries, which
need to be increased if the State is
going to meet the competitive edge. Mr.
Rose addressed the need for student
intervention. He added that all of the
information is recorded in the study.
Testified in support of full funding for
pupil transportation rather than
displacement. He emphasized that these
are critical issues.
2173 Representative Asked why there has been no discussion to
Lancaster date.
2183 Mr. Rose Understood that the bill was "dead on
arrival". He stated that the principles
employed were quality including
performance. He added that the money
should come from the State. If quality
is what the State is after, we will have
to provide for that.
2228 KATHY HANSEN - Requested further and enhanced funding
JUNEAU for the Department of Fish and Game.
2269 DARROLL HARGRAVES - Testified in support of additional
JUNEAU funding for education. He addressed
foundation funding and the transportation
issues.
TAPE HFC 01 - 41,
Side A
110 Mr. Hargraves Continued discussion on the concerns with
full funding for education.
198 TONIA KENSINGER - Spoke in support for further and greater
JUNEAU funding for the Infant Learning service.
400 VERNUM MACDRELL - Testified in support of additional
JUNEAU funding for education. He commended the
Committee for the Learning Opportunity
Grants. He requested Committee support
for the education bills. He testified in
support of full funding for pupil
transportation. [Referenced the NEA
handout - Copy on File].
875 KEAN NUTTALL - Testified in support of full funding for
JUNEAU the University of Alaska.
925 LYNDA OLSEN - JUNEAU Testified in support of the Governor's
request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs. She added the
need for recovery houses within the State
of Alaska. Testified in support of full
funding for the University of Alaska.
1012 MATT FELIX - JUNEAU Testified in support of the Governor's
request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs. He commented
that alcohol is the greatest social
service problem in the State. Treatment
is the only thing that works for
prevention of drunk driving. He warned
that alcohol is cheaper than soda pop and
milk in this State.
1183 LOREN GERHARD - Asked for full restoration to the Alaska
JUNEAU Marine Highway transportation proposed
cuts. He noted that the Southeast Plan
would help the State's financial
situation. He emphasized that the people
of Southeast Alaska depend on the system.
1346 LISA VILLANO - Testified in support of full funding for
JUNEAU the University of Alaska.
1538 Representative Asked about the improved morale amongst
Whitaker the student body and if it was related to
the "Alaskan can do spirit".
1595 PAMELA WATTS - Testified in support of the Governor's
JUNEAU request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1715 Representative Asked if the board tried to get involved
Hudson in recommendations.
1728 Ms. Watts Noted that they do get involved and the
development of community commitment.
Prevention is the target.
1754 GARY BADER - JUNEAU Testified in support of additional
funding for education and testified in
support of full funding for pupil
transportation. He provided the figures
of State foundation funding since 1993.
He noted the decrease. There has been a
reduction in the amount of $485 dollars
per student.
1853 Co-Chair Mulder Asked the pupil count in 1993.
1865 Mr. Bader Replied that there were 5,112 students in
1993; in 2000, the number of students was
5,631.
1897 SCOTT MCCREA - Testified in support of full funding for
JUNEAU the University of Alaska.
2004 JOYANNE BLOOM - Stressed the need to fund tobacco
JUNEAU cessation programs and pointed to tobacco
settlement funds as a funding source.
Recess: 3:55 p.m.
2141 Reconvened: 4:05
2175 ADENE AUTHUR - MATSU Testified in support of funding for
avalanche prevention within the
Department of Public Safety.
TAPE HFC 01 - 41,
SIDE B
022 SALLY ELLIOTT - Stressed the need to fund tobacco
MATSU cessation programs and pointed to tobacco
settlement funds as a funding source.
153 DON SAVAGE - MATSU Expressed concern with diminishing funds
for local emergency planning committees.
409 MISTY JENSEN - MATSU Testified in support of full funding for
the Infant Learning Program. Testified in
support of additional funding for
education.
608 Co-Chair Mulder Noted that there had been no cuts to the
Head Start program. The increment for a
federal match was not included, but local
communities can opt to make up the match.
668 JAMES POSEY - MATSU Testified in support of the Governor's
request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs in the amount of
$17 million dollars.
786 DELISA CULPEPPER - Testified in support of the public health
ANCHORAGE budget and disease control. Stressed the
need to fund tobacco cessation programs
and pointed to tobacco settlement funds
as a funding source.
917 JENNY MURRAY - Stressed the need to fund tobacco
ANCHORAGE cessation programs and pointed to tobacco
settlement funds as a funding source.
1053 DAVID GEESIN - Testified in support of full funding for
ANCHORAGE the public broadcasting satellite system.
1235 ISABELLE GAYLE BORAN Testified in support of the Governor's
- ANCHORAGE request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1347 MICHELE BERNS Testified in support of the Governor's
request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1392 JOSEPH BURNS - MATSU Testified in support of the Governor's
request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1488 DENISE BOWEN - MATSU Testified in support of the Governor's
request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1548 LYLE OKINEKO - MATSU Testified in support of the Governor's
request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1614 THOMAS MCELWAIN - Testified in support of the Governor's
MATSU request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1695 KELLY MCKITTRICK - Testified in support of the Governor's
MATSU request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1788 KELIAN YOUNG - Testified in support of the Governor's
ANCHORAGE request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1842 GARY CURNEY - Testified in support of the Governor's
ANCHORAGE request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1906 JOHN MAYO - Testified in support of the Governor's
ANCHORAGE request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1953 DEBBIE OSSIANDER - Testified in support of additional
ANCHORAGE funding for education. Testified in
support of full funding for pupil
transportation.
2059 Representative Croft Asked how much their pupil transportation
cost was reduced.
2072 Ms. Ossiander Noted that costs were not reduced but
were held to a minimum.
2096 Co-Chair Mulder Observed that Anchorage's growth was only
2 percent, while other areas have
increased up to 20 percent.
2115 PAUL STANKAVICH - Testified in support of full funding for
ANCHORAGE the public broadcasting satellite system.
2214 PATRICIA COYNE - Testified in support of funding for
MATSU avalanche prevention in the Department of
Public Safety.
2262 BILL O'HARA - MATSU Expressed support for funding for state
troopers in the Department of Public
Safety.
2356 STEVE KEPPEL - MATSU Testified in support of the governor's
request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
TAPE HFC 01 - 42,
SIDE A
100 Co-Chair Mulder Suggested that additional funding will be
available for alcohol treatment.
182 TAMARA AHUMADA - Stressed the need to fund tobacco
ANCHORAGE cessation programs and pointed to tobacco
settlement funds as a funding source.
360 RICH SEWELL - Testified in support of full funding for
ANCHORAGE the University of Alaska.
506 MORRY HOLLOWELL - Expressed concern that there is not
ANCHORAGE sufficient funding for juvenile justice
services.
670 TOM WILLIAMS - Testified in support of full funding for
ANCHORAGE the public broadcasting satellite system.
829 Co-Chair Mulder Noted that the Committee would take a
look at the satellite funding.
854 MARY ROSENZWEIG - Testified in support of the governor's
ANCHORAGE request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
984 Representative Croft Noted that there are potential savings
through treatment.
1021 IRENE PERSSON GAMBLE Stressed the need to fund tobacco
- ANCHORAGE cessation programs and pointed to tobacco
settlement funds as a funding source.
Testified in support for additional
funding for Head Start programs.
1187 SALLYE WERNER - Expressed support for funding to the
ANCHORAGE child protection services - Office of
Public Advocacy, Division of Family and
Youth Services and Denali Kid Care.
Testified in support of the Governor's
request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs.
1362 ROSALIE NADEAU - Testified in support of the Governor's
ANCHORAGE request for increased funding for alcohol
and drug abuse programs. Akeela contracts
with the Department of Corrections
(Inmate Substance Abuse Services).
1528 PAUL JANOWIE - Testified in support of funding for
ANCHORAGE juvenile justice programs.
1674 Dinner recess at 5:30 p.m.
Resumed session at 6:45 p.m.
TAPE HFC 01 - 42,
SIDE B
000 GREG WILSON - Requested further funding for the
ANCHORAGE Division of Oil and Gas and salary
increases to the Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities
employees.
145 SALLY MEAD - Spoke in support for further and greater
ANCHORAGE funding for Public Health services within
the Department of Health and Social
Services budget.
321 SARAH PLOTNICK-Stressed the need to fund tobacco
EPSTEIN - ANCHORAGE cessation programs and pointed to tobacco
settlement funds as a funding source.
412 BILL BOUWENS - Stressed the need to fund tobacco
ANCHORAGE cessation programs and pointed to tobacco
settlement funds as a funding source.
507 MARGARET LANIER - Stressed the need to fund tobacco
ANCHORAGE cessation programs and pointed to tobacco
settlement funds as a funding source.
617 Representative Asked how the State could reach all the
Hudson people that need tobacco counseling.
660 Ms. Lanier Replied that the State needs a
comprehensive tobacco control program.
Counter marketing media and enforcement
and evaluation of current programs. She
stated that youth would be specifically
targeted.
730 KATHLEEN WALL - Testified in support of the mental health
ANCHORAGE budget.
801 GAIL IGO - ANCHORAGE Spoke in support of further funding for
Division of Family and Youth Services and
the Foster Care component.
925 Representative Stated that front line social workers
Hudson would be receiving $1 million dollars
more this year.
969 DAVID ALEXANDER - Requested that the proposed cut to the
ANCHORAGE Ameri-Corp not be made. He stated that
the federal match is approximately $2
million dollars for a small State match.
The services are for children between 2-8
years old.
1088 CHRIS HUDSON - Testified in support of the mental health
ANCHORAGE budget.
1197 DEBBIE HUDSON - Testified in support of the mental health
ANCHORAGE budget. She added her support for
Volunteers of America.
1256 JULIANNE DYE - Testified in support of full funding for
ANCHORAGE the public broadcasting satellite system.
1333 Co-Chair Mulder Noted that there have been discussions
regarding the satellite system. He noted
that Representative Lancaster was
frustrated with where the State currently
is. He noted that there is an amendment
forthcoming to address some of that
frustration. He stated that one
consideration is that technology is
changing so much; the State is hesitant
to make a commitment to AT&T. He noted
that it is the intent to address services
as proposed.
1452 Ms. Dye Voiced appreciation for the work done to
date. She agreed with the fast pace of
the technological changes.
1512 KIRK KAMLEEZ - Asked about the increase for the front
ANCHORAGE line social workers. He asked the number
of workers that would fund.
1557 Representative Explained that budget has ballooned since
Harris last year.
1579 Co-Chair Mulder Understood that it would increase between
20-25 new positions including the bubble
positions.
1631 At ease: 7:15 p.m.
Reconvene: 7:28 p.m.
1637 Mr. Kamleez Asked if there was a projection regarding
the amount of federal money lost because
the State did not keep up with the
mandate.
1690 Representative Replied that the State has lost money
Harris because we have sold tobacco to minors.
That grant lost a few million dollars.
He did not know of any loss in the
Division of Family and Youth Services
(DFYS).
1722 Representative Croft Added that there have been threats of
loosing money in the Child Support
Enforcement Division (CSED).
1735 Vice-Chair Bunde Noted that some years back, the State
lost money in bringing to trial, youth as
adults.
1792 Mr. Kamleez Asked how to track that kind of
information.
1801 Representative Replied that he should call the
Harris Department. There has been every attempt
to secure Federal match money.
1823 Co-Chair Mulder Interjected that the numbers for new
social workers are speculative at this
time.
1876 Co-Chair Mulder ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
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