Legislature(2009 - 2010)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/03/2009 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
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| Start | |
| HB83 |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 81 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 83 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 81-APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS HB 83-APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET Statewide Public Testimony The following overview was taken in log note format. Handouts will be on file with the House Finance Committee through the 26th Legislative Session, contact 465-6814. After the 26th Legislative Session they will be available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808. TIME SPEAKER DISCUSSION 1:36:15 PM JUNEAU 1:40:46 PM Dorothy Green, Urged support for behavioral health Director, services grants, which were reduced Polaris House by 43 percent from the governor's proposed increment. She urged full funding for mental health services and substance abuse grants as submitted by the Governor. 1:45:56 PM Scott Ciambor, Testified in support of affordable United Way of housing in Southeast Alaska. Southeast 1:48:43 PM Matt Felix, Testified in support of funding for National alcohol treatment programs. He Council on emphasized that the needs are so Alcoholism great for this program that there is no wasted money. He spoke in appreciation of Representative Joule's support. 1:51:29 PM Carl Rose, Spoke in support of funding for K-12 Executive education programs. The school's Director, promise is to improve quality Association of statewide, but this takes money. Alaska School There is a need for early childhood Boards financial help and training innovation for the future. 1:56:18 PM Representative Asked about reductions to school Gara services. He noted that school districts have indicated that the $100 increase to the student base allocation will not be sufficient to prevent reductions for districts that are not getting extra funds for cost differentials. He questioned what would be needed to hold those districts (such as Anchorage) harmless. 1:58:10 PM Carl Rose Noted that the only way the Anchorage School District could benefit would be through an increase in the base student allocation. The foundation formula is designed to distribute funds across the state. The Anchorage school district is also the largest provider of intensive needs. In response to a question by, Representative Gara, Mr. Rose noted that Anchorage is the base at 1.0. 1:58:40 PM Cathy Johnson, Urged support for behavioral health Board of services grants. She spoke in Directors support of full funding for the Aware Shelter Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. 2:00:27 PM Co-Chair He did not believe the base for Hawker behavior health grants were being reduced. 2:00:44 PM Vice-Chair Questioned if there was a spike in Thomas domestic violence when the Kensington mine was shut. 2:01:16 PM Cathy Johnson Felt that lost jobs and homelessness leads to domestic violence throughout the state. 2:01:48 PM Vice-Chair Wanted to emphasize that Thomas unemployment is one of the greatest problems leading to domestic violence. 2:02:25 PM Representative Asked for clarification of the $1.7 Austerman million cut in behavioral grant programs and if this included in the base. 2:02:55 PM Co-Chair Clarified that the base was left Hawker intact. There was a request to increase the base by $1.75 million; $1 million of the increase was accepted. There was a 43 percent reduction of the requested increase, not a reduction from the base. 2:03:45 PM Brad Cure, Urged support for behavioral health resident services grants. He urged full funding for mental health services and spoke in personal terms of loss of friend who did not get the help needed. 2:06:11 PM Joy Lyon, Spoke in support of funding for K-12 Alaska education programs. She observed Association that 1 in 88 Alaskans are in prison, for Young which reflects the need to help Children children succeed early. 2:08:48 PM Pamela Watts, Urged support for behavioral health Administrator, services grants. Community mental Juneau health statewide is struggling with Alliance for long waiting periods for help. Mental Health 2:10:50 PM Representative Asked if grants are different from Gara the earlier $1.75 million increment. 2:11:12 PM Pamela Watts Understood that there are two increments: substance abuse and mental health; each was reduced to $1 million. 2:11:39 PM Walter Urged support for behavioral health Majores, services grants. He stressed the Executive need for full funding for mental Director, health services and substance abuse Juneau Youth grants as submitted by the Governor. Services He indicated programs were losing staff and running a deficit. 2:14:44 PM Vice-Chair Pointed out there is a difference Thomas between cuts to the base and increments that were not accepted in full. 2:15:49 PM Tina Young Urged support for behavioral health services grants. She has young child in need of professional help and fears a loss of funding will hurt. She stressed that there are children in community that are in need. 2:17:41 PM Mandy O'Neil Spoke in support of full funding for Cole, Direct the Council on Domestic Violence and Services Sexual Assault. She pointed to Manager, overwhelming needs in the community Aware, Inc. as money continues to be decreased. The $1.2 million hardly keeps pace, and does not help to move these programs forward. 2:20:28 PM Andi Story, Stressed the importance of high Member, Juneau quality education to employers. School Board Spoke in support of funding for K-12 education programs. She maintained that increase funding is not keeping pace with the costs of education. Schools need highly skilled teachers with good pay. She pointed out that arts are being cut and size of classes increased with less money. 2:25:25 PM Jayne Andreen, Expressed support for the Obesity President, AK Prevention and Control program. She Public Health noted that Alaska is experiencing an Association epidemic of obesity among the young and adults. She added that 27% of high school students are overweight. Alaska is spending over $200 million in obesity issues. 2:29:34 PM Louise Galvan, Urged support for behavioral health Polaris House services grants and mental health services. She revealed it was hard to get services in the area and noted long waits for appointments. 2:32:27 PM Mary Hakala, Spoke in support of funding for K-12 parent education programs. She spoke in support of funding for vocational education training programs. These programs have been forced out of the school system. She noted the need to promote stimulation in the minds of the young. 2:35:54 PM Carol Comeau, Thanked members for increases in Superintendentsome programs recommended by the , Anchorage Education Funding Task Force. She School spoke in support of the initiative District to reverse childhood obesity trends and Dr. Butler's work. She noted good health influences student achievement. 2:37:49 PM Co-Chair Thanked Ms. Comeau on her help with Hawker the obesity program in the schools. Appreciated the well thought out plan for helping children. 2:38:55 PM Carol Comeau Noted that she wanted to continue working with the state. She noted that school districts do not see the benefit in daylight savings time and would like to return to 1980s time, prior to the present daylight savings time. 2:40:10 PM Vice-Chair Questioned what school districts are Thomas doing to reduce the drop out rate. 2:40:24 PM Carol Comeau In Anchorage, with increase funding, the goal is to hire new graduation coaches. She stressed that the need for more help with vocational education programs and pointed out that school needs to be more stimulating for children. 2:41:50 PM Vice-Chair Would like to see the program moving Thomas toward changing the drop-out rate. 2:43:13 PM AT EASE 3:08:24 PM RECONVENED BETHEL, KOTZEBUE, BARROW, NOME, DELTA JUNCTION, OFFNETS 3:08:56 PM Nancy Urged support for the Board of Mendenhall, Regent's increment request for Chair, Energy Engineering and Climate Cooperative Change program, which was removed by Extension the subcommittee. There is a need to Advisory assist households with energy costs. Council, Nome This is part of the outreach program in the University. She emphasized that they are looking for better outreach and communication with the rural villages. 3:13:23 PM Maureen Nolan, Spoke in support of funding for the Early Learning Infant Learning Program and K-12 and Family education programs. She believed all Program, programs for the young will be Kotzebue beneficial. 3:14:51 PM Representative He asked what was in the infant Gara learning program. He wanted to know what the program did. 3:15:27 PM Maureen Nolan She explained that the Infant Learning Program is an early learning and intervention program such as physical therapy. 3:16:11 PM Representative He asked if this was for more than Gara children with disabilities. 3:16:32 PM Maureen Nolan Explained that the children that are targeted will need extra help, but all children receive screening, such as vision screening, reading programs, as well as early intervention. BETHEL 3:17:52 PM Thor Williams, Spoke in support of funding for K-12 Bethel education programs. He urged funding for public safety and juvenile justice programs. He emphasized the need for full the VPSO program and funding for mental health services and substance abuse grants. 3:19:24 PM Monica Charles Spoke in support of full funding for Leinberger, the Council on Domestic Violence and Bethel Sexual Assault. Supported more funding for housing for women and children in need. She noted that the need for night shelters is growing. 3:21:11 PM Co-Chair Indicated they were looking for Hawker alternative funding. 3:21:29 PM Michelle She believed the governor's increase Dewitt, was well justified. Women's Shelter Coalition, Bethel 3:22:40 PM Dan Urged support of revenue sharing for Leinberger, rural communities. Vice Mayor of Bethel 3:23:25 PM Co-Chair Noted that revenue sharing was fully Hawker funded. 3:23:40 PM Dan Leinberger Wanted expansion for all users of energy in Alaska. He testified in support of full funding for the Power Cost Equalization Program. 3:24:30 PM Co-Chair Observed that PCE was fully funded Hawker at $32 million. 3:24:50 PM Dan Leinberger Spoke of HB 310 that included money for service patrol, which was not included in this year's budget. This project may have to be terminated. He urged the committee to find other funding sources. He understood there was a funding cut for ADA and a director position and urged this to be changed. He also spoke of business license fees being cut in half and urged reinstating higher fees for funding source. 3:28:39 PM Alvin B. Observed that the work in the Jimmie, Sr. villages by village public safety VPSO officers is difficult and there has Coordinator, been a lot of burn-out. He Bethel encouraged more money to increase the number of village public safety officers in the villages. 3:31:58 PM Co-Chair Appreciated this information because Hawker of his concern for lack of public safety in the villages. 3:32:48 PM Co-Chair Agreed that this is a challenging Stoltze problem in Alaska. There is a commitment for more hearings during the summer to try to improve the VPSO program. The goal is to hire good people with great training. 3:35:33 PM Ann Applebee, Thanked the governor's increment for Board, Infant a $2 million increase in the Infant Learning Learning Program and encouraged that Program, this be kept in by the legislature. Bethel She observed the difficulty in recruiting good people to Bethel. 3:37:32 PM Co-Chair Observed that the money has been Hawker kept in the budget. 3:37:49 PM Elizabeth Spoke in support of full funding for Roll, Dr., the Council on Domestic Violence and President of Sexual Assault. She noted an Tundra Woman's increase in domestic violence due to Coalition, the hard economic times. She spoke Bethel in support of the governor's increment. She agreed the VPSOs offer a great deal of help in the communities. 3:40:16 PM Representative Questioned what would happen if more Gara money was given or what would not happen if there was less money received. 3:40:58 PM Dr. Roll Observed that the greatest problem is the lack of staff and the need for help with paying general bills, such as energy and housing. She noted that Bethel has the largest domestic abuse in the country. 3:42:41 PM Representative Noted that the integration back into Herron the community of those who have served overseas is increasingly difficult. 3:43:51 PM Carol Piscoya, Thanked the legislature for Norton Sound services. She agreed that the Health integration of National guardsmen Corporation, going overseas returning home has Nome been a problem. She urged support for behavioral health services grants and encouraged more support for VPSO funding. She requested upgrade and educational training for technical systems in the area. BARROW 3:50:15 PM Louisa Riley, Spoke in support of full funding for Chair for the Council on Domestic Violence and North Slope Sexual Assault. She acknowledged Shelter, that funding covers the minimum, but Barrow stressed that the need is great. There are an increasing number of victims that need shelter and care, and without funding they will suffer. 3:52:41 PM Ginny Walch, Spoke of the great need for help for Barrow those needing help. Spoke in support of full funding for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. 3:54:13 PM Carolyn Spoke in support of full funding for Sholley, the Council on Domestic Violence and Counselor for Sexual Assault. She urged more Arctic Women support for staffing and help for in Crisis, women and children. Barrow 3:55:43 PM Rosie Saganna, Spoke in support of full funding for Counselor, the Council on Domestic Violence and Barrow Sexual Assault. 3:56:35 PM Cheryl Humme, Spoke in support of full funding for Barrow the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She spoke in support of healthy families for Alaska and urged support for behavioral health services grants. She stressed that without funding many services will have to shut down. 3:58:42 PM Jan Wrentmore, Spoke in support for tourism Skagway funding. She indicated tourism is down this summer and the great impact it will have on many communities. 4:00:10 PM Co-Chair Agreed that tourism revenue will be Hawker down this summer and agreed of its importance. 4:01:18 PM AT EASE 4:09:30 PM RECONVENED FAIRBANKS 4:11:02 PM Kara Carlson Spoke in support of full funding for Interior AK the Council on Domestic Violence and Canter for Sexual Assault. She in support of a Non-Violent raised minimum wage. Living, Fairbanks 4:13:37 PM Don Billings Urged full funding for mental health National services and substance abuse grants Alliance for as submitted by the Governor. He the Mentally requested support for families Ill, Fairbanks facing mental health issues and urged support for behavioral health services grants. 4:20:51 PM Dick Farris Urged support for behavioral health National services grants. Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Fairbanks 4:21:55 PM Co-Chair Pointed out that there have been no Hawker cuts to the base level in the mental health budget. 4:22:33 PM Val Dewey Urged support for behavioral health For-Get-Me-Not services grants and requested Inc., support for mentally ill adults in Fairbanks particular. She stressed the need to pass SB 21, funding tuition relief for mental health providers in Northern AK, and to renegotiate gold royalty rates to fund an endowment. 4:26:12 PM Co-Chair Wondered about the mentioned Hawker document. 4:26:34 PM Shayle Spoke in support of full funding for Hutchison the Council on Domestic Violence and Weed & Seed, Sexual Assault. She requested Fairbanks competitive wages for domestic violence, sexual assault, and mental health employees. 4:28:34 PM Brenda Spoke in support of full funding for Stanfill the Council on Domestic Violence and Interior AK Sexual Assault. She spoke of the Center for need for health insurance for Non-Violent victims in order to receive quality Living, services and urged full funding for Fairbanks mental health services and substance abuse grants as submitted by the Governor. She expressed support for continued funding for child advocacy centers and asked to restore the funding increase. 4:33:17 PM Pete Pinney Spoke in support of funding for K-12 FNSB HSS education programs. He expressed Commission/UAFappreciation for the Community , Fairbanks Matching Grant Program. 4:35:06 PM Jeanette Urged support for behavioral health Grasto, NAMI, services grants. She believed that Fairbanks proper treatment leads to recovery and not providing the correct care lead to more costs for Alaska. There is a need to take care of more vulnerable people. 4:38:50 PM David Weaver, Spoke in support of funding for Chairman, books for children. He noted that Northstar most of the funding for their Imagination program has been raised locally, but Library, state funding. Fairbanks 4:42:17 PM Co-Chair Spoke that this was high on the list Hawker when more funding available. 4:42:59 PM Angie Ellis, Spoke in support of full funding for Forensic the Council on Domestic Violence and Nursing Sexual Assault. She spoke in support Service, of the public safety budget. Fairbanks 4:45:05 PM Co-Chair Spoke in support of forensic nurses Hawker in communities. 4:45:26 PM Jay Spoke in support of the Regent's Quankenbush, request for full funding for the Fairbanks University of Alaska. He spoke in support of energy relief for Alaska communities and stressed the need to support an investment in the University engineering programs. He urged funding for deferred maintenance for the university. 4:49:04 PM Co-Chair Expressed that Representative Foster Stoltze helped in that area over the years. 4:50:05 PM Co-Chair Expressed that the university has Hawker received funding over the years to improve conditions. 4:50:35 PM Guy Patterson, Urged support for behavioral health Director of services grants and the need to Behavioral attract health professionals to the Health area. He stressed that increased Services, costs have offset funding. Fairbanks 4:53:56 PM Lenetta Thanked the legislature for an Colbert, Open increase in the child care Arms reimbursement rates to 50 percent. Commission, She spoke for young children and Fairbanks their parents who can not speak for themselves and in support of funding for K-12 education programs. She urged support for behavioral health services grants and noted that higher funding provides more quality care. 4:58:07 PM Jeff Werner, Spoke in support of funding for K-12 Future Farmers education programs. He spoke of help of America, he received with support of the Fairbanks Palmer school system to achieve his career path to stay and work in Alaska. 5:00:54 PM Sue Hull, Stressed that salary increases in Fairbanks the teacher contracts have put a Northstar strain on the budget. She spoke in School support of funding for K-12 District, education programs and noted Fairbanks reductions in staff and vocational improvements due to lack of money. 5:03:44 PM Co-Chair Observed that education was of the Stoltze forward fund and wondered how important this was to the school system. 5:04:21 PM Ms. Hull Expressed the extreme importance of getting this funding. 5:05:03 PM Mike Kolasa, Spoke of the community initiative Literacy grant. Council of Alaska, Fairbanks 5:05:35 PM Co-Chair Said that both are fully funding, Hawker but not with inflation dollars. 5:06:28 PM Emily Spoke in support of the Imagination Vockeroth, Library and the importance of early North Star reading for children. Imagination Library, Fairbanks 5:07:03 PM Co-Chair Said this program was on the radar Hawker screen of the committee, but with lower funds this year, it may have to wait. 5:07:54 PM Bryon Rogers, Thanked the legislature for their Chancellor of support and noted some of the University of funding issues for the University. Fairbanks He highlighted the energy program for communities in Alaska. 5:11:47 PM Co-Chair Urged that the University not take Hawker anything personally in the budget decisions. He noted this was a time when funding would be lower. 5:12:44 PM Dana Thomas, Supported the words of Chancellor University of Rogers and student drafted bills for Alaska financial aid programs. She noted st for low income participation in college studies. 5:14:57 PM AT EASE 5:17:08 PM RECONVENED 5:18:16 PM Ann Hooper Urged support for behavioral health services grants. She expressed support for an increase in the human resources matching grant and community resource grants. 5:20:18 PM Joe Hayes, Urged support for behavioral health Alumni services grants. He spoke in support Director, of full funding for the Council on University of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Alaska and the Regent's request for full funding for the University of Alaska. 5:22:32 PM Representative Thanked Mr. Hayes for his university Foster advocacy. 5:23:05 PM ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:22 PM #
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