Legislature(2013 - 2014)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/06/2013 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB65 || HB66 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 65 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 66 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 65
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs, capitalizing funds, amending
appropriations, and making reappropriations; and
providing for an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 66
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; and providing for
an effective date."
Co-Chair Austerman discussed the meeting's agenda.
FAIRBANKS
1:34:26 PM
LISA HERBERT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FAIRBANKS CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in
support of the governor's North Slope LNG project and for
including the governor's amendment to transfer $125 million
from the Alaska Housing Capital Corporation Fund to the
Sustainable Energy Transmission Supply and Development
Fund. She stated that the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce's
number one priority was reducing energy costs. She related
that the high cost of energy was driving business away from
her community and had crippled disposable income that could
have otherwise been spent in Alaska.
1:36:01 PM
ALDEAN KILBORN, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified against cuts in the Alaska State Library Budget
to the Online With Libraries Program and Tutor.com She
stated that the two programs should be made permanent
budget items, as proposed by the governor. She was
concerned that by cutting the funding, the Legislature was
sending the message that rural Alaskans did not deserve
digital equality and related that funding would give "bush"
communities equal access to the internet. She pointed out
that live-homework help was a cheap way to provide students
with help and that a lot of students accessed Alaska State
Library services. She discussed the value and ease of use
of Alaska State Library services.
1:38:34 PM
EVA NORWOOD, KEY COALITION, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
expressed the Key Coalition's support for the $450,000 in
funding for the Complex Behavior Collaborative (CBC). She
pointed out that the state should not cut funding for this
unique and critical program. She explained that most people
with disabilities were easy to care for, but that a small
percentage had challenging behaviors; without support, the
challenging behaviors escalated into costly problems for
the state. She pointed out that the CBC was providing
support in the forms of expert assessment, intervention
planning, training of family, professional care givers, as
well as consultations and evaluations. She stated that
funding was allocated to set up the CBC in FY12 and that it
had starting serving Alaskans in FY13. She concluded that
the CBC worked and was cost effective.
1:40:35 PM
NICHOLAS CLARK, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA- COMMUNITY AND
TECHNICAL COLLEGE, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
expressed support of funding for the Interior Alaska Area
Health and Education Cooperative (AHEC). He related that
funding AHEC was vital for students in the healthcare
field. He pointed out that AHEC provided small scholarships
and internships in hospitals and care facilities throughout
the state; AHEC also helped students go outside Alaska for
internships in the healthcare field. He added that the
program had helped over 2,000 students in 2011-2012.
1:42:09 PM
JIM DODSON, PRESIDENT, FAIRBANKS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the of the governor's package to advance the LNG
trucking project in Fairbanks and for including the
governor's amendment to transfer $125 million from the
Alaska Housing Capital Corporation Fund to the Sustainable
Energy Transmission Supply and Development Fund. He shared
that funding provided Fairbanks with the means to move the
project forward; he pointed out that the funding was not a
grant, but was a loan. He offered that the funding was
making less than 2 percent interest currently, but that the
loan would be paid back with 3 percent. He concluded that
the loan was the right thing to do.
1:43:27 PM
PERRY AHSOGEAK, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIRECTOR, FAIRBANKS
NATIVE ASSOCIATION, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for behavioral health services and
stated that behavioral health had not seen an increase in
funding in several years. He offered that the reduction in
funding could mean the closure of programs, staff layoffs,
and reducing the number of people served. He pointed out
that other higher-cost facilities, such as emergency rooms,
would see an increase in the number of people that would
have to be served if the funding was cut. He relayed that
Alaska already had limited substance abuse treatment
resources and that a funding cut might result in people
being sent out of state for treatment. He spoke about the
effectiveness of behavioral health services and urged the
committee to reconsider budget cuts.
1:45:21 PM
LUKE HOPKINS, MAYOR, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support of the
LNG facility and the distribution project funding
legislation, as well as for including the governor's
amendment to transfer $125 million from the Alaska Housing
Capital Corporation Fund to the Sustainable Energy
Transmission Supply and Development Fund; he pointed out
that the amendment would be a loan to help solve the energy
issues in Fairbanks and other rural communities.
1:46:52 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze related that the committee was missing
Representative Guttenberg's presence and requested Mr.
Hopkins to pass on the comments on behalf of the committee.
Mr. Hopkins responded that he had spoken with
Representative Guttenberg regarding the issues and thanked
Co-Chair Stoltze for his best wishes.
1:47:38 PM
JOE WANT, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke
against funding the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR)
Guide Concession Program. He thanked the committee for
removing the fiscal note for the program. He pointed out
that DNR already had a system in place that could be
modified to address any concerns regarding resource
management. He related that the concession program was
based on crowding of the resource and trespassing, both of
which could already be addressed under current programs,
resources, and infrastructure. He discussed the decrease in
license sales in the last few years, as well as a decrease
in the number of non-resident moose tags, sheep tags, and
caribou tags. He expressed concern that the program would
hand over to an individual management policies that were
currently vested by statute in the Board of Game.
1:50:17 PM
SMOKEY DON DUNCAN, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified against funding the Department of Natural
Resources' Guide Concession Program. He stated that the
program was not based on resource management, wildlife
conservation, or maximizing the value of the resource;
furthermore, the program did not satisfy the five criteria
that were used to justify it. He offered that the program
would not have withstood a legal challenge and that 50
percent of the original supporters could no longer support
the program. He pointed out that DNR had never been a game
manager and that solutions should include broad industry
participation. He thanked the committee for not funding the
Guide Concession Program and urged not revitalizing it.
1:52:05 PM
CHRISTINA DAVIS, INDEPENDENT LIVING ADVOCATE, ACCESS ALASKA
(via teleconference), spoke in support of restoring the
$100,000 increment for the Centers for Independent Living.
She stated that the Centers for Independent Living provided
services to over 45 rural communities the prior year, but
that large areas of the state still remained underserved.
She pointed out that limited funds reduced the already
limited options that Rural Alaskans had, particularly among
seniors and individuals with disabilities. She pointed out
that funding these services would make productive citizens
and reduce costs to the state. She concluded that home and
community based services were proven effective and cost
efficient.
1:53:35 PM
GARY LAURSEN, DIRECTOR, HONORS PROGRAM, UNIVERSITY OF
ALASKA FAIRBANKS, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), expressed
support of continued funding for the University of Alaska,
the preservation of the UA Press, and a $50,000 addendum
for the University of Alaska's Honors program at UAA, UAF,
and UAS. He pointed out that the press gave publishers an
outlet and related that all royalties of his publications
were going back to the university and into a scholarship
fund that supported undergraduate and graduate students'
education. He stated that 95 percent of the UAF Honors
Program students were graduating and that 90 percent were
staying in Alaska.
1:55:47 PM
COLIN OLNER, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding the Controllership Program at the
University of Alaska Fairbanks. He pointed out that Alaska
had a critical shortage of trained senior accountants and
controllers and that the demand for these services was
expected to rise over the next few days. He related that he
was working for a small company that did around $30 million
a year in business and pointed out that it was having
trouble finding a controller because of the high demand. He
concluded that the program would help train and develop
students that were from Alaska, who knew Alaska's economy.
1:56:56 PM
CHRIS PIECH, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding the Controllership Program
at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He shared that
Alaska was currently experiencing a shortage of accountants
and that the addition of the program would meet the need.
He related that a lot of senior accountants and controllers
were expected to retire in the next ten years. He concluded
that the program would help support Alaskans and create
more opportunities.
1:57:45 PM
CECILIA BATES HUDSON, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
spoke in support increasing funding to education. She
expressed the need for Alaska's schools to keep up with
technology. She discussed how a North Pole school had
incorporated career technology learning. She shared that
her son, who had Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, was in enrolled in
the North Pole school and was maintaining a 3.8 grade
average; furthermore, her son was more exciting about
school than he ever had been before. She stated that the
West Valley and Lathrup school districts did not have the
budget for some of these programs and related how helpful
they were for young people. She discussed bringing a
student down to Juneau to meet with legislators and related
how the experience had changed the child.
2:00:38 PM
BEDUSHA THOMAS, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
expressed support of funding for the Interior Alaska Area
Health and Education Cooperative (AHEC). She related that
AHEC had been beneficial in to the UAF Paramedic Academy
and had aided the clinical setting. She pointed out that
that the cooperative was a great benefit to students in the
university's externship program in the Lower 48.
TABER REHBAUM, ARCTIC ALLIANCE FOR PEOPLE, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), expressed support of a $200,000 increase
to the Health and Human Services Community Matching Block
Grant and spoke against cutting funding for behavioral
health services, Best Beginnings, and Parents as Teachers.
She offered that the increase to the matching block grant
would allow Fairbanks to fund all the eligible agencies
that applied for funding; furthermore, the agencies would
provide the services at a fraction of the cost that the
state would incur providing them. She shared that
prevention saved money in the short-term and the long-term.
2:03:06 PM
NICK GASA, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified
in support of a $200,000 increase to the Health and Human
Services Community Matching Block Grant and SB 70. He
related that SB 70 amended the Civil Legal Services Fund to
include 25 percent of the court filing system fees. He
stated that funding to Alaska Legal Services Corporation
(ALSC) provided essential human services, but that ALSC
also boosted economies across the state by $17.8 million
annually. He concluded every dollar invested ALSC resulted
in $5 dollars of economic benefit for its clients.
2:04:14 PM
JOHN REGITANO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FAMILY CENTERED SERVICES
OF ALASKA, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in support
of restoring the funding cuts to the state's Behavioral
Health Grants. He shared that Family Centered Services of
Alaska provided mental health and behavioral health
services to children around the state. He opined that the
budget cuts would result in a dramatically negative effect
on social service agencies in the state and that the
network would suffer. He discussed the fragile nature of
the network of social service agencies in Alaska and
pointed out that Family Centered Services of Alaska had
already received a ten percent cut in 2003; since that
time, there had been no increases in the budget and the
number of children the centers served had risen from 100 to
300. He concluded that this was a bad time to cut already
struggling social service agencies.
2:06:49 PM
ANGELA LINN, PRESIDENT, MUSEUMS ALASKA, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), testified in support of increasing the
funding for the Alaska State Museum's Grant and Aid Program
to $150,000 and an additional line item of $25,000 to
support the internship program, which was currently
included in the Alaska State Museum's Grant and Aid Program
budget. She pointed out that the grant and aid program
supported projects in Alaska museums in the areas of
collections care, facility upgrades, and exhibit
development. Over its 32 year history, the program had
provided over 80 of Alaska's cultural institutions with
funding or interns. The funding provided valuable
assistance for Alaska's smaller and rural museums, cultural
centers, visitor centers, historical societies, and
historical holdings. She discussed how the state museums
benefited Alaska's economy, communities, and cultural
wealth.
2:08:44 PM
AUDREY JONES, PRESIDENT, FAIRBANKS NATIVE ASSOCIATION,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified against the
budget cuts to behavioral health services and voiced
support for the Controllership Program at UAF. She related
that approval of the proposed budget would devastate
communities and would create a huge deficit in services.
She shared that the Fairbanks Native Association's
behavioral health services provided a community based
option for the substance abuse treatment of youth, adults,
and families. She shared a personal story regarding her own
and her family's experiences with substance abuse; with the
help of behavioral health services, she was able to turn
her life around. She concluded that detoxification,
residential treatment, and aftercare services provided a
new start and hope for many families.
CHERYL KEEPERS, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
expressed her support for a $200,000 increase to the Human
Services Community Matching Block Grant, an increase in
funding for the early childhood programs, and the
restoration of funding for behavior health services
programs. She pointed out that the state dollars were
matched by borough and local sources and were leveraged 17
times its value. She stated that Best Beginnings dollars
were well spent in her community.
2:12:02 PM
EMILY VOCKEROTH, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
supported the governor's proposed funding for the Best
Beginnings and Parents as Teachers Programs. She stated
that her community had greatly benefited from both of the
programs. She mentioned that Best Beginnings had funded
several projects including improving literacy education for
childcare providers, establishing a website with multiple
resources, and a community wide campaign to disseminate
early childhood development information. She warned that
the proposed cuts by the Education Subcommittee would
jeopardize projects. She offered that the kindergarten
profile for this year indicated that only 17 percent of
Alaska's children arrived at school ready to learn and
opined that there was a lot of work that needed to be done.
2:13:18 PM
MARTHA RICH, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified against the cuts in funding to behavioral health
services. She discussed the 13 different behavioral health
service programs that she had on a list and stated that she
did not want any of the programs to be cut. She pointed out
that behavioral health services served individuals with
mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders, intellectual
and developmental disorders, and seniors. She offered that
the people that behavioral health services served were at a
higher risk for institutional care, which would cost the
state a lot more money that keeping the social services.
2:14:49 PM
PHIL OSBORN, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
supported restoring the funding for behavioral health
services. He opined that the people who benefited from
these programs were the neediest in our society and that
the highest function of government was to help those who
needed help more than others. He discussed the death of
Hugo Chavez and related that he had been guiding light to
help the poor among his citizens.
2:15:54 PM
STEPHEN FINK, STUDENT, UAF-CTC PARAMEDIC ACADEMY, FAIRBANKS
(via teleconference), expressed support of funding for the
Interior Alaska Area Health and Education Cooperative
(AHEC). He pointed out that the paramedic academy had a two
to three month required internship in the Lower 48 and that
AHEC supported the travel costs of the internship, as well
as orientation at hospitals.
2:16:48 PM
MYLES JELLISON, STUDENT, UAF-CTC PARAMEDIC ACADEMY,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support of
funding for the Interior Alaska Area Health and Education
Cooperative (AHEC). He offered that he was from out of
state and pointed out that the paramedic program at UAF was
a driving factor of why he chose to attend the University
of Alaska. He shared that the support of AHEC provided
students with training and experience to become competent
medics and allowed the students to go outside the state for
internships. He concluded that continued funding would keep
more students coming in from outside Alaska and would
provide a steady supply of highly trained EMS professionals
in the state.
2:18:20 PM
KRAIG BRYAN, STUDENT, UAF-CTC PARAMEDIC ACADEMY, FAIRBANKS
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the
Interior Alaska Area Health and Education Cooperative
(AHEC). He pointed out that AHEC played a vital role in the
paramedic program at UAF and that it helped coordinate to
make local healthcare facilities available to students. He
discussed the financial support AHEC provided for required
internships out of the state.
2:19:17 PM
MICHAEL SMITH, STUDENT, UAF-CTC PARAMEDIC ACADEMY FAIRBANKS
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the
Interior Alaska Area Health and Education Cooperative
(AHEC). He shared that he had been a volunteer and
professional EMT in the Fairbanks for five years. He
related that he was able to increase his training through
the use of AHEC. He concluded that when someone called 911,
they wanted a fully qualified medical provider to respond
and that the AHEC and the university would make that
happen.
2:19:58 PM
CHUCK KUHNS, PARAMEDIC COORDINATOR, PARAMEDIC ACADEMY,
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), expressed support of funding for the
Interior Alaska Area Health and Education Cooperative
(AHEC) and its regional centers. He related that UAF's
paramedic program was the only nationally accredited
program in the state and trained about 20 students a year;
the program had 90 percent of its students passing the
national test on the first attempt. He stated that AHEC's
regional center in Fairbanks provided "almost foundational"
support to the Paramedic Academy. He related that AHEC
assisted students with the expenses of the required
internships outside of Alaska and helped coordinate with
the hospitals.
2:21:17 PM
DON GRAY, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke
against the proposed cuts to behavioral health services and
in support of funding education. He shared that funding
behavioral health services would prevent state expenditures
in the future that would result from incarceration,
institutionalization, and hospitalization. He relayed that
the future relied on the education of Alaska's children and
urged that public schools were critical for the state's
future.
2:23:30 PM
MURRAY RICHMOND, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of the restoration of adequate funding
for the health and social services and education budgets.
He offered that the sexual assault rate in Alaska was too
high and was sometimes higher than the graduation rate in
certain areas. He stated that people with problems had
children with the same problems and that putting less money
towards the problem did not help. He stated that "throwing
money" at problem was not the issue, but that doing nothing
would not make them go away.
2:25:04 PM
MARIE MITCHALL, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
expressed support of the restoring funding to behavioral
health services, a $200,000 increase to the Human Services
Community Matching Block Grant, an increase in funding for
the early childhood programs, as well as restoring funding
to the Complex Behavior Collaborative Program. She
supported the testimony of previous testifiers and
discussed the demand and benefit of behavioral and social
service programs. She pointed out that the Key Coalition of
Alaska had data that supported the Complex Behavior
Collaborative Program. She relayed the difficulty of
getting help for a loved one or family member with complex
behavior and stated that the programs provided stability
and allowed those affected to live a normal life.
2:27:36 PM
ASHLIE THEISEN; SHAWSTON RUNK, SELVES, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), spoke against cuts in funding to
behavioral health services, and supported funding for
mental and substance abuse programs, particularly the
Womens and Childrens Center for Inner Healing in Fairbanks.
She related that she was currently a client of the Womens
and Childrens Center for Inner Healing and that the
services had been life changing for herself, her son, and
her family. She shared that the treatment program had
changed a lot of women's lives and that it was one of the
only centers in the state that allowed women and children
to attend. She relayed a personal story about her
experiences with mental and substance abuse and expressed a
desire to see treatment programs continue. She read from a
prepared statement by Shawston Runk. The statement relayed
concerns that cuts in the budget would have a negative
effect on mental health and substance abuse facilities at
the women's and children's center.
2:30:23 PM
PAUL BEALS, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified
against the cuts to behavioral health services. He shared
his role on the Community Action Planning Committee, the
Suicide Prevention Taskforce, Fairbanks Prevention
Coalition, as well as Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption. He
related that Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption had lost its
psychiatrist and was unable to replace the position; as a
result, they had lost their ability to serve Medicaid
patients and he had lost his job. He stated that his
experience in the industry was in suicide prevention and
expressed fears that the $8.3 million in funding cuts would
result in lost lives. He pointed to Alaska's high rate of
suicide and offered that the system was "overtaxed." He
concluded that Fairbanks' behavioral health service
organization was going through a much needed reorganization
and that the cut would have a very negative effect on that
agency. He concluded that it was difficult to retain
qualified providers and practitioners and urged that this
was not the time to cut funding.
2:33:33 PM
GUNNAR EBBESON, OWNER, TURNING POINT COUNSELING SERVICES,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke against the budget
cut for behavioral health services. He discussed the DUI
Court and the potential of lost funding for that program.
He offered that the DUI Court was one of the most
researched and effective programs in the nation and that it
was very cost effective in comparison to jailing someone.
He stated that the recovery programs of the court were
intensely monitored. He related a personal story about how
treatment had helped him and urged the restoration of
funding for behavioral health services. He discussed how
Los Angeles County was experiencing high rates of
individuals in jails with mental illnesses, which was a
direct result of the lack of funding for medication.
2:36:01 PM
STEPHANIE LITTLE WOLF, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), expressed support of funding for Native
students and families and for maintaining control of the
Title 7 Indian Education Funding. She stated that putting
the money in the same pool of funds would violate the trust
responsibility that the federal government had in the
education of Alaska Native, American Indian, and Native
Hawaiian students. She stated that there were over 2,000
Alaskan Native or American Indian students, which
represented hundreds of tribes, in her school district and
that she was advocating for each one of those students to
have a voice in their own education. She stated that local
education agencies currently housed the money for Title 7
and urged the congressional delegation to take active
measures to insure that all tribes were represented and
students' academic and cultural needs were met. She
acknowledged the achievement gap in "our" students and that
it was time for all the stakeholders to become proactive.
She pointed out that strong development in cultural
responsive education would help deliver an appropriate and
successful education.
2:38:19 PM
JOMO STEWART, ENERGY PROJECT MANAGER, FAIRBANKS ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in support of the governor's amendment to
transfer $125 million from the Alaska Housing Capital
Corporation Fund to the Sustainable Energy Transmission
Supply and Development Fund. He related that the funding
was critical to provide the capital necessary for the
support of the transition to lower-cost, cleaner burning
North Slope natural gas. He added that the fund transfer
also insured that the Sustainable Energy Transmission
Supply and Development Fund had adequate capitalization in
order to make funds available in the future for other
energy projects in other communities. He concluded that
Fairbanks realized it was not the only community that had
energy cost and air quality issues.
2:39:51 PM
ALAN BATTEN, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in
support of restoring funding to the education and
behavioral health services budgets. He pointed out that the
future of Alaska was dependent on the education of its
children and that it was an area that deserved funding. He
stated that the pre-K pilot program was receiving favorable
reviews and should be instituted more broadly instead of
being cut. He offered that support for community based
behavioral services was very important, effective, and cost
effective. He related the high rate of alcoholism,
substance abuse, and suicide in Alaska. He concluded that
state needed to support these communities based services
with stable funding.
2:41:24 PM
DON SMITH, SELF, ANCHORAGE spoke against the $25 million in
cuts to the Anchorage School District's budget. He pointed
out that there was a constitutional requirement for
education in Alaska. He discussed the expected reductions
every year to the school district's budget and suggested
that the state law be changed so that the school board had
the ability to raise funds. He shared that currently, the
school district had no authority or ability to raise any
kind of money. He opined that it if the school board was
given taxing authority, it could have the city assembly add
the needed funding to the taxes of Anchorage. He expressed
the need for giving more local control to the school
districts. He offered that the board could vote on issues
with funding as they arose, but stated that "carte blanche"
authority should not be given. He concluded that there
should be some way for the district to raise a limited
amount of money that clearly needed to be raised.
2:44:30 PM
AT EASE
3:06:10 PM
RECONVENED
SITKA, PETERSBURG, BARROW, DILLINGHAM, UNALASKA, DELTA
JUNCTION
3:06:49 PM
SANDY SOLENBERGER, VOLUNTEER CHAIRMAN, NORTH SLOPE
IMAGINATION LIBRARY, BARROW (via teleconference), testified
in support of reinstating funds for Best Beginnings and
Parents as Teachers. She stressed that the programs served
children ages zero to 4, and pointed out that children had
flourished in these programs. She explained that the
success of the programs was directly tied to the training
of the administrators of the programs. She remarked that
she was able to clearly see which children had completed
these early education programs, based on their high
achievements later in life.
3:09:29 PM
PATUK GLENN, MUSEUM CURATOR, NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH INUPIAT
HERITAGE CENTER, BARROW (via teleconference), testified in
support for the grants and aide program for museums in the
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
budget. She stated that the North Slope Borough Inupiat
Heritage Center was an educational institution that
promoted and perpetuated Inupiat heritage through museum
operations. She expressed that museums and cultural centers
contributed to the economy and well-being through
employment and cultural tourism. Museums educated children
and adults; and enriched communities.
3:11:25 PM
JUDI RUDER, CLINICIAN, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, UNALASKA (via
teleconference), testified against the $8.3 million
behavioral health budget reduction. She stressed that
funding for behavioral health supported programs like
mental health treatment; substance abuse treatment; detox
services; services for youth with severe emotional
disturbances; peer support services; suicide prevention;
tribal behavioral health services; services for seniors and
elders; and domestic violence prevention and intervention.
She furthered that behavioral health services encouraged
mental health patients to remain in their home communities.
She stressed that without behavioral health support in the
small communities, those behavioral health patients may be
subjected to incarceration or hospitalization. She felt
that all Alaskans could lead meaningful and productive
lives.
3:14:36 PM
DANITA KOEHLER, SELF, DRY CREEK (via teleconference),
testified against the budget reduction for trauma care
funding. She explained that in 2010, Governor Parnell had
signed the regional trauma care law. She stressed that some
emergency care service centers were shutting down in the
small villages, due to lack of funding. Many small villages
and communities did not have easy access to trauma care
facilities, so the broad range of availability was
necessary for the safety of the residents of small
communities. She felt that the trauma care funding and
access to trauma care treatment would benefit all Alaskans.
3:17:24 PM
BRYCE WRIGLEY, ALASKA FARM BUREAU, DELTA (via
teleconference), testified in support of $181,000 for the
Farm to School program. He stressed that the Farm to School
program was necessary for children to eat healthy and local
food in schools; while receiving invaluable agriculture
education. He explained that the program was entering its
third year, so the funding was necessary to keep the
program alive. He stressed that his request was not an
increase, but perhaps left out of a recent bill due to a
clerical error.
3:19:18 PM
DAVID FLYNN, SELF, DELTA (via teleconference), testified in
support of funding for the Complex Behavior Collaborative.
He explained that the cost of psychiatric facilities was
much higher than local preventative costs. He explained
that there were many applicants for the Complex Behavior
Collaborative, with very good success of families that
included people with behavioral health issues. He shared a
story of an autistic child's family who had benefitted from
the behavioral health counseling and funding from the
Complex Behavior Collaborative.
3:24:39 PM
CAROL DUFENDAUCH, DELTA IMAGINATION LIBRARY, DELTA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for early
childhood education. She spoke specifically for the Best
Beginnings. She remarked that it was important to read to
children, beginning at a very young age, in order to
encourage proper literacy and learning skills.
3:25:46 PM
KRISTIN MILLER, CO-CHAIR, DELTA IMAGINATION LIBRARY, DELTA
(via teleconference), testified in support of funding for
Best Beginnings. She asked that the Best Beginnings program
return its funding to the governor's original proposed
budget. She stressed that the program was essential for
young children's development. She explained that the Delta
Imagination Library could not function without funding from
the Best Beginnings grant program.
3:25:46 PM
JASMINE WELL, CO-CHAIR, DELTA IMAGINATION LIBRARY, DELTA
(via teleconference), testified in support of reinstating
funding for the Best Beginnings program. She stressed that
the Imagination Library depended on funds from the Best
Beginnings grant program. She explained that Best
Beginnings was approximately 60 percent of the Imagination
Library's budget. She shared that 200 children were
enrolled in the Delta Imagination Library, and in order to
serve those children, adequate funding was necessary to
continue the program.
3:28:48 PM
ROSE LOERA, CITY MANAGER, DILLINGHAM (via teleconference),
testified in support of the $2 million for community and
regional jails, and continued funding for community revenue
sharing. She stated that Dillingham was a transportation
hub, so the jail felt the burden of many out of town
perpetrators. The Dillingham jail had an eight bed capacity
and often operated over capacity. She stated that
Dillingham could not operate programs that cannot be
financially supported. She stressed that the community jail
funding would allow for the Dillingham's budget to be
balanced.
3:33:51 PM
DAN PASQUARIELLO, CHIEF OF POLICE, DILLINGHAM (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the $2 million for
community and regional jails, and continued funding for
community revenue sharing. He explained that the Dillingham
jail was often over capacity, because Dillingham was a
transportation hub. He stated that the Dillingham jail
often held inmates from neighboring communities. He
announced that Dillingham was a criminal justice hub, and
stressed that Dillingham would appreciate compensation for
the actual cost of housing inmates.
3:33:51 PM
ROBIN CHANEY, SELF, DILLINGHAM (via teleconference),
testified in support of restoring $137,000 for Best
Beginnings. She stated that there were over 200 children in
Dillingham who were enrolled in the Dillingham Imagination
Library program, and received a book each month in the
mail. She stated that many villages do not have any access
to books for children. She stressed that the Imagination
Library was the only source for early childhood education
in many Alaskan communities.
3:36:03 PM
JEAN ELLIS, PRESIDENT, PETERSBURG BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT,
PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke against the $250,000
reduction in the DEED budget, and further supported an
increase the governor's proposed DEED budget. She stressed
that education costs were growing, but education was an
essential part of the budget-as it is mandated in the
constitution. She stressed that many communities could not
function properly without proper education funding. She
felt that education expectations were growing, while
education funding was decreasing.
3:38:13 PM
MARLENE CUSHING, WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE,
PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funding for domestic violence prevention and intervention.
She explained that Women Against Violence Everywhere (WAVE)
had a broad base of support, including law enforcement and
mental health providers. She stressed that funding was
necessary for volunteers to provide services that included
advocating and safe haven for clients. She felt the
domestic violence prevention and intervention funding would
help in continuing to help domestic violence victims and
families of victims.
3:40:01 PM
SUNNY RICE, COORDINATOR, ALASKA YOUNG FISHERMEN'S SUMMIT,
SITKA (via teleconference), testified in support of funding
for the Young Fishermen's Summit in the University of
Alaska (UA) budget. She explained that the Young
Fishermen's Summit was a cooperative effort with the
fishing industry. Commercial fishing groups and other
industry members worked with the Young Fishermen's Summit
to help provide basic funding, and help participants with
travel costs. She encouraged the networking among new
entrants and industry leaders that were provided through
the Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit.
3:41:51 PM
JERRY STUBER, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
opposed budget cuts for mental health care funding. He
stressed that the costs for mental health treatment would
be shifted to more costly programs like health care and
public safety. He felt that all Alaskan communities needed
mental health care funding.
3:42:40 PM
KIM KILKENNY, CLINICIAN, PETERSBURG MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,
PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in opposition to the
$8.3 million behavioral health budget reduction. She stated
that Petersburg had experienced a lock down for three
separate gun and other violent threats against numerous
residents, including children. She announced that she had
assisted the police in a stand-off with an intoxicated,
suicidal, homicidal individual. She pointed out the heroin
epidemic in Petersburg. She felt that behavioral health
funding could assist in intervention and prevention of
these community problems.
3:43:58 PM
MAX WORHATCH, PRESIDENT, UNITED SOUTHEAST ALASKA
GILLNETTERS, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), testified
against the $550,000 budget cut for stock identification.
He stressed that port sampling would allow managers to
adjust fishing time, and adjust to maximum possible yields.
He stated that code wire tag codes, identified through port
sampling, allowed managers to assess wild Coho salmon
numbers, enabling the managers to adjust fishing time to
allow for adequate escapement and maximum sustained yield.
He stated that, because of port sampling, a mixed stock
fishery in Chatham Strait had managers who were able to
identify Coho and Sockeye salmon stock bound for the Upper
Lynn Canal and Taku. He stressed that identifying the
Sockeye stocks allowed managers to prosecute a Pink salmon
fishery, while closely monitoring Sockeye salmon returns.
3:45:34 PM
BRIAN LYNCH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PETERSBURG VESSEL OWNERS,
PETERSBURG (via teleconference), testified against the
$550,000 budget cut for the Southeast Port Sampling
Program. He felt the funds were critical to the region's
management of all salmon species and fisheries in Southeast
Alaska. The loss of funding would greatly reduce the
Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) ability to sustainably
manage Alaska's commercial fisheries, and would likely
result in reduced fishing opportunities. This budget could
also result in significant economic harm to fisherman,
Southeast Alaska communities, and Alaska's overall economic
health.
3:47:33 PM
DR. ROBERT THOMASON, SUPERINTENDENT, PETERSBURG BOROUGH
SCHOOL DISTRICT, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), testified
in support of increasing the base student allocation (BSA).
He remarked that it was currently the fourth consecutive
year that the BSA had remained flat. Each of the preceding
years, one-time funds had been provided outside the BSA to
assist in funding district operations. He felt that one-
time funding made is difficult for districts to budget and
plan for the future, which placed undue stress on district
personnel.
3:49:16 PM
SUSAN OHMER, DIRECTOR, PETERSBURG MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,
PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke against the $8.3
million behavioral health budget reduction. She understood
that funds needed to be utilized wisely, and felt that
behavioral health funding was necessary. She explained that
the proposed budget cut would cut the Petersburg Mental
Health Services budget by one-third. She stated that the
one-third cut would result in a loss of three service
providers. She stressed that Petersburg faced a mental
health and substance abuse crisis. She explained that the
death rate in Petersburg was over eight times the state
average. She pointed out that Petersburg was a small town
that experienced homicide and suicide rates that were
unusual for such a small town. She felt that treatment,
support, and violence intervention were necessary to
Petersburg. She stressed that cutting the budget would not
keep Alaskans safe. She reiterated that reducing the budget
for behavioral health care would result in diverting costs
to other departments. She stated that since 2005,
Petersburg had recorded 32 recorded suicide attempts; four
drug-related deaths; and multiple community lockdowns due
to death and mass-murder threats.
3:52:17 PM
JERRY DZUGAN, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), testified
in support of funding the Alaska Marine Safety Education
Association. He explained that the safety of the families
of fisherman was important for all fishermen. He pointed
out that the skills that were taught in the class directly
affected the safety of many fishermen. He also voiced
support of funding the Young Fisherman's Summit. He felt
that the summit gave young people an edge in the fishing
industry, by providing useful skills to succeed in the
fishing community and industry. He also voiced support of
the Fish to School program.
3:55:03 PM
MARJORIE HENNESSEY, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference),
testified in support of the Fish and Farm to School
program. She stressed that the Fish to School program
allowed children to eat and connect with local food, and
encouraged local economic growth. She remarked that fishing
was the agriculture of Sitka; and held significant
economic, social, and cultural importance to the people of
Sitka. The Fish to School program created awareness of food
security issues; improved health by providing fresh seafood
to local students; supported the local fishermen; helped
students understand the value and importance of local food;
instilled a new way thinking about food; and encouraged the
community to question where their food originates.
3:56:10 PM
TRACY GAGNON, COORDINATOR, FISH TO SCHOOL, SITKA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the Fish to School
program. She stated that, because of a partnership with the
Farm to School program, the Fish to School program was now
able to serve over 1500 students with locally caught
seafood in the school lunch program. She remarked that
there was tremendous success with the program, and the
fourth year of funding was critical to the program's
success.
3:57:09 PM
CLARICE JOHNSON, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference),
vocalized support for the Alaska Marine Safety Education
Association and the Fish to Schools program. She stated
that students were taught how to catch and process fish.
She felt the program would help children understand the
importance of the local commercial fishing industry. She
stressed that her family had directly benefited from the
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association. She furthered
that marine safety education kept children alive.
3:59:17 PM
ELLEN FRANKENSTEIN, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference),
testified in support of the Fish to School program. She
stated that she was a documentary film maker, and had
observed the recent benefits of local foods in communities.
She also urged level funding for the Alaska Marine Safety
Education Association.
4:00:38 PM
GAYLE YOUNG, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke
against the $8.3 million behavioral health budget
reduction. She remarked that many behavioral health clients
were young children who may be dealing with Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorder (FASD). She remarked that FASD had many
behavioral symptoms, and could directly benefit from
behavioral health funding. She asserted that the funding
could help families of children with FASD; because the
funds would provide support and tools in assisting those
individuals with FASD.
4:02:48 PM
LISA BUSCH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SITKA SOUND SCIENCE CENTER,
SITKA (via teleconference), testified in support of the
Fish Tech Program within the Maritime Initiative of the UA
budget. She stressed that many Alaskans love salmon and the
tradition of the commercial fishing industry. She felt that
the expansion in the budget was critical in strengthening
the Fish Tech Program, which was already enhancing the
commercial fishing industry. She furthered that the program
offered classes based on the needs of the aquaculture
industry, and the expansion would benefit students who were
living in small communities. The program would train and
support individuals in places like Dillingham, Wrangell,
and Sitka. She also urged support of the Alaska Marine
Safety Education Association.
4:04:41 PM
LEE BENNET, DIRECTOR, SITKA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in support of continued funding
for trauma care. He explained that the Sitka Community
Hospital provided care of all patients without
discrimination. He explained that the funding would update
and maintain equipment; and provide new positions at the
Sitka Community Hospital. He stated that the Sitka
Community Hospital provided 24/7 emergency room coverage;
and anticipated approximately 200 emergency room visits in
2013. He added that it was anticipated that the Sitka
Community Hospital would provide about $1.5 million of
uncompensated care for patients that were presented as
uninsured or underinsured. He stressed that the funding
would provide the ability to keep the charges as they are,
with no increase.
4:06:35 PM
FRED FAYETTE, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), testified
in support of the Fish to School. He felt that children
should be educated about the health benefits of eating
fish. He stated that he had personally contributed to the
Fish to Schools program. He remarked that his donation was
taken from his cold storage that was intended to be sold.
He felt that his donation was a valuable investment,
because the education that the Fish to Schools program was
invaluable. He shared that he had observed some students
while they ate the fish, and felt that the children were
enthusiastic in understanding how the fish were caught and
processed. He also urged support for funding the Alaska
Marine Safety Education Association.
4:08:27 PM
SCOTT WAGNER, REPRESENTATIVE, NORTHERN SOUTHEAST REGIONAL
AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION, SITKA (via teleconference),
testified in support of the Fish Tech Program within the
Maritime Initiative of the UA budget. He stressed that many
Alaskans love salmon and the tradition of the commercial
fishing industry. He felt that the expansion in the budget
was critical in strengthening the Fish Tech Program, which
was already helping the commercial fishing industry. He
furthered that the program offered classed based on the
needs of the aquaculture industry, and the expansion would
benefit students who were living in small communities. The
program would train and support individuals in places like
Dillingham, Wrangell, and Sitka. He also urged support of
the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association.
4:09:26 PM
DORRIE FERRELL, MEMBER, EASTER GROUP, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for
behavioral health. She explained that the Easter group
worked directly with the homeless, and those individuals
who were at risk of homelessness. She felt that behavioral
health funding benefitted Sitkans Against Family Violence,
the Youth Advocates of Sitka, the Sitka police, the Sitka
Library, and the trauma care at the hospital. She stressed
that the Youth Advocates of Sitka were successful at
serving youth who had left their homes, and were trying to
complete school without maturity or skills to succeed in
the adult world. She felt that prevention and mediation
that the youth advocates offered were vital to the
community. She urged the committee to fully fund the
behavior health budget.
4:11:48 PM
SUE HILL, PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA SCHOOL BOARDS,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support of
DEED funding. She remarked that she expected the
legislature to produce a responsible and conservative
budget. She shared that her family had experienced a
financial crisis, but her family was strategic in how
prioritize their spending. She shared the four principles
that her family used in their budget strategy: cover the
rising costs of essentials; maintain preventive health care
like dental care and immunizations; targeted professional
development in equipment that would translate into
additional dollars; and cut or mothball parts of their
business and family that were nice, but not necessary. She
urged the committee to follow those same guidelines with
the budget. She stressed that education costs were growing,
but education was an essential part of the budget, as it is
mandated in the constitution. She remarked that even with
an addition of $100 per student, Fairbanks would still feel
the pressure to increase class sizes. She also urged
support of Best Beginnings and Parents as Teachers.
4:14:41 PM
STEVE BRADSHAW, TEACHER, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for DEED. He felt that there were
many new state standards that required funding. He
suggested that poverty issues directly related to mental
health issues. He urged support of funding behavioral
health programs. He remarked that, in light of recent
events in Newtown, Connecticut, it was the wrong time to
reduce the state's mental health care budget. He stressed
that every school in the state had some level of concern
regarding an individual who may not be taking their
medication, which would result in possible fatalities. He
remarked that oil companies were given tax cuts; so
educational and health needs should be given adequate
funding.
4:16:52 PM
AT EASE
4:25:18 PM
RECONVENED
HOMER, KENAI, KETCHIKAN, KODIAK, MAT-SU, GLENNALLEN, TOK,
AND SEWARD
TOM DORAN, SELF, SEWARD, asked the committee to remove
intent language that would take annual standby ferry passes
away from Alaska Marine Highway employees. He stressed that
the passes did not cost the state money.
SUSAN SMALLEY, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), testified
in support of tobacco cessation funding. She stressed that
Alaska was a leader in its efforts to reduce tobacco use.
She spoke about the tobacco companies and their marketing
techniques. She strongly encouraged the committee to
provide funding for tobacco prevention.
4:28:00 PM
KATIE WALES, PENINSULA COMMUNITY HEALTH, KENAI (via
teleconference), advocated for continued behavioral health
services funding. She and others ran a psycho-social
recovery center that provided services to individuals with
mental illness and substance abuse issues. She spoke about
the benefits of the center. She believed that without the
center, clients would be at risk for institutionalization,
going to jail, using emergency room services more
frequently, and other.
4:30:01 PM
TWYLA BENTLEY, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), testified
in favor of an increase in funding for behavioral health
services. She shared a personal story and her successes
resulting from the program at Peninsula Community Health.
She stated that she was president of a group that advocated
for community events. She spoke about her many skills built
with the help of her care coordinator. She transitioned
throughout the system successfully.
4:33:10 PM
MARGARET PARROT, SELF, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference),
testified in support of behavioral health services
including the Cottonwood Behavioral Health services and the
Birchwood Center. She noted that the community support
helped her meet her goal of reentering the work force. She
worried that without the programs she would backslide and
that her suicide desires may overcome her. She implored the
committee to maintain proposed funding for the services.
4:34:46 PM
LUCY GRAHAM, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), testified in
support of mental health services funded with state
dollars. She shared information about her personal battle
with mental illness. She revealed that she learned much
from her classes at the facility. She stated that the
facility encouraged sobriety and helped her to feel good
about herself.
4:37:01 PM
TINA DRAPER, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), opposed
funding cuts to behavioral health services. She stated that
she benefitted greatly from the services; without the
services she would be homeless or in jail. The services at
Peninsula Community Health made her feel safe. She noted
that decreased funding had a negative effect on multiple
citizens. She mentioned the variety of services provided.
4:39:06 PM
SAMMY CRAWFORD, BOARD MEMBER, KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
SCHOOL BOARD, KENAI (via teleconference), expressed concern
about cuts to education funding. She stressed the
importance of support for the state's districts given new
state standards and teacher evaluations. She believed that
the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
budget should be increased rather than decreased. The board
was also concerned about bond debt reimbursement. She
opined that it was important for the legislature to
continue providing reimbursement support. She spoke about
the capital budget increments for major deferred
maintenance.
4:41:04 PM
MARY TOUTONGHI, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), testified
in favor of increased funding for early childhood
education. She pointed to successes of the Head Start
program. She stated that her children received an excellent
education in her district. She spoke about her children's
accomplishments. She stated that a reduction in funding or
increase in teacher/pupil ratio would negatively impact the
children and their education.
4:43:54 PM
JOE CANNAVA, DIRECTOR, PENINSULA COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES,
KENAI (via teleconference), testified in support of funding
for behavioral health services. He stressed that the
funding sources were essential to retaining services in the
area. He stated that the agency used a proactive approach,
which reduced the need for emergency room services. He
added that the cost to the state was reduced as a result of
the agency's services. He urged the committee to maintain
$8.3 million in the budget for behavioral health services.
4:46:03 PM
MELISSA BAKER, STUDENT, KENAI PENINSULA COLLEGE (KPC),
KENAI (via teleconference), testified in support of
education funding. She believed that the cuts would impact
the ability for students to be well educated. She spoke
about the negative impact on children when education
funding was cut.
4:47:06 PM
SHAUNA THORTON, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE, COALITION
STUDENT LEADERS, KENAI (via teleconference), testified in
favor of funding for the university and for DEED. She spoke
to the power of the stories offered in the prior
testimonies. She believed that education cuts were
detrimental to the state's future workforce.
4:49:06 PM
PETE SPRAGUE, KPC, KENAI (via teleconference), testified in
favor of funding for the University of Alaska, KPC, and for
the annual operation and maintenance of the Career and
Technical Center. The new facility was geared towards
workforce development programs including process
technology, computer electronics, and other. He stated that
the Board of Regents had budgeted $296,000 to operate the
facility, but the legislative subcommittee process deleted
the increment from the budget. He respectively requested
restoration of funds for the Career and Technical Center.
4:50:57 PM
SCOT WHEAT, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), testified in
favor of the Independent Living Center's Total Recreation
and Independent Living Services (TRAILS) funding. He
believed more money would be saved through prevention
services than with belated treatment. He relayed that he
had received federal and state benefits; he hoped to pay
back the state. He reiterated his support for funding
prevention services.
4:52:14 PM
KIM BURROWS, INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER, HOMER (via
teleconference), read a letter on behalf of an independent
living consumer. She testified in support of funding for
independent centers in Alaska. She stated that the center
was essential for her husband who suffered a spinal cord
injury. She pointed to the professionalism and compassion
of the workers. She noted that many workers were
volunteers. She spoke about poor attitudes regarding
disabled people. Funding cuts would take away independence
for many impacted individuals.
4:55:34 PM
ELANNA SENA, PARENT, HOMER (via teleconference), testified
in favor of the Parents as Teachers programs. She shared a
personal story about parenting a child with special needs.
She spoke about the home visits and the benefits of the
advocacy services. She stated that the support allowed her
to remain in Homer. She added that many communities in
Alaska lacked the services. She noted that the program
allowed her son a bright future as opposed to another more
dire option. She saw the program as a life line.
5:00:42 PM
RICK MALLEY, INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER (ILC), HOMER (via
teleconference), testified in support of the governor's
proposed $100,000 increase to the independent living center
budget. He stressed that every bit of funding helped. He
stated that the center provided recreational opportunities
to seniors and people with disabilities. The organization
provided counseling and advocacy for individuals. He asked
the committee to maintain the governor's proposed ILC
increment.
5:02:24 PM
RACHEL ROMBERG, HAVEN HOUSE, HOMER (via teleconference),
requested restoration of funding for Best Beginnings and
Parents as Teachers to the governor's proposed amount. She
spoke about the benefits of the programs and the support
offered by the options. The programs offered families with
chances for health, happiness, and success that they may
not otherwise have. She worked for a domestic violence
agency and she saw the difference that early childhood
programs made for women and children in the shelter.
5:04:46 PM
LIZ DOWNING, KPC, HOMER (via teleconference), testified in
support of funding for education. She discussed that the
university budget required additional funding. She stated
that KPC had needed a student advisor for years, but had
never received the funding. She spoke to school enrollment
increases. She stressed that the advisor position would
help students succeed.
5:07:21 PM
ROBERT LETSON, SOUTH PENINSULA HOSPITAL, HOMER (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding the state
trauma fund and for Level 4 trauma facilities. He mentioned
the various costs required to open the trauma center. He
shared that the hospital's trauma preparation had come a
long way in the past two years as a result of the trauma
care fund. He believed cutting funds would be short-sighted
when hospitals had come so far the past few years.
5:09:00 PM
SUSAN DRATHMAN, SOUTH PENINSULA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES,
HOMER (via teleconference), testified in favor of funding
of mental health services. She spoke about community
members needing to leave the community to receive services
in other areas; the situation was difficult on families.
She spoke about the costliness and the negative outcomes of
institutional care. She spoke about the Bring the Kids Home
program that existed to bring home children who have been
in out of state institutions. She spoke in support of
Complex Behavior Collaborative.
5:12:33 PM
RACHELLE MCALEXANDER, KACHEMAK BAY COLLEGE, HOMER (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding a student
success advisor at the college. She was a cancer patient as
a result of serving in multiple wars. She stated that she
was inspired by an article she read in AARP magazine
related to seniors returning to school. She shared that the
student advisor had helped her determine the right path
related to classes and financial assistance. She requested
funding to keep advisors in place.
5:14:37 PM
BONNIE BETLEY, BEST BEGINNINGS, HOMER (via teleconference),
requested restoration of funding for the Best Beginnings
and Parents as Teachers programs to the governor's proposed
level. Parents as Teachers was one of the few programs
offering home visits. She shared that one of the most
successful ways to decrease domestic violence and negative
childhood experiences was home visiting. She stressed that
reduced funds would have adverse effects. She encouraged
the committee to fund the increment at the governor's
proposed level.
5:17:16 PM
MARIA CALHOUN, SPROUT, HOMER (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of restoring funds for Best Beginnings. She discussed
providing services in homes for areas that were underserved
and remote. She shared that the group partnered with a
local domestic violence agency. She shared that Sprout
would serve 90 families in March. She believed the
potential for life-long success was greater when early
education was provided. She urged the committee to continue
funding for children.
5:20:39 PM
MICHAEL HORTON, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, COPPER CENTER (via
teleconference), spoke against the proposed $8.3 million
cut to behavioral health services. He referred to high
alcoholism and suicide rates in the state. He shared that
suicide rates had been reduced due to prevention programs.
The state continued to be number one for completed suicides
and had high rates of domestic violence and Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorder. He urged the committee to reconsider the
cuts to behavioral health grants.
5:24:46 PM
VICTORIA KILDAL, COUNSELOR, COPPER RIVER NATIVE
ASSOCIATION, COPPER CENTER (via teleconference), testified
in opposition to cuts to behavioral health services. She
pointed to brain research showing that care and support
provided by services caused brain growth in patients. She
accentuated that without the services the growth was
unlikely to occur. She discussed mental health problems
impacting individuals. She strongly urged the committee to
maintain funding for behavioral health services.
5:26:19 PM
SHARRON ABLES, ONLINE WITH LIBRARIES (OWL), GLENNALLEN (via
teleconference), spoke in favor of OWL program and live
homework help funding. She relayed that children who did
poorly were not exposed to as many words prior to
kindergarten as successful children. She shared that the
programs were making great strides in rural Alaskan
villages. She stressed the importance of skilled and
educated people in the state. She strongly urged the
restoration of the governor's proposed funding.
5:28:07 PM
SHERRI COX, CROSSROAD MEDICAL CENTER, GLENNALLEN (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the trauma care fund
and level 5 trauma center funding. Emergency services had
been reduced due to a lack in funds. She stated that as of
March 31, 3013 federal funding had stopped. She encouraged
the committee to keep the funding in place for emergency
care.
5:30:53 PM
LAURIE THOMAS, BEST BEGINNINGS, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for Best
Beginnings and Parents as Teachers. She stressed that the
funds were important to support safe placement for young
children in foster care. The community was working towards
a court program due to Best Beginnings. She relayed that
the program did not require financial qualifiers and
reduced stigma associated with other programs. She asked
the committee to consider funding at the governor's
proposed level.
5:33:41 PM
LANETTA LUNDBERG, KETCHIKAN MEDICAL CENTER, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), spoke against decreased funding for the
Alaska Area Health Education Center increment in the
University of Alaska budget. She pointed to decreased
federal funding. She emphasized the importance of a strong
and healthy healthcare workforce in the state. She relayed
that residents would continue to need healthcare services.
She asked the committee to maintain the governor's proposed
increment in the budget.
5:35:47 PM
BILL AUGER, COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), was opposed to cuts to the commercial
fishing industry. He stated that federal pacific salmon
treaty funds had been supplementing state general funds. He
pointed to important tax revenue provided by the fishing
industry. He emphasized that fisheries should be managed
for the maximum return to the state.
5:37:15 PM
EMILY CHAPEL, SAIL, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
vocalized opposition to cuts to independent living centers.
She shared services provided by the organization that met
the needs of disabled individuals. The organization worked
to meet the growing needs of disabled individuals and the
senior population. She asked the legislature to restore the
$100,000 increment to the program.
5:38:23 PM
KEVIN GADSEY, SAIL, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in favor of funding for SAIL. He explained that there had
been construction projects built in Ketchikan and
disability access had not initially been included; the
items had been fixed due to a request by SAIL. He pointed
to the difficulty individuals with disabilities had with
the court system; the organization had helped the
individuals solve the issue.
5:40:20 PM
PATRICIA CHAPMAN, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
spoke against cuts for behavioral health and for traumatic
brain injury funding. She was in favor of Complex Behavior
Collaborative funding. The services provided tools for
families and helped individuals. She relayed that the
increment would help stop abuse. She explained that many
individuals had tried to commit suicide as a result of past
behavior that was embarrassing. She stated that the funding
would support four to five times more people in their home
communities. She asked the committee to keep the funding in
the budget for the health and traumatic brain injury
programs.
5:43:38 PM
JESSI CHAPMAN, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in favor of traumatic brain injury funding. She used an
augmented voice device to testify as a result of a
traumatic brain injury. She shared her personal frustration
with her inability to respond quickly to questions. She
stated that if funding was cut there would be fewer
resources available to help individuals with brain injuries
to overcome frustration and anger caused by their injuries.
She urged the committee to restore the funding for
traumatic brain injury program and the Complex Behavior
Collaborative program.
5:44:58 PM
CHARLES HABERBUSH, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for the traumatic brain injury
program. He shared his personal experience with a traumatic
brain injury. He stated that it was difficult to rely on
others for help. He detailed that because of SAIL he had
spent many months learning about the brain; the
organization had connected him with the Alaska Brain Injury
Network. He was working to reach others in need. He
emphasized the important support provided by SAIL. He
continued to share experiences related to brain injury. He
asked the committee to restore funding for brain injury
resources.
5:48:47 PM
JOS GOVAARS, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke in
support of SAIL and traumatic brain injury funding. He
emphasized the significant level of support that SAIL
provided to the community.
5:49:25 PM
BOBBIE MCCREARY, SELF, KETCHIKAN, requested continued
funding for the Complex Behavior Collaborative that served
people with traumatic brain injury. She spoke about her
personal experience as a friend of a person with a
traumatic brain injury. She shared that support training
was critical to helping individuals with injuries. She
communicated that funding had allowed individuals to avoid
institutional care.
5:51:18 PM
VIKKI JO KENNEDY, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke
in opposition to funding for the Alaska Aerospace
Corporation. She admonished the legislature for its time
spent on HB 69; she stated the bill would pit local law
enforcement against federal agents regarding federal gun
laws. She believed the Alaska Aerospace Corporation was a
money pit. She recommended providing the funding to
behavioral health instead. She provided a quote. She spoke
in support of education.
5:54:22 PM
VALARIE KINGSLAND, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES,
SEWARD (via teleconference), spoke in support of library
funding. She requested full financial support for the OWL
project and live homework help. She was in support of the
online education program. She spoke in support of broadband
services to rural communities in the state.
5:56:16 PM
MELINDA MATIS, SELF, SEWARD (via teleconference), read a
letter on behalf of Carla Norman who was unable to speak
due to a traumatic brain injury. She shared Ms. Norman's
story related to her brain injury. She had been able to
move out of a nursing home, which had saved the state
money. She stressed that her ability to leave the nursing
home had saved the state over $100,000 per year. She spoke
in support of the $100,000 increment for the traumatic
brain injury.
5:57:49 PM
KEVIN MUNSON, MAT-SU HEALTH SERVICES, WASILLA (via
teleconference), vocalized opposition to behavioral health
services cuts. He stressed that cuts would increase
emergency room visits, incarceration, and placement of
individuals in out of state institutions. He shared that
early childhood trauma had significant impacts on the lives
of individuals; reduced funding would decrease individuals'
lifespans. He urged the committee to reconsider cuts.
6:00:23 PM
KELLY MCBRIDE, MAT-SU SCHOOL DISTRICT, WASILLA (via
teleconference), encouraged restoration of funds for Best
Beginnings, Parents as Teachers, and other early education
programs. She pointed to Head Start waiting lists. She
stressed the importance of public and private partnerships
with state and local support. She was surprised to see how
much the budget included for the Department of Corrections
compared to funds included for the Department of Education
and Early Development. She pointed to long-term planning
for the education of the state's children.
6:01:59 PM
JIM BECK, ACCESS ALASKA, PALMER (via teleconference), was
opposed to cuts to the independent living program in
Alaska. He shared that the program was 20 percent state
funded. He strongly urged the committee to restore the
$100,000 increment for independent living and to restore
behavioral health cuts. He asked the committee to support
funds for the traumatic brain injury program and other. He
urged funding for the Complex Behavior Collaborative.
6:04:59 PM
ESTRELLA LEE, PAT COORDINATOR, HOMER (via teleconference),
spoke in favor of pre-k funding and the Parents as Teachers
program. She explained that the programs increased
graduation rates and helped people to be better parents
when they grew up. She discussed the importance of parent
education related to prenatal care and other. She stated
that early childhood programs helped reduce costs to the
child welfare system. She encouraged support for the
programs.
6:07:25 PM
RUTH ALLISON REYNOLDS, BEST BEGINNINGS, HOMER (via
teleconference), testified in support of Best Beginnings
and Parents as Teachers. She shared her personal experience
parenting a child with developmental delays. She stressed
that the Parents as Teachers program had helped her provide
her daughter with the services she needed.
6:08:58 PM
DAVE BRANDING, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SOUTH PENINSULA
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, HOMER (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for behavioral health
services and against the proposed $8.3 million reduction to
the services. He detailed that the grant funds primarily
went to emergency services in Homer. He spoke about the
needs of people without health insurance, who had no
alternative funding sources. He spoke about the funding for
the department For Behavioral Health. He was concerned
about the reduction of funds for the Complex Behavior
Collaborative. He accentuated that services dramatically
improved the quality of life for impacted individuals and
their families.
6:11:08 PM
JILL LUSH, DIRECTOR, SPROUT FAMILY SERVICES, HOMER (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for
the Best Beginnings and Parents as Teachers programs. She
stated that raising children in Alaska was challenging; she
pointed to parents that worked long hours and families
living in remote areas. She spoke about the concerns
addressed by Parents as Teachers. She relayed that home
visitors provided developmental support for children,
encouraged social connections and other. She requested
reinstatement of funding proposed in the governor's budget.
6:13:23 PM
SONJA MARK, LIBRARIAN, DILLINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY,
DILLINGHAM (via teleconference), testified in support of
broadband and the Alaska OWL project. She shared that the
internet access connected the remote community with the
rest of the world. She urged full funding for the Alaska
OWL project along with the live homework help for rural
students.
6:14:39 PM
KAY ANDREWS, SOUTHWEST REGION SCHOOL DISTRICT, DILLINGHAM
(via teleconference), asked the committee to restore the
$5.7 million cut to the Department of Education and Early
Development budget. She emphasized that every bit of
funding helped children for programs such as pre-k, digital
learning, or Jobs for Alaska's Graduates. She stated that
the Southwest Region School District is an Alaska Rural
Education Attendance Area and served seven school sites,
but the district was only able to provide pre-k programs at
three of the schools. She spoke about the increase in
graduation rates. She spoke to the critical nature of the
funding.
6:17:07 PM
MARY JO JOINER, DIRECTOR, KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY, KENAI
(via teleconference), spoke in favor of full funding for
education including broadband, the Alaska OWL project, and
for live homework help. She pointed to the broad range of
educational opportunities supported by the OWL project;
improved bandwidth allowed access to state and federal e-
government services. The funds leveraged $2 million of
federal funding for bandwidth. She added that the
restoration of the funding would allow online tutoring
service for students. She stated that homework assistance
for multiple subjects was also an advantage.
6:20:05 PM
MIKE FROST, KPC, KENAI (via teleconference), testified in
support for university funding as proposed by the
University of Alaska Board of Regents. He spoke about three
aspects of the university operations that would be affected
by the cuts. He communicated that the cuts would eliminate
KPC's student advisor who kept students on track with
classes and career paths. Other items that would be cut
were the safety and security position and operating funds
for the Career and Technical Center.
6:21:19 PM
DAVE JONES, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, KPBSD, KENAI (via
teleconference), testified in favor of funding for
education and 21 additional Alaska State Trooper positions.
He requested the restoration of funding for all of the
proposed positions. School safety in Kenai and across the
state would benefit from the restoration of the funding.
6:22:48 PM
PHILLIP MILLER, KPC, COOPER LANDING (via teleconference),
voiced support for university funding. He appreciated the
support provided to the University of Alaska in previous
years. He communicated that KPC had used deferred
maintenance funding to repair leaky roofs, replace single
pane windows, replacement of old boilers, and other. The
state finances were complicated, but the university was
worthy of financial support. He asked the committee to
fully fund the Board of Regents budget request for FY 14.
6:24:24 PM
BOB MARTIN, COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN, PETERSBURG (via
teleconference), testified in favor of salmon stock
identification funding. He stressed that the funding was
vital to getting the most out of the state's salmon
resource. He stated that without stock identification
fisheries managers would be required to restrict fishing
opportunities. He emphasized that the fisheries managers
required crucial tools to get the most out of the resource
without threatening weak stocks.
6:25:30 PM
JOHN BRINGHURST, PETERSBURG BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT,
PETERSBURG (via teleconference), testified in favor of
increased funding for education. He supported the high
priority that President Obama and Governor Parnell placed
on the education of young people. He felt that the priority
of the State of Alaska appeared to be elsewhere. He noted
that reduction of $250,000 in the education budget was of
great concern to Petersburg residents. He stated that if
the budget continued to shrink, the insidious effects would
eventually become evident. He urged action and financial
support for education.
6:28:05 PM
JENNIFER RAY, SELF AND PARENT, PETERSBURG (via
teleconference), testified in support of full funding for
mental health funding. She shared a story about her
daughter who suffered from mental illness. Services
provided by Petersburg Mental Health wee integral for her
daughter's growth and stability. The facility offered
counseling to help parents understand how to help their
children. She was working to bring the National Alliance on
Mental Illness Family to Family program to Petersburg. She
urged full funding for behavioral health services.
6:29:53 PM
SARAH BELL, DIRECTOR, KETTLESON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, SITKA
(via teleconference), vocalized support for full funding of
the annual $761,000 increment for the OWL program. The
program provided broadband access to most libraries across
the state. She shared an example of the use of OWL to
schedule a conference with the governor in Sitka. She noted
examples of how the system was used throughout the state.
She accentuated that during economic struggles, library
access became more critical for many individuals. She
informed the committee that the funds leveraged $2 million
in federal e-rate funding. She mentioned online homework
help for students.
6:32:43 PM
DENNIS LONGSTRETH, COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in opposition to the Department
of Fish and Game budget cuts. The cuts included $550,000 to
the port sampling budget and the much needed biometrician
position. He emphasized that port sampling was critical for
salmon stock assessment and in Pacific Salmon Treaty
functions; it would not be possible to harvest reasonable
numbers of fish without identifying which stocks they came
from. He stated that the majority of salmon management in
Southeast was paid with federal salmon treaty funds. He
noted that the state had become too dependent on the
federal funds, which were beginning to diminish. He was
concerned about the decision to cut the biometrician
position.
6:35:48 PM
JOHN BAIRD, GENERAL MANAGER, SITKA SOUND SEAFOODS, SITKA
(via teleconference), echoed the testimony of Mr.
Longstreth. He emphasized that the Department of Fish and
Game increments were critical for aerial surveys and port
sampling for fisheries. He urged the committee to restore
the $550,000 increment. He appreciated the committee's
consideration.
6:36:40 PM
GRETCHEN GEIST, THRIVE MAT-SU PREVENTION COALITION, MAT-SU
(via teleconference), testified in opposition funding cuts
to the statewide underage drinking media campaign. She
shared statistics related to youth reports of drinking and
access to alcohol. She stressed the importance of outreach
to convey the impact alcohol had on youths. The campaign
would also use funds from other sources.
6:38:45 PM
CELIA HARRISON, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), voiced
support for mental health funding. She stressed that the
proposed $8.3 million cuts to the behavioral health
services budget was disturbing and shameful. She stated
that individuals impacted by mental health issues were not
responsible for their illnesses. She accentuated that
society should provide a helping hand. She questioned why
individuals with mental health problems should have to
prison due to a lack of support. She spoke to the high
costs of prison in comparison to treatment services. She
spoke about other negative impacts surrounding prison and
lack of mental health services. She stated that the reality
was well documented and she wondered about the motives of
state decision makers. She appreciated hearing the prior
testimony related to mental health.
6:41:12 PM
ELIZABETH RIPLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MAT-SU HEALTH
FOUNDATION, MAT-SU (via teleconference), testified in
support of funding for prevention of substance abuse. The
Alaska Wellness Coalition aimed to change the way that the
issues were discussed in the state. She mentioned the goal
to reduce underage drinking in Alaska. She spoke about
conserving resources and expanding the reach. She pointed
to the costly impact of alcohol and drug abuse in 2010. The
legislature had made a special $9 million appropriation in
FY 13 to address substance abuse. The organization had
invested funds to the issue with the understanding that the
state was also a critical funder. She spoke about an
intelligent investment in the state. She urged the
committee to closely examine cuts to ensure that increased
costs were not created and more lives were not harmed.
Co-Chair Austerman CLOSED public testimony. He noted that
budget amendments would be addressed the following Monday
afternoon.
HB 65 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 66 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 65 HB 66 2013 Testimony PKT 1 HFIN 3.6.13 HB 65.pdf |
HFIN 3/6/2013 1:30:00 PM |
HB 65 HB 66 |
| HB 65 - 66 Public Testimony PKT 2 HB 66.pdf |
HFIN 3/6/2013 1:30:00 PM |
HB 65 HB 66 |
| HB 65 - 66 Public Testimony PKT 3.pdf |
HFIN 3/6/2013 1:30:00 PM |
HB 65 HB 66 |
| HB 65 & 66 Testimony Packet 4 HFIN 3.12.13.pdf |
HFIN 3/6/2013 1:30:00 PM |
HB 65 HB 66 |
| HB 65 - HB 66 Public Testimony Packet 5.pdf |
HFIN 3/6/2013 1:30:00 PM |
HB 65 HB 66 |
| HB 65 & HB 66 Public testimony pkt 6.pdf |
HFIN 3/6/2013 1:30:00 PM |
HB 65 HB 66 |
| HB 65 - HB 66 Public Testimony Packet 7.pdf |
HFIN 3/6/2013 1:30:00 PM |
HB 65 HB 66 |