Legislature(1993 - 1994)
02/22/1993 03:00 PM House HES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES
STANDING COMMITTEE
February 22, 1993
3:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Rep. Cynthia Toohey, Co-Chair
Rep. Con Bunde, Co-Chair
Rep. Gary Davis, Vice Chair
Rep. Al Vezey
Rep. Pete Kott
Rep. Harley Olberg
Rep. Bettye Davis
Rep. Tom Brice
MEMBERS ABSENT
Rep. Irene Nicholia, excused
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
*HB 67: "An Act relating to eligibility for and payments
of public assistance; and providing for an
effective date."
HEARD AND HELD OVER TO A TIME CERTAIN
HB 66: "An Act relating to municipal property tax
exemptions for certain residences and to property
tax equivalency payments for certain residents;
and providing for an effective date."
NOT HEARD
HB 30: "An Act amending the definition of `municipality'
for purposes of the human services community
matching grant program."
NOT HEARD
(* First public hearing.)
WITNESS REGISTER
PATRICK CUNNINGHAM, Board member
National Association of Social Workers, Alaska Chapter
Department of Social Work
University of Alaska-Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Phone: (907) 786-1725
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
JAN HENSEN, Director
Division of Public Assistance
Department of Health and Social Services
P.O. Box 110640
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0640
Phone: (907) 465-2680
Position Statement: Gave presentation on HB 67
CHARLES WHEATON
P.O. Box 21662
Juneau, Alaska 99802
Phone: (907) 586-2794
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
THERESA BELL
P.O. Box 022471
Juneau, Alaska 99802
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
JAMES E. FISHER
633 Harris
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 586-9601
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
RANDI SMITH, Administrative Assistant
Women's Resource and Crisis Center
325 S. Spruce
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Phone: (907) 283-9479
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
ANN DOOLEY
Women's Resource and Crisis Center
325 S. Spruce
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Phone: (907) 283-9479
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
MARIANNE KERR
Abused Women's Aid in Crisis
100 W. 13th
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: (907) 279-9581
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
GLENDA STRAUBE
1318 N St.
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: (907) 278-0840
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
RUTH LISTER
Interior Alaska Women's Political Caucus
1290 Jones Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Phone: (907) 455-6886
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
DEE DEE OLSEN
126 Second Ave.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 456-1837
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
BISHOP MICHAEL KENNY
Diocese of Juneau
Catholic Community Service
419 Sixth St.
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 586-2227
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
CAREN ROBINSON
League of Women Voters
P.O. Box 33702
Juneau, Alaska 99803
Phone: (907) 586-1107
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
DEVRA DYNES
916 23rd Ave.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 456-7260
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
ROBIN WICKHAM
Access Alaska
150 Cornell Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Phone: (907) 479-7940
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
JIM CALDAROLA, Director
Catholic Social Services
225 Cordova St.
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: (907) 277-2554
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
PUDGE KLEINKAUF
4201 MacInnes
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Phone: (907) 561-7113
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
CINDY SMITH, Executive Director
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
419 Sixth St. #116
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 586-3650
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
MELISSA CARROLL
P.O. Box 240293
Douglas, Alaska 99824
Phone: (907) 364-2210 home
Phone: (907) 586-5718 school
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
KAREN McCULLOUGH
P.O. Box 707
Petersburg, Alaska 99833
Phone: (907) 772-9238 home
Phone: (907) 772-4751 work
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
VIRGINIA OLSEN
213 Dunkel St.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 452-2857
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
MEG GAYDOSIK, Board Member
American Association of University Women
1024 Fifth Ave.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 456-8389
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
BARBARA BENNETT
Bean's Cafe
P.O. Box 100940
Anchorage, Alaska 99510
Phone: (907) 274-9595
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
SUE OLIPHANT
2155 Fritz Cove Rd.
Juneau, Alaska
Phone: (907) 789-1384 home
Phone: (907) 364-3174 work
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
DARRYL GUTHRIE
Tlingit-Haida Central Council
401 Eighth St. #207
Juneau, Alaska
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
MARY LOU CANNEY
1441 22nd Ave.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 452-4666
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
LOUISE CHARLES
JOBS Program Coordinator
Tanana Chiefs Conference
122 First Ave.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 452-8251
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
JUDY BUSH
Alaska Legal Services
763 Seventh Ave.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 452-5181
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
JOAN MARIE AMES
2008 Sandvik Rd.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 474-9680
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
SHERRIE GOLL, Lobbyist
Alaska Women's Lobby; KIDPAC
P.O. Box 22156
Juneau, Alaska 99802
Phone: (907) 463-6744
Position Statement: Opposed HB 67
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 67
SHORT TITLE: ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
TITLE: "An Act relating to eligibility for and payments of
public assistance; and providing for an effective date."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/15/93 86 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/15/93 86 (H) HEALTH, EDUCATION &
SS,JUDICIARY,FINANCE
01/15/93 86 (H) -6 FNS (6-DHSS) 1/15/93
01/15/93 86 (H) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER
02/10/93 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
02/10/93 (H) MINUTE(HES)
02/22/93 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 66
SHORT TITLE: MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
TITLE: "An Act relating to municipal property tax exemptions
for certain residences and to property tax equivalency
payments for certain residents; and providing for an
effective date."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/15/93 84 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/15/93 84 (H) CRA, HEALTH,EDUCATION&SS,
FINANCE
01/15/93 84 (H) -3 ZERO FNS (2-DCRA, ADM)
1/15/93
01/15/93 84 (H) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER
02/09/93 (H) CRA AT 01:00 PM CAPITOL 124
02/09/93 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
02/10/93 286 (H) CRA RPT CS(CRA) 3DP 3DNP 1NR
02/10/93 286 (H) DP: OLBERG, BUNDE, TOOHEY
02/10/93 286 (H) DNP: DAVIES, WILLIAMS, WILLIS
02/10/93 286 (H) NR: SANDERS
02/10/93 286 (H) -3 PREVIOUS ZERO
FNS(DCRA,DCRA,ADM) 1/15
02/22/93 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 30
SHORT TITLE: HUMAN SERVICES MATCHING GRANTS
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) BRICE,Sitton,Therriault,
Davies,James
TITLE: "An Act amending the definition of `municipality' for
purposes of the human services community matching grant
program."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/04/93 32 (H) PREFILE RELEASED
01/11/93 32 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/11/93 32 (H) CRA, HES, FINANCE
01/15/93 92 (H) COSPONSOR(S): DAVIES, JAMES
02/09/93 (H) CRA AT 01:00 PM CAPITOL 124
02/09/93 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
02/10/93 284 (H) CRA RPT CS(CRA) 5DP 2NR
02/10/93 284 (H) DP: BUNDE,DAVIES,WILLIS,
TOOHEY,OLBERG
02/10/93 284 (H) NR: SANDERS, WILLIAMS
02/10/93 284 (H) -2 ZERO FNS (DCRA, DHSS) 2/10/93
02/10/93 285 (H) REFERRED TO HES
02/22/93 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-18, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIR CYNTHIA TOOHEY called the meeting to order at 3:08
p.m., noted members present, announced the calendar, and
announced that the hearing was being teleconferenced.
HB 67: ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Number 047
PATRICK CUNNINGHAM, BOARD MEMBER, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
SOCIAL WORKERS, ALASKA CHAPTER, testified against HB 67,
saying it would cut the money given to families on Aid to
Families with Dependent Children (ADFC). He said it was
hard to see how lowering the benefits would meet the act's
aim to provide reasonable subsistence compatible with
decency and health. The bill would increase poverty rather
than reduce it, he said, which was the same thing as doing
violence to children. He said the bill would affect about
20,000 children. While the state could save money by
cutting grants, Mr. Cunningham said, it could also encourage
self-sufficiency through the JOBS program, or through
waivers of federal limits on assets and transportation for
those on welfare. He said AFDC staffers should take early
steps to encourage recipients to find work.
Number 155
CHAIR TOOHEY invited Jan Hensen to testify on behalf of
HB 67.
Number 158
JAN HENSEN, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, testified in
support of HB 67. She listed several important provisions
affecting ADFC and Adult Public Assistance (APA). (Ms.
Hansen made a detailed presentation to the committee on
January 25, 1993, and minutes from that presentation are on
file in the committee room.) She said HB 67 would make the
following changes in the AFDC program: suspend a scheduled
cost of living allowance (COLA) in FY94; cut the benefit
rates to January 1991 levels; equalize the benefits to
families of different sizes; and make technical adjustments
to the program's "Adult not Included" provisions. She said
HB 67 would make the following changes in the APA program:
suspend a COLA scheduled to take effect in January 1994; cut
benefits to the 1990 levels; and adjust administration of
retroactive interim assistance program payments.
Number 250
REP. BUNDE asked whether APA assists the aged, blind and
disabled.
MS. HENSEN answered yes.
Number 270
CHARLES WHEATON, whose wife receives AFDC benefits and who
participates in the unemployed parent program, testified in
Juneau against HB 67, explaining how it's reduction in
benefits would hurt him. His unemployment benefits are
deducted from his wife's AFDC benefits, and are further
reduced by $200 in monthly child support for children from a
previous marriage, he said. His five-member family received
$130 this month in food stamps. He said he is trying to
work himself out of a $30,000 child support debt after a
being released from prison, and has paid $6,000 in two
years. He stated his wife declined AFDC benefits because
the family could not survive on their benefits, and further
cuts would be even more harmful to his family. (His written
testimony is on file in the committee room.)
Number 305
THERESA BELL, a welfare recipient, testified in Juneau in
opposition to HB 67. She presented a budget of her basic
monthly household expenses of $784, and said HB 67 would
reduce her welfare benefits to $746, below her basic
survival needs, even considering that she lives in
government low-income housing. She said the cuts will be
stressful on single-parent families.
Number 348
JAMES FISHER testified in Juneau in opposition to HB 67,
saying state money is available for welfare programs and
welfare programs should get money from recent out-of-court
settlements and other sources so as to avoid harm to the
23,000 children in Alaska who benefit from welfare programs.
(His written testimony is on file in the committee room.)
Number 373
CHAIR TOOHEY called a brief at-ease, lasting less than one
minute, to ask about teleconference sites.
RANDI SMITH, AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AT THE WOMEN'S
RESOURCE AND CRISIS CENTER IN KENAI, testified from Kenai
opposing HB 67. She said high housing costs already make it
difficult to survive on welfare benefits, and reducing
benefits would reduce the ability of women to survive on
welfare, forcing them to remain in physically abusive
relationships or emergency shelters. She said such cuts
would not save the state money, but would cost more in
emergency assistance.
Number 404
ANN DOOLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WOMEN'S RESOURCE AND
CRISIS CENTER, testified from Kenai opposing HB 67. She
said many of her clients are refugees from physical or
sexual violence who depend on welfare benefits to establish
fear-free lifestyles. Cuts in welfare would end up costing
the state more for emergency shelters. She said the
legislature should cut the state budget elsewhere first.
Number 425
MARIANNE KERR, representing ABUSED WOMEN'S AID IN CRISIS,
testified from Anchorage that she opposed HB 67. She said
the state should not balance the budget on the backs of
children, who can least afford it. She said rising rents
and decreasing welfare benefits will squeeze people into
dangerous circumstances. She encouraged capping other state
entitlement programs.
Number 444
GLENDA STRAUBE testified from Anchorage in opposition to
HB 67. She said it is too easy for the legislature to cut
programs for the poor, who are not politically active and
whose dependence draws public resentment. She said the lack
of funds for job training programs ensured continue
dependence in women who wanted to get off welfare. She said
many welfare recipients cannot afford the state's high
rents, and said 28 percent of poor Alaskans receive low-
income housing assistance. She said money distributed in
human services circulates through the state's economy, and
cutting the money does not make sense.
Number 470
RUTH LISTER, representing the INTERIOR ALASKA WOMEN'S
POLITICAL CAUCUS, testified from Fairbanks in opposition to
HB 67. She said she met with welfare recipients as director
of the Alaska Women's Commission, and many of them are
barely surviving difficult circumstances. She said barriers
to self-sufficiency include: lack of reliable
transportation; children with special needs; chronic health
problems; and lack of training for good-paying jobs
providing health benefits. She said job training programs
were better ways of encouraging self-sufficiency than the
proposed gaps between benefits and earnings caps. She said
80 percent of women on AFDC have been victims of rape and
domestic violence and cutting AFDC was violence against
children.
Number 500
DEE DEE OLSEN testified from Fairbanks in opposition to
HB 67. She said cutting AFDC would force recipients to drop
insurance or lose utility service. Public assistance is a
lengthy, dehumanizing process that strips people of hope and
self-worth, she said. She said single parents would be hurt
most, and she asked legislators not to ignore welfare
recipients, but to give them enough to live with dignity.
(Her written testimony is on file in the committee room.)
Number 524
BISHOP MICHAEL KENNY, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP FOR THE DIOCESE
OF JUNEAU, and PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
SERVICE, testified in Juneau in opposition to HB 67. He
read from a prepared statement, saying that cutting welfare
benefits would reflect poorly on Alaska society's morals.
He said the poor do not have a voice and rely more on the
legislature's compassion than do those who have a louder
voice in the budget-writing process. He noted recent
attention to the ethics displayed by members of the
legislature. (His written testimony is on file in the
committee room.)
Number 550
CHAIR TOOHEY interrupted and asked Bishop Kenny to limit his
comments to the bill at hand.
BISHOP KENNY assented and concluded by saying that as a
society is judged by how it treats the least fortunate, a
bill that reduces welfare benefits to the poor has serious
moral implications.
Number 560
CHAIR TOOHEY called a brief at-ease and returned the meeting
to order one minute later.
(Rep. Bunde arrived at 3:45 p.m.)
Number 565
CAREN ROBINSON, REPRESENTING THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS,
testified in Juneau in opposition to HB 67. She gave each
committee member $792 in play money, and encouraged them to
"spend" it for their own expenses in the next two weeks and
see how far welfare benefits go in providing for housing,
food, utilities, transportation and other necessities of
life.
Number 600
DEVRA DYNES, a mother of four receiving welfare benefits,
testified from Fairbanks in opposition to HB 67, saying that
the money she receives ($1,160 from AFDC and $200 in food
stamps each month) is inadequate for the family needs she
detailed, let alone small extras such as clothing, even
though she economizes vigorously and is working part time.
She asked committee members to try living on AFDC benefits
for six months before voting to lower the benefits.
TAPE 93-18, SIDE B
Number 000
ROBIN WICKHAM, representing ACCESS ALASKA, testified from
Fairbanks in opposition to HB 67, saying the benefit level
is already too low. She said higher national taxes,
combined with decreased charitable donations, will limit
resources for the needy. She asked the committee not to
decrease public assistance benefits. (Her written testimony
is on file in the committee room.)
Number 077
JIM CALDAROLA, DIRECTOR, CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES, testified
from Anchorage in opposition to HB 67. He agreed with
Bishop Kenny that the state budget needs to be balanced, but
welfare programs should be the last to be cut. By cutting
COLA from welfare programs, they are retained for other
government programs and employees and it is not fair, he
said. He stated that such reductions are not morally
correct and reflect poorly on society.
Number 106
PUDGE KLEINKAUF testified from Anchorage in opposition to
HB 67. She outlined the reductions for certain levels of
benefits, and said that the proposed monthly reduction in
benefits for a family is less than the per diem allowance
paid to state employees. She said stepping up enforcement
of child support orders would help reduce the numbers of
families on AFDC in Alaska. She suggested the state give
those on public assistance priority status in hiring for
state jobs, and give tax breaks to businesses that hire
those on public assistance.
Number 175
CINDY SMITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA NETWORK ON DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, testified in Juneau in
opposition to HB 67. She said the network opposes the bill
because it would endanger victims of domestic violence by
forcing them to either remain in an emergency shelter or
return to an abusive relationship. She said the bill would
not save money. While the poor might delay some
expenditures, in a few months they would sink under the
expenses of living, causing them to seek help at emergency
shelters and food banks at the state's expense. Benefit
cuts would leave children hungry and unable to learn in
school, would lead to increased loan defaults, and other
social ills.
Number 220
REP. BUNDE asked Ms. Smith whether a $50 increase in
benefits would eliminate the wide range of social problems
that she said a $50 cut in benefits would bring.
MS. SMITH responded that inhumane actions were not
attributable solely to circumstances, but she did say it is
harder to be safe if you are poor. She noted that welfare
benefits provide a living at only 70 percent to 80 percent
of federal poverty standards, a condition which contributes
to social tensions and problems.
Number 245
MELISSA CARROLL, a single parent with two children receiving
AFDC, testified in Juneau in opposition to HB 67. She said
she was in a 15-week training program through the JOBS
program. She said the cutbacks will hurt children as well
as parents.
Number 262
KAREN McCULLOUGH testified in Juneau in opposition to HB 67,
saying it would hurt communities. She stated rural
communities have difficulty in getting the resources to move
families from welfare to work, as most desire to do. She
acknowledged the budget needs to be cut, but said it is not
fair to cut COLA for welfare recipients while the cost of
living is rising, and when charities are harder pressed to
provide relief services.
Number 288
VIRGINIA OLSEN testified from Fairbanks in opposition to
HB 67. She said single welfare recipients are allowed $125
per month for rent. As a disabled person, she receives
$2,916 each year, covering rent and food. She suggested a
few program changes, including changing the monthly
application requirements for different welfare programs and
allowing them to reapply every three months or six months if
their situations did not change. She said the savings in
staff time would lower case costs.
MEG GAYDOSIK, STATE PUBLIC POLICY CHAIR FOR THE AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN, testified from Fairbanks in
opposition to HB 67. She encouraged the legislature to be
informed by a recent article on welfare in Alaska Economic
Trends. She cited the state's entitlement programs and low
tax structure. She chastised the commissioner of Health and
Social Services, Ted Mala, for transferring $90,000 in
program budgets to cover travel and public relations
expenses. (Her written testimony is on file in the
committee room.)
Number 372
REP. BUNDE said HB 67 was not the administration's only
effort to cut the budget. He asked if Ms. Gaydosik knew the
10-15 year average of how long people remain on welfare.
MS. GAYDOSIK cited the Alaska Economic Trends article, which
said from 1984 to 1991, 67 percent of AFDC recipients got
benefits for less than two years.
Number 385
BARBARA BENNETT, SOCIAL SERVICES COORDINATOR FOR BEAN'S
CAFE, testified from Anchorage in opposition to HB 67,
saying it would increase the number of people seeking meals
at Bean's. She asked how much of Alaska's budget is spent
on welfare. She said waiting lists for subsidized housing
push many single welfare recipients to eat at Bean's. She
asked the legislature for more public housing, especially if
the legislature cuts other welfare benefits. She echoed
another witness' concerns that higher taxes would cut
charitable contributions and further erode support for the
poor.
Number 420
CHAIR TOOHEY invited Ms. Bennett to restate her question on
AFDC and APA as a percentage of the state budget, and the
proposed percentage change.
MS. HENSEN said she did not have an answer.
Number 425
SHERRIE GOLL, A LOBBYIST WITH THE ALASKA WOMEN'S LOBBY AND
KIDPAC, said she could answer the question. She stated 4.2
percent of Alaska's general fund operating expenditures went
for public assistance programs, including administrative
costs.
CHAIR TOOHEY called a brief at-ease at 4:24 p.m. and called
the meeting back to order at 4:27 p.m. Rep. Bunde and Rep.
Kott did not return to the meeting.
Number 457
SUE OLIPHANT, SUPERVISING HEAD START TEACHER IN DOUGLAS,
testified in Juneau in opposition to HB 67. She said those
welfare recipients involved in the Head Start program break
down into three groups: those on AFDC who are too troubled
to help themselves; those who are working out their
substance abuse problems and other problems; and those who
have already dug themselves out and may be in school. She
said cutting back benefits poses the danger of pushing such
people back into distress and discouragement, both economic
and emotional.
Number 480
DARRYL GUTHRIE, OF THE TLINGIT-HAIDA CENTRAL COUNCIL,
testified in Juneau in opposition to HB 67. He said he has
a caseload of about 6,000 people in Southeast Alaska who
receive General Assistance, a benefit program for those
ineligible for AFDC. He said people needing public
assistance often suffer from other social, medical and
emotional problems, and cutbacks in financial benefits might
increase the caseload. He urged legislators to have empathy
for those receiving public assistance.
(Rep. Olberg departed at 4:32 p.m.)
Number 520
MARY LOU CANNEY, PRESIDENT OF A RESIDENT COUNCIL FOR A
PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT, testified from Fairbanks in
opposition to HB 67. She said public housing is scarce,
with a waiting list of 1,000 people at her project, many
with special needs.
(Rep. Bunde returned at 4:34 p.m. and Rep. Kott returned at
4:34 p.m.)
MS. CANNEY said lowering welfare benefits would hurt
recipients' quality of life and reduce incentive and
security. She said public assistance programs provide for
no extras, and she predicted that children would suffer from
the cuts. Without permanent fund dividends, many families
could not provide warm clothing and other necessities for
their children. She said children are the most vulnerable
to violence, which is exacerbated by shortage of resources.
Number 556
LOUISE CHARLES, JOBS PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR THE TANANA
CHIEFS CONFERENCE, testified from Fairbanks in opposition to
HB 67. She said the JOBS program works in 43 villages in
the Doyon Region and eight villages in the Arctic Slope
Regional Corp. area, helping welfare recipients learn job
skills that can wean them from welfare. She said the
legislature needs to consider that benefit cuts hit Bush
residents harder than urban residents. She stated AFDC
recipients need every penny, and some even move to urban
areas where the JOBS program is better able to teach them
job skills. Cutting welfare benefits might make it
impossible for people to spend the money necessary to take
part in the JOBS program in an attempt to find employment.
TAPE 93-19, SIDE A
Number 000
JUDY BUSH, ALASKA LEGAL SERVICES, testified in Fairbanks in
opposition to HB 67. She noted that AFDC benefits provide
70 percent of the federal poverty rate for some recipients.
She asked where the bottom of the social safety net lies.
She stated that without public housing many recipients
cannot survive. She said that AFDC recipients need a
certain amount of financial stability so they can move
forward toward independence, and lowering benefits could
keep some recipients perpetually in crisis, unable to leave
the welfare rolls. She said that the interim assistance
payment of $280 per month for those awaiting a federal
determination of disability is insufficient for living
expenses, and she decried the planned changes in that
benefit program. She said people rely on the retroactive
benefits to pay back loans taken out during the interim.
Number 101
JOAN MARIE AMES, a disabled person, testified from Fairbanks
in opposition to HB 67. She said she is able to survive
only because the state subsidizes the $939 rent on her
apartment. She said if the benefit rates are cut, people
will move into homeless shelters.
Number 135
SHERRIE GOLL, A LOBBYIST FOR ALASKA WOMEN'S LOBBY and
KIDPAC, testified in Juneau in opposition to HB 67. She
encouraged committee members to study the projected savings
from the cuts in HB 67. She said the way to lower program
costs is to lower the AFDC caseload and put the savings into
the JOBS program. She also suggested increasing enforcement
of child support orders.
There being no further witnesses wishing to testify on the
bill, CHAIR TOOHEY ended public testimony on HB 67.
Number 193
REP. GARY DAVIS lamented that the budget needed to be cut,
and said that the committee had been presented an
opportunity for savings. He said the committee had heard
lots of thought-provoking testimony on the bill, but said
that the legislature would hear protests from someone no
matter where they proposed cuts. He suggested that the
testimony could point the way to adjustments in the bill,
and said he wanted to hear more about the original purpose
behind the bill and about ways to allow welfare recipients
to work and keep more of their money. He said he would not
want to see the bill moved from committee without more work
and possible improvement.
Number 235
REP. VEZEY asked if he could offer an amendment.
CHAIR TOOHEY said it would be best to put the bill aside
until it could be scheduled for another meeting, at which
time they can address Rep. Davis' comments, and any other
concerns or amendments committee members might want to make.
Rep. Toohey called a brief at-ease at 4:53 p.m., and
returned the meeting to order at 4:53 p.m. She announced
that HB 67 would be held over until Thursday, February 25,
1993.
CHAIR TOOHEY ADJOURNED the meeting at 4:55 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|