Legislature(1995 - 1996)
02/09/1995 09:10 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 19
An Act relating to the location of the convening of the
legislature in regular session.
Co-chairman Halford directed that SSSB 19 be brought on for
discussion. Senator Randy Phillips explained that he
introduced the proposed bill to move the legislature from
Juneau to Anchorage to improve access to the capital. The
move would be concluded by January, 1998. Senator Phillips
referenced a draft CSSSSB 19 (9-LS0288\F, Cook, 2/3/95) and
explained that it provides for establishment of a state
government relocation commission. By March 1, 1996, the
commission would submit a report of relocation costs,
including the amount of bondable costs subject to voter
approval under AS 44.06.055. Senator Phillips stressed that
the main purpose of the bill is access. Proposed movement
of the legislature, alone, should not devastate the economy
of Juneau. The Senator further stressed the importance of
face-to-face rather than teleconference access by
constituents. He then said he would request that the bill
be held in committee pending additional work on fiscal notes
as well as a comparison of costs of retaining the capital in
Juneau versus moving it to Anchorage.
JAMIE PARSONS, former mayor of Juneau, came before committee
in opposition to SSSB 19, which he termed "nothing more than
a back door capital move." Three months ago, Alaskan
residents voted by a 9.4% margin against movement of the
capital from Juneau to Wasilla. Mr. Parsons pointed to
Juneau's efforts to provide excellent health, police, fire,
emergency, and recreational services. He acknowledged that
the recent capital move campaign pointed out improvements
that should be made to make government work better for all
Alaskans. The statewide Alaska Committee, which led the
campaign to keep the capital in Juneau, is in the process of
converting to a statewide, nonprofit organization to follow
up on those improvements. Mr. Parsons asked that the
legislature give Juneau a few years to address issues such
as housing, electronic and telecommunication access,
improved air and land access. He next spoke to more
important issues facing the state: budget deficits,
declining revenues, reduced Prudhoe Bay production,
increasing demand for services as a result of population
growth, crime, educational standards, etc.
CHUCK ACHBERGER, Director, Juneau Chamber of Commerce, next
came before committee in opposition to the bill. He
attested to access to legislative activity through
telecommunications. The electronic data base allows
Alaskans free telephone access to the status of bills,
committee action, etc.
Mr. Achberger advised that he accessed fiscal notes
accompanying SSSB 19. He then spoke to past experience with
the fiscal note associated with movement of the Governor's
office from the capitol building to the Court Plaza
Building. The initial note was $400.0. Six months later,
the note for what was essentially a move across the street
had escalated to $2 million.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Achberger advised that Juneau
residents fought hard to retain the capital, and the
community made a number of promises for improvements. He
asked that Juneau be given time to fulfill those promises.
Mr. Achberger took exception to the statement that the
proposed move would not have an adverse economic impact on
Juneau. He noted that legislative housing and other
residential and commercial construction would not occur
while SSSB 19 remains a threat.
Senator Phillips voiced his recollection that escalating
costs associated with the proposed move of the Governor's
office resulted from needed code upgrades at the Court Plaza
Building.
Co-chairman Halford asked Mr. Achberger if he would prefer
the bill to go to the floor for a definitive vote or remain
in committee where it would be potentially viable. Mr.
Achberger said that his first choice was for the bill to
cease to exist. He then expressed his second choice: that
the bill remain in committee until final adjournment. That
would give Juneau time to work on access problems and other
improvements.
Senator Phillips stressed that the proposed legislation does
not represent a personal crusade. He attested to
constituents in his district who continually complain about
lack of access. They voted "two out of three" to move the
entire capital. A number of those constituents are not
happy with the proposed move of only the legislature. Lack
of access is a valid concern. Mr. Achberger replied that he
did not view the proposed legislation as a personal attach
on Juneau. However, those whose jobs are impacted are not
likely to feel the same. He again asked that Juneau be
given time to work on access. Mr. Achberger stressed that
legislators are within their districts seven months of the
year. It is not difficult for constituents to get
appointments during that time.
CHIP WAGONER next came before committee, advising that he is
both a republican and a Juneau resident. He acknowledged
that the proposed legislation does not represent a personal
crusade concerning Juneau but a crusade for access. Mr.
Wagoner stressed, however, that access is not a "burning
issue." Voters dealt with the issue in the last election
when movement of the capital was defeated. He observed that
the proposed bill represents a capital move regardless of
how it is characterized. Other issues are of much greater
importance to Alaskans. Mr. Wagoner stressed that as a
republican he seeks success for the current republican
leadership in both the House and Senate. To accomplish
that, the leadership must deal with issues of concern to
Alaskans. The first of those concerns is the budget. Less
time should be expended on bills such as SSSB 19 and more
effort devoted to deferred maintenance at the university,
fishing issues, mining, timber, tourism, etc. He urged that
the republican caucus focus on voter concerns and ignore the
proposed legislative move. Mr. Wagoner next attested to
electronic filing of legislation, and access thereto, at the
national level. He suggested that the average voter does
not want to physically come before committee so much as to
be able to access the legislature from his or her own home.
He urged support for increased electronic access. Senator
Phillips again stressed the importance of access to his
constituents. Mr. Wagoner reiterated that there are issues
of much greater importance facing the present legislature.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:00 a.m.
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