Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/02/2001 09:08 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
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 103(FIN)(brf sup maj fld)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan
program expenses of state government, for certain programs,
and to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 104(FIN)
"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 Donley announced public testimony would be limited to two
minutes.
PAUL GONZALAS, on behalf of treatment and mental health centers,
testified via teleconference from Mat-Su and indicated that without
the treatment programs nobody wins and with the treatment programs
everyone wins.
TOM BOLEN, member, Local Emergency Planning Committee Association
Of Alaska (LEPC), testified via teleconference from Kotzebue. He
indicated that hazard funding for natural disasters have never been
funded by the state. This year the governor agreed to support the
funding, and Mr. Bolen is asking the Committee to fully fund the
$90,800 request.
BARBARA JANITSCHEK, speaking on behalf of Dennis Sipleman, Chairman
and CEO of Maniilaq Association, testified via teleconference from
Kotzebue, requested the continuation of budget request unit (BRU)
funding to assist Maniilaq Association in providing adequate level
of health care to the citizens within their service area.
SUE WHITE, Director, Family Resources for Maniilaq Association,
testified via teleconference from Kotzebue that her agency provides
welfare programs, including a childcare assistance program to
Native and non-Native citizens and has an operating budget of $1.3
million a year. She stressed that no other family resources program
provides the depth of service in the region as the Maniilaq
Association does, and requested the "same level of BRU funding that
we had this year".
KATHY YULE, Director, Counseling Services, testified via
teleconference from Kotzebue for the pre-maternal non-
discriminatory home program for non-expectant mother and infants
and homecare services for the elderly. She explained that her
organization provides services to Kotzebue and eleven surrounding
communities. She requested that the BRU funding not be reduced so
that these services could be continued.
CHARLIE FAUTIN, Director, Community Health Services for the
Maniilaq, testified via teleconference from Kotzebue that the BRU
funding had not increased for nursing services in more than eight
years for the region. He urged the Committee to restore the BRU
funding.
MICHEAL TOAHTY, testified via teleconference from Kotzebue and
indicated that substance abuse programs for in-patient and
outpatient treatment in the NANA Regional Native Corporation and
Point Hope areas in the North Slope Borough need adequate funding
to help provide treatment and recruitment of staff.
BRUCE RUTTENBURG, Doctor and Director of the Maniilaq Council
mental health services, testified via teleconference from Kotzebue,
that the council "does not discriminate" when providing mental
health care. He commented that traveling to provide meaningful
services to eleven small villages near Kotzebue presents a unique
challenge. He also noted the high suicide rate in the region as
evidence of the challenges faced. He pointed out that the council
relies on the BRUs for funding, and noted that it must compete for
these funds each year. He strongly recommended the Committee fund
the BRUs, which have been flat for at least eight years.
DEBBIE OSSIANDER, member, Anchorage School Board, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage to thank the Committee and
respectfully ask for funding for K-12 education at the same level
as the previous year. She declared that ten years ago the state
funded 73.4 percent of the school district budget compared to the
current 62.5 percent, and that the local budget has increased to
make up that difference and to cover costs of new programs.
SHEREE BEVINS, a fourteen-year-old resident of the State of Alaska,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage on behalf of funding
for the Challenge to Quit program that helps people to stop
smoking. She commented that she has been able to quit smoking
because of the program and that other members of her family are
using the program to try to quit.
JENNY MURRAY, member, American Cancer Society, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage and urged the Committee to use the
$8.1 million received from the tobacco settlements to fund the
state smoking prevention programs. She informed that Alaska
currently ranks thirty-sixth in the nation in funding of smoking
prevention programs.
PEGGY ROBINSON, President, Anchorage School Board, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage, regarding the state's foundation
formula as it relates to funding for recruitment of teachers. She
communicated that other state legislatures were implementing
across-the-board salary increases for teachers. Referring to SB
149, she noted that Anchorage has not kept up with the rest of the
states or Alaska in offering sufficient salaries or benefits for
teachers. She urged for an increase in state education funding.
Senator Leman referred to SB 149 and indicated that the sponsor
substitute does include more funding than the witness mentioned. He
stated HB 149 would be heard in the Senate Health, Education and
Social Services Committee.
DON RINKER, representing the "diverse users of the state satellite
interconnection project", testified via teleconference from
Anchorage in support of the interconnection project. He noted that
the satellite service is used to support the University of Alaska
distance delivery of courses, as well as statewide emergency alert
services, Alaska Rural Communication Service (ARCS), and Gavel-to-
Gavel Legislative coverage. He asked that the Committee adopt the
same amount as the House of Representatives for funding of the
satellite project.
JUDITH BENDERSKY, member, Golden View and Service schools' Parent
Teacher Associations, testified via teleconference from Anchorage
and voiced that she has been very involved in tobacco prevention.
She urged the Committee to fully use the $8.1 million tobacco
settlement money for tobacco prevention. She stressed the need for
a comprehensive approach.
TERRY DENUPTIIS, on behalf of Karen Hodge and himself, testified
via teleconference from Anchorage and pleaded that the Committee
not cut any mental health projects from the budgets in HB 103 and
HB 104. He stated that thousands of people in Alaska lost their
Medicaid and Medicare benefits as of January 1, 2001 which has been
a real hardship. He informed that Karen's mental health visit costs
rose from six dollars to $190.
JAN MACCLARENCE, volunteer, Alaska Mental Health Board, testified
via teleconference from Anchorage and noted that the Alaska Mental
Health Trust Board and Authority has tried to build support for
people to stay in their own communities rather than being sent to
state hospitals for treatment. She voiced concern over proposed
cuts in alcohol and drug abuse programs and insufficient funding to
increase bed capacity in hospitals. She stated that funding needs
would have to be "increased to reach the goals" that the Board and
Authority and State have all been working toward.
MARIE LAVIGNE, representing National Association of Social Workers,
Alaska Chapter, testified via teleconference from Anchorage and
expressed that community health grants are essential to
communities. She urged the restoration of funding to the prevention
programs.
JULIE SERSTAD, Director, Norton Sound Mental Health (NSMH)
testified via teleconference from Nome to urge the Committee to not
reduce the BRUs or change the structure of the BRU operation. She
noted that NSMH staff travel in small planes, often through bad
weather, and work long hours in the Bering Straits region. As
required in the region, she added, NSMH staff test the entire
school population every year for tuberculosis (TB) due to the high
percentage of outbreaks. However, she stated, the staff could not
make a difference without adequate funding. She urged funding the
proposal another eight percent, if not twenty-five percent. Eight
percent translates to a whole staffing position, she stated, and a
"proposed decrease in funding is a discriminatory slap in their
face".
Senator Olson asked Ms. Serstad to give the Committee an
abbreviated update of the TB outbreaks in the Nome area.
Ms. Serstad recapped that this past year, NSMH treated 62 cases of
TB. She said she would submit written breakout information at a
later date. She informed the cost is approximately $15,599 to treat
each active case of TB.
MIKE OWENS, testified via teleconference from Nome and expressed
concern regarding the proposed changes and cuts to the BRU funding,
and how it will negatively affect the Emergency Medical Service
(EMS) volunteer service in his area as well as the EMS office
covering the whole state.
JANE FRANKS, Director, Norton Sound Behavioral Health, testified
via teleconference from Nome and urged the Committee to restore the
BRUs at the previous level of funding even thought there has not
been an increase in seven years. She said the organization, in this
case, "could plan and implement best practices instead of just
responding to a crisis". She detailed the services provided to all
residents of the area, Native and non-Native alike. She also stated
the organization is already dealing with inadequate funding for
Native care, according to a recent Alaska Native Health Board
position paper on Indian health service.
SFC 01 # 63, Side B 09:55 AM
Ms. Franks continued by requesting more funding, not less.
CHARLES LEAN, Chief, Nome Volunteer Ambulance Department and
member, Nome Emergency Medical Services, testified via
teleconference from Nome and expressed concern with the cuts to the
BRUs that would affect training, supplies, recruitment and other
services on the local level, and the cuts to the EMS office that
would affect all Alaskans. "Please don't cut it any further", he
expressed.
DANIEL E. KNUDSEN, Director, Norton Sound Audiology, testified via
teleconference from Nome and voiced that the proposal to cut
funding in the BRUs and "redistribution on a competitive basis for
FY 02 would have very serious and detrimental effects on the health
care in the Norton Sound Region." He emphasized the appropriations
for the past nine years have only covered the travel budget for his
small organization which serves fifteen rural villages. He said
further cuts would be "greatly felt", especially in preventive
audiology treatment.
GLORIA EATON, testified via teleconference from Nome and expressed
concern regarding her father-in-law and other elders who currently
receive health care in their homes. She stated that her father-in-
law is "very stressed with the idea of being sent back" into a
nursing home due to the effect these funding cuts would have on
home care services. She pleaded with the Committee not to cut the
BRU funding.
LORRETTA BULLARD, testified via teleconference from Nome, on behalf
of Melanie Edwards and Kawerak, Inc, a non-profit social workers
organization, which provides services throughout the Bering Straits
region. She spoke in favor of retaining the current BRUs for state
funded social workers. She inquired, "Why it is the rural non-
profit BRUs which are being cut". She said the BRU grants enable
the village staff to work collaboratively with the Department of
Health and Social Services. She noted these BRU grants have been
cut 44 percent since their high in 1985.
JANA VARRATI, testified via teleconference from Nome, and urged the
Committee instead of cutting funding for "real" people to develop a
budgetary plan. She stated that programs have been "cut to the bone
and into the marrow". She said it appears there are more funding
reductions to the rural areas BRUs. She said that if these cuts
occur, there would be no services in this rural area, which has
only one Senator and one Representative but comprises the biggest
area in Alaska.
CHUCK DEGNAN, Bering Straits CRSA, testified in Juneau and observed
that one of the problems he has witnessed over the years is
appropriate "funding based on need", especially regarding the
situation of small communities' economy of scale and cost of living
differentials. He stressed that small communities need more basic
funding than larger communities. He urged the Committee "to take
the next step to take care" of those small communities' funding
needs.
Senator Green reiterated that the Health and Social Services budget
reflects a $15 million increase in general funds, and of this,
$658,200 is an increase for infant learning programs,
developmentally disabled programs, rural social service workers,
and mental health and alcohol programs. Within this component, she
said, there have been some fund shifts in grants, but overall there
have been funding transfers not reductions. She noted that this may
be difficult to spot, but in light of public testimony comments,
she wanted to point out that funding has been increased.
KENNETH WHITESIDE, testified via teleconference from Mat-Su in
support of alcohol treatment programs. He informed that Alaska has
the highest drug and alcohol abuse in the nation and that the
treatment programs are necessary and important. He said the
treatment program saved his life and stressed long-term treatment
is about education, saving lives and rehabilitation. He urged the
Committee to "please weight this in your hearts as the decision
affects us all."
THOMAS MCELWAIN testified via teleconference from Mat-Su in support
of long-term alcohol treatment programs. He indicated that
treatment facilities are very important because alcohol and drug
addictions "are progressive addictions and can't be cured
overnight." He said "jails are not helping anybody stop drinking
and driving," but he felt long-term treatment facilities are
"changing lives". He stressed the need to fund these treatment
programs because the programs achieve results.
MICHAEL EXUUM testified via teleconference from Mat-Su in support
of long-term alcohol treatment programs. He noted that the
treatment programs have helped him stay sober and also stop
smoking. He said that without those programs he would not be able
to do what he has done with his life. He testified in support of
the Nugent De-Tox Center, also. He urged the committee to re-
consider the funding cuts that would affect these programs.
Co-Chair Donley referred to Senator Green's comments and reiterated
that the Senate Finance Committee is actually increasing funding
for alcohol and drug treatment programs and is continuing to meet
federal standards to receive federal funding.
ALLEN JOHN, SR. testified via teleconference from Mat-Su in support
of alcohol treatment programs. He had lost family members to
alcohol problems, and explained how hard it is for people in rural
areas to have to fly somewhere to get treatment. He urged the
Committee to not cut the budget.
DANNY WAGNER testified via teleconference from Mat-Su in support of
alcohol rehabilitation and what it has done for him. He indicated
that alcohol rehabilitation had given him a "different and positive
outlook on life."
BOYD KILGORE, retired member, Plumbers and Pipefitters Union,
testified via teleconference from Mat-Su in support of Alcohol
treatment programs. He indicated that he has been through
Alcoholics Anonymous and other programs that did not work for him.
He stated the Nugent Ranch long-term treatment program "has worked
for him, and it is a great program." He said that his insurance
covered costs of the program, but there are several people in the
program who do not have insurance coverage and the funding support
of the program makes it possible for those people to get help. He
urged continued support for the program.
ERIC WAGENIUS testified via teleconference from Mat-Su and noted
that he had been "in and out of jail his whole life." He said he
now "has a clue about his life" thanks to the addiction treatment
he received at Nugent Ranch. He urged continued funding support of
this program.
BRUCE CULVER, member, Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC),
testified via teleconference from Barrow urging the Committee to
provide funds so the LEPC can start addressing community awareness
of natural disasters in addition to oil spill awareness.
SKYE RUBADEAU, University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) student,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage and thanked the
Committee for the investment the Legislature has made in the
University. She said the University is very dependent on funding
from the Legislature. She urged the Committee to fully fund the
University to allow it to continue its forward momentum.
Senator Leman stated that the University budget has increased $102
million over the last two years and will increase $32 million to a
total of $134 million this year.
Ms. Rubadeau expressed her appreciation for all that the
Legislature has done.
ILOSH AZARSEPANDAN, UAA student, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage and indicated that the Legislature's increased investment
in the university system is important and has really made a
difference.
GRAHAM SIEBE, UAA student, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage and said that by being fully funded with the $18.4
million increase this year, the university would have the
opportunity to better meet the growing needs of businesses and
communities, could continue to have enrollment growth, and would be
better able to provide Alaskan students with meaningful career
opportunities.
ANNETTE MARLEY, on behalf of the Alaska Native Health Board,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage and urged the Committee
to use one third of the tobacco settlement for smoking prevention
in the state. She mentioned that 34 percent of Alaska's high school
kids are smoking and that tobacco prevention programs would help
"prevent further tragedies."
CHERYL EDENSHAW, testified via teleconference from Kotzebue, and
respectfully requested funding support of the Alaska Kotzebue
Technical Center. She said that cuts to this program would have
devastating economic effects on the region as the Technical Center
provides training for people to work at the Red Dog Mine and in
healthcare occupations. She stated the $609,000 funding request
funds programs that have proven long-term occupational training
results.
Co-Chair Donley commented that there is separate legislation,
currently under consideration, that would provide funding for the
Kotzebue Technical Center.
COLE SCHAEFFER, testified via teleconference from Kotzebue, in
support of funding for the Kotzebue Technical Center. He stressed
that trained personnel are essential for Alaskan business and
industry and that technical centers provide a service that the
university and other educational forums cannot fulfill. He urged as
much funding as possible to be designated for technical centers.
KEVIN THEONNES, career pathways high school counselor, Northwest
Arctic Borough School District, testified via teleconference from
Kotzebue about the importance of the Kotzebue Technical Training
Program, especially with its location in the rural area of Alaska.
He commended Senator Torgerson for his efforts in supporting
vocational education.
ERIN MARTIN testified via teleconference from Mat Su to stress the
importance of alcohol and drug long-term treatment centers. She
stated that without such programs, "I would not be here today."
ROBERTA KOPPENBERGH, testified via teleconference from Mat Su, that
alcohol treatment centers have also saved her life.
DENISE BOWEN testified via teleconference from Mat Su in support of
long-term substance abuse treatment centers. They "are good in
Alaska", she said, and that "her stay in a center has made her a
better person". She also stated that without treatment she would
probably be dead, and she is thankful that Alaska has the centers.
Senator Ward moved for adoption of SCS CS HB 103 (FIN), 22-
LS0410\S, as a working draft.
There was no objection and the Committee Substitute was ADOPTED.
DENNY DEGROSS, Director, Alaska Center for Rural Health, testified
via teleconference from Anchorage, to talk about BRUs, tobacco
funding, and the University of Alaska funding. He said that the BRU
reductions are not a good thing and any "savings are illusionary,"
and would end up costing the state money. He spoke to the
importance of community based and operated programs, and how they
are much more effective than management from outside of the
community. He also detailed the history of BRU funding. He urged
full funding for tobacco education. He stated that, if "Alaskans
are serious about the university", the university needed to be
fully funded.
ERIN CASTLE testified via teleconference from Anchorage about her
own, and her stepfather's, experience with substance abuse. She
said that without treatment, "alcoholism is passed along" to
children.
ROSELYN CASEY, director, Adult Learning Center, a technical college
in conjunction with the University of Alaska, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage as to the importance of funding the
University of Alaska. She stated that young people in Alaska would
prefer to attend college in the state and that many young people
who had not finished high school, had gone back and gotten their
GEDs because of the variety of pertinent courses that the
university now offers. She urged continued support of the
University.
SFC 01 # 64, Side A 10:44 AM
SHERRY THOMPSON testified via teleconference from Anchorage in
support of the University of Alaska's budget request. She shared
information she had read that a Chugiak Electric Association Board
of Directors candidate said that Alaska once had the highest per
capital income in the nation, but now it below the national
average. She shared the positive changes that continuing education
has made in her life, and that a good university system could turn
people's life around for the better. She stated that funding
support of the university would help the health of Alaska's
economy.
Senator Ward moved to adopt SCS CS HB 104 (FIN), 22-LS0411\J, as a
working draft.
The Committee Substitute was ADOPTED without objection.
Co-Chair Donley announced that public testimony would now be
limited to one minute per testifier due to limited time in the
morning session. He continued that speakers could come back and
testify that afternoon for two minutes.
SUSAN SPELLS, Alaska Women's Resource Center, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage and noted that Alaska has the highest
per capital alcohol consumption, the highest alcohol related death
rate, and the highest Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) rates in the
nation. She stressed that research supports that treatment for
substance abuse does work. She urged the Committee to not cut funds
to these programs.
SCOT PRINZ, Alcohol and Behavioral Health Consultant, Alaska Native
Tribal Health Consortium, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage to urge support for the BRU grants. He stressed the need
to fund the alcohol and mental health treatment programs, as well
as providing funds to recruit and retain the necessary staff to run
these programs, especially in the rural areas.
TADD OWENS, Executive Director, Resource Development Council,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage and referred to HB 361.
He urged the Committee to reinstate the line item for $40,000 of
funds that a Senate Department of Environmental Conservation
Subcommittee had removed. This funding removal, he stated,
undermined the effectiveness of the bill.
DAVID WOODLEY, Chair, University of Alaska Statewide Staff
Alliance, testified via teleconference from Anchorage and thanked
the legislature for continued support for the University. He hoped
they would continue to lay the foundation for the system and
support the programs that are needed throughout the state. He urged
the Committee to support the University's budget request in its
entirety.
MARY K. HUGHES, member, University of Alaska Board of Trustees
Foundation, testified via teleconference from Anchorage, and urged
support for the University budget request. She thanked the
Committee for their past and continuing support.
CHARLOTTE PHELPS, Senior Advocate, Division of Justice, testified
via teleconference from Anchorage, and said she had recently
noticed that the House had cut $10,000 from her Division, which
receives most of its funding in a line item in the budget of the
Department of Public Safety. She stressed this amount of money to a
small organization such as hers, is a substantial cut and affects
how they can provide services to victims of crime on a statewide
basis, especially rural areas. She urged the Committee to
reconsider the $10,000 cut.
JULIANNA GUY, representing public broadcasting, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage to advocate for the full funding of
the satellite service that public broadcasting uses to provide
radio and television programming on a statewide basis. She feels
that it is extremely important because of the high usage,
especially in the Bush, of educational and other public
broadcasting programming that is provided, statewide.
Co-Chair Donley recessed the Committee until 1:30 PM at which time,
he stated, they would resume public testimony from the Anchorage
and Mat-Su areas.
RECESS 11:00AM / 1:35PM
CHRIS NOAKES, a representative of Back Country Avalanche Awareness
and Response Team (BAART), testified via teleconference from Mat-Su
and urged the Committee to accept Governor Knowles budget request
for $350,000 for the Department of Public Safety to use for
avalanche public safety and training, and search and rescue
equipment. She informed the Committee that Alaska ranks number one
in the nation for avalanche deaths per capita, largely due, she
felt, to the lack of public education and avalanche forecast and
warning systems.
KEN KLUNDER, speaking as a substitute for Jerry Arthur, testified
via teleconference from Mat-Su and referred to Alaska State Statute
Number 18.76.010 that mandated the State of Alaska should
participate in a statewide warning system. He said the funding for
the warning system was eliminated, due to budget cuts, in 1986. He
stated that since the warning system and public education cuts were
made, sixty-one people have died from avalanche related deaths. He
read the names of some of the victims. He urged the Committee to
fund the avalanche warning system.
ADENE ARTHUR testified via teleconference from Mat-Su in support of
the Public Safety Avalanche Program funding. She thanked the
Committee for proclaiming November 2001 as Avalanche Awareness
Month. At a meeting held in Anchorage last November on avalanches,
she noted that Governor Knowles "was amazed" at the turnout with
only a two-day notice. She informed that the people attending the
meeting represented the Red Cross, state parks, troopers, and
families and friends of victims. She said that those who spoke at
that meeting said that too many people were dying from avalanches
and something needed to be done. She remarked that, as a result of
that meeting, Governor Knowles put $350,000 in the budget of the
Department of Public Safety to fund avalanche safety programs, and
she felt that the legislative budget has so far ignored the
Governor's request.
Ms. Arthur said she has learned since her own son was killed in an
avalanche, that thirty percent of avalanche victims die immediately
from trauma suffered when involved in an avalanche and the chances
of survival decrease in a short time for those who survive the
initial avalanche. She stated that the growing number of
backcountry "recreationalists need to be educated and responsible,"
but BAART and others "cannot do what the state is legally supposed
to do" without adequate funding and assistance.
PATRICIA COYNE, member, BAART, testified via teleconference from
Mat-Su and said she lost her thirty-seven year old son in an
avalanche because he was not aware of the high avalanche danger.
She stated that the backcountry awareness response team is trying
to educate people so that no more lives would be lost due to lack
of awareness of snow and avalanche conditions. She pleaded with the
Committee to pass HB 103 to help fund the avalanche warning system.
ROSALIE NADEAU, representing AKEELA the largest provider of
institutionalized treatment service in the state, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage, and voiced concern with the budget
regarding substance abuse and the appearance of reductions in
funding due to transferring of funds within that budget. She says
the transfers leave less money in the budget for treatment and
prevention programs. She was concerned that the Committee does not
seem to see the importance of these programs.
TINA DELAPP testified via teleconference from Anchorage and urged
full funding of the university's budget request. She pointed out
that the university offers programs that address Alaska's needs,
specifically nursing programs. She stated that expansion of the
nursing programs would help offset the expected shortage of nurses
in the state.
RICH SEWELL, University of Alaska Anchorage Alumni Association
Board of Directors, testified via teleconference from Anchorage and
asked the Committee to fully fund the University's budget. He
wanted to echo University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton's
message regarding economic development in Alaska and stressed that
the University could lead the way with sufficient funding. He
stated that outside investors who have been looking at investing in
Alaska were shocked to hear "that the University has been short-
funded", and he wanted the Committee to think about the
ramifications of short-funding the university.
DAN DUCEY, new member of Statewide Independent Living Council
(SILK), testified via teleconference from Mat-Su on behalf of
developmental disabled Alaskans and ACCESS ALASKA. He stated that
SILK has not had a budget increase since it's inception in 1984,
although the growth of the area "has been tremendous" and has put
increased demands on the program. He urged the Committee to
continue to increase those funds.
Co-Chair Donley said the Committee would take a short recess, but
would reconvene as public testimony was scheduled to continue until
2:30PM.
RECESS 2:00PM/2:29PM
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