Legislature(2013 - 2014)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/22/2013 09:00 AM Senate 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 | ||
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 65(FIN)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs, capitalizing funds, and making
reappropriations; and providing for an effective
date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 66(FIN)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program and making a
reappropriation; and providing for an effective date."
Co-Chair Kelly discussed that public testimony on the
operating and mental health budgets would be heard during
the meeting.
9:06:05 AM
BETHEL, NOME, KOTZEBUE, UNALASKA, BARROW, TOK, DELTA
JUNCTION
9:06:25 AM
BETSY BRENNAN, PRESIDENT, NOME SCHOOL BOARD, NOME (via
teleconference), spoke in support of education. She stated
that the goal of public education was to help all students
to learn, grow, and develop. She stressed that students
were the state's future. She was proud of the education
students in the district received. She pointed to a
decrease in the district's dropout rate and increased Work
Keys results. She emphasized that Pre-K programs offered
needed preparation for students prior to their entry into
the school system. She emphasized that a loss of funding
for Pre-K would significantly harm Nome students. She
relayed that operating costs had continued to increase.
9:09:03 AM
AT EASE
9:11:14 AM
RECONVENED
9:12:49 AM
SANDY SOLENBERGER, VOLUNTEER, IMAGINATION LIBRARY, NORTH
SLOPE, BARROW (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
Best Beginnings program. She shared that a free book was
sent to approximately 85 percent of kids on the North
Slope. She explained that it was difficult to get books for
children in remote villages. She stressed that Best
Beginnings had enabled parents to take action to improve
their children's learning environment. She shared that
books provided by the program to children were treasured.
She highlighted that the key to success was the ongoing
organization and training for volunteers by Best
Beginnings. She pointed to the success of a DVD that had
been released by the program that demonstrated how to help
brain development in young children. She asked the
committee to restore the Best Beginnings and Parents as
Teachers programs to the governor's proposed level.
9:16:09 AM
SALLY RUSSELL, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, UAF KUSKOKWIM CAMPUS,
BETHEL (via teleconference), testified in support of the
therapeutic court program primarily based on public safety.
She discussed accidents related to drinking and driving;
individuals many times did not intend to hurt or kill
another person. She emphasized that some individuals used
the therapeutic programs to change their lives and deal
with addiction problems; the programs provided valuable
tools for individuals.
Co-Chair Kelly explained that money for the therapeutic
court program was included in the Senate version of the
operating budget.
9:19:34 AM
JANE TEAGUE, PARENT, TOK (via teleconference), urged
support for early childhood education and development. She
discussed preparation for her daughter's next learning
environment. She supported the Parents as Teachers program.
She pointed to the value of the experience for children in
the community. Supporting children at an early age helped
with their development. She urged support for early
education programs.
9:23:05 AM
TODD POAGE, SUPERINTENDENT, ALASKA GATEWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT,
TOK (via teleconference), spoke in support of education
funding. He provided a brief background of the school
district. He discussed initiatives the school district had
implemented to enhance student learning opportunities
including preschool programs, reinstatement of music and
counseling programs, the establishment of a professional
learning community, and other. He supported an increase to
the Base Student Allocation (BSA) and forward funding of
education. He stated that the current BSA of $5,680 had not
been increased since 2010. The board had supported a
resolution the past year for increases in education
funding.
Co-Chair Kelly asked about temperatures in Tok. Mr. Poage
replied that Tok had an average temperature low of 32
degrees below zero.
9:27:32 AM
SCOTT MACMANUS, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, ALASKA GATEWAY
SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOK (via teleconference), testified in
favor of increases to education funding. He pointed to
gains made in the school district. He communicated that the
district was doing all it could to support its teachers
with tools needed to provide the best education to
students; increased costs were making it more challenging
to provide quality education. He pointed to high costs of
energy and heat in the district; the district had taken
steps to address the issues including its biomass energy
and heat system, upgrades to lighting systems, and other.
He mentioned challenges related to increasing health
insurance, heating, fuel and other operating costs. He
pointed to the difficulty of hiring quality teachers given
that Alaska had not kept up with inflation costs. The
district was anticipating decreases to programs for the
following year including staff reductions and cuts to the
food service program. He supported an increase to the BSA.
He encouraged the committee to include funding that would
allow the district to provide quality funding to education.
Co-Chair Kelly asked about the district's insurance premium
for 52 employees. Mr. MacManus replied that the insurance
premium was slightly under $1.2 million.
Vice-Chair Fairclough remarked on the state's current
fiscal system. She elaborated that due to the decline in
oil production the state was in a deficit. She understood
that education was critical. She asked Alaskans to come
forward to help the legislature come up with a solution to
the problem. She noted that the state had savings to draw
from for a while.
Co-Chair Kelly agreed that "for a while" was the key point.
He noted that the state's savings would be largely
diminished by 2025.
9:34:10 AM
VIRGINIA WALSH, ARCTIC WOMEN IN CRISIS, BARROW (via
teleconference), thanked the committee for including a
$287,500 increment for in the Council on Domestic Violence
and Sexual Assault. She emphasized that the increment would
help the council to meet the rising costs of utilities and
transportation and would allow it to continue providing
basic services such as shelter and food women in the area.
The increment would also allow the council to continue
flying victims from villages to Barrow for safe shelter and
counseling services.
Co-Chair Kelly relayed that Senator Olson's subcommittee
recommendations had remained in the budget.
9:35:31 AM
LISA MORROW, ARCTIC WOMEN IN CRISIS, BARROW (via
teleconference), thanked the committee and Senator Olson
for supporting a $287,500 increment for the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She provided
education services to village schools on the North Slope
related to healthy relationships and other. She noted that
rising fuel costs had contributed to increase airfare
costs. She accentuated that the funding would ensure that
services could be maintained for North Slope students.
Co-Chair Kelly restated his prior comment that Senator
Olson's subcommittee recommendations had remained in the
budget.
9:36:53 AM
PEGGY COWAN, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH
SCHOOL DISTRICT, BARROW (via teleconference), encouraged
the committee to advocate for the one-time $2 million Pre-K
increment. She thanked the committee for maintaining the
item in its budget. She pointed to a Pre-K grant obtained
by the community that was dependent on a match in state
funding. She pointed to a budget decrease due to the
federal sequestration. She vocalized support for the full
funding of the One-to-One Digital Learning program. She
thanked the committee for its support of education.
Senator Olson thanked the testifiers for their comments and
time.
9:40:06 AM
AT EASE
10:03:19 AM
RECONVENED
KETCHIKAN, WRANGELL, PETERSBURG
NAOMI MICHALSEN, WOMEN IN SAFE HOMES, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), testified in support of Women in Safe
Homes, which had provided safe shelter to victims of
domestic and sexual assault for over 34 years. She noted
that the demands for services increased continually. She
thanked the subcommittee for recommending the inclusion of
the $287.500 increment into the Department of Public Safety
(DPS) budget to assist the shelter programs in meeting the
increase in basic shelter costs such as utilities, energy
and transportation.
10:05:08 AM
GRETCHEN KLEIN, PRINCE OF WALES HEALTH NETWORK, PRINCE OF
WALES (via teleconference), testified in support of funding
for the Prince of Wales Health Network in HB 66. She spoke
of collaboration with Sitka, Wrangle, and Peace Health. She
voiced support for funding for behavioral health services.
The network provided the resources for people requiring
behavioral health services in Alaska. She mentioned the
aspect of domestic violence prevention offered by the
network.
10:07:25 AM
LEAH CANFIELD, KETCHIKAN INDIAN COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), echoed her
colleagues' opinions regarding the need for increased
funding in the FY 14 operating budget for behavioral health
services. She spoke about her programs, which were evidence
based and the need for funding in the Ketchikan behavioral
health department.
10:09:22 AM
RICK PICKRELL, KETCHIKAN INDIAN COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
(via teleconference), testified in support of behavioral
health services funding. He echoed other testimony from his
coworkers in Ketchikan. He highlighted the efforts of the
governor's Choose Respect Initiative and the events planned
in his community related to the initiative.
CARY CASE, PETERSBURG WAVE, PETERSBURG (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for
victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The
organization, Petersburg Wave, operated on a volunteer
basis. She thanked the subcommittee for their
recommendation of the inclusion of the incremental funding
in the DPS budget of over $200 thousand for new non-
residential services for victims of domestic violence and
sexual assault. State funding would allow for an increase
in services and strengthening the response to emergency
calls related to sexual assault and domestic violence.
10:11:33 AM
JOHN BRINGHURST, PETERSBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT, PETERSBURG
(via teleconference), testified in support of funding for
K-12 education. He explained that the state provided the
source of education funding. He highlighted the middle
school and high school student's access to laptop computers
for use at home and in the classroom. He stated that
special projects in PowerPoint presentations were essential
to modern education. He supported the reinstatement of the
Digital Learning Initiative. He asked for the restoration
of the governor's recommendation along with a much needed
increase in BSA.
10:14:11 AM
KIM KILKENNY, PETERSBURG MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, PETERSBURG
(via teleconference), testified in support of behavioral
health services funding. She noted that the support of her
program would allow help to people with addictive behaviors
and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. She
spoke about the services offered at Petersburg Mental
Health Services. She stressed that the budget cuts would
compromise the stability of the services.
10:16:26 AM
LIZ CABRERA, PETERSBURG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL,
PETERSBURG (via teleconference), testified in support of
the reintroduction of $400 thousand to the Department of
Fish and Game (DF&G) operating budget. The funds would
support the regional port sampling programs, which were
critical to the in-season management efforts of the
department. Without the programs, the department cannot
accurately determine whether fisheries should open or
close. The loss would force the department to curtail
fisheries resulting in less employment, less revenue to
state and municipalities, fewer Alaskan seafood products
sold, reduced market share for Alaska salmon and increased
market share for competitors.
10:18:03 AM
AT EASE
10:39:20 AM
RECONVENED
SITKA, CORDOVA, VALDEZ
PETE HOEPFNER, CORDOVA SCHOOLS BOARD, CORDOVA (via
teleconference), testified in favor of an increase to the
Base Student Allocation (BSA). He spoke about the proposed
budget cuts to Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED). He stated that Cordova School District
lost three excellent teachers because of the reductions in
funding. He stated that the future of Alaska was in
jeopardy. He spoke in favor of funding for the Digital
Learning Program. He spoke about the suggested cuts to the
digital initiative and requested reconsideration of the
budget increment by the Senate Finance Committee. He spoke
about the benefits of proper technology distribution.
10:43:57 AM
BARB BRYSON, RETIRED EDUCATOR, VALDEZ (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for Best Beginnings. She noted
that the self sufficiency of children in the pre-
kindergarten ages. She highlighted the benefits of family-
centered activities. She recommended visiting the Best
Beginning's website to obtain data about the benefits of
early childhood education.
10:46:22 AM
JUDY ALMY, SPEECH PATHOLOGIST, VALDEZ (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for early childhood
education. She noted the benefits of Best Beginnings and
Parents as Teachers programs. She spoke about the Valdez
Imagination Library. She advocated for reinstatement of the
funding.
10:48:11 AM
BRAD REICH, MAYOR OF KIANA, KIANA, testified in support of
an extension to the Kiana runway. They required access to a
gravel source. He requested the funding for a runway that
would allow certain goods to be available to the community.
He advocated for funding for Public Safety for the smaller
rural villages. He stated that Kiana had one Village Public
Safety Officer and another would allow for relief. He
requested $12 million for a dormitory for students
interested in education that allowed for work in the
Natural Resources fields.
Senator Olson asked about the VPSO support in Kiana.
Mr. Reich replied that more support would have prevented
the situation. He stated that the delay in resources made
the situation more difficult.
10:52:23 AM
LON GARRISON, ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA SCHOOL BOARD, SITKA,
advocated for funding for education and requested a
challenge of the proposed budget cuts to DEED. He spoke
about the state evaluation procedures and the
identification of resources needed to meet the challenges.
He noted that the responsibility of the evaluation process
allowed for fundamental changes. The idea of adding to the
BSA was not the only way to modify and impact the
districts. He voiced support for the Digital Learning
Initiative. He advocated for innovative funding to meet
challenges for education. He added his affiliation with the
University fisheries technologies system. The program
provided an associate's degree that would allow students to
work with the extremely effective program.
10:56:51 AM
BOBBY WELLS, NORTHWEST ARCTIC BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT,
testified in support of education. He noted that the native
Alaskans learned from the elders and he compared the
practice to the learning in modern schools. The
opportunities provided to children were determined by
decisions made by the legislature. He hoped that the
legislature would pay special attention to the needs of
children. He spoke in favor of early childhood education.
He stated support of the Digital Learning Initiative. He
requested $12 million for a dormitory for the high school
students. He advocated for a focus on education within the
legislature.
11:00:38 AM
JIM KACSH, SELF, CITY OF CORDOVA, spoke in favor of funding
for the Digital Learning Initiative. He noted that
education benefitted from the use of computers. He
advocated for support of the Southeast Regional Fish and
Game funding and revenue sharing for municipalities.
Senator Bishop stated that he had visited the Cordova
School District and was impressed. He observed the fiscal
decisions and nutrition program as frugal and efficient.
11:03:29 AM
VICKI D'AMICO, SITKANS AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding to DPS for
protection of victims of domestic violence. She spoke about
the tragic death of a thirteen year-old child. She stressed
that funding support was crucial to the rural villages. She
stated that she would continue to work within the social
paradigm and appreciated the increase in funding.
11:05:54 AM
SARAH BELL, KETTLESON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
Online with Libraries (OWL) program. She stated that the
video conferencing allowed a face-to-face interaction for
those interested in asking questions of Governor Parnell.
She pointed out the cost of the program and the benefits
resulting from increased broadband. He highlighted the
benefits of the Live Homework Help program, which served
fourth grade to beginning college students. She stressed
that the online homework and library services were
beneficial to her community.
11:09:13 AM
TIM FULTON, SITKA SCHOOL BOARD, SITKA (via teleconference),
spoke in favor of funding for education. He stated that
Sitka required help to continue to provide quality early
childhood education. He spoke about the benefits of the
Digital Learning Initiative.
11:10:34 AM
ED GRAY, PARENT OF SITKA SCHOOLS STUDENT, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in favor of funding for
education. He voiced that flat funding created difficulties
when operating a school district. The reduced funding
impacted the most needy and vulnerable students. He spoke
about funding programs in Sitka that served students within
a low socioeconomic status. He had spoken with many
different school districts and discovered that educators
were frustrated with the funding constraints.
11:13:10 AM
TRISTAN GUEVIN, SITKA TRIBE OF ALASKA, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for
education and behavioral health services. He advocated for
support of funding for early learning opportunities and
also women's shelters. He advocated for higher learning
opportunities in the health-service industry. He cited the
61 percent graduation for native students in Sitka. He
advocated for funding for early childhood education. He
supported the funding for domestic violence and sexual
assault program.
11:15:40 AM
NANCY DOUGLAS, SITKA NATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in support of increased funding
for education in the FY 14 operating budget. She worked for
the Sitka School District and oversaw the Sitka Native
Education Program. She spoke about the need for increased
funding for school and noted that 69 percent of Sitka's
tribal citizens qualified as low income. Of the 69 percent,
38 percent of the tribal citizens were in preschool to
second grade age range. Increased funding would provide an
additional classroom.
11:16:29 AM
MIM MCCNNELL, MAYOR, CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA (via
teleconference), understood the difficulties in the
appropriation of funding. She shared her advocacy for K-12
education funding and municipal revenue sharing. She noted
the challenges faced in the education system because of the
lack of funding and forward funding. She advocated for an
increase in BSA. She voiced the municipal sharing
benefitted education. She spoke to the debilitating effect
of increases in municipal utilities and moorage fees in
Sitka. She noted that the funding for municipalities was
crucial to education.
11:19:08 AM
JIM SEELAND, UAS FISHERIES TECHNOLOGY, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
Seafood Technology Initiative, which offered the only state
training center for hatcheries. He advocated for online
training funding. He requested support for fishery jobs.
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 Testimony Petersburg.pdf |
SFIN 3/22/2013 9:00:00 AM |
HB 65 |
| HB65 TESTIMONY Stainbrook.pdf |
SFIN 3/22/2013 9:00:00 AM |
HB 65 |