Legislature(2011 - 2012)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/01/2011 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Fy12 Budget Overview: Department of Military and Veterans Affairs | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 1, 2011
1:36 p.m.
1:36:07 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Thomas called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:36 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Thomas Jr., Co-Chair
Representative Anna Fairclough, Vice-Chair
Representative Mia Costello
Representative Mike Doogan
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative Les Gara
Representative David Guttenberg
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Mark Neuman
Representative Tammie Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None.
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Dan Saddler; Major General Thomas H. Katkus,
Adjutant General, Commissioner, Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs; Mike O'Hare, Deputy Director, Division of
Homeland Security/Emergency Management, Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs; Susan Colligan, Director,
Division of Administrative Services, Military and Veterans
Affairs
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
SUMMARY
^FY12 BUDGET OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS
AFFAIRS
1:38:14 PM
MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS H. KATKUS, ADJUTANT GENERAL,
COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
introduced the Power Point presentation titled, "Alaska
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs: FY2012
Overview; February 1 2011, Office of the Commissioner".
Commissioner Katkus referred to Slide 2, "Securing the
State, Defending the Nation". He shared that throughout the
nation, every state has a National Guard or military
component that is commanded by the governor. Alaska
provides direct aid to national defense through inter-
continental ballistic missile protection. Slide 3 detailed
the departmental mission: "to provide military forces to
accomplish military missions in the state or around the
world; provide homeland security and defense; emergency
response; veterans services; and youth military style
training and education.
Commissioner Katkus continued to Slide 4 titled, "What We
Do":
· Defend and Protect Alaska and the United States
Commissioner Katkus stated the protection was provided by
two services: the Army and Air National Guard. Both
services had approximately 2000 members trained and ready
to serve. Roughly 1800 full-time Alaska National Guardsmen
were engaged in missile defense out of Fort Greely, and
space surveillance out of Clear Air Force Station. The Air
Control Squadron was currently responsible for responding
to threats from Soviet Incursions into U.S. airspace. He
stated that pararescue assets were "at ready" to provide
rescue and recovery for flight problems; military or
otherwise. A new fleet of military police vehicles would be
available in 2012 to assist in responding to civilian
assistance or natural disaster assistance within the state.
· Disaster Preparedness, Response and Initial Recovery
Commissioner Katkus stated that a robust staff of
coordinated state employees was available to respond to
both small and large emergencies in the state. The staff is
privy to the correct policies and processes for addressing
the Disaster Policy Cabinet in order to secure funding and
make recommendations to the governor.
· Youth Intervention
Commissioner Katkus informed the committee that the Alaska
Military Youth Academy produced roughly 300 graduates per
year. He relayed that under a new director the academy had
been reenergized to raise standards of excellence in
achievement, and to maintain graduation numbers.
· Outreach to Veterans and Military Families
Commissioner Katkus pointed out to the committee that due
to servicemen returning from current wars, the average age
of veterans was getting younger. He cited his own son, who
is just 21 years old, was undergoing his second tour of
duty. He believed that the department would need to adjust
to reflect the change in the veteran age average.
Representative Guttenberg referred to House Bill 44, passed
in 2008, which allowed veterans to indicate on their
permanent fund applications their veteran status. He stated
that veteran's organizations were responsible for informing
veterans of the services available to them that they would
otherwise not be aware of. He wondered if the department
could share any results concerning veteran outreach
activities.
1:47:37 PM
Commissioner Katkus said he would provide more details on
the issue.
Co-Chair Thomas asked if the ceremonial guard traveled
throughout the state to funeral services.
Commissioner Katkus replied that the ceremonial guard, or
"funeral honors teams", traveled extensively throughout the
state. The department had received an abundance of
positive feedback regarding the program.
Representative Gara stated that a veteran's advocate in
Anchorage had been attempting to battle the high rates of
homelessness and alcoholism faced by veterans. One proposal
was to provide safe housing for veterans with alcohol
issues. He felt that the problem was significant and
wondered why it had not been listed as a major priority.
Commissioner Katkus responded that ensuring better access
to programs and facilities could help. He thought a study
of the issue could reveal the full scope of the problem.
Representative Gara asked if the department intended on
taking a more active role in the alcoholism and
homelessness problem faced by many Alaskan veterans.
Commissioner Katkus said yes. He stated that the department
would also be examining the issue of suicide as well. He
added that the Army National Guard was currently facing a
historically high suicide rate. He assured the committee
that the issues of suicide, sexual abuse, homelessness, and
alcoholism among veterans were of high priority to the
department.
1:52:41 PM
Commissioner Katkus continued to Slide 5 titled, "Results:
Defend and protect Alaska and the United Sates". He pointed
out that approximately 1800 Alaska National Guardsmen were
serving full-time around the state, and not 2,400. The
department had 237 Army Guard facilities maintained across
Alaska, including new Air Guard facilities. The department
would move 1400 national guardsmen from Kulis Air Force
Base to Elmendorf on the 12th of February, 2011; this would
increase capacity and capability for the unit.
Additionally, approximately 190 Alaska National Guardsmen
had been deployed to operations worldwide.
Co-Chair Stoltze relayed the history of the creation of the
Veteran's Advisory Council. He opined the dysfunction and
lack of communication between the council and the
Legislature.
Commissioner Katkus replied that he understood Co-Chair
Stoltze's concerns.
MIKE O'HARE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF HOMELAND
SECURITY/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF MILITATRY AND
VETERANS AFFAIRS discussed Slide 6, "Results: Disaster
Preparedness":
· Approximately $10 Million in grants to local
jurisdictions for emergency preparedness equipment,
training, planning, and exercises
Mr. O'Hare stated that the focus of the division would be
to provide statewide catastrophic planning training and
exercise. The training would require incorporating and
planning with local communities, state and federal
agencies, non-governmental and voluntary organizations, as
well as the private sector in order to be better prepared
for a catastrophic disaster.
· 4,500 Participants in the 2010 Alaska Shield/Arctic
Edge emergency response exercise, one of 51 training
events conducted.
· 256 individual assistance grants for disaster repair
of homes, personal belongings, and transportation
totaling over $171,000.
Mr. O'Hare said that the department's disaster preparedness
focus would be on statewide disaster emergency
communications, large training and exercises, and a
statewide preparedness campaign.
Commissioner Katkus added that he received a daily 5 PM
report from the Department of Homeland Emergency
Management. The report was forwarded to the governor and
the governor's chief of staff in order to coordinate any
necessary resolution.
1:59:11 PM
Commissioner Katkus continued to Slide 7 titled "Results:
Youth Intervention":
· Ranked #1 in the nation, per capita, for contacting
and recruiting high school dropouts into the ChalleNGe
program
Commissioner Katkus stated that the department viewed
misguided youth as a threat to national security. He
testified that through the youth corps program, kids were
subject to a strict, military style education; curtailed to
at-risk youth.
· 194 students in residential phase, October 2010
· 292 students in post-residential phase, October 2010
· Over 3,218 total graduates
· 96 percent of eligible cadets earned and received GED
or high school diploma by graduation
Commissioner Katkus relayed that the department intended to
see all accepted applicants through to graduation in 2011.
He continued to Slide 8, "Results: Outreach to Veterans":
· $35.6 Million in benefits received by veterans in 2010
(there are 77,000 veterans and approximately 150,000
veteran family members across Alaska)
Commissioner Katkus offered that the amount of money
brought into the state through veteran's benefits was an
economic boon to the state. Slide 9 detailed the general,
federal, and other funds coming into the state.
· Certified over 800 programs of study in educational
facilities statewide
· Yellow Ribbon Program provided outreach to 165 Alaskan
communities and directly assisted 1,000 veterans and
400 families to attain federal benefits
Commissioner Katkus shared that the department offered
numerous family programs that support veterans, serving
service members, and their families.
Commissioner Katkus continued to Slide 9, "Current Capacity
(FY2011)", which illustrated the federal, general, and
other funds available for the four addressed areas;
totaling $50.1 Million.
Co-Chair Stoltze highlighted that the department had been
successful in extending benefits to military families in
times of need.
SUSAN COLLIGAN, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, explained that a
person working directly with a veteran's service officer
would be assured all earned benefits.
Commissioner Katkus likened the relationship to a civilian
working with a tax accountant, as opposed to filing their
own income taxes.
Commissioner Katkus directed attention to the chart on
Slide 10, "FY2012 Budget". The 298 position control numbers
(PCN) reflected in the chart represented the state
employees working in the department. However, when
examining the combined services of the military personnel
within the department, an additional 4000 members should be
added. Ultimately, the department had 4500 people involved
in departmental work.
2:04:45 PM
Commissioner Katkus continued to Slide 11, "Priorities for
FY2012":
· Increase recruitment and retention of Alaska National
Guard members
Commissioner Katkus specified that efforts, not funding,
between air and army recruitment would be combined.
· Alaska Aerospace Corporation
Commissioner Katkus revealed that the project's affiliation
with the military would be beneficial in securing federal
funding.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked what the department's anticipated
capital and operating investment was for the project.
Commissioner Katkus replied that the financial input from
the department was expected to be zero. The department did
expect to incur operating costs. He said that the base cost
of the program would be between four and ten million
dollars.
· Increase number of graduates from ChalleNGe program.
· Meet demand for post 9-11 GI Bill and increased
benefits
Representative Gara questioned the funding between state
and federal dollars for the aerospace corporation. He
pointed out to the committee that the department had
focused on mostly private launches which had lost money. He
asked if the intention was to get the federal government to
use the facility more and fund the launches with federal
dollars.
Commissioner Katkus replied that the facility was a private
business and that state monies would cover base operating
costs. The expected economic impact on the state would be
measured in employment opportunities, educational
incentives, and other economic drivers. He stressed that
the program would not be a financial loss, but an
investment.
Representative Gara asked if the department expected
federal launches that would result in more money to the
state.
Commissioner Katkus replied that it was possible; provided
the project maintained military affiliation.
Co-Chair Thomas asked about the relationship between state
school districts and the army with regard to allowing
recruitment on campus.
Commissioner Katkus said the relationship was improving. He
added that the military had access to campuses and had
received considerable support.
2:10:15 PM
Representative Costello felt that the Alaska Youth Academy
was a phenomenal program. She also expressed appreciation
for the management of veteran's cemeteries. She queried
whether the commissioner could provide the leadership
necessary to lead a task force that would be responsible
for working on the issue of homelessness among Alaska's
veterans.
Commissioner Katkus responded that he was not fully
enlightened of the problem. He assured the committee that
the issue be discussed amongst his staff with the hope of
reaching a greater understanding of the problem.
Representative Doogan wondered how long the aerospace
program would have to prove its financial viability to the
state.
Commissioner Katkus replied that he did not know.
Representative Gara asked if the commissioner would be
willing to discuss the problem of homeless veterans with
Ric Davidge, Chairman of the National Committee on Economic
Opportunities, Vietnam Veterans of America, and an advocate
for a Housing First project, in order to become better
acquainted with the details surrounding the issue.
Commissioner Katkus replied yes.
Co-Chair Thomas added that the homelessness and alcohol
problem among veterans was compounded by the pride that
kept veterans from seeking, or accepting, help.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 PM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DMVA Overview Presentation.pdf |
HFIN 2/1/2011 1:30:00 PM |
|
| DMVA FY11 Increment Letter.pdf |
HFIN 2/1/2011 1:30:00 PM |