Legislature(2011 - 2012)HOUSE FINANCE 519

01/18/2012 01:30 PM House FINANCE


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01:34:15 PM Start
01:37:20 PM Overview of the Governor's Fy 2013 Budget: Office of Management and Budget
02:59:09 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ Overview: Governor's FY13 Budget Proposal by TELECONFERENCED
Karen Rehfeld, Director, Office of Management &
Budget
                  HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE                                                                                       
                     January 18, 2012                                                                                           
                         1:34 p.m.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:34:15 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CALL TO ORDER                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Thomas called the House Finance Committee meeting                                                                      
to order at 1:34 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 Reggie Joule                                                                                                     
Representative Tammie Wilson                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Mark Neuman                                                                                                      
Representative David Guttenberg                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
ALSO PRESENT                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Karen Rehfeld, Director, Office of Management and Budget                                                                        
(OMB), Office of the Governor; Senator Alan Austerman;                                                                          
Representative Lance Pruitt.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SUMMARY                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
^OVERVIEW OF THE GOVERNOR'S FY 2013 BUDGET: OFFICE OF                                                                         
MANAGEMENT and BUDGET                                                                                                         
     Karen Rehfeld, Director, Office of Management and                                                                          
     Budget, Office of the Governor                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Thomas introduced staff.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:37:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KAREN  REHFELD, DIRECTOR,  OFFICE OF  MANAGEMENT AND  BUDGET                                                                    
(OMB), OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR,  provided members with a list                                                                    
of OMB staff  and a power point  presentation: FY2012 Budget                                                                    
Overview, January  18, 2012 (copy  on file).  She emphasized                                                                    
that approving  an annual operating  and capital  budget for                                                                    
the state of Alaska is one  of the most important things, if                                                                    
not  the most  important  thing, that  the legislature  does                                                                    
each session.   She stressed  the time and effort  that goes                                                                    
into  the  preparation  of the  budget.  The  Administration                                                                    
worked  with state  agencies and  the  university to  review                                                                    
budget requests and challenges in  order to meet the state's                                                                    
most  pressing  needs,  while  holding  the  line  on  state                                                                    
spending  by  focusing  on key  principles,  priorities  and                                                                    
results.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld  observed  the committee's  intent  to  include                                                                    
discussions with  state agencies  about their  mission, core                                                                    
services, and  results in  the budget  subcommittee process.                                                                    
She maintained  that it is  an important discussion:  "to be                                                                    
accountable for the  public dollars we spend and  to be able                                                                    
to  communicate   what  the  state  is   receiving  for  the                                                                    
investment  it makes  in programs  and services".  She added                                                                    
that it also needs to be  a meaningful tool for agencies and                                                                    
program managers that links budget  to results, and provides                                                                    
the  targets and  strategies for  continuous improvement  in                                                                    
service  delivery.  She  observed  that  Governor  Parnell's                                                                    
vision  of economic  growth and  strengthening families  has                                                                    
been his way of communicating his priorities with Alaskans.                                                                     
                                                                                                                              
1:41:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld   stressed  that   Alaska's  future   rests  on                                                                    
responsibly  developing the  state's  natural resources  and                                                                    
creating  jobs and  economic opportunity  for families.  The                                                                    
budget  supports  the  governor's   vision  in  several  key                                                                    
priority areas.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld reviewed  the guiding  principles  used by  the                                                                    
governor to develop his budgets:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
   · Fiscal Restraint - Spend less and save more for the                                                                        
     future;                                                                                                                    
   · Strategic Investments - Invest in infrastructure to                                                                        
     grow Alaska's economy;                                                                                                     
   · Cash Reserves: The state will need to rely on cash                                                                         
     reserves to provide state services over time with                                                                          
     declining oil production.  There is nearly 13 billion                                                                      
    in the Constitutional Budget Reserve and Statutory                                                                          
     Budget Reserve Accounts.                                                                                                   
   · Focus on Results - agency missions, core services, and                                                                     
     results.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:42:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld noted  that  the  governor's budget  priorities                                                                    
support  the  investment  strategy  and  are  based  on  the                                                                    
state's constitutional priorities:                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
   · Resource Development - create Jobs for Alaskans                                                                            
   · Education - prepare students for college for success                                                                       
     in college or postsecondary education                                                                                      
   · Transportation/Infrastructure   -    support   economic                                                                    
     development                                                                                                                
   · Public Safety - for homes and families                                                                                     
   · Military - strengthen military missions and support                                                                        
     military families                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:42:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld  reviewed the  revised fall  forecast for  FY 12                                                                    
and FY 13  on slide 5.   She noted that the  chart shows the                                                                    
projected  revenue,  the  proposed spending  plan,  and  the                                                                    
projected balances  at the end  of each fiscal year.  The FY                                                                    
12 and FY  13 fall revenue forecast was  revised upward. She                                                                    
observed that  90 percent  of Alaska's  unrestricted general                                                                    
fund (GF) revenue comes from  oil production. Oil production                                                                    
continues to  decline faster  than originally  forecast. She                                                                    
noted that  high oil prices tend  to mask the effect  of the                                                                    
decline,  but provides  an opportunity  to save.  In FY  12,                                                                    
revenues are  projected at $8,981.5 billion,  while spending                                                                    
is  projected  at  just  over  $7  billion.  This  leaves  a                                                                    
projected balance  of just over  $1.9 billion for FY  12. In                                                                    
FY  13,  revenues  are  projected at  $8.2  billion  with  a                                                                    
projected  spending plan  of $6.4  billion,  which leaves  a                                                                    
projected  balance of  nearly  $1.8  billion. She  concluded                                                                    
that  the  FY  12  and   FY  13  savings  and/or  investment                                                                    
opportunity is over $3.7 billion.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:44:28 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld  reviewed  slide  6, which  was  a  high  level                                                                    
snapshot  of the  governor's total  budget request  of $12.1                                                                    
billion.  Fund sources are broken out:                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
   · Unrestricted General Funds    $6.43 Billion - 53%                                                                          
   · Federal Funds                 $2.87 Billion - 24%                                                                          
   · Permanent Funds DGF           $1.48 billion - 12%                                                                          
   · Designated General Funds (DGF)$834.5 million - 7%                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld observed that DGF included:                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
   · General fund program receipts $113.8 million                                                                               
   · University Receipts $341.0 million                                                                                         
   · Renewable Energy Grant Funds $25.0 million                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld noted that other funds amount to $505.5 million                                                                     
or four percent of the budget and included:                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
   · Permanent Fund Receipts $126.5 million;                                                                                    
   · Permanent Fund Corporation Operating costs of $11.1                                                                        
     and management fees of $108.2;                                                                                             
   · International Airport - $110.9 million;                                                                                    
   · Statutory Designated Receipts - $66.4 million; and                                                                         
   · Postsecondary Education Receipts - $12.9 million.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:46:26 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.   Rehfeld  discussed   the  governor's   FY  13   budget                                                                    
priorities.  The first  priority is  resource development  -                                                                    
positioning the  state's economy for growth.  The governor's                                                                    
proposed  budget   includes  $28.5  million  for   Roads  to                                                                    
Resources.  The appropriation  would  continue  work on  the                                                                    
following projects:                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
   · $10 million for Umiat Foothills West road                                                                                  
   · $10 million for Road to Tanana in Northwest Alaska                                                                         
   · $4 million for Ambler Mining District                                                                                      
   · $4.5 million for Klondike Industrial Use Highway that                                                                      
     goes from Skagway to the Yukon along with other roads                                                                      
     to resources                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld continued discussing the governor's priorities:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
   · $3.3 million to the Department of Natural Resources to                                                                     
     streamline the permitting application process;                                                                             
   · $2.7 million GF for oil rare earth elements and                                                                            
     strategic minerals assessment;                                                                                             
   · $1.1 million GF for shale oil assessment; and                                                                              
   · $3.7 million GF for a statewide digital mapping                                                                            
     initiative, which could capture another $12 - $13                                                                          
     million in federal funds to support the project.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld  emphasized the importance of  elevation data to                                                                    
resource  development, aviation  safety,  routes for  roads,                                                                    
and emergency response.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:48:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Gara  asked why  the state would  spend funds                                                                    
on  a road  to  Umiat unless  development  was assured.  Ms.                                                                    
Rehfeld  emphasized   that  the  potential  all   along  the                                                                    
foothills  is known  and that  the  road would  open up  the                                                                    
opportunity  to develop  some of  that  potential. The  road                                                                    
would be  industrial, not an  open access road,  which would                                                                    
help make access to the resources more cost effective.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:50:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Joule noted  that communities  close to  the                                                                    
proposed Umiat road are in  opposition to the road. He asked                                                                    
if multiple routes  that the community may  support would be                                                                    
considered.  Ms. Rehfeld  noted  that  different routes  are                                                                    
being  reviewed and  that the  state is  in discussion  with                                                                    
local  communities. Representative  Joule stressed  that the                                                                    
borough  and Regional  Corporation try  to be  supportive of                                                                    
development efforts  on the North Slope,  which is difficult                                                                    
with local opposition.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:52:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Costello noted  that the  legislature funded                                                                    
additional positions in the  Department of Natural Resources                                                                    
to address  the 2,500 permitting  backlog. She asked  if the                                                                    
appropriation  would get  rid of  the backlog  entirely. Ms.                                                                    
Rehfeld  noted that  the  $3.3 million  is  for the  unified                                                                    
permitting  project, which  is the  information system  that                                                                    
manages all  the permitting applications. The  FY 12 funding                                                                    
included six new positions and  some vacant positions, which                                                                    
have  made   a  huge  difference  to   the  department.  She                                                                    
understood that  the backlog  was reduced  by 20  percent at                                                                    
the end of  the calendar year. The  department is continuing                                                                    
to streamline the process.  Representative Costello asked if                                                                    
the process has  been made easier for the  public to access.                                                                    
Ms. Rehfeld suggested there would be a web based component.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:54:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld noted  that there  is continuation  funding for                                                                    
the Alaska Gasline Inducement  Act (AGIA) Reimbursement Fund                                                                    
($60   million);   and   the  Alaska   Gasline   Development                                                                    
Corporation    project   ($21    million).   She    expected                                                                    
considerable discussion  regarding gas line  development and                                                                    
acknowledged  that  adjustments  in   the  budget  would  be                                                                    
necessary.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
In  response to  a  question by  Representative Doogan,  Ms.                                                                    
Rehfeld  clarified that  of the  $4.5 million  request: $2.5                                                                    
million would be  used for the road between  Skagway and the                                                                    
Yukon; and  $2 million  would go  to smaller  resource roads                                                                    
that are not specifically  identified. The funding would not                                                                    
support roads in Canada.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
In response to  a question by Co-Chair  Stoltze, Ms. Rehfeld                                                                    
clarified that  the funding for  the Klondike road  would be                                                                    
on the Alaska side.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:57:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld discussed  funding  for  education. The  budget                                                                    
includes:  full   funding  of   K-12  education   and  pupil                                                                    
transportation ($62.2 million) at  $1.1 billion; and forward                                                                    
funding of  K-12 education and pupil  transportation at $1.1                                                                    
billion.  The  K-12  funding formula  is  based  on  current                                                                    
statutory  Base  Student  Allocation (BSA)  of  $5,680.  The                                                                    
budget   includes  an   $8   million   request  for   Alaska                                                                    
Performance Scholarships  (APS). The  class of 2011  was the                                                                    
first  to  qualify  for  these  scholarships.  Nearly  2,400                                                                    
students  qualified for  APS  in the  first  year. Over  900                                                                    
Alaskan  high  school  graduates  from  the  class  of  2011                                                                    
received the  scholarship.  The  remaining students  will be                                                                    
eligible to receive  the scholarship over the  next 5 years.                                                                    
The Alaska  Commission on Postsecondary Education  (ACPE) is                                                                    
preparing a report  to the legislature, which is  due on the                                                                    
10th legislative  day (January  27, 2012) that  will provide                                                                    
detailed information  on APS, and the  students that qualify                                                                    
in the inaugural class.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld observed  that the  budget includes  two school                                                                    
construction    projects.    Earlier    this    fall,    the                                                                    
administration   successfully  resolved   the  long-standing                                                                    
Kasayulie  litigation with  a pledge  to support  funding of                                                                    
the   five  highest   priority  rural   school  construction                                                                    
projects  over  the coming  years.    The first  two  school                                                                    
construction  projects  on  the  list  are  in  Emmonak  and                                                                    
Koliganek.  She  added that $24.0 million  was also included                                                                    
for the  first 14  projects on  the Department  of Education                                                                    
and Early Development's major maintenance priority list.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:59:22 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Wilson  asked for more  information regarding                                                                    
the  size  of  new  schools. She  noted  concerns  regarding                                                                    
heating costs in  schools with low enrollment.   Ms. Rehfeld                                                                    
noted  that  Emmonak  is  significantly  over  capacity  and                                                                    
promised to provide  more information. Representative Wilson                                                                    
asked  how  school size  would  be  determined. Ms.  Rehfeld                                                                    
explained that  the project ranking takes  overcapacity into                                                                    
account.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Representative Gara expressed concern  with the flat funding                                                                    
of  education and  noted that  the Average  Daily Membership                                                                    
(ADM)  level has  not increased  in two  years. He  stressed                                                                    
that schools  are facing layoffs. Ms.  Rehfeld observed that                                                                    
the  governor  is  concerned with  the  ability  to  sustain                                                                    
growth  in   formula  funding  programs.  The   governor  is                                                                    
focusing  on  performance  scholarships  that  will  improve                                                                    
academic rigor and success of  students. The governor is not                                                                    
opposed  to   some  targeted  funding.  She   expected  more                                                                    
discussions would occur on formula  funding. There have been                                                                    
increases  for intensive  students  and the  BSA. She  added                                                                    
that FY 13  is the last year for inclusion  of district cost                                                                    
factors.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:03:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Gara asked  if  the  governor would  support                                                                    
legislation that  would prevent  layoffs. Ms.  Rehfeld could                                                                    
not respond.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Thomas spoke  to the  Teacher Retirement  System's                                                                    
(TRS) 22 percent cost factor,  which he pointed out, is also                                                                    
growing. Ms. Rehfeld agreed.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:04:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld  discussed  public safety  and  the  governor's                                                                    
Choose Respect  program, Division  of Domestic  Violence and                                                                    
Sexual Assault  Prevention Initiative for $11.8  million GF.                                                                    
She observed  that the governor  is requesting  $3.3 million                                                                    
for  prevention  and  intervention,  which  includes  public                                                                    
education and outreach,  community level prevention projects                                                                    
and rural  pilot projects. She noted  sixty-four communities                                                                    
held "Choose Respect" events in  2011, and the goal for 2012                                                                    
is for  100. She  maintained that the  program is  sending a                                                                    
strong  message of  support to  victims  and survivors.  The                                                                    
governor  also included  $3.2 million  for  the Support  for                                                                    
Survivors  program,  which  includes  shelter  services  for                                                                    
victims, services  for children exposed to  violence, trauma                                                                    
services for victims, and housing.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:05:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-chair Fairclough  expressed concern that  prevention is                                                                    
being  tied to  intervention.  Although  she recognized  the                                                                    
importance  of intervention,  she indicated  that her  focus                                                                    
has  been primary  prevention. She  asked if  there are  any                                                                    
unexpended  funds from  FY 12  appropriations that  would be                                                                    
available  for prevention  programs  in FY  13. Ms.  Rehfeld                                                                    
promised to research the matter.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:07:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld observed  that $5.3 million was  requested for a                                                                    
continued  law  enforcement  presence  in  communities.  The                                                                    
request  would provide  for  an additional  15  VPSOs and  1                                                                    
support   trooper;   housing   for  VPSO's;   sex   offender                                                                    
management  and  supervision;   cold  case  prosecutor;  and                                                                    
limited English proficient victims' assistance.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld noted that the  governor is committed to improve                                                                    
the  state's   ability  to  respond   to  a   disaster.  The                                                                    
legislature  approved just  under $5  million for  emergency                                                                    
power  generation  and  water  purification  in  the  FY  12                                                                    
budget.  The FY  13  budget requests  funding for  emergency                                                                    
food supplies  for several locations around  the state ($4.9                                                                    
million).  The governor  has also  requested funding  for an                                                                    
Interior  search  and   rescue  helicopter  ($3.0  million).                                                                    
Interior  and   Northern  Alaska's  geography   and  extreme                                                                    
weather conditions  create enormous challenges to  quick and                                                                    
effective response  to emergencies. She pointed  out that it                                                                    
is critical for  Alaska State Troopers to be  able to access                                                                    
remote  areas  during  adverse  weather  conditions  with  a                                                                    
helicopter  that  is  adequately equipped  to  complete  the                                                                    
mission.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stoltze  referred to disaster preparedness  and the                                                                    
interface  with private  entities that  has occurred  in his                                                                    
district. He  felt that efficiencies could  occur with state                                                                    
and private  cooperation. Ms. Rehfeld expressed  interest in                                                                    
more discussions.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:10:29 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Wilson asked  for  statistics on  helicopter                                                                    
use and  billing procedures. Ms.  Rehfeld agreed  to provide                                                                    
additional information.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Vice-chair  Fairclough  noted  that  her  office  had  calls                                                                    
regarding  emergency food  supply  funding  and wanted  more                                                                    
information on  cost and how  supplies will  be replenished.                                                                    
She  observed  the need  to  keep  food fresh.  Ms.  Rehfeld                                                                    
offered to have a presentation for the committee.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Thomas  referred to  his service  experience eating                                                                    
sea rations.  Representative Joule interjected  that Alaskan                                                                    
products could be used.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:13:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld  discussed transportation  infrastructure.  She                                                                    
observed  that  $1   billion  for  statewide  infrastructure                                                                    
projects  was  included  to   build  and  maintain  Alaska's                                                                    
infrastructure, which included funding for:                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
   · Highway & Aviation $938.3 million;                                                                                         
   · DEC 16 Municipal water/sewer projects $32 million GF;                                                                      
     local match;                                                                                                               
   · Village Safe Water - $51 million, $8.7 million state                                                                       
     GF match; and                                                                                                              
   · Municipal Harbor Grant Fund 10 projects $23.1 M GF;                                                                        
     local match.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld  noted that the  governor has also  introduced a                                                                    
ports  GO bond  package  (HB286/SB163),  which included  six                                                                    
projects totaling $350.0 million:                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
   · Port of Anchorage $200.0 million;                                                                                          
   · Port Mackenzie Rail Extension $110.0 million; and                                                                          
   · $10 million each for Bristol Bay, Emmonak, Seward, and                                                                     
     Ketchikan (Ward Cove).                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:15:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Joule noted that  off shore development is on                                                                    
the  horizon  and   expressed  disappointment  that  forward                                                                    
basing was not considered in  Western or Northern Alaska. He                                                                    
stressed that there  is an opportunity to send  a message to                                                                    
Congress. Ms. Rehfeld  noted that there are FY  12 funds and                                                                    
additional funding in  FY 13 for consideration  of an Arctic                                                                    
port.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Representative Alan Austerman questioned  if the $32 million                                                                    
for water/sewer  projects would only match  federal dollars.                                                                    
Ms. Rehfeld explained that the  $32 million is for municipal                                                                    
water/sewer  projects. She  explained that  16 projects  are                                                                    
included in the $32 million,  which matches local funds. The                                                                    
Village Safe Water Program is  also in the governor's budget                                                                    
proposal at  $50 -  $51 million;  $8.7 of  this amount  is a                                                                    
general  fund  match  for  federal  funds.  The  program  is                                                                    
divided by first  time projects, and repair  and upgrades to                                                                    
existing projects.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:19:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stoltze observed that  most of his district doesn't                                                                    
want to be on a sewage system.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld   discussed  energy  funding.   The  governor's                                                                    
proposal included:                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
   · Round five for Renewable Energy Grant fund - $25                                                                           
     million; and                                                                                                               
   · Weatherization and home energy rebates - a little over                                                                     
     $50 million: Home Energy Rebates - $20 million GF; and                                                                     
     Weatherization - $31.5 million GF.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Thomas asked  why the  target of  $50 million  for                                                                    
renewable  grants was  not  reached.  Ms. Rehfeld  explained                                                                    
that  not all  the projects  they evaluated  were ready  for                                                                    
investment.  Co-Chair Thomas  stressed that  the program  is                                                                    
working. He  noted that  10 million  gallons of  diesel have                                                                    
been saved in  Gustavus and that the  community energy costs                                                                    
have been reduced.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:22:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Gara  noted that  $50  million  of the  $100                                                                    
million in  appropriations to the Renewable  Energy Fund was                                                                    
vetoed by the  governor in FY 12. He  expressed concern that                                                                    
there are  communities in need  of the funding.  Ms. Rehfeld                                                                    
stressed  that round  five  has not  been  completed by  the                                                                    
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA).  The legislature will receive                                                                    
a list of projects evaluated  in round five and their dollar                                                                    
amount.  The  list will  show  the  projects that  would  be                                                                    
funded with  the request and  the amount needed to  fund the                                                                    
entire list.  A number of  projects have been funded  in the                                                                    
previous  four rounds.  She noted  that there  are questions                                                                    
that need to be answered,  such as should the state reinvest                                                                    
in already funded projects that resulted in savings.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:25:58 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Thomas observed that  funding targets proved energy                                                                    
projects  from viable  sources as  opposed  to investing  in                                                                    
research. He  emphasized the importance of  finding projects                                                                    
that work.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Costello asked  whether it  was possible  to                                                                    
change the  process so  the timing  would coincide  with the                                                                    
introduction   of  the   governor's   budget.  Ms.   Rehfeld                                                                    
acknowledged that adjustments are possible.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stoltze agreed that viability was a good standard.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Edgmon looked  forward to  the debate  on HB
250. He  discussed disagreements  over multiple  projects in                                                                    
the  past and  talked about  the Renewable  Energy Fund.  He                                                                    
mentioned  the additional  funds added  by the  governor for                                                                    
the Low  Income Home Energy Assistance  Program (LIHEAP) and                                                                    
stressed the program's importance.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Doogan  wondered  if there  was  independent                                                                    
auditing of the projects. Ms.  Rehfeld noted that any entity                                                                    
that receives  state funds  is subject  to the  single audit                                                                    
requirement. She did not know if the projects were audited.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:30:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Thomas remarked  that there  was a  list of  items                                                                    
that had to be checked off in order to receive the funding.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative Gara  agreed that projects need  to be viable                                                                    
and smart.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld  returned  to   slide  10,  transportation  and                                                                    
infrastructure.  She concluded  discussion  of  slide 10  by                                                                    
pointing out  that full funding for  Power Cost Equalization                                                                    
is requested at $38.2 million                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld observed  that it is year three  of the deferred                                                                    
maintenance package.  There are 2,200  facilities statewide,                                                                    
with 17.2  million square feet  of space, and  a replacement                                                                    
cost  of $7.8  billion. The  administration is  getting more                                                                    
consistent  in  their  definition  of  deferred  maintenance                                                                    
projects. She concluded that  there is better identification                                                                    
of the  universe of deferred maintenance  projects. Facility                                                                    
managers are comparing notes  and sharing information. There                                                                    
are facility  condition index standards that  can be applied                                                                    
to  measure success.  All of  the year  one funding  will be                                                                    
expended by  the end  of the current  fiscal year.  Year two                                                                    
funding  is in  the hopper.  Year  three is  in the  request                                                                    
before the  legislature. She  stressed the  improved ability                                                                    
to plan for and complete deferred maintenance projects.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld  discussed slide  11, military  support. Funding                                                                    
is continued  for army and  air guard  facilities, veterans'                                                                    
services and outreach, and an  Interior veteran cemetery ($2                                                                    
million in  federal authorization  in the capital  budget. A                                                                    
portion of the operating costs will  be in the FY 13 budget.                                                                    
The full cost will be in FY 14.)                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Ms.   Rehfeld  noted   the   Alaska  Aerospace   Development                                                                    
Corporation request for $8 million  in the operating budget.                                                                    
The corporation's  funding stream  from missile  defense has                                                                    
changed  dramatically.  The   Alaska  Aerospace  Development                                                                    
Corporation  is working  to secure  other customers  for the                                                                    
Kodiak launch  facility. She observed that  funding has been                                                                    
included  in  the  budget  to   keep  the  Alaska  Aerospace                                                                    
Development Corporation viable.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:35:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-chair  Fairclough  referred  to  the  request  for  the                                                                    
Alaska Aerospace Development  Corporation. She observed that                                                                    
they did  not receive  anticipated contracts  and questioned                                                                    
how much and how long the  state will need to invest to keep                                                                    
the facility  operational. She also wondered  where mid-term                                                                    
customers were  being sought and  when the state  would know                                                                    
if contracts  would be secured.  Ms. Rehfeld noted  that the                                                                    
facility was not successful in  competing for the bid out of                                                                    
Fort  Greely. Another  vendor is  interested  in the  Kodiak                                                                    
site. She hoped to have commitments in the amended budget.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Vice-chair  Fairclough expressed  support  for the  facility                                                                    
and acknowledged that state support  is needed for what is a                                                                    
global  competition.   She  recognized  that  many   in  the                                                                    
community depend  on the facility for  their livelihood, but                                                                    
wanted to better understand the state's opportunities.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Austerman observed  that  he  serves on  the                                                                    
Alaska   Aerospace   Development   Corporation   board.   He                                                                    
explained  that  the  Fort  Greely bid  was  for  a  missile                                                                    
defense  contract with  the federal  government. The  Alaska                                                                    
Aerospace  Development  Corporation  tried to  outbid  their                                                                    
competition and  failed. They hoped  to enhance  the overall                                                                    
scope of  the aerospace business  in Alaska, not  the rocket                                                                    
launch facility  itself, although  it would have  helped the                                                                    
facility.  The Alaska  Aerospace Development  Corporation is                                                                    
still in negotiations with two  companies to launch mid-size                                                                    
rockets.  Currently,  the  facility  only  launches  smaller                                                                    
satellites.   The  funding   request   would  only   support                                                                    
operations  for one  year.  The facility  would  need to  be                                                                    
expanded for mid-sized  launches at a cost  of $125 million.                                                                    
Contracts  must be  in place  before  the legislature  would                                                                    
consider the  $125 million needed for  expansion. Building a                                                                    
facility would be at least a two year process.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:39:16 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-chair  Fairclough noted  that  opportunities may  exist                                                                    
for  a United  States market  with decrease  federal funding                                                                    
going toward  space exploration.  She expressed  support but                                                                    
stressed  the need  for  further  discussions regarding  the                                                                    
cost of capital investment in an "all in" number.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:39:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld  reviewed  the  pie  chart  in  slide  12.  She                                                                    
explained that  the left  side of  the pie  chart represents                                                                    
non-discretionary funding: formula  programs, permanent fund                                                                    
dividend, statewide  operations and requirements.  The right                                                                    
side of  the pie chart  is discretionary funds:  agency non-                                                                    
formula  components of  the capital  and operating  budgets.                                                                    
She observed  that the general fund  component was separated                                                                    
from the  agency nonformula funds  and other funds  to allow                                                                    
them to look at the agencies' general fund request.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld referred  to the  K-12  education formula.  She                                                                    
observed  that   they  are   in  the   fifth  year   of  the                                                                    
implementation of district cost factors.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld  noted that  other  formula  funds total  $1.96                                                                    
billion,  which includes  Medicaid at  $1.64 billion.  Other                                                                    
components  include shared  taxes,  Power Cost  Equalization                                                                    
and Public Assistance.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Ms.   Rehfeld   observed   that   statewide   appropriations                                                                    
represent  about 12  percent of  the  governor's request  at                                                                    
$1.44  billion.  The  retirement system  unfunded  liability                                                                    
direct deposit  for FY 13  of $610.5 million is  included in                                                                    
this amount  and is  up from  $479.5 million  in FY  12. The                                                                    
total retirement  system unfunded liability is  $11 billion:                                                                    
Public Employees'  Retirement System (PERS) -  $7.0 billion,                                                                    
and Teachers'  Retirement System  (TRS) - $4.1  billion. She                                                                    
noted other  statewide budget requests:  $400 million  - oil                                                                    
exploration  tax  credits;  $301.4 million  -  debt  service                                                                    
(down $25.0  million); $60 million -  Revenue Sharing; $1.48                                                                    
billion  or 12.2  percent of  the total  budget -  Permanent                                                                    
Fund;  and $572.0  million -  Permanent  Fund dividends  and                                                                    
operations ($25.0 million for PFD and hold harmless).                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld  highlighted  components of  the  $1.8  billion                                                                    
capital   budget  request:   transportation  infrastructure,                                                                    
Roads  to  Resources,   energy,  deferred  maintenance,  and                                                                    
public safety.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:43:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Doogan  asked  what   portion  of  the  $1.8                                                                    
billion are  federal funds. Ms. Rehfeld  observed that there                                                                    
are  $820 million  in  federal funds.  She  added that  $882                                                                    
million are  unrestricted general funds, which  includes $60                                                                    
million  for   the  AGIA  reimbursement  amount.   The  AGIA                                                                    
reimbursement is not technically  a capital expenditure, but                                                                    
is a reimbursement for capital  expenditures. There are also                                                                    
$81 million  designated funds and  $20 million  other funds.                                                                    
Representative Doogan  concluded that  there are  $1 billion                                                                    
in state funds and $800 federal funds. Ms. Rehfeld agreed.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Representative Joule wondered  if there was a way  to see if                                                                    
the infrastructure  built in the  capital budget  comes back                                                                    
in  the  operating  budget  under  operations.  Ms.  Rehfeld                                                                    
referred to the university  science building and agreed that                                                                    
the on-going  operating expense would come  into the budget.                                                                    
Representative  Joule observed  that the  cost of  operating                                                                    
school  buildings  is born  by  the  districts. Ms.  Rehfeld                                                                    
pointed   out  that   efficiencies   are   found  in   major                                                                    
maintenance  projects, which  would result  in savings  from                                                                    
improvements to existing facilities.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:48:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld  highlighted  the governor's  FY  13  operating                                                                    
budget request.  She emphasized that growth  was restrained.                                                                    
The  administration deleted  288 positions  (full and  part-                                                                    
time,  long-term  vacant   positions).  She  concluded  that                                                                    
personal services  lines would  be in better  shape. Funding                                                                    
sources  in  personal services  were  also  cleaned up.  She                                                                    
acknowledged the net result would  be good but stressed that                                                                    
a  significant  effort  was  required on  the  part  of  the                                                                    
departments.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:50:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice-chair  Fairclough questioned  if  vacancy and  position                                                                    
eliminations would reduce  the formula used to  pay down the                                                                    
PERS  and  TRS liability.  She  also  wondered whether  cost                                                                    
shifting  of  the  22  percent   liability  would  occur  in                                                                    
communities that  reduce positions, which would  require the                                                                    
state to pick up more  of the pension liability. Ms. Rehfeld                                                                    
noted  that conversations  have occurred  on the  issue with                                                                    
municipalities and that there would be more discussions.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
In  response  to  a question  by  Representative  Gara,  Ms.                                                                    
Rehfeld reiterated that the total  unfunded liability is $11                                                                    
billion. The  governor's budget  for FY  13 includes  a $610                                                                    
million direct deposit into the unfunded liability.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:53:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld  noted Medicaid growth of  $130.5 million ($45.0                                                                    
million  in general  funds), which  is an  approximately 8.6                                                                    
percent  projected increase.  The Department  of Health  and                                                                    
Social   Services  estimates   that  150,279   Alaskans  are                                                                    
projected   to  enroll.   She   stressed  that   enrollment,                                                                    
utilization, and costs driver the total cost.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld  noted the proposed  opening of the  Goose Creek                                                                    
Correctional facility  over FY 13  and the first  quarter of                                                                    
FY 14. By the end  of this time, out-of-state prisoners will                                                                    
be returned and the facility  will be fully operational. The                                                                    
cost of  current out-of-state contracts  will help  fund the                                                                    
operations  of the  Goose Creek  facility.  The facility  is                                                                    
ready to go.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld  noted  that the  governor's  request  includes                                                                    
$16.0 million  for tourism marketing. There  are also salary                                                                    
and benefit  increases of $66.0  million for  the University                                                                    
of Alaska,  Alaska Court System, Legislature,  and Executive                                                                    
Branch.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:54:41 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld   discussed  slide  14.  She   emphasized  that                                                                    
Alaskans  benefit from  state spending.  She  noted that  60                                                                    
percent  of the  budget  benefits  Alaskans in  communities,                                                                    
organizations   and  individuals   through  grants,   direct                                                                    
payments,  capital,  and  salary costs.  Programs  affecting                                                                    
Alaskans  include:   Medicaid,  Permanent   Fund  dividends,                                                                    
Revenue Sharing, School  Funding, retirement system unfunded                                                                    
liability, capital projects, and named recipient grants.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Rehfeld observed  that 21 percent of  the state's budget                                                                    
goes  to   purchased  services   such  as   travel,  hotels,                                                                    
professional  services, fuel  and equipment  - some  of this                                                                    
funding  is internal  to state  agencies  but a  significant                                                                    
amount  is  for  services purchased  from  Alaska's  private                                                                    
sector businesses.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Rehfeld  noted that  19  percent  of the  total  budget                                                                    
represents  salaries and  benefits for  state employees  who                                                                    
are   tasked  to   deliver   core   services  and   programs                                                                    
efficiently and effectively to Alaskans.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Thomas  reviewed the House Finance  Subcommittee on                                                                    
the  operating  budget  assignments. He  observed  that  the                                                                    
committee is adopting new finance subcommittee standards.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:59:09 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The meeting was adjourned at 2:59 PM                                                                                            

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
KJR Budget Overview HFC 01.18.2012.pdf HFIN 1/18/2012 1:30:00 PM
OMB Staff Contacts.pdf HFIN 1/18/2012 1:30:00 PM