Legislature(2015 - 2016)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/02/2016 01:00 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Public Testimony: Anchorage | |
| Public Testimony: Sitka, Petersburg, Delta Junction, Unalaska, Glenallen, Tok | |
| Public Testimony: Off-net Sites | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 256 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 257 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 2, 2016
1:03 p.m.
1:03:44 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Neuman called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mark Neuman, Co-Chair
Representative Steve Thompson, Co-Chair
Representative Dan Saddler, Vice-Chair
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative Les Gara
Representative Lynn Gattis
Representative David Guttenberg
Representative Scott Kawasaki
Representative Cathy Munoz
Representative Lance Pruitt
Representative Tammie Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Arlene Ludwig, Meeting the Challenge, Anchorage; Laronsia
Reynolds, Hope Alaska, Anchorage; April Kyle, Vice
President, Behavioral Health, Southcentral Foundation,
Anchorage; Joe Hakenmueller, Self, Eagle River;
Representative Cathy Tilton; Representative Jonathan
Kreiss-Tomkins.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Faith Myers, Mental Health Advocates, Anchorage; Carolyn
Ramsy, Citizens for Responsible Development, Anchorage; Jim
Behlke, Self, Anchorage; Bernie Washington, Alaska Public
Broadcasting, Anchorage; Michael Rovito, Alaska Power
Association, Anchorage; Barb Nath, Hope Community
Resources, Anchorage; Eli Merculieff, Self, Anchorage;
Becca Bernard, Self, Anchorage; Dave Hanson, Self,
Anchorage; Ed Graff, Anchorage School District
Superintendent, Anchorage; Emily Cross, KNBA, Anchorage;
Carmen Guitieriz, Owner, Justice Improvement Solutions,
Anchorage; Catherine McLaughlin, Partners Re-entry Center,
Anchorage; Sandy Travis, Self, Anchorage; Drew Hansen,
Rural CAP, Parents as Teachers, Anchorage; Stacy Lucason,
UAA Student, Anchorage; Kristen Ramstad, Rural CAP
Headstart, Anchorage; Alyse Galvin, Self, Anchorage; Galen
Schmit, self, Anchorage; Jessica Cler, Planned Parenthood
Votes Northwest and Hawaii, Anchorage; Panu Lacier, System
for Early Education Development, Anchorage; Robin Smith,
Rural Community Action Group, Anchorage; Rob Cliff, Chair,
Alaska Libertarian Party, Anchorage; Dirk Shumaker,
Executive Director, Kids Corps Incorporated, Anchorage;
Gordon Glaser, Self, Anchorage; Megan Johnson, Thread,
Anchorage; Jeremy Price, Americans for Prosperity,
Anchorage; Alex Slivka, Self, Anchorage; Michael Chambers,
United for Liberty, Anchorage; Lisa Pearce, Self,
Anchorage; Laura Cisnaros, Best Beginnings, Anchorage;
Billy Ray Powers, Self, Anchorage; Caitlin Jaksic, Self,
Anchorage; Matt Ostrander, UAA Student, Anchorage; Jacob
Shercliffe, UAA Student, Anchorage; Elisha (elijah) Wargh,
Self, Anchorage; Sarah Hetemi, Self, Anchorage; Imeda
White, Self, Anchorage; Ron Pichler, Self, Anchorage;
Stephanie Berglund, Thread, Anchorage; Charles McKee, Self,
Anchorage; Andre McCleod, Self, Anchorage; Elston Larson,
Self, Anchorage; Rich McClear, Self, Sitka; Mary Wegner,
Superintendent, Sitka School District, Sitka; John Dull,
Self, Sitka; Crystal O'Neill, Self, Sitka; Roy Bond, Mac's
Place, Sitka; Grace Brooks, Self, Sitka; Brian McNitt,
Self, Sitka; Lisa Herwald, Commissioner, Alaska Public
Broadcasting, Sitka; Keith Perkins, University of Alaska
Southeast (UAS), Sitka Advisory Committee, Sitka; Tim
Fulton, Board Member, Sitka School Board, Sitka; Jennifer
McNichol, Board Member, Sitka School Board, Sitka;
Constance White, Senior Center, Sitka; Helen Craig, Self,
Sitka; Charles Wood, Self, Petersburg; Tom Abbott, Station
Manager, KFSK, Petersburg; Ginger Evens, Self, Petersburg;
Susan Erickson, Self, Petersburg; Chuck Rose, Self,
Petersburg; Sam Bunge, Self, Petersburg; Sunny Rice, Self,
Petersburg; Elizabeth Hart, Self, Petersburg; Mary Leith,
City of Delta Junction, Delta; Karen Kresh, Librarian,
Unalaska Public Library, Unalaska; Matt Lightner, Board
Chair, KUCB, Unalaska; Richard Probert, Self, Tok; Lisa
Conrad, Self, Tok; Dave Stancliff, Self, Tok; Stretch
Blackard, Self, Tok; George Koulus, Self, Tok; Betty Denny,
Upper Tanana Senior Program, Tok; Todd Poage,
Superintendent, Alaska Gateway School District, Tok; Sue
Stancliff, Self, Tok; Scott MacManus, Assistant
Superintendent, Alaska Gateway School District, Tok;
Patrick Dalton, Self, Delta Junction; Sharon Dalton, Self,
Delta Junction; Chelsea Tremblay, Self, Petersburg; Bailey
Marita, Sitka Counseling, Sitka; Roby Littlefield, Self,
Sitka; Joan Kautzer, KFSK Board of Directors, Kupreanof;
George Smith, Self, Anchorage; Bill Lambert, Self, North
Pole; Arlene Briscoe, Alaska Nurses Association, Anchorage;
Angie Jensen, Elementary School Counselor, Anchorage; Glen
K Marunde, Self, Northway; Tissany Hall, Executive
Director, Recover Alaska, Anchorage; Cyrus Cooper, Self,
Healy; John Sarvis, Self, Anchorage; Heather Lende, Self,
Haines; Crystal Brookins, Board Member, Alaska Youth in
Family Network, Anchorage; Tom Lakosh, Self, Anchorage;
Cherri Price, Self, Haines; Chloe Goodson, Self, Haines;
Tresham Greg, Self, Haines; Gabe Dunham, Self, Dillingham;
Jeremy Doughty, Self, Anchorage; Charles Gorman, Self,
Anchorage; Sara Chapell, Self, Haines.
SUMMARY
HB 256 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
HB 256 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
HB 257 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
HB 257 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
HOUSE BILL NO. 256
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs, capitalizing funds, making
reappropriations, making supplemental appropriations,
and making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for
an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 257
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; and providing for
an effective date."
Co-Chair Neuman discussed the meeting agenda.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: ANCHORAGE
1:05:00 PM
FAITH MYERS, MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), discussed the privatization of services at
the Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API) and mentioned a
feasibility study on as proposed in SB 74. She thought the
state could save a great deal of money by not privatizing
API. She discussed the history of privatized care of
individuals with disabilities, and characterized it as a
dark history. She was concerned that private facilities
operated on the principals of convenience and economics,
which she felt was not conducive to patient rights or
patient recovery.
1:07:12 PM
CAROLYN RAMSY, CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), was concerned with funds
appropriated for an access road project. She thought the
University had agreed to give the project $15 million worth
of right-of-way. She discussed municipal and community
opposition to the project and thought the legislature
should reappropriated the funds for other more important
uses. She spoke in opposition to cuts to the University
budget. She expressed concern over cuts to programs for
people with disabilities. She thought cutting funding for
substance abuse treatment would result in an increased
prison population and crime rate. She opposed cuts to
senior medical services. She discussed the value of seniors
in the state, and discussed their many contributions as
productive members of society. She supported instituting a
state income tax, and thought a sales tax would be unfair
to the poor of the state.
1:09:27 PM
JIM BEHLKE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified
against cuts to senior services. He discussed his personal
experience with state pioneer homes. He testified in
support of funding for the University at the level proposed
by the governor. He thought statewide administration of the
University needed scrutiny with regard to spending. He was
concerned that the University may have an overwhelming
advantage when lobbying in Juneau. He was opposed to a
gasline, and thought that the cost was too extreme. He
discussed the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC), and
recounted how his mother had served on the commission. He
used a variety of anecdotes to comment on the functioning
of APOC. He discussed resources for legislative ethics and
thought it might be possible to consolidate them with APOC
and the Department of Law for cost saving measures. He
discussed sustainability of the budget, and thought the
legislature should take initiative and not vaporize our
state savings.
1:11:49 PM
BERNIE WASHINGTON, ALASKA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), supported funding for public
broadcasting. He thanked the committee for their service
and for the opportunity to testify. He discussed the vital
importance of communication and public broadcasting in
keeping Alaskans informed.
1:12:48 PM
MICHAEL ROVITO, ALASKA POWER ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), supported the funding for the renewable
energy fund. He specified that he was testifying on behalf
of the executive director who was out of state on business.
He discussed a partnership with the Alaska Energy Authority
(AEA), and stated that AEA had been a leader and
collaborator in the ongoing mission of electric utilities
to make the cost of energy more affordable. He urged the
committee to restore $2 million to the operating budget for
the Renewable Energy Fund to allow AEA to protect the state
investments in the fund by managing the existing grants
that represented $131 million of state investment. If the
funding was not restored, he thought that AEA would not be
able to effectively manage the existing grants, which would
result in decreased project management and technical
oversight. He discussed the positive track record of
projects funded by the Renewable Energy Fund.
1:14:26 PM
BARB NATH, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funds for the
developmental disabilities community grant. She stated that
they were low-cost services and if provided at the right
time, would prevent a crisis that would result in higher
costs to the state. She specified that if the community
grants were cut it would take services from approximately
200 people who needed the support to be successful. She
listed services such as respite, day habilitation, case
management, supported employment, and specialized
equipment. Budget cuts would also effect community
education and recreation programs for people with
disabilities. She reminded the committee that the proposed
cuts would affect people.
1:16:41 PM
ELI MERCULIEFF, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of funds for the developmental
disabilities community grant and Hope Community Resources.
He discussed the importance of funding for him personally.
He recounted his utilization of services such as housing
and day habilitation services.
1:17:54 PM
BECCA BERNARD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged
the committee to expand the budget proposal to include new
revenue sources. She had seen a poll that suggested over 60
percent of Alaskans wanted new revenues included in the
upcoming budget. She stated there was strong and growing
support for development of a broad-based and sustainable
fiscal plan that did not rely solely on cuts and savings.
She supported a reduction in oil tax credits. She supported
funding for K-12 education. She spoke in support of full
funding for Pre-K programs. She thought Alaskans were
willing to pay for the programs they relied on.
1:19:38 PM
DAVE HANSON, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), wanted
to discuss the oil production tax credits system, which he
called "the elephant in the room." He suggested the program
was great when the state was rich, but thought that now the
state could not afford the program. He discussed the cost
of the program in the current year, and compared it to what
could be saved if the permanent fund dividend was capped at
$1000. He discussed the small amount of money provided to
the state by the oil tax credits. He discussed a projected
cost of $1 billion for the oil tax credits for the
following year, which was almost as much as the Department
of Education and Early Development budget or the Department
of Health and Social Services budget. He quoted oil tax
credit statistics from the Department of Commerce, Community
and Economic Development, thought the tax was set up to pay
for itself in the very long term if it was assumed most of
the oil companies would produce. He thought the current tax
credit system was very loose and unclear. He suggested
cutting the program severely beyond what the governor had
suggested, and look at options such as a loan program that
would hold companies accountable. He quoted the Journal of
Commerce in asserting that the state could no longer afford
the program as it was currently structured.
1:22:05 PM
ED GRAFF, ANCHORAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported funding for K-12
education at the governor's proposed level. He thanked the
committee for the opportunity to provide public testimony
on behalf of the Anchorage School District. He asked for
full funding of the BSA for FY 17 including the statutory
$50 increase. He recognized the financial challenges being
faced by the state and thought that investment in the
schools and infrastructure across the state would accrue
benefits to the students over the long term. He thought
excellent educational systems were paramount to attracting
and retaining Alaska families. He believed that it was
essential to invest in education to ensure prosperity in
the state.
1:23:33 PM
EMILY CROSS, KNBA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore all FY 17 state grant funding for
public broadcasting. She shared that she was an Inupiaq
Eskimo from the Northwest of Alaska, and a KNBA board
member. She added that she worked for a corporation on the
North Slope. She explained that KNBA was the official local
primary-2 station in the Anchorage and Mat-Su area; which
meant that in the event that the first station was unable
to broadcast in an emergency, KNBA would be relied upon to
do so. She pointed out that cell phones and other
communication can be unavailable to the economically
disadvantaged and the elderly. She discussed growing up in
rural Alaska, where public radio was the only connection to
state and local news. She mentioned that her elderly
parents spent the entire summer at fish camp and relied on
public broadcasting. She understood the difficult position
that the legislature was in. She was concerned about losing
federal matching dollars, and asked the committee to
restore all the funding for public broadcasting.
1:25:22 PM
CARMEN GUITIERIZ, OWNER, JUSTICE IMPROVEMENT SOLUTIONS,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged the committee to
appropriate $685,000 to fund the Partners Re-entry Center
in Anchorage. She relayed that she had been working in
Alaska's criminal justice system for the previous 35 years,
recently as deputy commissioner for the Department of
Corrections. She discussed the recent focus on ensuring the
value of criminal justice funds that were spent, and
suggested that the state had not been receiving good value
for criminal dollars spent. She reported that in the last
two decades the incarcerated population in Alaska's system
had expanded at four times of the resident population. She
discussed prison rate growth and specified that DOC had
increased it's spending by 60 percent over the last two
decades and had an operating budget of $327 million in FY
14. She reported recidivism statistics and elaborated that
the Partner Re-entry Center was providing services for
those released from jail in Anchorage and helping to assist
with housing, employment, transportation, and clothing. She
reported that the program was providing good outcomes,
reducing the number of individuals being incarcerated, and
would work to reduce criminal justice costs.
1:28:09 PM
CATHERINE MCLAUGHLIN, PARTNERS RE-ENTRY CENTER, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), echoed the comments of the previous
testifier. She shared that the Partners Re-entry Center was
in the third funding year, and was requesting $685,000 in
order to remain open after July 1. She stated that the
center was data-driven and used best practices; and
specified that 2,900 people had come to the center, 75
people were hired within the previous 30 days, and 84
people were currently housed at the center. She shared that
the center had recently served two individuals who had been
incarcerated for more than 35 years, and questioned what
might have happened if the center had not been there. She
asked the committee to fund the collaboration for the
restorative justice model to reduce recidivism.
1:29:55 PM
SANDY TRAVIS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), stated
that she was a disabled injured state worker. She recounted
the medical treatment she had received at enormous cost to
the state, and suggested that the money could have been
saved or given to senior. She shared that she had been
employed at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute. She discussed
privatization. She suggested auditing each state department
in order to gain insight on how funds were spent. She
discussed state employee pay.
1:32:37 PM
DREW HANSEN, RURAL CAP, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in favor of restoring funds for
the Parents as Teachers program. He thought the state had
made great gains in understanding the benefit of early
childhood education, and helping parents better understand
their child's development. He pointed out the state's
investment in Pre-K education, Parents as Teachers, and
Best Beginnings. He mentioned statistics that showed
programs such as Parents as Teachers greatly improved a
child's ability to be successful in the school setting. He
discussed the critical time during early childhood
development. He stated that Parents as Teachers was a
highly efficient cost-saving model which only cost $4,000
to $5,000 per family per year. He referred to the
importance of positive parenting models when the state of
Alaska had such high levels of adverse childhood
experiences. He thought data collection within the state
had shown positive family outcomes and demonstrated the
benefit of early childhood programs. He referred to surveys
in which the majority of Alaskans supported investment of
state dollars in early childhood programs, even given tough
economic times.
1:34:56 PM
STACY LUCASON, UAA STUDENT, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for the University. She
disclosed that she was a member of the Board of Regents of
the University of Alaska. She mentioned that she testified
before the committee the previous year, and noted that she
was currently testifying using technology rather than
general fund dollars to fly her down in person. She hoped
the committee would appreciate her comments as well as the
restraint the University was acting under in not spending
money when it was possible. She spoke in opposition to
intent language to conglomerate everything into one MAU.
She thought it was premature and asked that the language
not be made formal intent language because the University
was not operating as one entity without collaboration. She
gave three reasons to keep the three MAUs separate:
regional specialization; regional affinity; and separate
accreditation, which allowed for more opportunities for
grant funds. She requested that the committee restore
funding to the governor's proposed level and allow the
University to complete the strategic pathways process,
which was just coming before the board and needed buy-in
from all stakeholders.
1:37:10 PM
KRISTEN RAMSTAD, RURAL CAP HEADSTART, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for Head
Start. She explained that with state funds, Head Start
grantees had been able to provide quality enhancements to
programs, serve additional children and communities, and
use the dollars to help meet the 20 percent non-federal
match requirement. She specified that for every dollar the
state contributed, it leveraged 5 more dollars. She
discussed independent research that demonstrated the
effectiveness of the program; and noted that Head Start
programs had robust data collection system that tracked
school readiness and health outcomes in children, as well
as family and parent engagement outcomes. She discussed the
partnerships with other programs such as Parents as
Teachers, Pre-K, and Best Beginnings. She thought the
partnerships were critical in rural Alaska where few early
childhood services existed and access to age-appropriate
books was not readily available. She urged the committee to
restore funding for Parents as Teachers, Pre-K, and Best
Beginnings. She thought it was critical that the state
demonstrate its commitment to children and families during
the fiscal crisis.
1:38:57 PM
ALYSE GALVIN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified against cuts to education funding. She stated
that she was a leader in the great Alaska schools grass-
roots movement of more than 2,875 voting Alaskans who cared
about high-quality education. She stated that the state had
a struggling to failing performance in its education
system. She thought that cuts to education would
exacerbate the failures, and that the state was at risk of
under-educating a generation of Alaska kids. She discussed
vulnerable populations of children and the importance of
access to education. She wanted to recognize that the
current leadership structure (legislative budgeting, state
board policy-setting, and district admin) was not working.
She hoped the committee would fund education with no cuts,
and bring back funding for early learning. She asked the
committee if they had a plan for improving education in
Alaska, and if they believed that cutting the education
budget would improve schools. She referred to the previous
year's plan for funding outside the BSA, and stated that
education had been short more than $26 million.
1:41:20 PM
GALEN SCHMIT, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified against cuts to education funding. She discussed
ranking of schools and wondered why Alaska schools were not
improving. She discussed increased teacher health care
costs, and encouraged the legislature to consider passing
laws to regulate health care costs and health insurance
costs. She spoke in support of increased revenue through
taxes.
1:42:46 PM
JESSICA CLER, PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTES NORTHWEST AND
HAWAII, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified against
cuts to public health. She stated that Planned Parenthood
was heavily invested in health and wellness of Alaska
residents. She expressed disappointment at the deep
proposed cuts to the public health system, particularly the
cuts to public health nursing and the chronic disease
prevention and promotion. She thought the cuts were short-
sighted and would end up increasing costs to the state in
the future. She discussed public health nurses and their
importance to the state. She pointed out the important role
public health nurses played in rural areas of the state.
She detailed that public health nurses provided basic
health care such as vaccinations, family planning services,
prenatal counseling, school screenings, and well-child
exams. She furthered that public health nurses also
provided parenting education and support groups for
families and communities. She reported that as many as 26
percent of adult Alaskans had pre-diabetes and had a high
risk of developing diabetes within 5 years. She thought
investing money in prevention would save the state money
later for costly treatments such as diabetes. She did not
think cutting crucial healthcare services was the way to
balance the budget. She urged the legislature to protect
public health and oppose steep cuts to public health
programs.
1:44:54 PM
PANU LACIER, SYSTEM FOR EARLY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of full
funding for Pre-K programs. She alleged that cutting
funding for early learning would deepen the state's fiscal
crisis. She discussed long-term consequence to eliminated
Pre-K education including: increased pressure on public
education resources, increased high school dropout rates,
increased high school drop-out rates, and increased prison
costs. She discussed $250 million in federal Pre-K
development grants at a 70 percent federal match. She
thought that quality early learning should be a part of the
state's economic infrastructure as a means of creating a
literate and prepared workforce. She urged the finance
committee to reinstate the $2.8 million for Pre-K programs.
1:47:28 PM
ROBIN SMITH, RURAL COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of an income tax. She
thought that Alaskans paid almost nothing for government
and services while getting permanent fund checks. She
thought an income tax was less regressive than sales tax.
She supported taxes on fishing, tourism, hunting, and
alcohol. She suggested cancelling megaprojects and
supported cuts to tax credits for the oil industry. She
thought that the oil industry must be part of the solution.
She discussed the importance of stimulating the economy.
She thought deeper cuts to the budget would drive the
economy towards recession. She testified in favor of
restoring funds for Parents as Teachers and public health
nurses. She thought a depressed economy would drive
families from the state. She spoke in support of full
funding for Pre-K programs.
1:49:42 PM
ROB CLIFF, CHAIR, ALASKA LIBERTARIAN PARTY, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), did not think that the budget deficit
constituted a crisis, but rather an opportunity to return
government to the right size. He suggested cutting the
budget back to $3.8 billion. He thought the budget could be
balanced without taxes or spending any of the Permanent
Fund. He stated that "the smaller the government, the freer
the people." He discussed the composition of the state's
economy, and spoke in disfavor of seeking federal funds for
state programs. He spoke in opposition to taxes for funding
more government. The party did not want to increase funds
to the government because they wanted to prevent it from
becoming more intrusive.
1:51:55 PM
DIRK SHUMAKER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KIDS CORPS INCORPORATED,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of full
funding for Pre-K programs. He testified in favor of
restoring funds for the Parents as Teachers, Pre-K, and
Best Beginnings programs. He discussed that the Pre-K
program offered high quality classrooms in neighborhoods
and communities where Pre-K options were in short supply.
He pointed to assessment data showing that children in Pre-
K programs made significant gains in language, math, and in
social/emotional development. He pointed to the success of
the Parents as Teachers program. He supported funding for
the Imagination Library, which supported early literacy. He
spoke to cost savings benefits of early learning including
the reduced need for expensive early intervention. He urged
the committee to restore funding to FY 16 levels for the
programs.
1:54:05 PM
GORDON GLASER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified against cuts to senior services. He recognized
that cuts were necessary, but he encouraged the finance
committee to look at them in a positive and smart way. He
discussed consequences of cutting senior services,
including greater expenses in other areas. He pointed to
the senior benefits and senior community base programs. He
relayed that many of the programs were based on the idea of
keeping people in their homes. He explained that if
programs were cut significantly the individuals would be
moved from home to more expensive residential facilities.
He asked the committee to explore the ramifications of
losing the services for a 75 year old with a disability
living at home. He spoke against cuts to the adult
prevention dental Medicaid program. He stated that the cut
would put people in pain and limiting nutrition. He was
opposed to cuts to Alaska Pioneer Homes and heating
assistance.
1:56:27 PM
MEGAN JOHNSON, THREAD, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
reiterated past testimony supporting early childhood
education. She addressed why early care and learning was
part of Alaska's economic infrastructure. She discussed the
small portion of the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED) budget which was dedicated to programs
such as Best Beginnings, Pre-K, Head Start, and Parents as
Teachers. She relayed that the funding represented about
half of one penny of the total DEED budget. Studies showed
that for every dollar spent there was close to $17 saved
later. She spoke to the multiplier effect of funds spent
and earned. She stressed that the investment produced $2
billion in economic activity. The reduction in spaces of
available early care and learning spots would drastically
impact Alaska's economy. She requested the reinstatement of
$2.8 million for the programs.
1:58:18 PM
JEREMY PRICE, AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), supported budget reductions and testified
strongly against any additional taxes. He was not concerned
that cutting the budget too much would hurt the state
economy. He was more concerned about the economic impact of
taking money from the private sector to fund government. He
stated that a valuable lesson learned from years of high
oil prices was that the legislature would spend what it
received. He hoped further cuts would be made to the
operating budget. He remarked that the undesignated general
fund spending had been reduced in the current budget, but
designated general fund spending had been increased. He
referred to a recent article in the Alaska Commons that
stated agency cuts would be about $275 million below FY 16.
He provided further information about the article. He hoped
the process was not a "shell game" and stressed that real
reforms that would have lasting impacts were needed.
2:00:22 PM
ALEX SLIVKA, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He recognized that the state was facing difficult choices
and he applauded the committee for exploring new sources of
revenue in addition to reductions in spending. He agreed
that spending needed to be reduced. He asked for a fair
approach that cut each area by a similar percentage. He
stated that the public broadcasting system was an integral
part of the Railbelt information network and a critical
part of the rural communication system. He shared that the
proposed elimination of the funding would have a very
negative impact on public safety across the state. He
elaborated that the current public radio and television
system was often the only source of news in many
communities and the only source of news for individuals
with limited economic resources. He wanted current and
future Alaskan children to have the same opportunity he had
growing up. He asked the committee to reconsider the
elimination of funding for public broadcasting.
2:01:52 PM
MICHAEL CHAMBERS, UNITED FOR LIBERTY, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the Institute of
Social and Economic Research (ISER) report on reducing the
budget down to $4.5 billion in the current year. The
organization believed that the legislature needed to look
at the budget the state could afford and not just at
everyone wanted. He wanted the legislature to look at the
full-time equivalents in the state PCNs; he thought there
had been a substantial amount of funding with regard to
personnel that were not actually in place. He stated that
the Department of Public Safety had consistently held 80
positions open. He supported funding for the Citizens
Advisory Council on Federal Areas (CACFA). He opined that
recent decisions on polar bears was an example of federal
overreach. He supported the Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (ANILCA).
2:04:14 PM
AT EASE
2:05:57 PM
RECONVENED
ARLENE LUDWIG, MEETING THE CHALLENGE, ANCHORAGE, testified
in support of funding for behavioral health services. She
related that she was a person in long-term recovery who had
utilized state-funded treatment. She was proof that
treatment did work. She asked the committee to restore
funding to behavioral health.
2:07:41 PM
LARONSIA REYNOLDS, HOPE ALASKA, ANCHORAGE, testified in
support of funding for behavioral health services and
developmental disabilities grant funding. She worked to
provide community-based services for individuals and their
families that experience serious mental illness and
intellectual and developmental disabilities. She asked the
committee to reconsider the cuts to the behavioral health
and developmental disability grants. She saw the benefits
provided to families that would continue to allow them to
live, work, recreate, attend school, and be contributing
citizens of the Anchorage community.
2:08:58 PM
APRIL KYLE, VICE PRESIDENT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, SOUTHCENTRAL
FOUNDATION, ANCHORAGE, testified in support of funding for
behavioral health services and asked for a full restoration
of the funds. She explained the function of the foundation
that served 65,000 Alaska Native and American Indian people
in and around Anchorage. She discussed that the foundation
had developed and implemented comprehensive health related
services to meet the challenging needs of the Native
community. The foundation recommended that the state create
a healthcare system that maximized access and recognized
mental health and substance use conditions and emphasized a
proactive approach to encouraging care early and often. The
behavioral health community treatment recovery grant
provided funding in order for the foundation to treat some
of the most acute customers who were mentally ill. She
listed other program recipients. She explained the programs
provided services to veterans, expectant mothers, youth,
and other. She added that many of the service consumers
also interacted with the justice system, the Department of
Corrections, Office of Children's Services, the Alaska
Psychiatric Institute, and other.
2:11:13 PM
LISA PEARCE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for the University. She
related that she had been the recipient of a small research
grant. She spoke to the devastating affect that cutting
$62.8 million would have on the local economy. She shared
that she was intending upon completing her master's program
at the University of Alaska with a focus on contributing to
research on the Alaska Native language and cultural
revitalization projects that were underway; however,
cutting the research funding for the state meant that there
would be no future career for her in the state. She urged
the committee to consider the conservative budget and to
save all of the future and current research that would be
done through the University.
2:13:19 PM
LAURA CISNAROS, BEST BEGINNINGS, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
Best Beginnings program. She shared that in FY 16 Best
Beginnings took a cut of more than $600,000, which had led
to difficult decisions and adjustments to the service. Even
with reduced funding and staff the program still served
thousands of families each year. She read from letters of
program recipients; one individual voiced that they were
willing to pay income tax and reduce their PFD to $500 to
keep programs like Best Beginnings. She discussed that the
state would be failed in immense ways if its children did
not receive services. She asked the legislature to restore
funding to Parents as Teachers, pre-K, and Best Beginnings.
2:15:08 PM
AT EASE
2:40:42 PM
RECONVENED
BILLY RAY POWERS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
thought the state budget was much larger than it should be.
He thought that the committee should begin by cutting $1
billion from the budget. He stated that there was $50
billion in the Permanent Fund. He had heard that poor
people would be more greatly impacted by cuts to the
Permanent Fund Dividend. He believed that no one should be
dependent on a PFD for their existence. He was not opposed
to using the Permanent Fund to fund right-sized government.
He suggested there were many agencies that were
unnecessary. He provided the Department of Motor Vehicles
as an example.
2:43:20 PM
CAITLIN JAKSIC, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for the Alaska Youth and
Family Network (AYFN). She related that she was a foster
parent of children with special needs that were placed in
her home on an emergency basis. She shared her personal
story and relayed that she had feared that taking in three
young foster children would not be the best thing for her
young biological children or her family. One familiar place
she had been able to keep for the children was AYFN, which
provided a positive place for the children to see their
family and have some consistency in their lives. She shared
that the program had a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.
Additionally, it provided the extra support she desperately
needed. She provided further information about the program.
2:46:07 PM
MATT OSTRANDER, UAA STUDENT, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
University. He stressed that cutting $62 million from the
University did not make sense if the state wanted to
diversify its economy. He stressed the importance of
building the state's people and give students a reason to
stay in Alaska. He stressed that the intent language in the
bill treated the University Board of Regents as if it was
unable to make decisions when it came to addressing the
educational needs of Alaskans. He discussed that the board
had not voted in favor of the Alaska Airlines Center, which
the state had decided would happen anyway. Now the bill
would remove the funding of the center, which he did not
believe made any sense. He hoped the committee would take
the steps necessary to keep Alaska's economy moving
forward. He did not believe cutting $62 million from the
University budget made any sense. He hoped that a variety
of industries would be allowed to flourish.
2:48:10 PM
JACOB SHERCLIFFE, UAA STUDENT, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
University. He discussed how UAA had been a valuable
experience for him. He relayed that he was a first-
generation who had decided to stay in Alaska for college
based on the opportunities provided by the University. He
spoke against $62 million in budget cuts to the University.
He stated that the University was already beginning to see
some of the effects of programs being cut and classes not
being offered, which was delaying his opportunities to
continue completing his degree. He noted that his degree
could take 5 or 6 years if classes were not offered. He
recognized the state's fiscal problem, and suggested an
alternative source of funding such as a raise in tuition.
He asked for support from the legislature to ensure that
there continued to be opportunities to keep students in
state. He discussed the adverse effect of hiring freezes.
He encouraged the committee to continue the support it had
shown for education in the past.
2:50:43 PM
AT EASE
3:01:17 PM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Saddler indicated that there was no one online
to testify in Anchorage and the meeting would stand at ease
until 3:15pm.
3:01:29 PM
AT EASE
3:15:32 PM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Saddler indicated that there was no one online
to testify in Anchorage and the meeting would stand at ease
until 3:35pm.
3:15:46 PM
AT EASE
3:34:44 PM
RECONVENED
3:35:07 PM
ELISHA (ELIJAH) WARGH, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in favor of reducing the budget
first before other remedies such as taxes were imposed. He
suggested that frivolous spending should be cut. He thanked
the committee.
3:36:31 PM
SARAH HETEMI, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of significant budget reductions. She moved to
Alaska 3.5 years prior from Norway seeking adventure and
opportunity. The lack of free market policies and the
constant feeling of drowning in taxes motivated her to come
to Alaska. She was aware that Alaska was facing a deficit
of $3.5 billion for the second year in a row. She suggested
cutting the budget by at least $500 million. Alaska needed
budget reform, not higher taxes She wanted budget
reductions rather than taxes. She appreciated the
opportunity to testify.
3:38:04 PM
IMEDA WHITE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified against cuts to senior services. She takes care
of her 91 year old mother. The services her mother was
currently receiving were being eliminated which caused
great concern. Her mother currently received $250 to pay
for medical issues. It had been suggested that if people
could not afford to live in Alaska they could move to the
lower 48. However, she had moved her mother to Alaska for a
better life. She thanked committee members.
3:39:56 PM
RON PICHLER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), was a
lifelong Alaskan. He was concerned with his children having
a fortunate future. He was a private business owner. He
had seen the economic downturns and how they effected the
private sector. He spoke of some government sectors that
could be replaced with the private sector. He was in favor
of privatization of services. He relayed having been in
Juneau the previous week.
3:42:37 PM
STEPHANIE BERGLUND, THREAD, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of full funding for Pre-K programs and
Best Beginnings. She reported that Thread received
inquiries daily for Pre-K services. She relayed many of the
benefits of early childhood learning. She thanked the
committee members for their time.
3:44:54 PM
CHARLES MCKEE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
of a negative experience from 1983 concerning a copyright
lawsuit. He continued to speak until the end of his time.
ANDRE MCCLEOD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified against cuts to the mental health budget senior
services. She posed a question regarding cuts to the mental
health budget and for substance abuse. She wondered what
people with such illnesses would do and where they would
like them to end up.
3:49:07 PM
ELSTON LARSON, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
recommended passing a budget and coming up with a long-term
fiscal plan. He explained that the state was on the watch
list at the bonding agencies because it had failed to come
up with a fiscal plan. He was concerned with a fiscal plan
that defined a fiscal framework. A long-tern fiscal plan
would be a fiscal framework. He suggested passing the
governor's budget, come up with a long-term fiscal plan,
and stand for elections. He thanked the committee for its
time.
3:51:14 PM
JOE HAKENMUELLER, SELF, EAGLE RIVER, was a 30-year resident
of Eagle River, Alaska. He relayed his experience in both
the private and the public sector. He concurred with the
previous caller that the governor had presented a
reasonable plan to the legislature that he thought should
be passed. He suggested that although additional cuts could
be made he urged caution when considering cuts with respect
to public education and higher education. He understood it
was everyone's problem. He was willing to pay higher taxes,
and give up a portion of his PFD. He also urged legislators
to consider reducing oil tax credits. He appreciated the
opportunity to testify.
3:53:09 PM
AT EASE
4:16:30 PM
RECONVENED
4:17:00 PM
AT EASE
4:48:09 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: SITKA, PETERSBURG, DELTA JUNCTION,
UNALASKA, GLENALLEN, TOK
4:48:43 PM
AT EASE
4:49:07 PM
RECONVENED
4:49:18 PM
RICH MCCLEAR, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
shared some history with the local public radio station in
Sitka. He shared that former Senator Gary Stevens supported
funding for public radio. He stressed that public radio
funding should be a priority.
4:51:42 PM
MARY WEGNER, SUPERINTENDENT, SITKA SCHOOL DISTRICT, SITKA
(via teleconference), testified in support of education
funding from Pre-K to University. She remarked that there
was an issue in the district which they faced inadequate
funding, and there were essential career training programs
that needed funding. She stressed that funding for other
services like behavioral health program and the ferry
system allowed for greater educational opportunities.
Vice-Chair Saddler handed the gavel to Co-Chair Thompson.
4:54:06 PM
JOHN DULL, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), testified
against the increased base student allocation, funding for
K-12, and funding for the university. He encouraged the
committee to shut down Mt. Edgecumbe High School. He felt
that subsidizing the high school's education was
unnecessary. He testified in support of funding for
Medicaid expansion. He also spoke in support of a state
income tax.
4:56:08 PM
CRYSTAL O'NEILL, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for substance abuse
recovery programs. She shared that she had utilized a
program to make her sobriety necessary. She announced that
she was able to reunite with her daughter thanks to the
support of the programs. She remarked that the personnel
who conducted the programs were compassionate and caring.
4:57:52 PM
ROY BOND, MAC'S PLACE, SITKA (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for substance abuse
recovery programs. He shared that he was a Medicaid
recipient. He stressed that individuals in recovery needed
funding to complete their programs. He shared that he had a
severe drug addiction, and was currently in recovery. He
felt that financing Medicaid was necessary to many
residents.
4:59:52 PM
GRACE BROOKS, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
shared that she listened to her local public radio station
and depended on the local Alaska news source. She shared
that there had been a landslide in Sitka, and Raven Radio
helped to keep the community together during that event.
She announced that there was a tsunami warning in Sitka,
and the radio station delivered necessary information to
the community. She stressed that the information could not
be replaced by commercial broadcasters.
5:01:49 PM
BRIAN MCNITT, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
felt that the zero funding would have profound negative
impacts on many radio stations that provide critical
services to Alaskans every day. He stated that Raven Radio
would see cuts to staffing and important information
services. He stressed that Raven Radio provided essential
information to the remote communities of the state.
5:03:43 PM
LISA HERWALD, COMMISSIONER, ALASKA PUBLIC BROADCASTING,
SITKA (via teleconference), urged the committee to restore
funding for public broadcasting. She felt that public
broadcasting provided an essential public health service to
the state. She remarked that there was abundant information
to prevent chronic disease and prevent substance abuse in
the communities. She felt that funding for public
broadcasting provided a great value to the state. She
remarked that she appreciated the information about people
that lived in the more rural communities of the state.
5:06:02 PM
KEITH PERKINS, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA SOUTHEAST (UAS), SITKA
ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SITKA (via teleconference), testified
in support of funding for the University. He shared that
the UAS Sitka campus was a focal part of the communities.
He remarked that there were many proactive staff and
faculty to develop relevant programs to Sitka. He felt that
the Sitka campus had developed important programs related
to Southeast Alaska. He shared that it was known that the
Sitka campus provided as valuable of programs as other
programs in the lower 48.
5:08:50 PM
TIM FULTON, BOARD MEMBER, SITKA SCHOOL BOARD, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in support of education funding.
He stressed the importance of a responsible fiscal plan for
the future. He spoke in support of the additional $50 for
the base student allocation. He stated that 50 percent of
the state leaders participated in the Sitka School
District.
5:10:21 PM
JENNIFER MCNICHOL, BOARD MEMBER, SITKA SCHOOL BOARD, SITKA
(via teleconference), echoed the remarked of Mr. Wegner.
She spoke in support of funding the $50 increase to the
base student allocation. She stressed that the school
districts were already extremely creative in their
financing of vital education programs. She also urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
5:12:14 PM
CONSTANCE WHITE, SENIOR CENTER, SITKA (via teleconference),
testified against cuts to senior services. She felt that
the budget reductions would cause depression in the senior
community, because the many seniors depend on the services
to feel as though they are simply doing something with
their lives.
5:13:02 PM
HELEN CRAIG, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), testified in
support of funding for education programs. She also
testified in support of funding for Medicaid. She felt that
a quality education in the state would keep the students in
the state upon graduation. She also testified against cuts
to senior services.
5:14:52 PM
CHARLES WOOD, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He shared that he was a commercial fisherman who used his
public radio system on a regular basis. He shared that the
local radio station provided essential emergency services.
He stressed that commercial radio stations did not provide
local information. He shared that he had lived in the state
for many years, and did not recall the state eliminating
funding that would allow for federal match funds.
5:16:50 PM
TOM ABBOTT, STATION MANAGER, KFSK, PETERSBURG (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. He understood the difficult financial
decisions in the legislature. He shared that there would be
a great negative impact on the elimination of the funding.
He shared that federal matching had requirements that the
proposed budget cuts to public radio would not provide. He
testified in support of accessing the Permanent Fund
earnings.
5:19:11 PM
GINGER EVENS, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
encouraged the committee to utilize some version of the
governor's plan. She felt that accessing the Permanent Fund
earnings was necessary to sustaining Alaska's future. She
also spoke in support of the $50 increase to the base
student allocation.
5:20:15 PM
SUSAN ERICKSON, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
testified in support of education funding. She shared that
the children must be smarter and better than the current
residents. She stressed that the students must be
adequately prepared for life. She felt that, without good
schools, people would not move to the state. She also urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She shared that the local public radio station in
Petersburg was the only radio station in the community. She
stressed that the public radio station provided essential
emergency and public safety information.
5:22:27 PM
CHUCK ROSE, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He echoed the related comments of the previous testifiers.
He shared that the larger cities in the State had many
radio stations, so those communities may not feel the
impact. He stressed that Petersburg only had one radio
station, and those services from the radio station were
essential to the community.
5:24:12 PM
SAM BUNGE, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
stressed that Petersburg had no commercial radio station.
He announced that the local public radio in Petersburg
provided many essential services in the communities. He
shared that each of his sons were able to participate as
teenage disc jockeys on the local radio station. He shared
that he contributed financially each year to the local
public radio station.
5:25:57 PM
SUNNY RICE, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She testified in support of funding for the University,
specifically the University of Alaska Extension Service.
She also voiced opposition to funding cuts to the Alaska
Marine Highway System. She shared that each of those
services enhanced the Petersburg community.
5:27:21 PM
ELIZABETH HART, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. She stressed that the local public radio
station provided news, safety alerts, or escape convicts.
She stressed that the elimination of funding would take
away the opportunity for federal matching grants. She
stressed that the radio provided local, national, and
international news. She also testified in support of
education funding. She also spoke in support of using the
Permanent Fund earnings and instituting an income tax.
5:29:03 PM
MARY LEITH, CITY OF DELTA JUNCTION, DELTA (via
teleconference), urged the committee to reinstate the
governor's revenue sharing proposal. He shared that the
smaller communities' municipal and city buildings were able
to stay in business, because of the revenue sharing. She
also encouraged the committee to consider an income tax.
5:31:40 PM
KAREN KRESH, LIBRARIAN, UNALASKA PUBLIC LIBRARY, UNALASKA
(via teleconference), testified in support of Online With
Libraries (OWL) funding. She stressed that the library
provided necessary internet usage for local residents. She
remarked that the elimination of the funding, the library
and school could lose federal funding. She remarked that
students and residents were able to remotely access the
world. She understood the difficult fiscal time in the
state.
5:33:48 PM
MATT LIGHTNER, BOARD CHAIR, KUCB, UNALASKA (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. He felt that the elimination of
funding would be detrimental to many communities in the
state. He stressed that the public radio provided emergency
alerts. He shared that the local radio in Unalaska was the
only source of emergency information.
5:35:00 PM
AT EASE
5:36:47 PM
RECONVENED
5:37:34 PM
AT EASE
5:52:44 PM
RECONVENED
5:53:06 PM
RICHARD PROBERT, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), testified
against cuts to senior services. He shared that he had
witnessed people that he felt abused services.
5:54:15 PM
LISA CONRAD, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), testified in
support of funding for state operations in Tok, such as the
Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. She remarked that
the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development office in Tok provided jobs in the rural
community.
5:55:46 PM
DAVE STANCLIFF, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for state operations in Tok. He remarked
that the unemployment rate in Tok is 20 percent. He
stressed that recently unemployed individuals often turned
to dependency on social services. He shared that dollars in
rural areas often reflected a positive impact on urban
areas. He shared that funding for tourism provided much
needed jobs to the community of Tok. He noted that the Tok
Visitors Center was an important revenue producer for the
state.
5:59:11 PM
STRETCH BLACKARD, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), testified
against the proposed reduction to the district attorney
office in Tok. shared that he was a victim of petty theft.
He remarked that the district attorney's office did not
follow through on charges to the perpetrators. He stated
that the troopers could not provide adequate time to follow
through with investigations. He encouraged adequate funding
for the Alaska State Troopers and the district attorney.
6:01:50 PM
GEORGE KOULUS, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), testified
against cuts to senior services. He stressed that the
seniors of Tok would not be able to access necessary
services. He remarked that there were barely any services
in Tok. He stressed that the people that took advantage of
the senior services did not have enough to eat in their
personal lives.
6:03:13 PM
BETTY DENNY, UPPER TANANA SENIOR PROGRAM, TOK (via
teleconference), SEN testified against cuts to senior
services. She shared that the Upper Tanana Senior Program
had taken steps to reduce spending within the program. She
shared that the last pay raise was ten years prior. She
stated that many of the staff had been at the same wage.
She remarked that the program provided a power of attorney
for people with a fixed income. She shared that the heating
costs for the seniors were very high.
6:05:28 PM
TODD POAGE, SUPERINTENDENT, ALASKA GATEWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT,
TOK (via teleconference), testified in support of funding
for the Broadband Assistant Grant (BAG). He shared that the
grant provided funding for necessary internet access that
allowed for enhanced educational opportunities. He shared
that man homes had a higher rate of connectivity than the
local schools. He remarked that extremely low income school
districts required $100,000 to access $1 million of federal
funds.
6:07:53 PM
SUE STANCLIFF, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), testified
against the budget cuts that would affect the community of
Tok. She shared that the Alaska Highway provided the
majority of Alaska's trucking supplies. She spoke in
support of funding for the North Weigh Station. She also
spoke against the reductions to the positions in the DCCED
office in Tok.
6:10:11 PM
SCOTT MACMANUS, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, ALASKA GATEWAY
SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOK (via teleconference), spoke in support
of education funding. He felt that high school graduates
should graduate from quality schools and be ready to enter
into work training programs. He felt that enhanced funding
would provide leverage for recruiting quality teachers to
the schools in Alaska. He also spoke in support of funding
the Broadband Assistance Grant.
6:12:26 PM
PATRICK DALTON, SELF, DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference),
shared some economic history in the United States. He
stated that former President Reagan used some sound
economic programs. He stated that 1989 saw an unprecedented
economic expansion in the United States. He felt that the
legislature should not create taxes against sound economic
policy. He felt that there should be a reduction in state
spending. He supported the United for Liberty plan for the
state.
6:14:37 PM
SHARON DALTON, SELF, DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference),
encouraged the committee to consider the United for Liberty
plan for the state. She encouraged the state to reduce
spending, and set an example by not implementing taxes.
6:16:09 PM
CHELSEA TREMBLAY, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. She also voiced opposition to funding cuts to
the Alaska Marine Highway System. She also testified in
support of education funding. She also spoke in support of
funding for essential domestic violence prevention
services.
6:17:19 PM
BAILEY MARITA, SITKA COUNSELING, SITKA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for
behavioral health services. She encouraged the committee to
consider the quality of life of those individuals who take
advantage of Sitka Counseling. She shared that there were
many services to many women across the state. She shared
that behavioral health providers gave services to families.
She remarked that reducing the budget would cause an
increase in crime, and an increase in substance abuse.
6:20:00 PM
ROBY LITTLEFIELD, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She shared that Raven Radio provided opportunities to
students to participate in the local radio station. She
stated that Sitka's phone and television system was
recently damaged, so the radio station provide essential
information to the community. She remarked that a reduction
in funding would cause a negative economic effect on the
Sitka community.
6:22:09 PM
AT EASE
6:31:40 PM
RECONVENED
6:32:00 PM
AT EASE
7:00:47 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: OFF-NET SITES
7:00:52 PM
JOAN KAUTZER, KFSK BOARD OF DIRECTORS, KUPREANOF (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. She understood the inevitability of
funding cuts, but she believed that zeroing out funding for
public radio was irresponsible. She relayed that the
station's budget was always shockingly tight despite robust
listener support and nonstop fundraising. Without the state
funds the station would no longer qualify for federal grant
funds. She stressed that it would silence the local radio
station by July 1. She relayed that it had taken 40 years
to build up the local station, but it would only take one
bad state budget decision to kill it. She relayed that
public radio provided fundamental state infrastructure. She
stated that public radio was a lifeline for state
residents. She stated that 100 percent cut would
disproportionately impact rural Alaskans. She urged the
committee to reinstate a reasonable amount of funding.
7:03:28 PM
GEORGE SMITH, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
against using the Permanent Fund for new revenue. He was
opposed to an income and fuel tax; however, he did support
an alcohol tax. He stated that alcohol was a major problem
in Alaska. He asked the committee to maintain funds for
state troopers in Girdwood. He supported a non-resident
tax. He believed more cuts to education were needed. He
supported cutting all funds to the universities and
privatizing them. He asked the committee to restore funds
for seniors.
7:04:51 PM
BILL LAMBERT, SELF, NORTH POLE (via teleconference), wanted
the legislature to require all state agencies to report
their electric, water, sewer, and heat costs by location in
order to see the overall cost per hour of operations. He
wanted to see the information posted on the agency
websites. He stated that any business owner could smell
waste, fraud, or excessive operational costs. He continued
that if an operation had a head bolt or plugins for
employees, the state should not be paying 8 hours per day
to charge a vehicle. He believed the chargers should have
timers. He discussed high electricity costs in his
community. He believed the hourly cost for any state
operation to function, including buildings, should be
determined. He opined that if the hour of operation could
be done successfully by any private business, the state
should immediately go to a private business. He believed
functions should be consolidated to one building.
7:07:11 PM
ARLENE BRISCOE, ALASKA NURSES ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified that the association found it
unconscionable to make such drastic cuts to health and
human services. She stressed that the state was at a crisis
level for all levels of medical and mental health care. She
stressed that a 30 percent cut to public health nursing
impacted seniors, TB programs, and immunization programs;
the service was often the only medical care in the bush
communities. She emphasized that cuts to mental health
services would ensure that the state's skyrocketing rate of
suicides, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and babies born addicted
to drugs would continue increasing. She stated that the
costs would only increase as the individuals continued
along their current path of addiction and mental health
issues.
7:08:25 PM
ANGIE JENSEN, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke against cuts to education. She
referred to the state's low rating on economic opportunity,
health, and safety, which she was not surprised by. She
asked the committee to listen to residents who were dealing
with trauma facing communities. She discussed the need to
help the state's kids become resilient. She urged the
committee to stop cutting education. She discussed that the
need was increasing, but the number of staff were
decreasing. She addressed staff burnout. She asked the
legislature to give students the education they deserve.
7:10:03 PM
GLEN K MARUNDE, SELF, NORTHWAY (via teleconference), spoke
on behalf of the community of Northway. He was a 23-year
employee of the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOT). He stressed that the community greatly
opposed the closure of the Northway DOT maintenance station
due to proposed budget cuts. His largest concern was for
the safety of the traveling public and the cost of
unmaintained and deteriorating road services and the
economic hardships and future opportunities that would be
lost in the local area.
He believed it was time to use the Permanent Fund for what
it was created for to keep Alaska moving in the right
direction forward.
7:11:12 PM
TISSANY HALL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RECOVER ALASKA, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for
community support services for vulnerable Alaskans. The
proposed budget cuts would affect people with substance use
disorders and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders by reducing
state and local capacity to provide services. She relayed
that when the services were reduced, vulnerable Alaskans
were at risk for ending up in emergency rooms, nursing
homes, psychiatric hospitals, or in jail. She listed
behavioral health treatment services. She stated that the
behavioral health system was essential to realizing the
savings from the justice reinvestment; criminal justice
reform effort required community-based behavioral health
services in order for people returning from prison to
remain stable and sober and less likely to commit crimes.
She shared that the behavioral health system was essential
to achieving the cost savings of Medicaid reform. She
understood that it was important to be lean at present, but
the current cuts would create far greater costs to the
state in the future. She stressed that alcohol was the
number one issue in a recent study. She urged the committee
to support behavioral health services.
7:14:04 PM
CYRUS COOPER, SELF, HEALY (via teleconference), requested
that the legislature have viewing access to the current
meeting on its website. He stated that there was no website
listed for people to watch the meeting. He believed
citizens of the state were afforded very little equal
representation when compared to special interest groups
representing corporate tales of disaster if the state
decided to change taxation policies. He cautioned against
trusting such claims and asked the committee to verify what
it was told to be inevitable before taking action. He asked
the committee to separate itself from the emotional
testimony and seek the heart of what was required over
which was desired in order to measure the difference. He
supported funding for the mentally disabled, elderly, and
kindergarten. He did not support ever increasing budgets
for education. He believed there was little accountability
and other support mechanisms available. He did not support
an income tax. He believed a single consumption tax
statewide would share the burden equally. He recommended a
flat tax that would keep all deductions and exemptions to a
minimum.
Co-Chair Thompson shared the committee's email address:
lhscfin@akleg.gov.
7:16:42 PM
JOHN SARVIS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
recommended a flat cut across the board to all state
agencies and services. He reasoned that it would mean
everyone would be in it together and groups would not be
pitted against each other. He believed that it would make
it more likely for everyone to support increased taxes or
the use of the Permanent Fund. He thought everyone should
be in the situation together and cuts should be made
equally.
7:18:27 PM
HEATHER LENDE, SELF, HAINES (via teleconference), urged the
committee to be wise and kind in its strategies in solving
the budget crisis. She understood that there would be some
cuts. She was opposed to cuts to mental health programs,
education, libraries, K-12, Alaska Marine Highway System
(AMHS). She stressed that a 100 percent cut to public
broadcasting was draconian. She spoke to ideas on how to
raise revenue. She urged the committee to consider an
income tax. She was opposed to a statewide sales tax
because small communities could be crippled by additional
sales tax. She supported capping the Permanent Fund
Dividend. She wanted to see the amount of earnings going
into savings reduced. She asked the legislature to allow
Alaskans the chance to help themselves.
7:21:30 PM
CRYSTAL BROOKINS, BOARD MEMBER, ALASKA YOUTH IN FAMILY
NETWORK, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke against cuts
to behavioral health and substance abuse treatment
programs. She was a survivor of domestic violence, a parent
of disabled children, and a former addict. The network was
a youth guided, community based behavioral health support
service. She stressed that the cut would greatly reduce the
amount of services available to the most vulnerable
population (children and mentally ill). She had been able
to achieve her goals with the help of the services, which
had prevented the cycle from continuing with her children.
7:22:48 PM
TOM LAKOSH, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), asked the
committee to restore cuts to social services, education,
public broadcasting, seniors, and agencies. He believed the
state would lose more money in the long run if the cuts
were made. He asked the committee to consider a corporate,
carbon, income, and seasonal sales taxes (exempting food
and necessary medicine). He believed that the Permanent
Fund as a rainy day fund would be most effective and useful
if it was distributed as presently required by law and
recovered by the income tax after it had been circulating
through the economy several times. He suggested issuing the
PFD as a debit card that could only be spent on certain
things; that way it would be circulated through the
economy.
7:25:42 PM
CHERRI PRICE, SELF, HAINES (via teleconference), spoke in
support of public libraries. She relayed that the community
relied on the internet for education. She stressed that
there were many cultural programs that required the use of
the internet. She asked the committee to restore funding
for OWL. She stressed her opposition to cuts to the public
broadcasting station; the station acted as the emergency
broadcast system for the upper Lynn Canal. She was strongly
opposed to cutting the radio station that brought vital
information to three communities and to fishermen.
7:27:13 PM
CHLOE GOODSON, SELF, HAINES (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
shared that many people in Haines did not have cable or
internet. She discussed that the radio station kept people
connected and acted as the emergency broadcasting system.
7:28:08 PM
TRESHAM GREG, SELF, HAINES (via teleconference), stated
that there was a point in budget cutting where the impact
was so devastating that individuals became less able to
take care of themselves and more of a financial burden. He
voiced opposition to funding cuts to the Alaska Marine
Highway System. He elaborated that the ferry system brought
visitor business to communities throughout Alaska. He spoke
to finding ways to improve services and streamlining was a
more effective way to cut costs while preserving the
system. He spoke in strong support of public radio funding.
He believed that cutting all public radio funding was not a
business move, but a political one. He asked the committee
to consider maintaining services that provided economic
wellbeing. He asked the legislature to cut the road to
Katzehin (Juneau Access Project).
7:31:23 PM
AT EASE
7:36:54 PM
RECONVENED
GABE DUNHAM, SELF, DILLINGHAM (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for the University. He
thanked the committee for its work. He believed it would
help to consider holistic solutions and add a layer of
scrutiny to the cuts that would directly inhibit the
economy's ability to increase or maintain its output. He
asked the committee to not cut more programs that brought
in more money than they cost. He stated that making huge
cuts to the state's education system would negatively
impact the state. He believed that now more than ever the
state needed ideas on how to bring money into the state. He
asked the committee to not hinder the state's ability to
grow or maintain the human capital in the future.
7:39:04 PM
JEREMY DOUGHTY, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in favor of restoring funds for the Parents as
Teachers program. He was a program participant with his
son. He shared that his son had excelled in many ways since
they started using the Parents as Teachers program. He went
to events with Parents as Teachers every week or two. He
would be devastated if the program went away.
7:40:25 PM
CHARLES GORMAN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
supported social and behavioral health programs of all
kinds. He was currently on the Governor's Advisory Board
for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. He would like to see the
programs preserved and perhaps increased. He shared that he
had been a consumer of social services in the past and had
been sober for 10 years. He advocated for the cause of
recovery and sobriety. He shared that he had been allowed
to participate in a free residential program in the past;
he was an Army veteran. The facility had helped him get
sober. He would like to see others who did not have access
to the same free VA benefits have the ability to turn their
lives around. He supported an alcohol and tobacco tax.
7:43:28 PM
AT EASE
7:46:04 PM
RECONVENED
SARA CHAPELL, SELF, HAINES (via teleconference), urged the
committee to make sure that the cuts it was making were
reasonable and reflected Alaskan values. She asked the
committee to consider a sales and income tax and to look at
restructuring the Permanent Fund. She did not want the
budget to be balanced on the backs of Alaskans. She relied
on public radio for her connection to the community; it
also provided emergency broadcasting and marine weather
reports. She was concerned that the cuts would kill the
radio station. She was in support of Parents as Teachers
and internet services. The cuts were disproportionately
going to hurt the little guy. She understood that the
legislature had a difficult job, but she wanted the cuts to
be fair.
HB 256 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 257 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Thompson discussed the schedule for the following
day.
ADJOURNMENT
7:49:23 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 13.pdf |
HFIN 3/2/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 12.pdf |
HFIN 3/2/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 11.pdf |
HFIN 3/2/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 10.pdf |
HFIN 3/2/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 9.pdf |
HFIN 3/2/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 8.pdf |
HFIN 3/2/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |
| HB 256 HB 257 Op Budget Public Testimony Pkt. 7.pdf |
HFIN 3/2/2016 1:00:00 PM |
HB 256 HB 257 |