Legislature(1999 - 2000)
01/27/1999 01:36 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
GENERAL SUBJECT(S): FY 00 Department Overviews:
Department of Health and Social Services
Alaska Court System
Department of Education
Department of Labor
The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes and
handouts will be on file with the House Finance Committee through the
21st Legislative Session, contact 465-2156. After the 21st Legislative
Session they will be available through the Legislative Library at 465-
3808.
Time Meeting Convened at 1:36 p.m.
Tape HFC 99-7, Side 1 and 2
Tape HFC 99-8, Side 1
PRESENT:
X
Representative G. Davis
X
Co-Chair Therriault
X
Representative Foster
X
Co-Chair Mulder
X
Representative Grussendorf
X
Representative Austerman
X
Representative Kohring
X
Representative Bunde
X
Representative Moses
X
Representative J. Davies
X
Representative Williams
ALSO PRESENT:
REPRESENTATIVE SMALLEY; REPRESENTATIVE BRICE; SHIRELY HOLLOWAY,
COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; DAVID TEAL, DIRECTOR,
LEGISLATIVE FINANCE; KAREN PERDUE, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES; JANET CLARKE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES;
KAREN REHFELD, DIRECTOR, EDUCATION SUPPORT SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION; RICHARD CROSS, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION; ED FLANAGAN, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR; REBECCA
GAMEZ, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR; DWIGHT PERKINS, SPECIAL ASSISTANT, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR;
MICHAEL HELMS, BUDGET ANALYST, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR; AL DWYER, DIVISION OF LABOR STANDARDS,
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR; DENISE LICCIOLI, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR; STEPHANIE COLE, ADMINISTRATIVE
DIRECTOR, ALASKA COURT SYSTEM; ROBERT FISHER, FISCAL OFFICER, ALASKA
COURT SYSTEM; CHRIS CHRISTENSEN, STAFF COUNSEL, ALASKA COURT SYSTEM.
LOG
SPEAKER
DISCUSSION
000
TAPE 99-7, SIDE 1
Co-Chair Mulder
Convened the meeting at 1:36 p.m.
078
Co-Chair Mulder
Presented members with subcommittee
assignments.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
111
Commissioner Perdue
Noted that the Department of Health and
Social Services was created with
statehood. Gave a brief overview of
Department of Health and Social Services.
Provided members with handouts (copies on
file).
280
Commissioner Perdue
Discussed performance measures. Observed
that there are some areas where data
collection is not possible. Felt that the
department has a good start on the
performance measures.
360
Commissioner Perdue
Reviewed budget as detailed in their
handout, FY00 Budget Overview (copy on
file). In 1991, 49 percent of the
department's funds were in formula
programs. Today 57 percent of the
department's funds are in formula
programs.
532
Commissioner Perdue
Discussed formula programs. Reviewed list
of formula programs on page 3.
571
Commissioner Perdue
Discussed welfare reform. Caseloads have
dropped 27 percent in the last 5 years.
There are fewer people on the Alaska
Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) than
were in 2/91. People are leaving welfare
for jobs. Half of the caseload is now
working. There is a decline in state
spending.
713
Commissioner Perdue
Discussed page 7, Adult Public Assistance
(APA). This program helps disabled and
elderly and is steadily growing. APA is
the largest program in the Department of
Health and Social Services. Chronically
mentally ill or permanently disabled make
up the majority of clients.
830
Commissioner Perdue
If the permanent fund dividend payments to
APA clients were not held harmless there
would be large savings.
852
Commissioner Perdue
Noted that the General Relief Medical
program no longer funds abortions. Money
goes to persons with less then $300
hundred dollars a month income and who
have a chronic need. The program is now
called the Chronic and Acute Medical
Assistance program (CAMA). The program is
short-funded and will run out in another
week.
941
Commissioner Perdue
Discussed Medicaid on page 9. The program
covers about 90,000 Alaskans. She
discussed the makeup of clients. The
majority are children. The average
Medicaid cost for elderly and disabled
clients is higher than the cost for
children. A little over 200 elderly are
expected to join the program in FY00.
1100
Commissioner Perdue
Discussed management of the Medicaid
program to contain costs. The legislature
and Congress set benefits. The program is
managed by controlling eligibility and
rates.
1207
Commissioner Perdue
Reviewed page 10, Medicaid expenditures.
1226
Commissioner Perdue
Discussed foster care services. Progress
is being made in encouraging adoptions.
There are more children in custody.
1346
Commissioner Perdue
Observed that new workers are on board.
Requesting more workers to keep up with
increased workload. Emphasized that
progress is being made but that there is a
job left to do.
1399
Commissioner Perdue
Discussed youth facilities, page 14. Staff
increases reflect new facilities.
1441
Co-Chair Mulder
Noted that a Nome facility was authorized
in FY00.
1455
Commissioner Perdue
Estimated savings in welfare at $6 million
dollars.
1507
Representative J.
Davies
Referred to page 13. Asked for an
analysis of how cases are being handled to
see what progress has been made.
Commissioner Perdue
FY99 had 1,400 more calls for harm than
FY98. The amount has flattened out.
Decided not to put in new workers without
training. Still thousands of calls for
neglect that are not being investigated.
1597
Representative J.
Davies
Asked if there is information relating to
the number of repeat calls.
1611
Commissioner Perdue
Will provide information. Some work can
be done by community agencies. Important
that someone checks on the child. 70 to
73 percent of calls are checked. The
calls must be triaged. 93 percent are
zero tolerance.
1706
Representative
Austerman
How is Alaska doing in child abuse?
1732
Commissioner Perdue
Alaska has one of the highest rates of
child abuse. Warned that statistics are
done differently in different states.
Alcohol is one of the causes for Alaska's
high rate of child abuse.
1760
Co-Chair Therriault
Referred to page 7.
Commissioner Perdue
Discussed qualifications for APA.
1783
Representative
Foster
Referred to page 171 of handout. Asked
why funds go through RuralCap.
1832
Commissioner Perdue
Promised to review.
1843
Representative G.
Davis
Referred to nursing home situation and
growth of elderly. Is there a number that
are not being served.
1906
Commissioner Perdue
Did not know, but thought that people are
being helped by community based services
to stay in the home.
1918
Representative G.
Davis
Expressed concern that fee increases would
have negative impacts.
1967
Commissioner Perdue
Stressed that savings have been made on
able working persons. Costs are now on
elderly and disabled. Both have growing
populations.
2031
ALASKA COURT SYSTEM
2035
STEPHANIE COLE,
ADMINISTRATIVE
DIRECTOR, ALASKA
COURT SYSTEM
Reviewed handout on the Alaska Court
System (copy on file).
2117
Ms. Cole
Operating budget is 1.3 percent of the
state's total.
2157
Ms. Cole
Generates $5.8 million dollars in
collection revenues.
2172
Ms. Cole
The felony caseload is increasing in the
Superior Court. Felony cases take twice
as much resource as civil cases. Caseload
correlated closely to the number of police
officers on the street. The domestic
violence component continues to increase.
2262
Ms. Cole
Observed that there has been an increase
in cases involving children. Anchorage
and Fairbanks have growing caseloads
involving children.
2299
Ms. Cole
Discussed changes in the district court
level. There has been an increase in
misdemeanors involving violence.
2330
Ms. Cole
There has been an increase of persons
representing themselves. This impacts
court staff.
2365
Ms. Cole
Referred to page 2 of handout. Majority
of general funds goes to salary.
000
TAPE 7, SIDE 2
TAPE CHANGE
056
Ms. Cole
Reviewed positions request on pages 3 - 5.
Nine new positions are being requested.
Reviewed positions requested as summarized
in the handout.
390
Ms. Cole
Through a self-evaluation the Alaska Court
System found that they were not doing the
job they should be doing in rural Alaska.
Their budget request reflects an attempt
to increase their presence in rural
Alaska. This will result in increased
travel costs.
468
Ms. Cole
Asking for funding for increased jury
fees.
513
Ms. Cole
The Alaska Court System is requesting
funding for increased courthouse security.
This is the third year for the request.
The money would be given as a RSA to the
Department of Public Safety.
618
Ms. Cole
Gave examples of areas where the Alaska
Court System is holding costs. Bethel
caseload is backlogged. They are using
federal grant funds to bolster judicial
resources in Bethel. No state funding is
needed at present. Federal funding will
not remain constant.
703
Ms. Cole
Reviewed areas where funds and positions
have been shifted.
743
Ms. Cole
Indications are that more cases are coming
in the door than are going out.
775
Ms. Cole
Reviewed efforts to address needs without
additional money. Accessing federal CSED
funding for those that are representing
themselves. Changed procedures for
contacting those that did not pay their
traffic fines or show up in court.
Judgment
875
Ms. Cole
Emphasized that the Alaska Court System is
looking toward mediation projects.
936
Ms. Cole
Offering legislation to assess fees
regardless of outcome of judgement.
980
Co-Chair Mulder
Asked if crimes are going down.
Ms. Cole
No indication that crime rates are
reduced. Observed that enforcement on the
street has the biggest impact on
caseloads.
Representative J.
Davies
Asked for more information regarding
federal funding for positions in Bethel.
1048
Ms. Cole
There was federal funding for a cultural
navigator position in Bethel. The position
assists clients and trains villagers to
provide assistance. Magistrate and court
clerk positions are also federally funded.
1136
Representative
Foster
Expressed support for rural funding.
Asked the impact of not funding Anchorage
positions.
1160
Ms. Cole
Caseloads would be delayed if positions
were not funded.
1375
Representative G.
Davis
31 new positions?
Ms. Cole
Correct, if the 22 new security officers
are funded
1325
ROBERT FISHER,
FISCAL OFFICER,
ALASKA COURT SYSTEM
The security officers would cost $65,000
per positions
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
1355
SHIRELY HOLLOWAY,
COMMISSIONER,
DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION
Reviewed Performance measures.
Commissioner
Holloway
Noted that there are five major goals that
support the mission: To have clear,
rigorous, credible standards and
assessments; to have a credible system of
academic and fiscal accountability for
students; to have highly qualified staff
that have met credible standards and
assessments; to have schools in which
students, staff, families and communities
are active partners in learning; and to
have adequate and secure source of funding
for schools.
1536
Commissioner
Holloway
Progress in Quality schools. Student
standards: mandatory, specific, measurable
standards in reading, writing and
mathematics have been adopted. School
boards must adopt and align their
programs.
1601
Commissioner
Holloway
Discussed assessments. On the brink of
having assessments for grades 3, 6, 8 and
all high school grades.
Noted that Quality School Grants have
strings attached.
1689
Commissioner
Holloway
Noted that federal funding is available
for reading.
Commissioner
Holloway
In March children will be tested and
reviewed in the 3rd, sixth, eight and 10-
12th grades.
1771
Commissioner
Holloway
All 12 graders must pass by 2002.
1801
Commissioner
Holloway
Discussed standards and assessments.
Student assessment data plus school
standards will be the basis for school
improvement plans for designated schools,
in decline or crisis.
1877
Commissioner
Holloway
School standards are important. Schools
will be designated in 2002. School
improvement plans will be based on
standards
1911
Commissioner
Holloway
Discussed Early childhood education.
Emphasized that ages 0-5 years must be a
priority.
1954
Commissioner
Holloway
Emphasized a K-12/university partnership.
1987
Commissioner
Holloway
FY00 total operating budget is $991,331
million, 96 percent is for formula
funding. There is a 2.5 percent increase
from the current fiscal year. Reviewed
budget components. $1.5 million for
quality school component to support
legislative mandate.
2050
Co-Chair Mulder
Increase of $500 thousand dollars for
implementation of the exit exams. Bill was
passed with fiscal notes.
2105
KAREN REHFELD,
DIRECTOR, EDUCATION
SUPPORT SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION
Explained that the fiscal note passed with
the exit exam was not sufficient to cover
the cost of contracting the exam. The
comprehensive system will be done with the
same contractor. There are increased
costs.
2146
Co-Chair Mulder
Referred to funding for SB 36.
Ms. Rehfeld
Pointed out that 100 percent funding was
estimated at $26 million dollars. Those
that received increases only received 60%
of full funding in FY00. The remaining
increment is based on increased
enrollment.
2200
Representative
Bunde
Noted that there were concerns on
implement costs regarding the exit exam.
Districts are requesting money for
increased costs.
2248
Commissioner
Holloway
Pointed out that the state pays for the
costs of development, sending materials
and scoring the exams.
2283
Representative
Austerman
Expressed concern that the assessment
process includes vocational aptitude.
2329
Commissioner
Holloway
Pointed out that they have employability
standards.
000
TAPE 99-8, SIDE 1
TAPE CHANGE
051
Representative
Austerman
Referred to third grade assessments.
092
Commissioner
Holloway
Sitka has standards in every grade level.
Some schools looking at assessing in every
grade. Emphasized the challenge of
extended learning time. Pointed out that
every child cannot meet the same standard
in the same timeframe, in the same way.
Stressed that children come from different
backgrounds and speak different languages.
192
Representative J.
Davies
Spoke in support of early intervention.
Asked if districts can provide for
extended learning time, mentoring, and
summer school with existing budget.
285
Commissioner
Holloway
Difficult for some districts but not
impossible. Stressed priorities of
focusing federal dollars and looking for
new money.
385
Representative J.
Davies
Asked the total of federal grants.
Commissioner
Holloway
Did not know the exact amount and stated
that she would research potential amount.
414
Co-Chair Therriault
Asked what is going on with student
enrollment. Questioned if correspondence
programs are affecting enrollment.
452
Commissioner
Holloway
Will provide information.
509
Representative J.
Davies
Asked how important is it for kids to
improve their readiness.
539
Commissioner
Holloway
Very important. Stressed that it is
important to make sure families have
quality daycare. Stressed a higher
emphasize on ages 0-5.
598
Representative
Kohring
Referred to impact on correspondence
study.
693
Co-Chair Mulder
Asked for correspondence enrollment
numbers.
701
Commissioner
Holloway
Welcomed dialog in regards to
correspondence study.
725
Representative
Bunde
Noted that Anchorage high school
enrollment is increasing while
kindergarten is decreasing.
772
Commissioner
Holloway
Noted that the cut score is higher than
other states.
872
Co-Chair Mulder
How many schools have requested a waiver?
Commissioner
Holloway
13 districts have requested a waiver. All
were granted and put on notice.
914
Mr. Cross
If waivers were not granted the districts
would not have received state aid. Did
not know total of state aid that the
districts stood to lose if their waivers
were not given.
Co-Chair Therriault
Pointed out that money would stay in
district, but go to construction. Asked
what waivers are based on.
1066
Mr. Cross
Have warned districts that waivers will
not be given next year if improvement is
not made. Will look at administration and
other costs. Formal presentations will be
made to Legislative Budget and Audit
Committee in March.
1077
Co-Chair Mulder
Noted that impacts of SB 36 would be on
agenda next week.
1096
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
1130
Commissioner
Flanagan
Budget much the same. Pointed out that the
Department of Labor receives .4 percent of
the state's general funds. Provided
members with a handout on FY00 budget,
(copy on file).
1205
Commissioner
Flanagan
Reviewed handout. Trying to maintain
service without raising funding. Noted
that funding has gone down since FY91.
1264
Commissioner
Flanagan
Reviewed page 5. Pie charts show total
budget. Commissioner's Office is 10% of
general fund request. The Department of
Labor is primarily funded with federal
funds. Commissioner's Office has four
divisions; administrative services,
employment security, labor standards and
safety and workers compensation.
1380
Commissioner
Flanagan
Continued discussion of page #5.
Explained the line item moves. The
biggest challenge rests in the Labor
Relations' Agency.
1438
Commissioner
Flanagan
Changes to the administrative services
division were mostly technical, with 3 new
full-time positions. There are only 3 new
positions in the budget. They are in the
data processing unit for Y2K operations.
These would be temporary positions.
1508
Commissioner
Flanagan
Research analysis section has extensive
responsibilities in reorganizing and
evaluation of program results for grantees
and state agencies.
1564
Commissioner
Flanagan
Redistricting will be an issue in FY00.
That process must begin as soon as
possible. Discussed line item
readjustments. Pointed out that the
department has implemented a call center
for unemployment insurance. Noted that it
has been successful.
1732
Commissioner
Flanagan
Direct deposit for unemployment insurance
was initiated. Use of internet has
increased. Employers are posting jobs on
the Department of Labor web site.
Discussed one stop centers.
1831
Commissioner
Flanagan
Noted that their federal funds have been
reduced.
1851
Commissioner
Flanagan
Discussed the Labor Standards and Safety
Division. Requesting one new position in
this division. The boiler inspector's
position would be reinstated and paid with
program receipts. This would reduce a
backlog.
1907
Commissioner
Flanagan
Discussed Occupational Safety and Health.
General funds match is tight in this
division.
1968
Commissioner
Flanagan
Discussed OSHA programs and federal
funding. 10 percent state match is
required.
1998
Commissioner
Flanagan
Discussed Wage and Hour section.
2018
Commissioner
Flanagan
Discussed Worker's Compensation Division.
Division merged three BRU's into one
component: Fisherman's Fund, Second Injury
Fund and Worker's Compensation Fund. The
division will be flat funded. The rates
paid to injured workers were set in 1988
and have not been increased.
2090
Commissioner
Flanagan
Discussed page 19, number of employees,
workers and funding level.
2116
Co-Chair Mulder
Referred to reapportionment.
2125
Commissioner
Flanagan
Explained that the Department of Labor
must purchase software for census. Did
not know what costs would be associated
with census.
2198
Representative
Austerman
Expressed concern that the automative
system is not functioning well in some
rural areas.
2249
Commissioner
Flanagan
Discussed attempts to address concerns of
rural areas.
2276
Representative
Austerman
Has received complaints from businesses
and processors in Kodiak. Asked for more
information on internet functions.
2329
Commissioner
Flanagan
Stressed that 1,600 Alaskan jobs are
advertised a day.
Representative
Austerman
Expressed concern that electronic services
would reduce positions in rural employment
offices
2351
Commissioner
Flanagan
Pointed out that the intent not to close
offices in rural Alaska, but to reach
areas that do not have offices.
2411
Representative
Austerman
Referred to labor standards.
000
TAPE 8, SIDE 2
TAPE CHANGE
057
Commissioner
Flanagan
Discussed labor standards positions. City
of Fairbanks is doing electrical
inspections. Reductions in staff require
that positions be located in Anchorage,
Fairbanks and Juneau. These positions will
travel to the rest of the state.
159
Representative
Austerman
Asked for numbers.
177
Representative J.
Davies
Asked if there are backlogs in Workers'
Compensation cases.
205
Commissioner
Flanagan
Most cases move well. Contested cases can
take a long time. Time of hearings is not
getting worse.
329
Representative
Austerman
Referred to Fisherman claims.
377
Commissioner
Flanagan
The Department of Labor does not get
involved in Jones Act issues. Fishery fund
pays up to $2,500 hundred dollars for
injuries.
681
Co-Chair Mulder
ADJOURNED
Senator Mulder adjourned the meeting at
4:04 p.m.
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
LOG NOTES
January 27, 1999
HFC 11 1/27/99
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