Legislature(2003 - 2004)

03/06/2004 10:05 AM House FIN

Audio Topic
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
                   HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE                                                                                      
                       March 06, 2004                                                                                           
                         10:05 A.M.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
 TAPE HFC 04 - 47, Side A                                                                                                       
 TAPE HFC 04 - 47, Side B                                                                                                       
 TAPE HFC 04 - 48, Side A                                                                                                       
 TAPE HFC 04 - 48, Side B                                                                                                       
 TAPE HFC 04 - 49, Side A                                                                                                       
 TAPE HFC 04 - 49, Side B                                                                                                       
 TAPE HFC 04 - 50, Side A                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
 CALL TO ORDER                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
 Co-Chair Harris called the House Finance Committee meeting                                                                     
 to order at 10:05 A.M.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
 MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
 Representative John Harris, Co-Chair                                                                                           
 Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair  - (Teleconferenced)                                                                    
 Representative Kevin Meyer, Vice-Chair                                                                                         
 Representative Mike Chenault                                                                                                   
 Representative Eric Croft                                                                                                      
 Representative Richard Foster                                                                                                  
 Representative Mike Hawker                                                                                                     
 Representative Reggie Joule                                                                                                    
 Representative Carl Moses                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
 MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
 Representative Hugh Fate                                                                                                       
 Representative Bill Stoltze                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
 ALSO PRESENT                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
 Representative Ethan Berkowitz; Representative Dan Ogg;                                                                        
 Eric Lee, Petersburg; Bob Doll, Better Ferries For Alaska,                                                                     
 Juneau                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
 PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
 SITKA, WRANGELL, PERSBURG, HOMER:                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Diana Carbonell, Homer;  Meg Mitchell, Homer; Jean  Steele,                                                                     
Homer;  Paula  Pinder,  Homer;  Emily  Ward,  Homer;  Julie                                                                     
LaFountain,  Homer; Sandy  Johns, Homer;  Deborah  Germano,                                                                     
Homer;  Phyllis Kaufman,  Homer; Kay  Lynn Nielsen,  Homer;                                                                     
Michelle Waneka, Homer; Valery McCandless, Mayor, Wrangell;                                                                     
Joel Hanson,  Sitka; Joy Light, Sitka;  Cornelia Huesscher,                                                                     
Sitka; Jack  Ozment, Sitka;  Karl Riffenstein, Sitka;  Anne                                                                     
Morris, Sitka;  John Bartels,  Sitka; Sheila  Finkenbinder,                                                                     
Sitka; Mary  Ellen Purcell,  Homer; Chris Fontaine,  Homer;                                                                     
Shay Hoffman,  Homer; Jerry  Sainulainen, Sitka; Reuben  D.                                                                     
Johnson,  Sitka; Lois  Huffman,  Homer; Elizabeth  Newmann,                                                                     
Anchor Point;  Matt Pancratz, Homer; Terri  Thurman, Homer;                                                                     
Jules Harluett, Fritz Creek; Mary Lou Kelsey, Homer; Howard                                                                     
Hedges, Homer; Bonnie  Richards, Sitka; Bob  Benton, Sitka;                                                                     
Jane Alberts, Homer; Kim Smith, Homer;  Helen Craig, Sitka;                                                                     
Jane Alberts                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
BETHEL, DELTA JUNCTION, TOK, GLENNALLEN, CORDOVA                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Bob Medinger, University of Alaska, Bethel; Winifred Kelly,                                                                     
TWC,  Bethel;  Winifred Kelly,  Tundra  Women's  Coalition,                                                                     
Bethel; Rondi Bean, Tundra Women's  Coalition, Bethel; Zach                                                                     
Fransler, Tundra Women's Coalition, Bethel;  Aaron Atchley,                                                                     
University  of  Alaska Fairbanks;  Barbara  Smith,  Cordova                                                                     
Family Resource Center, Cordova; Nancy Bird,  Cordova; Mark                                                                     
Wasierski,   Bethel;  Suzanne   Edelme,   Bethel;   Melanie                                                                     
Griffith, Tundra  Women's Coalition, Bethel; Susan  Talyor,                                                                     
Bethel                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
VALDEZ, KETCHIKAN, KODIAK, SEWARD, KENAI                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ella Lanier, Valdez; Noel Arakelian,  Valdez; Sharon Reese,                                                                     
Valdez; Betty Conley, Valdez; Linda  Fleming, Valdez; James                                                                     
Fisher,  Soldotna; Doug  Deorcie, Valdez;  Chris  Chambers,                                                                     
Valdez; Amber Clark, Valdez; Krystal  Calison, Valdez; Beth                                                                     
LaCross, Ketchikan;  Becky Bolling, Ketchikan; Geri  Kelly,                                                                     
Ketchikan;   Maureen  Kelly,   Ketchikan;   Margi   Gilmon,                                                                     
Ketchikan; Susan  Killary, Kodiak;  Wally Johnson,  Kodiak;                                                                     
Margaret  Hall, Kodiak;  Toby  Sullivan, Kodiak;  D.  Scott                                                                     
Smith,  Kodiak;  Lorraine  Stewart,  Kodiak;  Dawn  Jurado,                                                                     
Kodiak; Bob  Johnson, Doctor, Kodiak; Aaron  Dolph, Kodiak;                                                                     
Charlie  King, Kodiak;  Lisetta  Alverez, Kodiak;  Patricia                                                                     
Gibbs,  Kodiak;  Colleen Newman,  Kodiak;  Ranier  Masters,                                                                     
Valdez;  Linda  Fleming, Valdez;  Colleen  Newman,  Kodiak;                                                                     
 Richard Warrington,  Kenai; Mary  Warrington,  Kenai; John                                                                     
 Wensley, Kenai; Cathy Carrow, Soldotna; Kristin Panamaroff,                                                                    
 Kodiak; Olga Veter-Eluska, Kodiak; Lincoln Wensley, Kenai                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
 MAT-SU, KOTZEBUE, BARROW, NOME, DILLINGHAM                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
 Kathy  Ashmore  Roberts, MatSu;  Mike  Lane,  Barrow;  Lee                                                                     
 Stoops,  Kotzebue;   Suzie  Erlich,   Chairman,  Assembly,                                                                     
 Kotzebue; Brad Reeves, Kotzebue; Charles Beck, Norton Sound                                                                    
 Health Consortium,  Nome; Gina  Pope,  Dillingham; Christy                                                                     
 Tilden,  Dillingham; Signey  Nelson,  Dillingham;  Russell                                                                     
 Nelson; Dillingham;  Don  Ford,  Dillingham; Pearl  Strub,                                                                     
 Dillingham;  Shelley   Long,  Executive   Director,  Matsu                                                                     
 Recovery Center  MatSu; Sydney  Jacobs, MatSu;  Dan Ducey,                                                                     
 MatSu; Trish Walter; Bill Johnson; Gerald Milbrett, MatSu                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
 OFFNETS:                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
 Charles Gregory, Kake; Robert Bunsey, Kodiak; John Houser,                                                                     
 Kodiak; Dr.  Bob Johnson,  Kodiak; Barbara  Lewis, Haines,                                                                     
 Francis Ozenna, Little Diomede                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
 GENERAL SUBJECT(S):                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                     Public Testimony                                                                                         
         HB 375-APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS                                                                          
             HB 377-APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
The following overview was taken in log note format.  Tapes                                                                     
and handouts will be on file with the House Finance                                                                             
                        rd                                                                                                      
Committee through the 23 Legislative Session, contact 465-                                                                      
                     rd                                                                                                         
2156. After the 23 Legislative Session they will be                                                                             
available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.                                                                          
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
 LOG SPEAKER                DISCUSSION                                                                                      
                            TAPE HFC 04  47, SIDE A                                                                           
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                            
 000 Co-Chair Harris        Convened the House Finance Committee                                                              
                            meeting in order to take statewide                                                                
                            testimony on the FY05 Operating Budget.                                                         
 150 ERIC LEE, PETERSBURG Addressed    concerns   with   the   ferry                                                        
                           service being cut and how it will affect                                                           
                           the fishermen  of that  area.   Spoke to                                                           
                           concerns that  the fast ferry  will only                                                           
                           carry  three  vans,  which  would  be  a                                                           
                           problem  for  getting the  fish  out  to                                                           
                           market.                                                                                          
850   DIANA CARBONELL,     Urged that the Legislature reinstate the                                                           
      HOMER                Federal Title 10 funds to help women and                                                           
                           children. Without  those funds,  it will                                                           
                           but   Alaskan   women    at   risk   for                                                           
                           reproductive concerns.                                                                           
1028  Co-Chair Harris      Stated  that Representatives  Hawker and                                                           
                           Coghill were working on that issue.                                                              
1052  JEAN STEELE, HOMER   Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
                           health programs.                                                                                 
1409  PAULA PINDER         Spoke  against  reductions  to  domestic                                                           
                           violence and sexual assault.                                                                     
1531  MEG MITCHEL, HOMER   Spoke  in support  of  full funding  for                                                           
                           mental  health and  disability programs.                                                           
                           She   noted  that  this   is   the  most                                                           
                           vulnerable population of the State.                                                              
1746  VALERY MCCANDLESS,   Voiced concerns with cuts  to the Alaska                                                           
      MAYOR, WRANGELL      Marine Highway System.  Spoke in support                                                           
                           of  additional  funding  for  education.                                                           
                           She  added  continued  funding  for  the                                                           
                           Youth Core programs.                                                                             
2056  JOEL HANSON, SITKA   Voiced concerns with cuts  to the Alaska                                                           
                           Marine Highway System.                                                                           
2334  Co-Chair Harris      Asked  how often  does the  ferry go  to                                                           
                           Sitka.                                                                                           
2347 Mr. Hanson            Replied not often.                                                                               
2355  JOY LIGHT, SITKA     Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
                           health programs.   She  supported taxing                                                           
                           out of State fishermen.                                                                          
2452  CORNELIA HUESSCHER,  Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
      SITKA                health programs.                                                                                 
2707  JACK OZMENT, SITKA   Voiced concerns with cuts  to the Alaska                                                           
                           Marine Highway System.                                                                           
2909  EMILY WARD, HOMER    Voiced   opposition  to   the  cuts   in                                                           
                           Medicaid Services.  Spoke in  support of                                                           
                           funding for mental  health programs. She                                                           
                           urged that Title  10 funds be reinstated                                                           
                           and family planning.                                                                             
3001  JULIE LAFOUNTAIN,    Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
      HOMER                health programs.                                                                                 
3143  SANDY JOHNS, HOMER   Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                         
                            Funds for family planning clinics.                                                              
 3301 DEBORAH GERMANO,      Spoke in  support of additional  funding                                                          
      HOMER                 for education.    Expressed support  for                                                          
                            the implementation of a statewide income                                                          
                            tax.                                                                                            
 3508 PHYLLIS KAUFMAN,      Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                          
      HOMER                 Funds for family planning clinics.                                                              
 3519 KAY LYNN NIELSEN,     Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                          
      HOMER                 Funds  for   family  planning   clinics.                                                          
                            Expressed concern over cuts to in  state                                                          
                            services.                                                                                       
 3647 MICHELLE WANEKA,      Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                          
      HOMER                 Funds for family planning clinics.                                                              
 3828 MARY ELLEN PURCELL,   Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                          
      HOMER                 Funds  for   family   planning   clinics                                                          
                            services.                                                                                       
 3944 KARL RIFFENSTEIN,     Urged that  the  Division of  Vocational                                                          
      SITKA                 Rehabilitation  remain  open  throughout                                                          
                            the State.                                                                                      
 4116 ANNE MORRIS, SITKA    Expressed concern over cuts to in  state                                                          
                            services. Urged  that  the  Division  of                                                          
                            Vocational  Rehabilitation  remain  open                                                          
                            throughout the  State and  that  funding                                                          
                           not be cut.                                                                                      
 4311 JOHN BARTELS, SITKA   Urged that  the  Division of  Vocational                                                          
                            Rehabilitation  remain  open  throughout                                                          
                            the State and  that the  funding not  be                                                          
                            cut.                                                                                            
 4459 SHEILA FINKENBINDER,  Expressed concern over cuts to in  state                                                          
      WORKFORCE             services. Urged  that  the  Division  of                                                          
      DEVELOPMENT CENTER,   Vocational  Rehabilitation  remain  open                                                          
      SITKA                 throughout  the  State   and  that   the                                                          
                            funding not be cut.                                                                             
                            TAPE HFC 04  47, Side B                                                                         
                                                                                                                              
 4623 BONNIE RICHARDS,      Urged that  the  Division of  Vocational                                                          
      SITKA                 Rehabilitation  remain  open  throughout                                                          
                            the State and  that the  funding not  be                                                          
                            cut.                                                                                            
 4315 JERRY KAINULAINEN,    Urged that  the  Division of  Vocational                                                          
      SITKA                 Rehabilitation  remain  open  throughout                                                          
                            the State and  that the  funding not  be                                                          
                            cut.                                                                                            
 4006 CHRIS FONTAINE,       Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                          
      HOMER                 X  Funds  for  family  planning  clinics                                                          
                            throughout the  State  of Alaska.    She                                                          
                            noted  that   it   will  affect   cancer                                                        
                           screening and family planning services.                                                          
3808  SHAY HOFFMAN, HOMER  Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                           
                           Funds for family  planning clinics.  She                                                           
                           reiterated   concerns  voiced   by   Ms.                                                           
                           Fontaine.                                                                                        
3700  ELIZABETH NEWMANN,   Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                           
      ANCHORAGE            Funds for family planning clinics.                                                               
3531  Co-Chair Harris      Observed  that the  operating budget  is                                                           
                           not  completed and  reassured testifiers                                                           
                           that their comments would  be taken into                                                           
                           account.                                                                                         
3459  MATT PANCRATZ, HOMER Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
                           health   and   developmental  disability                                                           
                           programs.                                                                                        
3315  TARRI THURMAN,       Spoke in  support  of the  Katchemak Bay                                                           
      KATCHEMAK BAY FAMILY Family Planning Clinic, Homer.                                                                   
      PLANNING CLINIC,                                                                                                        
      HOMER                                                                                                                   
3143  JULES HARLUETT,      Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                           
      FRITZ CREEK          Funds for family planning clinics and                                                              
                           spoke in  support  of the  Katchemak Bay                                                           
                           Family Planning Clinic, Homer.                                                                   
3127  MARY LOU KELSEY,     Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                           
      HOMER                Funds for family planning clinics.                                                                 
                                                                                                                            
3043  HOWARD HEDGES, HOMER Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
                         health programs.                                                                                   
2901  KIM SMITH, HOMER     Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                           
                           Funds for family planning clinics.                                                               
2703  RUEBEN JOHNSON,      Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
      SITKA                health programs.                                                                                 
2550  HELEN CRAIG, SITKA   Spoke    in   support    of   vocational                                                           
                           rehabilitation services.                                                                         
2355  BOB BENTON, SITKA    Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
                           health   programs.  Noted   support  for                                                           
                           additional revenue measures.                                                                     
2120  JANE ALBERTS,        Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title                                                           
      PRESIDENT,           Funds for family planning clinics.                                                               
      KATACHEMAK BAY                                                                                                          
      PLANNING CLINIC,                                                                                                        
      HOMER                                                                                                                   
1831  BOB MEDINGER,        Spoke  in  support   of  the  Governor's                                                           
      UNIVERSITY OF        increments for the University.                                                                   
      ALASKA, BETHEL                                                                                                          
1645  WINIFRED KELLY,      Testified  in  support  of  funding  for                                                           
      TUNDRA WOMEN'S       women's shelters and domestic violence                                                           
      COALITION, BETHEL     programs.                                                                                       
 1542 RONDI BEAN, TUNDRA    Voiced support for programs that address                                                          
      WOMEN'S COALITION,    teens against violence.                                                                         
      BETHEL                                                                                                                  
 1508 ZACH FRANSLER,        Testified in support of funding for  the                                                          
      TUNDRA WOMEN'S        Tundra Women's Coalition, which provides                                                          
      COALITION, BETHEL     programs for teens against  violence and                                                          
                            women's shelters.                                                                               
 1253 AARON ATCHLEY,        Spoke  in  support  of   the  Governor's                                                          
      UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA increments for the University.                                                                   
      FAIRBANKS                                                                                                               
 1050 BARBARA SMITH,        In support for  funding for the  Cordova                                                          
      CORDOVA FAMILY        Family Resource Center, which works with                                                          
      RESOURCE CENTER,      domestic violence.                                                                              
      CORDOVA                                                                                                                 
 939  NANCY BIRD, CORDOVA   Expressed support for the implementation                                                          
                            of  a   statewide  income  tax.   Voiced                                                          
                            support   for   programs   to    support                                                          
                            fisheries. Testified in support of  full                                                          
                            funding for public broadcasting.                                                                
 622  MARK WASIERSKI,       Voiced support  for  the  public  health                                                          
      BETHEL                nursing program.                                                                                
 537  SUSANNE EDELME,       Expressed support for the  public health                                                          
      BETHEL                nursing programs.  Spoke in  support  of                                                          
                            vocational rehabilitation services.                                                             
 316  AMELANIE GRIFFITH,    Testified in support of funding for  the                                                          
      TUNDRA WOMEN'S        Tundra Women's Coalition, which provides                                                          
      COALITION, BETHEL     programs for teens against  violence and                                                          
                            women's shelters.                                                                               
 214  SUSAN TAYLOR, BETHEL  Testified  in  support  of  funding  for                                                          
                            social programs to help teens  and women                                                          
                            and     correctional      rehabilitation                                                          
                            programs. Voiced support for the  public                                                          
                            health nursing program.                                                                         
                            TAPE HFC 04  48, SIDE A                                                                         
                                                                                                                              
 419  BOB DOLL, BETTER      Voiced concerns with cuts to  the Alaska                                                          
      FERRIES FOR ALASKA,   Marine   Highway    System    and    the                                                          
      JUNEAU                degradation of service.  He pointed  out                                                          
                            that the  Alaska  Marine Highway  System                                                          
                            would be about $9 million short. All  of                                                          
                            the savings  would have  to occur  after                                                          
                            October and the burden would fall on the                                                          
                            outlying  communities  with  the  fewest                                                          
                            resources.                                                                                      
 631  BETH LACROSS,         Spoke in support  of funding for  mental                                                          
      KETCHIKAN             health programs.                                                                                
816   BECKY BOLLING,       Voiced  support  for the  public  health                                                           
      KETCHIKAN            nursing program.                                                                                 
1056  GERI KELLY,          Voiced  support  for the  public  health                                                           
      KETCHIKAN            nursing program.                                                                                 
1136  MAUREEN KELLY,       Voiced  support  for the  public  health                                                           
      KETCHIKAN            nursing program.  She added her concern                                                            
                           to cuts in public health.                                                                        
1258  MARGI GILMON,        Testified  regarding   cuts   to  public                                                           
      KETCHIKAN            health.  She stated that public health                                                             
                           should continue to  have family planning                                                           
                           services    available   and    education                                                           
                           programs.                                                                                        
1526  JAMES FISHER,        Expressed concern over cuts  to in state                                                           
      SOLDOTNA             services.  Noted support for additional                                                            
                           revenue measures.                                                                                
1739  Co-Chair Harris      Asked what  an acceptable  measure would                                                           
                           be.                                                                                              
1756  Mr. Fisher           Expressed support for the implementation                                                           
                           of a statewide income tax.                                                                       
1817  Co-Chair Harris      Asked  about earnings  of  the permanent                                                           
                           fund.                                                                                            
1849  Mr. Fisher           Replied that would work also and a broad                                                           
                           base tax.                                                                                        
1923  ELLA LANIER, VALDEZ  Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
                           health  programs.  Spoke in  support  of                                                           
                           additional   funding    for   education.                                                           
                           Expressed  concern  with   reduction  of                                                           
                           funding cuts to senior services.                                                                 
2122  NOEL ARAKELIAN,      Expressed  concern  with   reduction  of                                                           
      VALDEZ               funding   cuts   to   senior   services.                                                           
                           Expressed concern over cuts  to in state                                                           
                           services. Voiced opposition to  the cuts                                                           
                           in Medicaid Services.  She supported the                                                           
                           need for  a broad  based tax in  lieu of                                                           
                           cutting services.                                                                                
2325  SHARON REESE, VALDEZ Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
                         health programs.                                                                                   
2355  DOUG DEORCIE, VALDEZ Spoke  in  support   of  the  Governor's                                                           
                           increments for  the University  and full                                                           
                           funding  for  the  budget.     Spoke  in                                                           
                           support   of   additional  funding   for                                                           
                           education for K-12.                                                                              
2608 Co-Chair Harris       Asked how to fund the increases.                                                                 
2624  Mr. Deorcie          Commented that  there are PERS  and TERS                                                           
                           expansion are  causing  inflated budget.                                                           
                           He commented  that Permanent  Fund would                                                         
                            work, broad  base tax,  tourism and  oil                                                          
                            tax.                                                                                            
 2945 CHRIS CHAMBERS,       Spoke  in  support  of   the  Governor's                                                          
      VALDEZ                increments for the  University and  full                                                          
                            funding.    Expressed  support  for  the                                                          
                            implementation of a statewide income tax                                                          
                            and noted that the Permanent Fund should                                                          
                            not be touched.                                                                                 
 3155 SUSAN KILLARY,        Spoke against cuts  to the component  of                                                          
      KODIAK                domestic  violence  and  sexual  assault                                                          
                            services to women and children.                                                                 
 3421 WALLY JOHNSON,        Testified in support of full funding for                                                          
      KODIAK                public broadcasting.  He  commented that                                                          
                            this is a "quality of life" issue.                                                              
 3634 Co-Chair Harris       Noted  that  there  were  reductions  to                                                          
                            public   radio   in   the   subcommittee                                                          
                            reports.                                                                                        
 3653 MARGARET HALL,        Expressed  concern  with  reduction   of                                                          
      KODIAK                funding   cuts   to   senior   services.                                                          
                            Voiced  opposition   to  the   cuts   in                                                          
                            Medicaid Services.  She  encouraged that                                                          
                            a   good   fiscal   plan   be   adopted.                                                          
                            Expressed support for the implementation                                                          
                            of a statewide income tax and use of the                                                          
                            permanent fund earnings.                                                                        
 3824 TOBY SULLIVAN,        Urged that  the  Division of  Vocational                                                          
      KODIAK                Rehabilitation  remain  open  throughout                                                          
                            the State and  that the  funding not  be                                                          
                            cut.     Expressed   support   for   the                                                          
                            implementation of a statewide income tax                                                          
                            and reconsideration of oil taxes.                                                               
 3953 D. SCOTT SMITH,       He  asked   if  medical  services   were                                                          
      KODIAK                removed from  Kodiak Island,  how  would                                                          
                            residents get by.  Spoke against cuts to                                                          
                            Medicaid,  and   felt  there   must   be                                                          
                          alternatives.                                                                                     
 4237 REPRESENTATIVE DAN    Expressed that he  sat on  subcommittee,                                                          
      OGG                   and was able  to put  funds back in  for                                                          
                            ASAP program for the juvenile portion.                                                          
                            TAPE HFC 04  48, Side B (malfunction)                                                           
                                                                                                                              
 4323 JOHN WENSLEY, KENAI   Expressed  concern  over  cuts  to   the                                                          
                            education funding and suggested that  it                                                          
                            be inflation proofed.                                                                           
                            TAPE HFC 04  49, Side A                                                                         
                                                                                                                              
 042  CATHY CARROW,         Spoke in  support of additional  funding                                                          
      SOLDOTNA              for education.    Expressed support  for                                                        
                           the implementation of a statewide income                                                           
                           tax.                                                                                             
110   Co-Chair Harris      Asked she would be the head of the "Just                                                           
                           Say Yes" campaign on Kenai.                                                                      
138   RICHARD WARRINGTON,  Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
      KENAI                health programs.  He commented on the                                                              
                           number  of  brain  injuries  that  exist                                                           
                           statewide.                                                                                       
421   MARY WARRINGTON,     Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
      KENAI                health programs and voiced opposition to                                                           
                           the cuts in Medicaid Services.  Spoke in                                                           
                           support   of   additional  funding   for                                                           
                           education.  She spoke against taking the                                                           
                           Permanent Fund  away but  did  support a                                                           
                           broad based income tax.                                                                          
558   LINCOLN WENSLEY,     Spoke in  support of  additional funding                                                           
      KENAI                for education.                                                                                   
633   AMBER CLARK, VALDEZ  Spoke  in  support   of  the  Governor's                                                           
                           increments for  the University  and full                                                           
                           funding   and   spoke  in   support   of                                                           
                           additional funding for education K-12.                                                           
755   KRYSTAL CALISON,     Spoke  in  support   of  the  Governor's                                                           
      VALDEZ               increments for the University.                                                                   
828   RANIER MASTERS,      Spoke  in  support   of  the  Governor's                                                           
      VALDEZ               increments for the University and full                                                             
                           funding   and   spoke  in   support   of                                                           
                           additional funding for education.                                                                
1119  LINDA FLEMING,       Expressed  concern  with   reduction  of                                                           
      VALDEZ               funding   cuts   to   senior   services.                                                           
                           Voiced   opposition  to   the  cuts   in                                                           
                           Medicaid Services.  Spoke in  support of                                                           
                           the   Governor's   increments  for   the                                                           
                           University and full funding.                                                                     
1240  LORRANIE STEWARD,    Spoke against  cuts to the  component of                                                           
      KODIAK               domestic violence and sexual assault                                                               
                           services to  women and children.   Spoke                                                           
                           in support of  funding for mental health                                                           
                           programs.                                                                                        
1504  DAWN JURADO, KODIAK  Urged  that the  Division  of Vocational                                                           
                           Rehabilitation  remain  open  throughout                                                           
                           the State  and that  the funding  not be                                                           
                           cut.                                                                                             
1644  BOB JOHNSON, DOCTOR, Commented  on   the  volunteer  services                                                           
      KODIAK               available in Kodiak and all the non-                                                               
                           profits.     Many  services   have  been                                                           
                           severely compromised but the  job of the                                                         
                            Legislature should  be  the  caring  for                                                          
                            people.                                                                                         
 1853 Co-Chair Harris       Noted that  all  legislators share  that                                                          
                            concern.                                                                                        
 1912 AARON DOLPH, KODIAK   Spoke in support  of funding for  mental                                                          
                            health programs.                                                                                
 2125 CHARLIE KING, KODIAK  Expressed support for the implementation                                                          
                            of a statewide income tax.  He  spoke to                                                          
                            a  Permanent Fund  for  education.    He                                                          
                            agreed that the existing  permanent fund                                                          
                            should be capped at $25 million dollars.                                                          
                            All dollars over  that should be  placed                                                          
                            into another  account  for uses  by  the                                                          
                            State.                                                                                          
 2356 Co-Chair Harris       Explained that the  issue is not  coming                                                          
                            up with a creative solution. There is  a                                                          
                            political problem, not a fiscal problem.                                                          
                            Many   people   throughout   the   State                                                          
                            recommend different  options on  how  to                                                          
                            deal with these concerns.                                                                       
 2524 LISETTA ALVEREZ,      Voiced  opposition   to  the   cuts   in                                                          
      KODIAK                Medicaid Services.                                                                              
 2736 PATRICIA GIBBS,       Expressed   concern   with   the    cuts                                                          
      KODIAK                happening with the early intervention                                                             
                            programs.  She stated that  she supports                                                          
                            substance  abuse   programs   and   teen                                                          
                            courts.   Fully funds  grant for  mental                                                          
                            health.  Youth are a  precious resource.                                                          
                            Spoke in  support of additional  funding                                                          
                            for education.    Expressed support  for                                                          
                            the implementation of a statewide income                                                          
                            tax.                                                                                            
 2920 COLLEEN NEWMAN,       Spoke against cuts  to the component  of                                                          
      KODIAK                domestic violence and sexual assault                                                              
                            services to women and children.                                                                 
 3154 KRISTIN PANAMAROFF,   Spoke in support  of funding for  mental                                                          
      KODIAK                health programs.                                                                                
 3344 GINA POPE,            Spoke  in  support  of   the  Governor's                                                          
      DILLINGHAM            increments for the University and the                                                             
                            small  campuses  throughout  the  State.                                                          
                            Expressed concern over cuts to in  state                                                          
                            services.                                                                                       
 3604 CRISTY TILDEN,        Commented on the  concerns in that  area                                                          
      DILLINGHAM            with alcohol and drug abuse.  She noted                                                           
                            the  programs  that  have  helped  those                                                          
                            people.  Expressed concern over cuts  to                                                        
                           in state services.                                                                               
3808  SIGNEY NELSON,       Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
      DILLINGHAM           health programs.                                                                                 
3937  MIKE LANE, BARROW    Voiced  support  for tobacco  prevention                                                           
                           and cessation programs.                                                                          
4223  Representative       Observed that  the House  has authorized                                                           
      Hawker               20    percent   funding    for   tobacco                                                           
                           prevention and cessation programs.                                                               
4357  Lee Stoops           Testified in support of additional state                                                           
                           trooper positions and  stressed the need                                                           
                           for the positions to be located in rural                                                           
                           areas.  Testified  in  support  of  full                                                           
                           funding for public broadcasting.                                                                 
4541  SUZIE ERLICH,        Noted  support  for  additional  revenue                                                           
      CHAIRMAN, ASSEMBLY,  measures  and  a  long-term solution  to                                                           
      KOTZEBUE             stabilize the budget.                                                                            
                           TAPE HFC 04  49, Side B                                                                          
                                                                                                                              
4641  Representative       Observed that the  city of Nome supports                                                           
      Foster               the POMV. He added that many others have                                                           
                           supported an  income tax and  noted that                                                           
                           legislators  need  to  hear  from  their                                                           
                           communities.                                                                                     
4255  BRAD REEVES, ALASKA  Testified in support of full funding for                                                           
      PUBLIC BROADCASTING  public broadcasting. Voiced  support for                                                           
      ASSOCIATION,         continuation of  funding for  the public                                                           
      KOTZEBUE             broadcasting  satellite  infrastructure.                                                           
                           He observed  that there would be  a loss                                                           
                           of stations if the proposed cuts remain.                                                         
3939  CHARLES BECK, NORTON Spoke in  support of funding  for mental                                                           
      SOUND HEALTH         health and  alcohol and  substance abuse                                                           
      CONSORTIUM, NOME     programs.                                                                                        
3728  SHELLEY LONG,        Voiced   opposition  to   the  cuts   in                                                           
      EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,  Medicaid Services. She  spoke in support                                                           
      MATSU RECOVERY       of  substance   abuse  program  funding.                                                           
      CENTER, MATSU        Noted  support  for  additional  revenue                                                           
                           measures.  Expressed  support   for  the                                                           
                           implementation  of  a  statewide  income                                                           
                           tax.                                                                                             
3438  KATHY ROBERTS, MATSU Voiced   opposition  to   the  cuts   in                                                           
                           Medicaid  Services.  She  stressed  that                                                           
                           seniors would  be adversely  affected by                                                           
                           reductions.                                                                                      
3257  SYDNEY JACOBS,       Spoke    in   support    of   vocational                                                           
      PALMER               rehabilitation services. Urged  that the                                                           
                           Division  of  Vocational  Rehabilitation                                                           
                           remain  open  throughout the  State  and                                                         
                            that the funding not be cut.                                                                    
 3226 DAN DUCEY, MATSU      Spoke   in    support   of    vocational                                                          
                            rehabilitation  services  and  recounted                                                          
                            his personal experiences.                                                                       
 2959 TRISH WALTER,         Voiced  opposition   to  the   cuts   in                                                          
      SERVICES FOR          Medicaid Services.                                                                              
      CHILDREN AND ADULTS                                                                                                     
      MATSU                                                                                                                   
 2601 BILL JOHNSON, MATSU   Spoke   in    support   of    vocational                                                          
                            rehabilitation services.                                                                        
 2320 GERALD MILBRETT,      Spoke   in    support   of    vocational                                                          
      MATSU                 rehabilitation services. He recounted                                                             
                            help he received through the Division of                                                          
                            Vocational Rehabilitation.                                                                      
 2126 RUSSLE NELSON,        Spoke  in  support  of   the  Governor's                                                          
      DILLINGHAM            increments for the University.                                                                  
 1928 DON FORD, MATSU       Urged that  the  Division of  Vocational                                                          
                            Rehabilitation  remain  open  throughout                                                          
                            the State and  that the  funding not  be                                                          
                            cut.   Expressed    support   for    the                                                          
                            implementation of   a  statewide  income                                                          
                            tax.                                                                                            
 1645 PEARL STRUB, MATSU    Voiced  support  for  the   Bristol  Bay                                                          
                            Campus.                                                                                         
 1347 CHARLES GREGORY,      Stated that  he  had  suffered  a  heart                                                          
      KAKE                  attack and that he used medical services                                                          
                            in  Sitka.    He  spoke  in  support  of                                                          
                            medical services in Sitka.                                                                      
 1108 ROBERT BUNSEY,        Spoke   in    support   of    vocational                                                          
      KODIAK                rehabilitation  services.      Expressed                                                          
                            support  for  the  implementation  of  a                                                          
                            statewide income tax. Spoke against  use                                                          
                            of the Permanent Fund.                                                                          
 0823 JOHN HOUSER, KODIAK   Testified  in  support  of  funding  for                                                          
                            community mental  health programs.    He                                                          
                            explained he had a nervous breakdown and                                                          
                            would like the  Kodiak office to  remain                                                          
                            open.  Spoke in favor of a sales tax.                                                           
 0458 DR. BOB JOHNSON,      Spoke in support of a  long-range fiscal                                                          
      KODIAK                plan.   Expressed   support   for    the                                                          
                            implementation of a statewide income tax                                                          
                            and the  POMV.   Urged  leaving the  CBR                                                          
                            alone.                                                                                          
                            TAPE HFC 04 - 50, Side A                                                                        
                                                                                                                              
 0113 BARBARA LEWIS,        Spoke against an access road from Haines                                                          
      HAINES                to Juneau.  Testified in support of                                                             
                           funding  for   community  mental  health                                                           
                           programs.  Expressed  support   for  the                                                           
                           implementation  of  a  statewide  income                                                           
                           tax.   Suggested increasing  oil company                                                           
                           taxes per barrel.                                                                                
      FRANCIS OZENNA,      Described the local problems and needs                                                             
      LITTLE DIOMEDE       including their limited mail service;                                                              
      ISLAND               law enforcement; two years of shoreline                                                            
                           erosion   that   was   funded   locally;                                                           
                           transportation services,  specifically a                                                           
                           small  boat  harbor;   new  housing  and                                                           
                           better  medical   attention;  and  solid                                                           
                           waste   disposal.     The   local   bird                                                           
                           sanctuary  limits  housing construction.                                                           
                           The   town   hasn't  received   disaster                                                           
                           funding although it  has serious erosion                                                           
                           problems.                                                                                        
0801 CORY THOLE, SKAGWAY Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska                                                              
                           Marine Highway  System. Did  not support                                                           
                           the  highway from  Haines to  Juneau and                                                           
                           would prefer full  funding for the ferry                                                           
                           system.                                                                                          
      ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                           
1112                       The meeting was adjourned at 4:09 P.M.                                                           
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