Legislature(2009 - 2010)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/26/2009 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB199 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 98 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 121 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 199 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 26, 2009
1:38 p.m.
1:38:48 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Hawker called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:38 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Hawker, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Thomas Jr., Vice-Chair
Representative Allan Austerman
Representative Harry Crawford
Representative Anna Fairclough
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Les Gara
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Mike Kelly
Representative Woodie Salmon
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Dave Newton, Director of Student Services, Juneau School
District; Peggy Brown, Executive Director, Alaska Network on
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault; Ann Gifford, Attorney,
Juneau; Woody Wilson, Superintendent, Wrangell Public
Schools; Nancy DeCherney, Executive Director, Juneau Arts
and Humanities; Aaron Elmore, Artistic Director, Theater in
the Rough, Juneau; Andi Story, School Board Member, Juneau
School District; Barb Angaiak, President, NEA Alaska,
Juneau; Kyle Pickett, Music Director, Juneau Symphony; Ryan
Conarro, Theater Artist, Juneau; Sara Conarro, Arts
Educator, Juneau; Ray DePriest, Director of Career and
Technical Education, Mat-Su School District; Patricia Hull,
Trustee, Juneau Arts and Humanities Council; Lorrie Heagy,
Librarian and Music Teacher, Glacier Valley Elementary
School, Juneau.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Tom Griffiths, President, Kenai Peninsula Food Bank; Ginger
Baim, Executive Director, S.A.F.E., Dillingham; Michelle
DeWitt, Executive Director, Tundra Women's Coalition,
Bethel; Gayle Eastwood, Petersburg; Jessica Clark, Infant
Learning Program, Ketchikan; Jill Showman, President, Mat-Su
Education Association, Wasilla; Billie Haan, Mat-Su School
District, Palmer; Rebecca Blohm, Wasilla; Carl Crosman,
Glennallen; Michael Johnson, Superintendent, Copper River
School District, Glennallen; Candace Winkler, Alaska Child
Care Resource Network, Anchorage; Eugene Paul, Holy Cross;
Jessie Menkens, Anchorage; Nelson Augapak Sr, Vice
President, Alaska Federation of Natives, Anchorage; Leslie
Hajdukovich, President, Fairbanks School Board; Nancy
Wagner, Superintendent, Fairbanks North Star Borough School
District; Tom Morgan, State Director of Communities in
Schools Alaska, Eagle River; Sarah Scanlan, Rural Alaska
Community Action Program, Anchorage; Judy Cordell, AWAIC,
Anchorage; Pat Holmes, Kodiak; Stewart McDonald,
Superintendent, Kodiak Island Borough School District,
Kodiak; Amelia Topkok, College of Rural and Community
Development Health Programs, UA Fairbanks; Bob Beach,
Fairbanks; Don Shircel, Director of Client Development,
Tanana Chiefs Conference, Fairbanks; Dr. Norman Eck,
Superintendent, NW Arctic Borough School District, Kotzebue;
Brenda Stanfield, Interior Center for Nonviolent Living,
Fairbanks; Stephanie Burglund, Anchorage; Jackie Stewart,
Catalyst Business Consulting, Anchorage; Rhonda Hubbard,
Fisheries, Seward; Britney Goodnight, Chugiak.
GENERAL SUBJECT(S):
The following overview was taken in log note format.
Handouts will be on file with the House Finance Committee
through the 26th Legislative Session, contact 465-6814.
After the 26th Legislative Session they will be available
through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.
HB 199 "An Act making supplemental appropriations and
capital appropriations; amending appropriations;
and providing for an effective date."
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
TIME SPEAKER DISCUSSION
1:41:29 PM DAVE NEWTON, Voiced his support for education and
DIRECTOR OF special education funds. He stressed
STUDENT immediate and critical needs for
SERVICES, special education funds, which he felt
JUNEAU SCHOOL the stimulus package could meet.
DISTRICT
1:43:32 PM Representative Asked if there were strings to the
Gara special education stimulus money.
1:44:08 PM Mr. Newton Replied that the stipulations are
similar to current Part B money. This
is to offset local or state special
education funds.
1:44:47 PM Representative Questioned what kind of special
Gara education programs would be implemented
with the stimulus funds.
1:44:58 PM Mr. Newton Emphasized critical understaffing in
speech and language. He indicated the
need in the area of assessments. In
addition there are renewal issues in
the districts in consistent materials
and assessment of site levels in each
school and mentoring for new teachers.
1:46:27 PM Co-Chair Asked about his desire for hiring more
Hawker people and wondered what would happened
to them in 18 months when money no
longer there.
1:46:36 PM Mr. Newton Remarked that it depends on a number of
different issues. In the mentoring,
looking at using funds for structuring
for next few years then existing staff
after that. Speech and language will be
student dependent.
1:47:36 PM Co-Chair Questioned if Mr. Newton understood the
Hawker stimulus money is one time money and no
commitment from state to continue it.
Mr. Newton Replied he understood.
1:47:56 PM Co-Chair Asked if his school district would sign
Hawker a paper stating they would not come
back to the state to ask for additional
funds.
Mr. Newton Replied that he could not speak for the
school district.
1:48:33 PM Co-Chair Counseled that the legislature needs
Hawker assurance that people understand this
is one-time money.
1:48:49 PM Representative Agreed with Co-Chair Hawker on making
Fairclough sure this is a one-time appropriation.
She voiced her concern on new programs
being developed with this money. She
asked how much money the Juneau school
district received last year and what
improvements had been made with that
money.
1:50:04 PM Mr. Newton Replied he would have to refer to the
school district finance officer.
1:50:32 PM Representative Declared that any school district
Fairclough coming before the legislature asking
for stimulus money to get this
information.
1:50:58 PM Co-Chair Suggested that school reinvestment
Hawker began two years ago not seven years.
1:51:09 PM Representative Assumed that school districts grant
Joule money and not just rely on the state to
run programs. He believed school
districts are accustomed to getting
short term funds and making the
adjustment.
Mr. Newton Agreed.
1:51:50 PM Representative Concurred with asking for things like
Gara curriculum upgrades. He did not believe
the legislature could ask schools to
not come back in two years and ask for
more money. Schools present their need
and the legislature decides how much to
fund.
1:53:00 PM Representative Urged remembering FY09 and FY10
Kelly projections for $2 billion deficits
while spending stimulus funds. He
believed the school district has grown
dramatically in recent years and
wanted assurances that schools did not
think they had been handed a credit
card to grow the budget further.
1:55:50 PM PEGGY BROWN, Requested that federal stimulus funds
EXECUTIVE be accepted for the Council on Domestic
DIRECTOR, Violence and Sexual Assault and Public
ALASKA NETWORK Safety. She indicated the strain of
ON DOMESTIC economic distress and accelerated
VIOLENCE & domestic violence. She requested
SEXUAL ASSAULT stimulus funds to fill existing
positions and provide employment and
training in urban areas, rural
villages, and small Alaskan
communities. The money will not be used
to expand services, but to absorb the
impact of domestic violence in the
state. She urged funding the Stop Grant
and CDVSA. She appreciated the increase
in law enforcement.
2:00:37 PM ANN GIFFORD, Encouraged acceptance of all federal
ATTORNEY, stimulus funds for arts and education.
JUNEAU Many school districts are looking at
cuts, which can be prevented by
stimulus money. She also urged support
for funding special education,
especially for teacher training.
2:02:47 PM Co-Chair Commented that the legislature can not
Hawker compel the governor to receive or spend
the money; it is 100 percent up to the
governor to apply for, received, and
spend the money.
2:03:35 PM Representative Agreed it is up to the executive branch
Gara but also up to the public to put
pressure on the government.
2:04:15 PM WOODY WILSON, Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
SUPERINTENDENTfunding for education. He would like to
, WRANGELL employ a special education teacher to
PUBLIC SCHOOLS assist in long-range plans and to train
regular education teachers for the next
two years. He would like to reimburse
the tuition for teachers to become
endorsed in special education, to hire
a coordinator for career-learning
programs and to offer programs to
smaller communities, to hire a reading
coordinator, and use stabilization
funds for career development. He
declared short-time money could be used
to replace equipment and improve the
technology infrastructure. Wrangell is
working on distance education; the
stimulus money could be used for this.
In addition, math and science
coordinators could be hired. He noted
increases in salary and health care
costs.
2:12:00 PM Co-Chair Asked if Mr. Wilson and the school
Hawker board would be willing to sign an
affidavit acknowledging the one-time
nature of the funds and not ask for
more money next year.
Mr. Wilson Replied that his school board, as
elected officials, would have to answer
the question.
2:13:10 PM NANCY Advocated acceptance of all money for
DECHERNEY, arts and education. The money asked for
EXECUTIVE is very specific with stringent
DIRECTOR, guidelines. She mentioned
JUNEAU ARTS infrastructure as one use.
AND HUMANITIES
COUNCIL
2:14:31 PM Representative Asked if all the arts money is under
Gara one grant item.
Ms. Decherney Replied that $300,000 is in one grant.
2:15:12 PM TOM GRIFFITHS, Described concerns of the food bank in
PRESIDENT, Soldotna. He related the project and
BOARD OF mission to serve the hungry in the
DIRECTORS, peninsula. He declared that food is
KENAI provided to 65 different agencies and
PENINSULA FOOD noted an increase of those needing
BANK help. He discussed a construction
project.
2:18:13 PM Co-Chair Did not believe the bill applies to
Hawker this type of request. He described a
legislative clearinghouse for community
organizations to find what direct
funding might be available in the
stimulus package.
2:19:28 PM Representative Provided the phone number for the
Fairclough Alaska Clearinghouse at 1-888-480-4321
on Friday.
2:20:07 PM GINGER BAIM, Asked that state accept all the funds
EXECUTIVE for public safety and sexual assault
DIRECTOR, programs. She urged understanding that
S.A.F.E., non-profits are used to the
DILLINGHAM stipulations of one-time funding. She
stressed that her organization is ready
and able to accept the funds.
2:22:55 PM Co-Chair Asserted that the governor does not
Hawker make much time for the legislature so
suggested that people reach out to her
directly.
2:23:24 PM MICHELLE Urged acceptance of funds for public
DEWITT, safety. She has been inundated with
EXECUTIVE requests for help from shelters. She
DIRECTOR, reported that most grant agreements are
TUNDRA WOMEN'S one-year grants.
COALITION,
BETHEL
2:25:08 PM GAYLE Urged acceptance of funds for
EASTWOOD, fertilizer for agriculture. Waste from
PETERSBURG fish processing can be turned into
fertilizer providing new jobs as well
as help for farmers. The quality of
grain and feed would improve.
Co-Chair Referred her to the clearinghouse.
Hawker
2:27:49 PM JESSICA CLARK, Urged support for education funding.
EARLY LEARNING She believed there could be an increase
PROGRAM, in professionalism with training. She
KETCHIKAN noted that money spent from birth-3
years pays off later in life; early
intervention makes a big difference for
young people. She indicated she is not
in the position to say they would not
be back to ask for more funds, but
would like this money available now.
2:30:20 PM AARON ELMORE, Encouraged support for arts and
ARTISTIC education funding. He believed arts and
DIRECTOR, education makes people human and better
THEATER IN THE citizens. He urged the use of the money
ROUGH, JUNEAU to change young people's lives.
2:33:18 PM ANDI STORY, Urged acceptance of the stimulus funds
SCHOOL BOARD for education. She listed possible uses
MEMBER, JUNEAU for the funding: staff development,
SCHOOL including a science coach for
DISTRICT elementary teachers and training for
reading and writing; capital funding,
including for technology
infrastructure; one-time expenditures,
including for drug and alcohol
counselors; and other programs that are
slated to be cut. She commented that
increases in education funding are
still resulting in cuts in districts.
2:36:48 PM BARB ANGAIAK, Thanked the efforts of the legislature
PRESIDENT, NEA for funding education in the past. She
ALASKA, JUNEAU has contacted the governor to accept
all funds for education. She
appreciated the increased school
funding, but pointed out that it has
not enabled school districts to develop
programs and staff development. The
money will be re-allocated to other
states if not accepted.
2:40:11 PM Co-Chair Agreed money will be reallocated, but
Hawker cautioned that taking the money could
leave schools in a more precarious
financial situation in future.
Ms. Angaiak Did not think that investing in
training and curriculum materials could
ever put school districts in a
precarious situation.
2:40:56 PM Co-Chair Referred to hiring new employees that
Hawker would need to be paid after the funds
ran out. He asked if NEA would be
willing to demand that school districts
put the money into curriculum
development, maintenance, equipment,
and training, and not use the money for
expanding employment.
2:42:41 PM Ms. Angaisak Reminded the committee that she has no
way of compelling a school district to
do what they do not want to do. She
believed the funds were for these types
of projects.
Ms. Angaisak explained she did not have
a way to control school districts
actions. Co-Chair Hawker appreciated
her non answer.
Co-Chair Indicated that he was extremely
Hawker troubled that she could not give an
answer to the question. He wanted
commitment to utilizing this money for
its intended use. He asked again if she
would go to schools with his request.
2:43:03 PM Representative Disagreed with Co-Chair Hawker and
Gara believed the school districts have the
most knowledge and ability to spend the
money to best educate the children over
the long run.
Co-Chair Stressed that the governor has the
Hawker authority to spend the money and he was
trying to coach those requesting money
on how to get the governor on their
side.
2:44:14 PM KYLE PICKETT, Urged acceptance of the arts and
MUSIC education funding. He described the
DIRECTOR, possibility of up to 30,000 arts groups
JUNEAU folding in the country due to lack of
SYMPHONY funds. He stressed the importance of
money for the arts. He explained how
National Endowment for the Arts money
is dispersed; small groups are not
usually on the map. He stressed how the
arts are supported by grants from state
arts councils.
2:48:49 PM JILL SHOWMAN, Testified in support of funding for
PRESIDENT, education. The MatSu schools anticipate
MAT-SU the elimination of four nurse
EDUCATION positions; the stimulus money would
ASSOCIATION, allow them to stay on staff and prepare
WASILLA for the next two years. The schools
need nurses to keep children safe. The
money would also allow additional
security staffing. The district is also
looking at Title 1 funds and using
funds for professional development.
2:51:51 PM BILLIE HAAN, Testified in support of funding for
MAT-SU SCHOOL education. She would lose her job
DISTRICT, without the stimulus money and this
PALMER would help her family, even if it was
only for two years. She understood this
was one-time money and urged the
committee to accept the full amount.
2:53:19 PM REBECCA BLOHM, Spoke in support of using the education
WASILLA stimulus money. She detailed the
benefits of funding special programs.
She spoke of the use of Title 1 funds.
She presently volunteers in the school,
but the stimulus money may allow her to
be employed, even if only for two
years.
2:55:30 PM CARL CROSMAN, Thought the stimulus money should be
GLENNALLEN spent on self-sustaining renewable
energy projects. He listed three
potential projects.
2:57:48 PM MICHAEL Urged caution for the long-term
JOHNSON, consequences of using the stimulus
SUPERINTENDENTfunds for the state and its children.
, COPPER RIVER However, he supported acceptance of
SCHOOL education funds because it is temporary
DISTRICT, money. He noted that all children will
GLENNALLEN pay the consequences of the bill in the
future so it was important to allow
Alaskan children to benefit from what
they will one day pay for. His district
focused on staff development,
instructional technology, and enhancing
summer and after school activities.
3:00:08 PM RYAN CONARRO, Spoke in support of the one-time
THEATER funding for the arts in the stimulus
ARTIST, JUNEAU package. He spoke of the National
Endowment for the Arts. He stressed
that he was "job ready" and listed the
benefits to students from arts
programs.
3:03:08 PM SARA CONARRO, Echoed support for federal economic
ARTS EDUCATOR, stimulus money for the arts. She spoke
JUNEAU of the benefits to children from the
arts.
3:04:38 PM CANDACE Testified in support of the early care
WINKLER, and education program in the stimulus
ALASKA CHILD plan, particularly the child care
CARE RESOURCE development block grant fund. She did
NETWORK, not see a problem with short-term
ANCHORAGE funding. She described child-care
programs and ways to use the funding,
including training and distance
delivery technology.
3:07:29 PM EUGENE PAUL, Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
TRIBAL CHIEF, funding for education. He also spoke
HOLY CROSS in support of federal economic stimulus
TRIBAL COUNCIL money for the arts, especially native
crafts in the village. Funding is on a
yearly basis and the stimulus money is
needed in rural areas.
3:09:04 PM JESSIE Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
MENKENS, funding for education, especially for
ANCHORAGE child care development block grants.
She stated concerns about childcare
assistance rates.
3:11:07 PM NELSON AUGAPAK Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
SR, VICE funding for education. He stated that
PRESIDENT, AFN is in support of accepting all ARRA
ALASKA funds. He testified in support of
FEDERATION OF acceptance of federal economic stimulus
NATIVES (AFN), money for the arts. He noted the high
ANCHORAGE rates of unemployment, especially for
Native Alaskans. He asked for
acceptance of federal stimulus funds to
address unemployment, particularly in
rural Alaska.
3:17:44 PM LESLIE Spoke in support of accepting education
HAJDUKOVICH, funds. She noted the district is
PRESIDENT, looking for ways to spend the money
FAIRBANKS without expanding programs. Some
SCHOOL BOARD programs could be extended that are now
being cut. The point of the stimulus is
to stimulate the economy. She noted
that the district regularly uses one-
time money; the district will look
carefully at programs that will not
expand future funding, such as teacher
training and technology upgrades.
3:20:53 PM NANCY WAGNER, Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
SUPERINTENDENTfunding for education. They are able to
, FAIRBANKS use funds without encumbering the
NORTH STAR future. Title 1 funds will go a long
BOROUGH SCHOOL way to address some of needs,
DISTRICT especially in special education.
Funding graduation coaches for two more
years will help many to graduates
during the funding period. Funding will
increase the skills of teachers.
3:23:37 PM TOM MORGAN, Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
STATE DIRECTOR funding for education. He stressed the
OF COMMUNITIES importance of reading and graduation
IN SCHOOLS results and urged funding for the
ALASKA, EAGLE imagination library.
RIVER
3:26:12 PM SARAH SCANLAN, Testified in support of accepting
RURAL ALASKA various stimulus funds. She provided an
COMMUNITY overview of Rural CAP services, and
ACTION spoke to two stimulus allocations.
PROGRAM, First, she addressed $3.9 million in
ANCHORAGE community service block grant funds,
which are available to Rural CAP as
Alaska's only eligible agency, for
moving low-income people toward self
sufficiently. She assured the committee
that no new jobs would be created to
keep these programs. She addressed
details regarding the $18.5 million
weatherization allocation. The stimulus
funds address immediate short-term
needs with long-term impact.
Co-Chair Assured her that the weatherization
Hawker grants do not require statutory or
regulatory change.
3:31:07 PM JUDY CORDELL, Echoed support for federal economic
AWAIC, stimulus money for sexual assault and
ANCHORAGE domestic violence. The funds would be
used for one-time purchases and
building repairs.
3:33:16 PM PAT HOLMES, Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
KODIAK funding for education, health, public
safety, and energy conservation. He
addressed items that the governor did
not want included and asked for a
specific list. He urged looking at
weatherization funding and funding for
special education.
Co-Chair Referred to a list on the Office of
Hawker Management and Budget website.
3:38:36 PM STEWART Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
MCDONALD, funding for education. He emphasized
SUPERINTENDENTthat Title 1 and Title 6B funds go up
, KODIAK and down each year and are outside the
ISLAND BOROUGH general fund budget. The funds also
SCHOOL address unexpected needs for special
DISTRICT, education. The primary use for Title 6B
KODIAK money in the district would be to meet
No Child Left Behind requirements in
the area of special education math.
Expenditures would focus on a two-year
emphasis. Some money would be used in
the developmental pre-school program.
He assured the committee that the
school board has given the mandate not
to grow the budget.
3:41:51 PM Co-Chair Appreciated the understanding of the
Hawker temporal nature of the funds.
3:42:19 PM RAY DEPRIEST, Spoke for the Mat-Su Superintendent of
DIRECTOR OF schools, who understands that the funds
CAREER AND sunset in 2011. He believed the funds
TECHNICAL will enhance the drop-out prevention
EDUCATION, program, special education programs,
MAT-SU SCHOOL the workforce youth program for job
DISTRICT training, and early childhood
education. The district is accustomed
to dealing with grant funds and
welcomes increased scrutiny of programs
for financial audits. He thought the
funding would benefit the economy in
the Mat-Su region as well as students.
Co-Chair Noted the superintendent's letter was
Hawker in the record.
3:45:40 PM Representative Wondered if there was specific money
Gara dedicated to vocational education.
Mr. DePriest Explained that money is in the stimulus
bill for vocational education under the
Workforce Investment Act Grant.
3:46:49 PM PATRICIA HULL, Encouraged acceptance of funds for the
TRUSTEE, arts, specifically for the Alaska State
JUNEAU ARTS Council on the Arts. She pointed out
AND HUMANITIES the experience arts and humanities
COUNCIL groups have in dealing with short-term
and changing funding. The funds will
sustain arts groups through the
financial crisis. Diverse groups come
together through the arts and
humanities; groups and individuals work
together to make the community better.
She listed individuals and groups who
have contributed to the larger good and
explained that often the largest
expense is fuel.
3:50:05 PM LORRIE HEAGY, Asked for acceptance of funds for the
LIBRARIAN AND arts and education. She described her
MUSIC TEACHER, work with parents as a non-profit to
GLACIER VALLEY work with young people to bring artists
ELEMENTARY into the schools. After the first year,
SCHOOL, JUNEAU reading scores rose dramatically. She
has collected data over four years,
including test scores, that demonstrate
how partnering arts and education
significantly helps at-risk kids. Even
if the money stopped in two years, it
would have important impact.
3:54:41 PM AMELIA TOPKOK, Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
COLLEGE OF funding for education. She described
RURAL AND CRCD services through the university,
COMMUNITY including programs within rural high
DEVELOPMENT schools and a summer health academy.
(CRCD) HEALTH The program works frequently with
PROGRAMS, UA short-term grants. She hoped the
FAIRBANKS governor would accept the funds for the
future well-being of the young.
3:58:14 PM BOB BEACH, Urged funding support for veterans. He
FAIRBANKS also wanted a metal smelter on the
North Slope to make equipment from
recycled metals.
4:01:00 PM DON SHIRCEL, Supported the AARA and urged acceptance
DIRECTOR OF of federal stimulus funding for
CLIENT education. He described the division's
DEVELOPMENT, education department, which addresses
TANANA CHIEFS employment, training, and social
CONFERENCE, services. The funds could greatly help
FAIRBANKS for technology upgrades and teacher
training. He expressed the need for
rural school district funding.
4:03:48 PM DR. NORMAN Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
ECK, funding for education. The district is
SUPERINTENDENTscheduled to receive over $600,000 in
, NW ARCTIC Title 1 special education funding both
BOROUGH SCHOOL this year and next, which would be used
DISTRICT, for reading and math materials for
KOTZEBUE special needs students, to purchase
technology infrastructure for distance
learning, and for repairs and teacher
housing. He understands the one-time
use of the funds.
4:05:54 PM BRENDA Urged accepting money for victims of
STANFIELD, violence and sexual assault. The money
INTERIOR could be used for staff training,
CENTER FOR outreach in the communities, public
NONVIOLENT service announcements, and peer
LIVING, counseling groups. The center is also
FAIRBANKS lacking a data system. She also urged
acceptance of federal stimulus funding
for education.
4:09:08 PM STEPHANIE Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
BURGLUND, funding for education.
ANCHORAGE
4:10:21 PM JACKIE Asked for acceptance of in the federal
STEWART, stimulus funds to address unemployment
CATALYST and job creation. She spoke of the
BUSINESS weatherization program and the need to
CONSULTING, develop sustainable energy; fuel costs
ANCHORAGE are hurting businesses significantly.
She hoped for a vision for the state
helping businesses. While working with
the Southeast Small Business
Development Center, she was the only
person covering all of Southeast
Alaska. The program has always been
severely underfunded. She echoed
support for federal economic stimulus
money for all money allowed.
4:16:44 PM RHONDA Indicated her frustration with the ways
HUBBARD, the stimulus package is being used. She
FISHERIES, encouraged not taking funds for
SEWARD programs that can not be sustained. She
believed education funding is a black
hole with child nutrition programs and
social issues. She did support funding
for vocational training. She hoped
legislators would take less of the
funds and use funds in discretion. She
supported sustainable programs dealing
with alcohol addiction.
4:22:52 PM BRITNEY Urged acceptance of federal stimulus
GOODNIGHT, funding for domestic violence and
CHUGIAK education programs.
Co-Chair Closed public testimony.
Hawker
4:30:09 PM Representative Wondered when the shovel-ready projects
Kelly might begin.
th
Co-Chair Believed April 19 would be the time it
Hawker was known what was on the street. He
expressed frustration for the record
with being unable to meet with the
governor.
4:31:55 PM Representative Expressed concern about running down
Kelly the clock and stressed the importance
of putting people to work now during
Alaska's short season.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:31 PM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|