Legislature(1993 - 1994)
04/18/1994 03:00 PM House HES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES
STANDING COMMITTEE
April 18, 1994
3:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Rep. Cynthia Toohey, Co-Chair
Rep. Con Bunde, Co-Chair
Rep. Gary Davis, Vice Chair
Rep. Al Vezey
Rep. Pete Kott
Rep. Harley Olberg
Rep. Irene Nicholia
Rep. Tom Brice
MEMBERS ABSENT
Rep. Bettye Davis
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Rep. Bill Hudson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
*HB 522: "An Act relating to unemployment compensation for
persons employed by educational institutions in
other than educational, research, or principal
administrative capacities."
HEARD AND HELD
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS:
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
State Medical Board
Board of Nursing
Board of Pharmacy
(* First public hearing.)
WITNESS REGISTER
JOAN WILKERSON, Southeast Regional Manager
Alaska Public Employees Association
American Federation of Teachers
211 N. Fourth St., Ste. 306
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 586-2334
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
PAULA CLAYTON, Employee
Mount Edgecumbe High School
102 Sharon Dr.
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Phone: (907) 747-8236
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
(spoke via teleconference)
DUANE GUILEY, Director
Division of Education Finance and Support Services
Department of Education
801 W. 10th St., Suite 200
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1894
Phone: (907) 465-2891
Position statement: Answered questions on HB 522
VERNON MARSHALL, Executive Director
National Education Association/Alaska
114 Second St.
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 586-3090
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
ROSE SMITH, Member
Mat-Su PTA
1150 Gail Dr.
Wasilla, Alaska 99654
Phone: (907) 376-2517
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
(spoke via teleconference)
BILL MONROE
2950 Mariann's Way
Wasilla, Alaska 99654
Phone: (907) 376-4269
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
(spoke via teleconference)
LEN MURRAY
P.O. Box 870523
Wasilla, Alaska 99654
Phone: (907) 376-5063
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
(spoke via teleconference)
ED FLANAGAN, Southeast Representative
Alaska State District Council of Laborers
710 W. Ninth St.
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 586-2860
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
NIKKI PEARSON
190 Trumpeter
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
Phone: (907) 262-9214
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
(spoke via teleconference)
CARL ROSE, Executive Director
Association of Alaska School Board
316 W. 11th
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 586-1083
Position Statement: Testified in opposition to HB 522
SCOTT BIDWELL
2118 S. Cushman
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Phone: (907) 452-2123
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
(spoke via teleconference)
JACKIE NELSON-LAZARDI, Teacher's Aide
Special Education Department
Fort Greeley Elementary School
HC 60 Box 4180
Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
Phone: (907) 895-4217
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
(spoke via teleconference)
SANDY PEVAN, Teacher's Aide
Special Education Department
Mat-Su School District
P.O. Box 871256
Wasilla, Alaska 99654
Phone: (907) 373-6198
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
(spoke via teleconference)
MARK BROWN
P.O. Box 520783
Wasilla, Alaska 99654
Phone: (907) 892-6010
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
(spoke via teleconference)
PAM CONRAD, President
Mat-Su Education Association
P.O. Box 2776
Palmer, Alaska 99645
Phone: (907) 745-2015
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 522
(spoke via teleconference)
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 522
SHORT TITLE: UNEMPL'T COMP: NONCERTIFICATED SCH. EMPS.
SPONSOR(S): LABOR & COMMERCE
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
03/09/94 2683 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
03/09/94 2683 (H) HES, STATE AFFAIRS, FINANCE
04/18/94 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 94-67, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIR BUNDE called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m., noted
members present and announced the calendar. He brought HB
522 to the table.
HB 522 - UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION: NONCERTIFICATED SCHOOL
EMPLOYEES
Number 031
REP. BILL HUDSON addressed HB 522. He stated that he
introduced the legislation upon the request of the
noncertified school district employees. He indicated that
he was unaware that this was one category of state employees
that works nine months of the year and are precluded by law
from drawing unemployment insurance. He explained that
these individuals are not organized, therefore they have no
job protection, and it is difficult for them to find
employment for 10 weeks of the year. He asserted that the
legislation would modify the existing laws and allow those
seasonal workers to receive unemployment benefits.
REP. HUDSON further indicated that there is a "hefty" fiscal
note and the cost would be incurred by the school districts.
He urged the committee that to support the legislation is
the right thing to do. He stated that the legislation would
provide equity for those employees who currently are not
eligible for unemployment benefits.
Number 126
(Chair Bunde indicated that Rep. Olberg arrived at 3:07
p.m.)
CHAIR BUNDE acknowledged the sizable fiscal note and
indicated that it was not his intention to pass the bill
out.
REP. VEZEY asked if he was missing a fiscal note and pointed
out that his bill packet had two zero fiscal notes attached.
REP. HUDSON explained that the zero fiscal notes reflect
that there is no cost to the Department of Labor (DOL). He
said there would be a shared cost between the employee and
employer when the employees are placed in the unemployment
system. He indicated that the school districts would incur
the additional costs.
Number 163
REP. OLBERG indicated that page 2 of the Department of Labor
fiscal note reflects very large sums of money.
CHAIR BUNDE asserted that the figures are in the $3 million
to $5 million range.
REP. VEZEY added that page 2 of the Department of Education
(DOE) also has very large figures.
REP. HUDSON indicated that the fiscal notes "are one in the
same, or should be." He reiterated that the cost falls on
the school districts, not the DOE or the DOL.
REP. G. DAVIS clarified by saying that the workers are not
currently eligible for unemployment insurance and are not
paying for it now, and neither is the employer paying for
it.
REP. HUDSON said the employees are ineligible to receive
unemployment. He reiterated that the legislation would make
these particular seasonal workers eligible for unemployment
benefits.
Number 202
CHAIR BUNDE stated that testimony would be heard via
teleconference from Sitka, Mat-Su, Fairbanks, Kenai, and
Soldotna. He asked for testimony in Juneau.
Number 205
JOAN WILKERSON, Southeast Regional Manager, Alaska Public
Employees Association, American Federation of Teachers,
testified in Juneau in support of HB 522. She stated that
she represents a broad spectrum of public employees
including over 230 classified school district employees in
Juneau. She said over half are employed for nine to ten
months of the year and would be directly affected by the
bill. She explained that the employees are non-teachers who
work with or around students; i.e., teacher's aides,
secretaries, nurses, and custodians. She stated that most
of the employees earn $11.00 to $15.00 per hour for only 10
months of the year. In the summer they receive no
insurance, no retirement benefits, and are presently
ineligible for unemployment insurance. She asserted that
the issue is one of fairness.
MS. WILKERSON asserted that federal law permits states to
award unemployment insurance to these individuals. She
maintained that there is no fiscal note attached to the
bill. She further argued that the proposal would better the
working conditions for the lowest paid segment of public
employees who devote their working lives to working with and
around Alaska school children. She urged the committee to
support HB 522.
Number 275
CHAIR BUNDE mentioned that he had a 23 year teaching career
and worked 22 summers. He acknowledged that seasonal work
does involve multiple jobs.
REP. G. DAVIS referred to the zero fiscal note and asked if
the current unemployment system is paying for itself. He
asked if revenues are covering expenses. He said if the
current system is paying for itself and the legislation is
taken on as an additional program, he would agree that the
legislation is cost neutral. But if the current system is
not paying for itself, an additional program would "make us
go further in the red."
MS. WILKERSON asked if Rep. G. Davis was asking if the
current system was paying for itself.
REP. G. DAVIS said yes.
MS. WILKERSON stated that she did not have the answer to
that question.
Number 324
REP. BRICE said he believed the current unemployment
insurance system does pay for itself, for the STEP program,
and for various other employment programs.
(Chair Bunde indicated that Rep. Toohey arrived at 3:11
p.m.)
CHAIR BUNDE asked for testimony from Sitka.
Number 330
PAULA CLAYTON, Employee, Mount Edgecumbe High School,
testified via teleconference in support of HB 522. She
stated that she is a seasonal worker and does not receive
benefits and is unable to collect unemployment. She
asserted that yearly seasonal employees must reevaluate
whether or not they should keep their job, as it is
difficult to find a summer job for such a short period of
time. She urged the committee to support the legislation.
CHAIR BUNDE indicated that there would be a decrease in
wages to support contributions to unemployment insurance.
MS. CLAYTON said to her knowledge she has been paying into
unemployment through her paycheck. She said she was unsure
as to whether the school pays into unemployment for her.
CHAIR BUNDE said he would research the issue as that was not
his understanding.
CHAIR BUNDE asked Duane Guiley to address the issue.
Number 400
DUANE GUILEY, Director, Division of Education Finance and
Support Services, Department of Education, testified in
Juneau on HB 522. He stated that there are two choices for
unemployment compensation coverage that each employer in the
public school districts has. One choice is called the
reimbursable method where the district pays each dollar of
unemployment claims that are filed on behalf of the
districts by their prior employees. The second choice is
the percentage of payroll method where the district pays a
fixed percentage of their payroll based upon their claims
history. He said school district employees are not paying
for unemployment compensation coverage out of their
paychecks. He indicated that the coverage was being paid
for directly by their employer.
Number 437
CHAIR BUNDE asked if the employer was paying for
unemployment insurance currently.
MR. GUILEY specified that it was currently being paid by the
reimbursable method by most employers in the school
districts. He explained that for the employees that file
claims, the district is billed quarterly by the Unemployment
Division and then they cut a check and pay back the claims.
He reiterated that the employees do not pay for the coverage
out of their paychecks.
CHAIR BUNDE asked, if the legislation passed, would the
seasonal employees be required to pay for coverage out of
their paychecks.
MR. GUILEY answered no. He said the employer would pay the
total price tag out of their "existing foundation dollars."
CHAIR BUNDE asked if the state charge for unemployment
compensation would increase if the seasonal employees were
allowed to be compensated.
MR. GUILEY said yes.
CHAIR BUNDE observed that there would be less money going to
salaries.
MR. GUILEY agreed.
Number 477
REP. BRICE asked if the school districts are currently
paying for unemployment coverage.
MR. GUILEY indicated that districts pay actual claims under
the reimbursable method, but there may still be some
districts that use the percentage of payroll method, in
which case the DOL would determine an experience rating and
would adjust the premium for the percentage of total payroll
based on the actual number of claims filed. The districts
would only pay for the claims being made by their prior
employees.
CHAIR BUNDE added that if the bill passes, the claims would
go up significantly.
Number 516
REP. NICHOLIA asked if under the percentage of payroll
method, would the employees be paying for unemployment
coverage from their paycheck.
MR. GUILEY explained that under the percentage of payroll
method, employees are not paying a specific share. The
employer is paying a specific share based on their
experience. He said then the employer must balance their
total resources between all their expenditures, which are
salaries and benefits.
REP. NICHOLIA referred to Ms. Clayton's testimony and asked
if she and others were paying for unemployment insurance.
MR. GUILEY said it was not his understanding that those
employees were paying for unemployment out of their
paychecks.
Number 539
VERNON MARSHALL, Executive Director, National Education
Association/Alaska (NEA-AK), testified in Juneau in support
of HB 522. He stated that the legislation corrects an
inequity. He indicated that the problem started in the
early 1970's when educational support or seasonal employees
qualified for unemployment during the summer months. He
said that policy changed in the 1970's as a disqualifier was
provided for where an individual would not qualify to file
if there was a break in service or a period of time between
two successive academic years. He stated that in 1991,
President Bush signed the Emergency Employment Compensation
Act that lifted the prohibition and provided opportunity for
states to further explore the issue again.
MR. MARSHALL further stated that there have been exemptions
made for noncertificated employees, which are listed in the
position statement that the NEA-AK provided to the committee
in their bill packets. For example, those who taught
indigenous languages were given an opportunity to qualify
for unemployment benefits if they were employed by a school
district.
MR. MARSHALL indicated that noncertificated employees do not
accrue retirement credit or compensation from the school
district during the summer. He explained that it is
difficult for a cafeteria worker, secretary, teacher's aide,
custodian, or a mechanic to secure limited one to three
month employment opportunities in the private or public
sectors. He explained that the reality of the situation is
that these individuals must stretch personal and family
budgets in order to pay for twelve months of family
expenses. He felt that noncertificated school employees are
permanent Alaska residents. Benefits provided them would be
spent in local economies.
MR. MARSHALL stated that the book "Unemployment Insurance
Actuarial Study and Finance" published in 1992 indicated
that Alaska provided interstate unemployment benefits. He
said approximately $25.5 million in benefits went out of
Alaska to virtually every state in the country and Canada.
He asserted that it is unfair to provide benefits in that
manner while noncertificated school employees are being
denied unemployment benefits. He further explained that the
book indicates that the maximum salary that benefits are
calculated on is $22,000 and above. That would be $212.00
per week plus $24.00 for dependents, providing for up to
three dependents. He felt that the money would provide for
basic family necessities. He also felt that the level of
benefits would not cause a person to choose unemployment
over the opportunity to work.
MR. MARSHALL said that it is difficult to estimate the
direct financial cost to the school districts. Since some
employees will likely not apply for benefits for numerous
reasons and other employees will not be available for work
during the summer, it's difficult to calculate use.
MR. MARSHALL further stated that these individuals are
forced to rely on another working spouse or another short
term job during the summer months. The extension of
benefits would simply protect those who are unable to find
work and want to work. He also indicated that if a
noncertificated employee is fired, they would qualify for
unemployment benefits.
Number 808
REP. TOOHEY indicated that a mother of two children whose
salary is $17,000 per year would qualify for welfare
benefits while she's working.
MR. MARSHALL said that there are many noncertificated school
employees that qualify for food stamps and welfare. He
indicated that many of those people want to work and do not
ask for public assistance.
CHAIR BUNDE clarified that teachers do not collect
unemployment because of the reasonable expectation of
unemployment.
MR. MARSHALL concurred.
CHAIR BUNDE said, "I also hear you saying that because of
the financial difference, teachers make more money, so they
shouldn't qualify. But, these people make less than they
should."
MR. MARSHALL explained that there are many variables. He
said many teachers continue to go to school to improve their
credentials.
CHAIR BUNDE observed that there is a reasonable expectation
for reemployment for school secretaries, as some have been
working for the school district for 20 years.
MR. MARSHALL asserted that currently a person can work for
nine months on the North Slope and then collect a $212.00
weekly benefit in Arkansas for a couple of months and return
when the opportunity arises. He felt the same opportunity
should be offered to noncertificated school employees.
Number 891
CHAIR BUNDE referred to the problems facing the state budget
and school funding. He asked if Mr. Marshall knew that
school funding would not increase next year and that any
money for the program would be taken out of other school
programs, would he still support the legislation.
Number 900
MR. MARSHALL maintained that the issue is one that he would
like to take back to his membership and let them debate the
issue.
CHAIR BUNDE asked for further questions.
Number 905
REP. VEZEY asked what the dollar amount was for unemployment
benefits that are paid to people out-of-state.
MR. MARSHALL said the figure is $25.4 million.
Number 917
ROSE SMITH, Member, Mat-Su PTA, testified via teleconference
in support of HB 522. She stated that she is a nine month
employee with the Mat-Su School District. She stated that
she does have the option of continuing her health coverage
over the summer for one-half the cost to herself. She said
if she does not have a job, she cannot cover that cost. She
explained that summer jobs are difficult to come by as
employers are reluctant to hire a person for such a short
period of time. She indicated that she does plan to return
to her job in September.
Number 944
BILL MONROE, concerned citizen, testified via teleconference
in support of HB 522. He stated that fire fighters and
other state seasonal workers are entitled to unemployment
insurance. He regarded the bill as an equity issue for
school district employees who are paid much less than most
seasonal workers. He further indicated that fire fighters
and various other seasonal workers have the opportunity to
work overtime and noncertificated school employees do not.
He encouraged the committee to address the equity issue.
MR. MONROE also indicated that teachers receive retirement
credit for twelve months, whereas seasonal school employees
only receive them for the number of months worked. He
explained that an attempt was made to rectify that matter
with SB 187. He said that he and co-workers feel that if
they cannot have equity regarding retirement, then they
should have equity regarding unemployment insurance. He
further indicated that the Supplemental Interim Benefits
(SIB) program was available when "times were better." He
felt that if times do get better in the near future, that
program could be utilized. He acknowledged the economic
problems facing the state, but urged the committee to
support HB 522.
Number 990
CHAIR BUNDE asked if Mr. Monroe was referring to wild fire
fire fighters in his testimony.
MR. MONROE said, "If they're state workers, they're eligible
for unemployment insurance. That's all I know. So, to
answer your question, yes."
CHAIR BUNDE added that those fire fighters are the ones that
are hired in the summer and are laid off in the winter.
MR. MONROE said yes.
CHAIR BUNDE asserted that this issue may be part of the
problem. He asked for further testimony.
Number 995
LEN MURRAY, concerned citizen, testified via teleconference
in support of HB 522. He stated that many of the
noncertificated school employees work for wages that only
support their housing, food, and small bills throughout the
nine or ten month period. He said their wages do not allow
for them to save money that would cover their expenses
during the summer. He explained that many of the workers
must find jobs at minimum wage, but that amount does not
cover their expenses. He indicated that this year the
unemployment rate was between eight and nine percent. He
asked how many of these people will be able to find jobs for
the summer.
Number 026
CHAIR BUNDE asked for further testimony.
Number 027
ED FLANAGAN, Southeast Representative, Alaska State District
Council of Laborers, testified in Juneau in support of HB
522. He stated that he represents Public Employees Local
71. He explained that Local 71 represents 300 maintenance
employees in the Anchorage school district, primarily
janitorial and light maintenance building officers. He
indicate that when the supplemental benefits were terminated
it had a devastating effect on many people. He asserted
that those employees work in the summer when they can, but
he questioned what their fate will be when they are unable
to find work.
MR. FLANAGAN indicated that teacher's salaries are
annualized. He explained that many of the noncertificated
employees used to be 12 month employees but have been cut
back. He said, "I think the department's fiscal note,
there's no explanation of how they arrived at the 65%
figure. But, $3.9 million is nearly twice what the cost was
when the state was reimbursing under general funds for this,
when they stopped doing it in approximately 1985, and
unemployment insurance has only gone up between six and
twelve percent in that time. So, I think this is a high
number. I think the folks, when they can, work or go on
unemployment, they have to, if they can find work. It's not
only that they have to be available, they have to be out and
seek employment. And, our folks will do that because the
wages they make are just not enough to sustain them on a
year when they're only working nine months a year." He
acknowledged that correcting inequities costs money, but the
cost would be spread amongst the districts.
Number 075
CHAIR BUNDE asked for further testimony.
Number 076
NIKKI PEARSON, Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association
(KPESA), testified via teleconference in support of HB 522.
She stated that she has been a member of the Kenai Peninsula
School District for 15 years, and at one time she worked 12
months of the year. She indicated that she was cut back to
nine months, which is the equivalent of 320 hours lost
annually. She said the decrease brought her down close to
the poverty level. She asserted that during summer months
bills still have to be paid and she knows many people who
have taken out loans because they were unable to find summer
work. She expressed how serious a problem the issue is and
urged the committee to pass HB 522.
Number 116
CHAIR BUNDE asked what Ms. Pearson's position was in the
school district.
MS. PEARSON said she is the head custodian for an elementary
school, which is a ten month position.
CHAIR BUNDE asked for further testimony.
TAPE 94-67, SIDE B
Number 000
CARL ROSE, Executive Director, Association of Alaska School
Board (AASB), testified in Juneau in opposition to HB 522.
He stated that it is very difficult to estimate what the
cost of the legislation would be. He observed that school
district budgets are currently inadequate to perform under
status quo. He referred to the passage of HB 505 and
thanked the committee members for their consideration. He
explained that currently many school districts choose the
reimbursement method of unemployment. He said if the bill
were to pass they would have to reconsider which method to
use.
MR. ROSE said that the legislation includes additional costs
that cannot be covered. He asserted that the districts
cannot keep pace with inflation. He said it would cost a
considerable amount to address the fairness issue and that
if the state would be willing to help, "we would appreciate
the help." He stated that as things stand now, he opposes
the legislation.
Number 055
REP. VEZEY indicated that unemployment benefits were set up
as insurance for those people who could not predict when
they would lose their jobs. He explained that individuals
would pay into a pool that would pay a stipend to them while
they were temporarily unemployed. He asserted that this
issue is very predictable. He said there would be no
difference in writing a law requiring school districts to
give their employees a pay raise. He said there would be no
difference in paying the individuals for the 12 weeks that
they are unemployed and paying them 25% more wages during
the time that they are employed. He maintained that the
legislature is being asked to grant a pay raise through
statute, not to insure those who unexpectedly lose their
jobs.
MR. ROSE asserted that if the bill passed, it would increase
costs without any additional revenue. He stated that if
there were mandates from the state, districts would expect
financial assistance. He felt the legislation is a good
idea, but under status quo it is not economically feasible,
as there would be no additional revenue to cover the
expense.
CHAIR BUNDE suggested that another option would be to
increase local contribution.
MR. ROSE chose not to address that issue but indicated that
it is another area of concern for the AASB.
CHAIR BUNDE asked for further testimony.
Number 139
SCOTT BIDWELL, concerned citizen, testified via
teleconference in support of HB 522. He stated that
noncertified school employees have incurred numerous cuts in
hours and pay. He explained that many individuals in
Fairbanks now work for 82% of what they made six years ago
as they were cut back from 12 to nine or ten months. He
explained that those workers have tried to obtain a 12 month
pay option, which means that a person is paid over a 12
month period for nine or ten months of work. He maintained
that there has been no cooperation from the district in that
regard. He further explained that there are approximately
380 nine or ten month employees and most have not chosen to
work that length of time as they used to be 12 month
employees.
Number 191
CHAIR BUNDE observed that districts often allow teachers the
option of taking their salary over a 12 month period. He
asked if Mr. Bidwell's district allows seasonal employees to
take their salaries over a 12 month period.
MR. BIDWELL said no. He indicated that the district said
that method would be more costly.
CHAIR BUNDE suggested that if Mr. Bidwell needed legislative
support for that issue, he would volunteer Rep. Brice to
address the problem. He asked for further testimony.
Number 219
JACKIE NELSON-LAZARDI, Teacher's Aide, Special Education
Department, Fort Greeley Elementary School, testified via
teleconference in support of HB 522. She stated that
noncertificated employees are selected first when there are
budget crunches in school districts. She said there is a
history of discrimination against seasonal employees in the
areas of benefits, retirement credit, job security,
contracting out, the right to bargain, and unemployment
compensation. She asserted that noncertificated employees
have no employment or unemployment compensation for up to
one-fourth of each year.
MS. NELSON-LAZARDI stated that even the most aggressive job
seekers among them cannot find an employer who wishes to
hire an employee for a period of only two or three months.
She indicated that any employment that is found is
traditionally filled by students. She further explained
that she is a single mother with two children and has been
forced to take such positions and has then had to pay a
babysitter 60% or more of her wages. Although she does
qualify for public assistance during those times, her pride
does not allow her to take advantage of the benefits.
Instead, she has opted to take the first three to four
months of each school year to try and "catch up" and repeat
the same scenario year after year. She felt the legislation
would help to enhance her family's quality of life through
an "earned" benefit and not a "hand-out." She strongly
urged the passage of HB 522.
Number 303
CHAIR BUNDE asked Ms. Nelson-Lazardi what her job position
is.
MS. NELSON-LAZARDI stated that she has been a Teacher's Aide
in the Special Education Department for the past 15 years.
CHAIR BUNDE asked for further testimony.
Number 310
SANDY PEVAN, Teacher's Aide, Special Education Department,
Mat-Su School District, testified via teleconference in
support of HB 522. She stated that she has been working in
the Mat-Su district for approximately 17 years. She
indicated that she has 9.1 years accrued in her retirement
plan. She stressed that the issue is one of equity. She
said if she cannot receive an equitable share of retirement,
she should at least be able to make her house payment during
the summer.
Number 347
CHAIR BUNDE asked for testimony from Mark Brown.
Number 348
MARK BROWN, concerned citizen, testified via teleconference
in support of HB 522. He stated that many seasonal
employees seek jobs elsewhere and some do stay at home
during the summer. He indicated that the money that would
be paid during the summer months if the bill is passed would
be spent in local economies.
Number 355
PAM CONRAD, President, Mat-Su Education Association,
testified via teleconference in support of HB 522. She
stated that the teachers of the Mat-Su School District
support the legislation. She asserted that noncertificated
employees are living at the poverty level and that they are
friends and co-workers. She described the anxiety and pain
that families go through when they anticipate and go through
the financially difficult summer. She said that many of her
friends are forced to consider going on welfare, of which
they "have way to much pride to accept." She said some
parents leave the town and their children to find jobs
elsewhere for the summer. She asserted that the situation
is inequitable. She stated that the Mat-Su Education
Association urges the committee to pass HB 522.
Number 412
CHAIR BUNDE asked for further testimony. There being none,
he closed public testimony. He acknowledged that the issue
was one of equity, but indicated that because of the
challenges facing this year's school budget, there was no
possibility that the committee would move HB 522 forward.
He stated that hopefully next year's budget could facilitate
the change. He then brought the confirmation hearings to
the table.
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
CHAIR BUNDE observed that all members had the opportunity to
study the qualifications of the appointees. He said he
would read the names of the nominees into the record. He
told the committee to feel free to stop him if there were
any comments or questions. If there were no objections, he
said the committee would then transmit the appointees' names
to the Speaker of the House with individual recommendations.
BOARD OF BARBERS AND HAIRDRESSERS
Lawrence R. Krupa - North Pole
STATE MEDICAL BOARD
Edward D. Spencer, M.D. _ Palmer
BOARD OF NURSING
Patricia "Gail" Kelley - Kodiak
BOARD OF PHARMACY
Kendal L. Kaihoi, R.Ph. - Fairbanks
Number 461
REP. OLBERG indicated that he was personally acquainted with
Lawrence Krupa and said he is a "fine, upstanding" person.
CHAIR BUNDE asked the pleasure of the committee.
REP. TOOHEY made a motion to adopt the nominations and pass
them out of committee.
CHAIR BUNDE suggested that they be passed out with
individual recommendations.
REP. TOOHEY disagreed.
CHAIR BUNDE indicated that prior confirmations that were
passed out had the option of do confirm, do not confirm, or
no recommendation. He asked for any objections. There
being none, the appointees were passed out of committee.
Seeing no further business before the committee, CHAIR BUNDE
adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m.
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