02/11/1997 10:15 AM House MLV
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HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
February 11, 1997
10:15 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Beverly Masek, Chair
Representative Joe Ryan
Representative Pete Kott
Representative Eldon Mulder
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Irene Nicholia
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW: Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 7
"Supporting continued funding of the Alaska National Guard Youth
Corps Challenge Program."
- SJR 7 MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: SJR 7
SHORT TITLE: AK NAT'L GUARD YOUTH CORPS CHALLENGE PROG
SPONSOR(S): SENATOR(S) PHILLIPS, Pearce, Leman, Mackie, Green,
Kelly, Parnell, Ellis, Hoffman, Ward, Sharp, Wilken, Miller,
Duncan, Lincoln, Halford, Torgerson; REPRESENTATIVE(S) Rokeberg,
Grussendorf, Brice, Bunde, Ryan, Kubina, Masek, Mulder Ivan, Kott,
Ogan, Croft, James, Green, Kelly, Cowdery, Davies, Porter, Kemplen,
Berkowitz
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/14/97 41 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
01/14/97 41 (S) STATE AFFAIRS
01/23/97 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ ROOM 211
01/23/97 (S) MINUTE(STA)
01/24/97 124 (S) STA RPT 5DP
01/24/97 124 (S) DP: GREEN, MILLER, MACKIE, WARD, DUNCAN
01/24/97 124 (S) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (DMVA)
01/28/97 (S) RLS AT 11:09 AM FAHRENKAMP RM 203
01/28/97 (S) MINUTE(RLS)
01/29/97 160 (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 1/29/97
01/29/97 161 (S) READ THE SECOND TIME
01/29/97 161 (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UNAN CONSENT
01/29/97 161 (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SJR 7
01/29/97 161 (S) COSPONSOR(S): PEARCE, LEMAN, MACKIE,
01/29/97 161 (S) GREEN, KELLY, PARNELL, ELLIS, HOFFMAN,
01/29/97 161 (S) WARD, SHARP, WILKEN, MILLER, DUNCAN,
01/29/97 161 (S) LINCOLN, HALFORD, TORGERSON
01/29/97 162 (S) PASSED Y19 N- E1
01/29/97 164 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
01/31/97 182 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
01/31/97 183 (H) MLV, STATE AFFAIRS
01/31/97 207 (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): ROKEBERG,
01/31/97 207 (H) GRUSSENDORF,
01/31/97 207 (H) BRICE, BUNDE, RYAN, KUBINA
02/07/97 277 (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): MASEK
02/11/97 (H) MLV AT 10:00 AM CAPITOL 17
WITNESS REGISTER
MG Jake Lestenkof, Adjutant General/
Commissioner
Department of Military & Veterans
Affairs
P.O. Box 5800
Ft. Richardson, Alaska 99505-5800
Telephone: (907) 428-6019
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented overview of
Military & Veterans Affairs
JIM CHASE, Director
Special Affairs
Department of Military & Veterans
Affairs
P.O. Box 5800
Ft. Richardson, Alaska 99505-5800
Telephone: (907) 428-6019
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in overview of
Military & Veterans Affairs
GARY PEDERSON, Col, Director
Alaska National Guard Youth Corps
Department of Military & Veterans
Affairs
P.O. Box 5800
Ft. Richardson, Alaska 99505-5800
Telephone: (907) 428-6067
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in overview of
Military & Veterans Affairs
JERRY BURNETT, Staff
Senator Randy Phillips
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 103
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-4949
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on SJR 7
ALICIA PORTE-THOMAS
P.O. Box 670431
Chugiak, Alaska 99567
Telephone: (907) 688-0426
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on SJR 7
ED EARNHART
1043 W 74th Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99518
Telephone: (907) 349-1160
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on SJR 7
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 97-1, SIDE A
Number 022
CHAIR MASEK called the House Special Committee on Military and
Veterans Affairs meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. Members present at
the call to order were Representatives Ryan, Kott, Mulder, Foster,
Joule and Nicholia. Chair Masek invited Representative Norman
Rokeberg to join the committee members at the table.
Representative Ivan Ivan joined the proceedings at 11:00 a.m.
Number 174
GENERAL JAKE LESTENKOF came forward to present an overview of the
Department of Military and Veterans Affair. The General introduced
his staff in attendance: Carol Carroll, Director, Administrative
Services; Nico Bus, Chief, Financial Services; Gary Pederson,
Director, Youth Corp.; Jim Chase, Director, Special Affairs. He
then stated that a military conference would be taking place the
following day which all the committee members were invited to.
GENERAL LESTENKOF stated that he would cover some of the highlights
about the department. Military and Veterans Affairs (MLV) is the
largest department in state government with about 4500 employees
located in 76 communities throughout Alaska. Thirty four percent
of the department consists of Alaska natives. About 22 percent of
their Air Guard consists of females. MLV consider themselves to be
a very important, basic industry leveraging over $150 million
annually from the federal government. They look at the Guard and
their department as an investment center which generates hundreds
of millions of dollars and provides important stabilizing infusion
of funds into communities throughout Alaska.
GENERAL LESTENKOF stated that the department's federal funds amount
to about $153.9 million which is leveraged by about $7.4 million of
state funds. He said he wanted to concentrate on the department's
economic value and how the state benefits from this. The
department adds significant value to the nation, to the state, to
the communities and the Alaskan people. The Army and Air Guard
perform vital, real world operational missions as an integral part
of their national military defense forces. The Division of
Emergency Services provides an essential system for disaster
planning, recovery, mitigation and prevention. Planning is very
important especially in Alaska where they have large parts of the
state in an unorganized status.
Number 460
GENERAL LESTENKOF noted that the Guard is one of Alaska's premier
leadership, professional, technical and vocational training
institutions, improving career and job skills for both urban and
rural Alaskans. Their Youth Corp Challenge program is the center
piece of the Governor's Children & Youth Task Force solutions for
at-risk youth. The Army and Air Guard Rescue Units saved 110
civilians during 1996 while training for their wartime missions.
The Guard armories throughout Alaska serve as multi-purpose
community facilities. The Guard carries on a proud tradition of
service to Alaskans that date to World War II and the Eskimo
scouts.
GENERAL LESTENKOF added that the department is organized in line
department, with the Army Guard, the Air Guard, the Division of
Emergency Services. On the state side of the House they have some
support divisions such as the Administrative Division and the
Facilities Division which maintains all the state's facilities.
Their federal support staff divisions include their Property and
Fiscal Office which is the Accountable Federal Office in the state
for all federal property. They have a personnel office, an IG
(Inspector General), EEO (Equal Employment Officer) and their JAG
(Judge Advocate General) offices are all located within the federal
staff support division. Finally, they have special programs which
they run, like the Youth Corp Program, the Naval Militia, the State
Defense Force and lastly the Veterans Coordinator Office (VETS),
which is for veterans.
Number 660
GENERAL LESTENKOF referred to the hand-out provided to all the
committee members and mentioned their counter drug program. The
Department runs about a $3 million counter drug program which is
federally funded in Alaska. They participated with about 45,000
youths last year in stressing the dangers of drug use within the
school system along with other agencies. Also, working with civil
authorities they participated in the capture of drugs worth $64
million.
Number 711
GENERAL LESTENKOF noted the Guard payroll impact in Alaska. Their
total payroll comes to about $90.2 million. Using the gross
economic multiplier of 2.27 factors out to about $204 million
generated just in payroll through the Guard programs in the state.
He considers the department as an investment center for Alaska
beginning with their federal mission for their military units.
This is a basis for how they bring in the federal dollar. This
organization connects with the state's missions through the
emergency responses which they conduct. This in turn helps the
Alaskan people. The department needs state support and that's the
reason why they come before the committee for the important part
the committee plays in funding the department. When state support
seems strong it makes his job easier at the Washington D.C. level
in lobbying for the better units that they want for Alaska.
Number 840
GENERAL LESTENKOF continued that this partnership for Alaska
supports the governor's and the legislature's priorities for jobs,
economic development, for children and education, etc., along with
the philosophy of budget discipline. He knows that the legislature
and the administration is interested in supporting basic industries
in Alaska. He quoted Neil Fried from the Department of Labor when
speaking about Alaska industries and jobs, "Military money is worth
more to the state because it comes from the outside. It's bringing
new economic activity into the economy. The rest of America is
paying us to help defend them. In a sense we are profiting from
that. We're an exporter of defense. We don't make stuff like
tanks. We export protection."
GENERAL LESTENKOF added that if they were a private sector employer
this is how they would compare. They have approximately 4200
employees compared to CARRS at 3200, Providence Hospital at 1900,
ARCO at 1900, Fred Meyer at 1700, VECO at 1500, WalMart at 1200 and
Alaska Airlines at 1200. He also wanted to touch upon Arctic Care
which is a military operation they've run for about two years. It
is a program which consists primarily of marine reserve units that
work with the National Guard. They go into Nanana area villages
with medical teams. This year they will visit the Bethel area and
provide medical assistance including physicals, dental examination,
etc. Over 4,000 villagers have been treated during the past two
years by this Arctic Care Program.
Number 1025
GENERAL LESTENKOF pointed out that connected to Arctic Care is
Arctic Engineer program. Working with Reserve Guard units they
have been able to do some engineering work. The big project
they've undertaken thus far is the expeditionary air strip
installed at Noorvik this past summer. The previous airstrip was
eroding into the river and it was slated to be replaced four years
from now. The Marine Engineering Unit went in and built an
expeditionary air strip. A big project slated for this summer is
the construction of a 14 mile road on Annette Island at Metlakatla.
This road will connect the community to a ferry landing 14 miles
away.
Number 1115
GENERAL LESTENKOF presented three areas of concern in closing, the
first being, the Youth Corps. The Youth Challenge Program was
authorized for three years by Congress as a pilot program. This
will expire this fiscal year 1997. They need authorization badly
and noted that he had been on capitol hill to promote the program.
The Defense Department supports it and has endorsed a
reauthorization of the program. Towards this end they've placed
$20 million as a place holder in the President's budget which was
delivered last week. They understand that their problems may lie
in the U.S. House and he noted that the Senate appears to be
supportive of it. The General said that along with 15 other states
they intend to send a letter to the four appropriate committees in
the House and Senate supporting reauthorization legislation.
GENERAL LESTENKOF continued that his second area of concern was
with the largest division in the Department, the Army Division,
with over 2000 people it is presently without a division director.
This position has yet to be authorized and they'd like to see this
happen during this session. Because they have no full time
director, the General finds his time used up a lot with this
important division.
GENERAL LESTENKOF concluded with reference to the Quadrennial
Defense Review (QDR) which is mandated by Congress. This is a
review presently taking place within the Defense Department. This
is a review of the entire military community of America and it will
take place during the next four or five years. The General
referenced previous reviews, but stated that this review was very
significant since it will truly look at America's military forces
based on the Post Cold War world. It is a review which will take
into account the type of force America requires for the future. A
new twist to this review is that as part of the requirements they
will establish a National Defense Panel consisting of civilians to
review the QDR and to make recommendations to Congress and the
President. The General said that they could end up with a small
active component and a large reserve component. America is a
militia nation and he noted that our founding fathers did not want
a large standing army, but America has had a large standing army
since the Cold War.
Number 1397
REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD FOSTER mentioned that the Military and
Veteran's Affairs Committee was formed in 1991 and now the Senate
doesn't have a committee like this. This committee provides a
forum for the General's department. He then noted how many present
legislators have served in a branch of the armed forces. This
number is at 11 this year.
Number 1475
REPRESENTATIVE JOE RYAN asked about the Director's position for the
Army Division that needs to be filled and asked if this Range 26
position was in the Governor's budget this year.
GENERAL LESTENKOF stated that the position was deleted and he
didn't know why, either because of budget cuts or whatever.
Number 1533
REPRESENTATIVE ELDON MULDER offered as a partial answer that
General Tom Carroll wore several hats a few years back, this
position being one of them, and after his plane went down it left
a void.
Number 1580
JIM CHASE, Special Assistant to the General provided information to
the committee regarding Special Affairs at the request of
Representative Foster. He stated that he was brought on board
August of 1995, to basically follow up on the Board of Inquiry to
ensure that all of the recommendations which came out of this forum
were implemented. He put together a program to do this and a
report regarding the same was drafted as well. They changed a lot
of the things that were still pending in the Board of Inquiry, they
provided a sunset provision for this title and incorporated those
items not completed to their continuous quality plan. This quality
plan is on-going.
Number 1627
REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE asked about the Base Realignment and
Closure Commission (BRAC) impacts to rural Alaska. He saw the
listings of the reductions regarding this Commission and asked what
the reasons were for these reductions.
Number 1639
GENERAL LESTENKOF noted that these changes came about for the
following reasons, number one, at a point in time during the
1980's, the Guard was over-structured. The force was larger than
what the population could support in Alaska. Presently, on the
Army side, their strength requirement is at about 2,200. In the
80's this number as at 3900. This is a big difference. In
recognition of this, the units were required to be downsized. The
other consideration which came into being was based on the
experiences of the Gulf War. There, units were mobilized with
standards that were a little different in the reserve. The Guard
components instituted by the Defense Department there consisted of
different standards that were adhered to as well. These standards
hit hard in Alaska. The General did note that there were some
waivers in place such as education and so forth, especially within
the scout units, but that these standards hit hard and had an
impact on Alaska's force.
GENERAL LESTENKOF summarized that drug testing was the final
consideration. A few years ago marijuana was legal in Alaska.
When drug testing was instituted then they ran into problems. This
eliminated people and units. These three events had a lasting
impact on Alaska. They drug test 42 percent of the Army force
today. The results coming back are very encouraging.
Number 1784
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE asked if once a person has tested positive
whether or not there is a time period when this person can be
retested and then potentially re-instated.
GENERAL LESTENKOF responded that if someone who is an E4 and below
can stay with the force provided that they are tested periodically
and they stay clean. If someone is an E5 or above, otherwise
called a buck sergeant or an NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer), once
they test positive they are dismissed. They would probably not be
able to come back into the force. He reminded the committee that
they're dealing with a volunteer Army where sometimes there is a
waiting list to get in. The standards are high and they must be
maintained.
Number 1844
REPRESENTATIVE MULDER asked what the "wash out" rate was when
someone first gets tested, in other words, what percentage test
positive.
MR. CHASE responded that the recruiters he spoke to report out of
every 10 people that they ask whether or not that person has taken
drugs answer yes. Their inventory of possible people to bring into
the force is very narrowed by the rampant use of drugs throughout
the state.
REPRESENTATIVE MULDER stated that out of this 70 percent of the
interested population to join the Guard for recruitment there
remains a fairly narrow slice of the pie.
Number 1898
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE noted that for those who "get the thumb," it
seems that if these young people saw there was a way for someone
who commits this digression was given the opportunity to get re-
instated, this would provide them incentive to clean up their act.
Number 1934
GENERAL LESTENKOF responded that once someone is tested positive
and discharged they will probably not come back in. He said he
would check to make sure that this was the correct response. The
Reserve components, including the Guard do not have a re-hab
program like the active services have. If someone tests positive
in these programs there is someone there to assist them.
REPRESENTATIVE IRENE NICHOLIA stated that she had read an article
which indicated that the persons enlisting in the armed forces is
down and asked how this has impacted Alaska.
GENERAL LESTENKOF remarked that Alaska seems to lag behind any
trends. In Alaska, recruitment has been steady and even,
especially in Southeast. Numbers have been high.
Number 2039
REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA noted that it used to be in earlier years
when a person committed a misdemeanor sometimes they were sentenced
to join the Armed Forces and she asked the General what he thought
about re-instating such a policy in Alaska.
GENERAL LESTENKOF responded that she was exactly right. For many
years in America, for minor offenses, a judge would ask an
individual if they wanted to go to jail or into the service. This
policy was very successful in many cases, but not any more. Alaska
really has no influence in the matter since people are enlisted
under the federal service. The requirements are getting stiffer,
even if someone has a minor offense they cannot enlist. This is a
big concern with the Alaskan villages since a lot of people there
have run into the law and acquired minor offenses.
GENERAL LESTENKOF added that the closest thing they have to this
concept is their "Challenge Program." This program almost
functions in the way that Representative Nicholia described where
young people with minor offenses were able to come into the
military service, now they are able to direct them into their youth
programs even before they get into real trouble.
Number 2121
REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA asked what some of these minor offenses
would be.
GENERAL LESTENKOF stated that any drug offense would be one or
felonies for certain.
REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA asked if a minor consuming would be one of
these offenses.
Number 2167
COLONEL GARY PEDERSON, Director, Youth Corps came forward to
address this question. He stated that with the number of
individuals who do enlist he works with the recruiters regularly.
Each of the services do have different rules. Currently the Air
Force is the most stringent, the Navy is the least stringent. A
minor charged with consuming alcohol would preclude them enlistment
into the Air Force. This offense would currently put someone on a
waiver status for the Army and the Navy. The Navy will consider
someone under these circumstances, but the Army will not.
GENERAL LESTENKOF offered to provide the committee with an
informational sheet on what's allowed for enlistment presently.
REPRESENTATIVE RYAN asked how they could assist the department with
recruitment as a cost saving measure and mentioned the Youth
Program in particular.
Number 2300
COLONEL PEDERSON responded that their most productive source for
marketing of new young people coming into the program are prior
graduates. This is where most of their assessment comes from,
through work with their own peer groups. They promote public
service announcements as well. By the National Guard Bureau
regulations they are not allowed to expend monies in the media
specifically for recruitment because they don't want to send the
message to young people to drop out of school in order to join the
Youth Corps. Direct recruiting may be seen this way. They market
towards the already dropped out or expelled population. They work
very closely with school counselors, as well as with counselors in
juvenile corrections when they decide who will go on probation.
The young person cannot be currently legally entangled though.
COLONEL PEDERSON stated that the pool for possible recruitment will
probably be up to 4,000 alone in the immediate future and they
haven't had the impact on these numbers they would like. They do
have an impact if they can get in the door. There needs to be
another means of getting to these youngsters based on the number of
possible recruitments. He also added that they don't represent an
"easy way" which might keep youngsters away from the program.
Number 2401
REPRESENTATIVE RYAN stated that Alaska spends a lot of money within
the educational system and others to determine "at risk"
populations. He said that since these funds are being spent there
should be a database established to help identify these youths.
COLONEL PEDERSON responded that they take children from each class
now and export them. He said they don't have the transportation
funds to take youngsters into the non-Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley
areas to allow for peer type exposure. Many of the schools in
these areas are working with the program through the school
counselors. They target their "at risk" students and then someone
from the Corps will peer counsel them about viable options. He
said this same type of program should be marketed into places which
cannot be driven to by automobile, but he said that this was very
expensive.
Number 2468
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE stated that there is currently legislation
proposed which will relax juvenile confidentiality constraints. He
asked if these concepts should become law.
TAPE 97-1, SIDE B
Number 000
COLONEL PEDERSON responded that the confidentiality rule does come
up depending on what grade and who they deal with. Some counselors
are very reluctant because of a grey area as to whether or not they
are committing a violation of the law by referring names to the
Youth Corps. This is a valid concern.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE noted that in the larger communities,
specifically Anchorage, as well as with the entire state, there is
apparently concern with adolescence at the ages of 12 to 16 years
who lack discipline. He suggested that the Youth Corps target this
age group.
COLONEL PEDERSON responded that they have a four week test program
developed in concert with the Anchorage police department. They
have not been able to execute this program due to lack of funds and
they've been attempting to acquire a grant.
Number 090
REPRESENTATIVE MULDER asked what the cost of this program would be.
COLONEL PEDERSON responded that he didn't have this figure in front
of him, but he'd provide it at a later time.
Number 106
CHAIR MASEK perceived that there were quite a few topics of concern
brought up by the committee members and she noted that they could
probably schedule another hearing to discuss these further. She
stated that she'd like to hear from each member as to what areas
they'd like to pursue in order to aid youth programs, including
targeting drug and alcohol problems throughout the state, as well
as ideas on how to get more youths involved in order to help get
them back on track.
Number 127
REPRESENTATIVE MULDER offered that in the past, every couple of
years, Representatives have taken tour of the Guard facilities
throughout the state. This allows people to get a first hand idea
of what the Guard is all about and how it impacts all Alaskans. It
is also an opportunity to recognize the good work of these posts.
SJR 7 - AK NAT'L GUARD YOUTH CORPS CHALLENGE PROG
Number 268
JERRY BURNETT, Staff to Senator Randy Phillips, Sponsor of SJR 7
came forward to testify. This legislation was introduced to send
a strong message of support for the National Guard Youth Corps
Program to the U.S. Congress. Mr. Burnett stated that the
committee heard from the General information regarding the need for
continued funding of this program which ends in September of this
year. The committee also heard about the program from Mr. Pederson
and felt as though there was not much he could add to the testimony
already presented.
MR. BURNETT explained that the governor's budget for FY 98,
includes a $250,000 increment for state support at the
recommendation of the Governor's Cabinet on Youth and Justice. The
Senator has discussed the fact that some other states are
contributing state money to similar programs. This shows a good
faith effort as the state solicits more funds from the federal
government. Some states have budgeted this year to participate as
high as a dollar to dollar match. He didn't know if there was an
average of participation throughout the states.
GENERAL LESTENKOF added that the state's participation as a pilot
project is normally an exception rather than the rule. Mississippi
is one state that matches dollar for dollar and there are four
others that participate with lesser amounts than a match.
Number 348
REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT asked how many other states participate in
similar programs and whether or not Alaska was competing for the
$20 million.
MR. BENNETT said he believed there were 21 other states.
GENERAL LESTENKOF added that there were a total of 21 states which
participate in this program. Fifteen run a peer challenge program
like Alaska. The $20 million he spoke about that the defense
department has put in as a place holder until authorization comes
through is only about half of the amount which is needed
nationally. They feel that $47 million is required to support 15
states.
Number 413
ALICIA PORTE-THOMAS testified by teleconference from Anchorage on
SJR 7. She stated that she was a strong supporter of the Youth
Corps. She graduated from the last class and she's currently in
the Alaska National Guard Youth Air Guard. In April she'll be
attending boot camp and currently works for the Youth Corps. She
joined the Youth Corps because the school system was not working
for her and decided to join rather than drop out. She graduated
from the program with honors and was Corps Commander while
attending. She strongly urged the committee's support.
Number 550
ED EARNHART testified by teleconference from Anchorage on SJR 7.
He is on the Advisory Council for the Youth Corps and he's very
concerned that they do what they can to get support for this
program. He was also concerned about the slimmed down federal
monies mentioned and felt as though Alaska should designate even
more money than the Governor has, to show support in Washington,
D.C.
Number 709
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER moved and asked unanimous consent to move SJR
7 out of committee with individual recommendations and accompanying
zero fiscal note. Hearing no objection, SJR 7 was moved out of the
House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.
Number 740
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE asked about how funding for the Youth Corps
might be faced with troubles from the House on the national level
and asked what federal committees would review these budgets.
GENERAL LESTENKOF stated that the committees in the House would be
the National Security Full Committee and the Appropriating
Committee to the National Defense Committee. Also, there is the
Arms Services Committee in the Senate, the Appropriations Committee
in the Senate and the Defense Subcommittee in the Senate. He noted
that from all indications it seemed the Senate supports this
program, but there may be some resistance from the House.
Number 792
CHAIR MASEK asked if there was anything they could do to aid in the
QDR review to let the committee know. She said she'd like to do
whatever they could to aid in a favorable review for Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE MULDER added that it would be significant to
demonstrate some willingness on the state's part to participate in
financing for this Youth Corps program. He noted that the budgets
would be difficult this year, especially within Military and
Veteran's Affairs, but it would seem logical that since they're
providing education to the participants within this program to fund
some of this amount from the Department of Education. He said this
seemed logical to him because if they don't fund this program
through the Department of Education or somewhere, he'd have to fund
them in the Department of Corrections Department somewhere down the
line.
Number 853
REPRESENTATIVE RYAN added that this could be a joint effort, take
a little bit from Corrections and some from Education, make
everybody happy. He noted that these were cheap dollars invested
when considering what's to be funded down the line.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 871
CHAIR MASEK adjourned the House Special Committee on Military and
Veterans Affairs meeting at 11:25 a.m.
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