Legislature(2015 - 2016)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/08/2016 10:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB139 || SB140 | |
| Public Testimony: Bethel, Nome, Kotzebue, Unalaska | |
| Public Testimony: Barrow, Tok, Delta Junction | |
| Public Testimony: Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg | |
| Public Testimony: Sitka, Cordova, Valdez | |
| Public Testimony: Off-net Sites | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 139 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 140 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 8, 2016
10:10 a.m.
10:10:12 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Kelly called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 10:10 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Anna MacKinnon, Co-Chair
Senator Pete Kelly, Co-Chair
Senator Peter Micciche, Vice-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Mike Dunleavy
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Donny Olson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Bill Tremblay, Board President, KFSK Community Radio,
Petersburg; Christine Niemi, Self, Juneau.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Jenelle Everett, Self, Barrow; Chuck Herman, Self, Bethel;
Lori Gregory, KUCB, Unalaska; Bob Metcalf, University of
Alaska Fairbanks, Nome; Shauna Rudio, KUBC, Unalaska; Ann
Capela, Manager, City of Bethel, Bethel; Mark Springer,
Self, Bethel; Sue Steinacher, KUAC, Nome; Nelson Walker,
City of Kiana, Kiana; Brad Reich, Northwest Arctic Borough,
Kiana; Mary Nanuwak, Self, Bethel; Geoff Carol, Self,
Barrow; Jeff Seifert, General Manager, KBRW, Barrow; Bryant
Hammond, City Clerk, Nome; Donna Dennis, Self, Tok; Helen
Olson, Self, Tok; Sharon Dunkin, Self, Tok; Betty Denny,
Self, Tok; Michael Jeffery, Self, Barrow; Bob Harcharek,
President, Alaska Municipal League, Barrow; George Koulus,
Self, Tok; Richard Beneville Mayor, Nome; Erin
Hollingsworth, Self, Barrow; Raymond Atos, Self, Barrow;
Mike Shults, Self, Barrow; Lee Sherwood, Self, Tok; Glenn
Wilkinson, Self, Tok; Shawn Arnold, Superintendent, Nome
Public Schools, Nome; David Martin, City of Ketchikan,
Ketchikan; Ginger Fortin, Self, Ketchikan; Mary Deihl,
Self, Ketchikan; Jeff Jabusch, Borough Manager, Wrangell
City and Borough, Wrangell; Christie Jamieson, President,
Wrangell Chamber of Commerce, Wrangell; Susan Stevens,
Self, Wrangell; Aleisha Mollen, Self, Wrangell; Mark
Jensen, Mayor, Petersburg Borough, Petersburg; Julie
Hursey, Self, Petersburg; Craig Olson, Self, Petersburg;
Tom Abbbott, Self, Petersburg; Andy Donato, Division
Manager, KPU Electric, Ketchikan; Melvin Charles, Self,
Ketchikan; Kathleen Light, Executive Director, Ketchikan
Area Arts and Humanities Council, Ketchikan; Deb Turnbull,
Self, Ketchikan; Karen Hofstad, Self, Petersburg; Joe
Stratman, Self, Petersburg; Sunny Rice, Self, Petersburg;
Leo Luczak, Self, Petersburg; Christine Jenkins, Self,
Wrangell; Patrick Mayer, Superintendent, Wrangell Public
School District, Wrangell; Margaret Cloud, Self,
Ketchikan; Sheila Miller, Volunteer, KRBD Radio, Ketchikan;
Dennis Mann, Self, Ketchikan; Janalee Gage, Self,
Ketchikan; Janice Walker, Self, Ketchikan; David Byrne,
Self, Petersburg; Erica Kludt-Painter, Superintendent,
Petersburg School District, Petersburg; John Havrilek,
Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, Petersburg; Ted Howard,
Board Member, KCAW, Sitka; Rich McClear, Self, Sitka; John
Dull, Self, Sitka; Mark Gorman, City Administrator, City
and Borough of Sitka, Sitka; Lauren Bell, Self, Sitka;
Mary Wegner, Superintendent, Sitka School District, Sitka;
Sandi Koval, Self, Sitka; Jon Stavig, CFO, City of Cordova,
Cordova; Brent Davis, Self, Cordova; Gretchen Clarke, Self,
Sitka; John Murray, Self, Sitka; Denny Weathers, Self,
Cordova; John Anderson, KCHU, Valdez; Shane Kimberlin,
Self, Valdez; Guy Bergstrom, Self, Valdez; Terry Simmons,
Self, Valdez; Robert Berceli, Self, Cordova; Karen Allred,
Volunteer, KCHU, Valdez; Lee Hart, Levitation 49, Valdez;
Joan Kautzer, Board Member, KFSK, Kupreanof; John Bolling,
City of Craig, Craig; Carl Berger, Self, Bethel; Glen
Marunde, Northway Community, Northway; Julia Phelan, Self,
Delta Junction; Jon Erickson, City Manager, City of
Yakutat; Steve Alexander, Self, Elfin Cove; Todd Richards,
Self, Elfin Cove; Margaret Friedenauer, Self, Haines; Anne
Hanssen, Self, Haines; John Lamont, Self, Alakanuk; Albert
Nigneulook, Self, Shishmaref; Elsie Vent, Huslia City
Council, Huslia; James Squyres, Self, Rural Deltana; Fred
Patterson, Self, Chiniak; Jeff Widdows, Self, Yakutat;
Chris Widdows, Self, Yakutat; Mary Amaktoik, Self, Elim;
Deborah Potter, Self, Skagway; Jennifer Thuss, Self,
Skagway; Melanie Lesh, Self, Gustavus; Dustin Craney, Self,
Haines.
SUMMARY
SB 139 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
SB 139 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SB 140 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
SB 140 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 139
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs, capitalizing funds, making
reappropriations, making supplemental appropriations,
and making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for
an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 140
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; and providing for
an effective date."
10:10:23 AM
Co-Chair Kelly relayed that he would hand the gavel to Co-
Chair MacKinnon to continue the meeting.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: BETHEL, NOME, KOTZEBUE, UNALASKA
10:11:01 AM
CHUCK HERMAN, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
spoke to the importance of public radio to the community.
He explained the critical nature of the service to the
rural community. He believed KYUK was particularly
important for community engagement; the station aired local
government meetings, news, and emergency response. He
stressed that the station helped people with all sorts of
things including finding jobs. He noted that the community
had little internet access.
10:13:38 AM
LORI GREGORY, KUCB, UNALASKA (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She shared that she had lived in Unalaska since the 1970s.
She relayed that the radio station provided news and other
important programming. She relayed that the fishing
industry relied on public radio for weather and road
conditions and subsistence fishery closures. Cuts from the
prior year had reduced the radio staff to one. She relayed
that at the current staffing level the station was already
struggling. She stressed that the station was a crucial
service that provided emergency information to the local
communities; with further cuts the station would be unable
to provide the service. She asked the committee to preserve
as much funding as possible for public broadcasting.
10:17:03 AM
BOB METCALF, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS, NOME (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
University. He spoke in support of the many organizations
and partners that worked to collaborate with the Northwest
campus. He asked the committee to support K-12 education.
He shared that the local school districts had engaged
openly with communities, Alaska Native organizations, and
business partners as part of the Norton Sound Education
Workgroup, which was a region-wide effort to improve
educational achievement. He requested support for the
Department of Labor and Workforce Development funds for the
Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center (NACTEC).
He supported the Nome youth facility, behavioral health
services, and the Cooperative Extension. He strongly
supported Senator Olson's efforts on continuing Alaska
Native languages. He thanked the committee for its time.
10:19:33 AM
SHAUNA RUDIO, KUBC, UNALASKA (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She understood that the legislature had a difficult
situation related to the budget. She echoed testimony from
Ms. Gregory related to the community's dependence on the
local public radio station (KUCB). She relayed that the
station was the voice of Unalaska; it kept the community
connected with news, emergency services, and local and
state news. She communicated that local reporters provided
news reports that were broadcast state and nationwide. She
detailed that one of her high school students was using the
radio station to broadcast news reports. She believed the
service was very important for a democratic society.
10:22:33 AM
ANN CAPELA, MANAGER, CITY OF BETHEL, BETHEL (via
teleconference), provided suggestions on how state
government could enable local governments to make their own
revenue. One of the larger issues was related to why sales
tax could not be imposed on internet sales in Alaska. She
noted that there were many states that allowed internet
sales tax. She believed the legislature should take a hard
look at the option. She relayed that it was a common
practice nationwide to enable the local governments to
negotiate franchise fees with the cable company providers,
but it was prohibited in Alaska. She could not figure out
why the state would protect giant providers of cable. She
stated that the fees could bring $150,000 to $200,000 into
local communities. She opposed cutting tax revenue to local
governments. She hoped the committee would consider how to
allow local governments to make money and adding costs.
Particularly, in the Public Employees' Retirement System
(PERS) area. She implored the committee to untie the hands
of local government.
10:26:12 AM
MARK SPRINGER, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
did not believe it was wise to zero out funding for the
service. He discussed that the service had been a major
effort by communities; the service was managed by
hardworking professionals. He supported the governor's
proposed budget that included a 27 percent cut to the
service. He stated that the rural economy could not support
commercial radio. He noted that cutting the service at 100
percent would be extraordinarily unfair to rural Alaska.
10:28:44 AM
SUE STEINACHER, KUAC, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in
strong opposition to cuts to behavioral health services.
She was deeply concerned for rural Alaska. She stressed
that the community was dying due to high costs of shipping
to the region. She spoke to high fuel costs, alcohol
problems, and very few resources. She spoke to generational
trauma, substance abuse, and family violence. She urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
detailed that she would not have known about the current
public testimony without public radio. She pointed to the
high cost of internet services that prevented residents
from paying for the service. She resented receiving
expensive documents telling her how the state was in a
financial crisis and how education and other critical
services were at risk if the Permanent Fund Dividend system
was not restructured. She stated that to go after the PFD
would proportionately hurt the poor and rural Alaska far
more than the wealthy. She supported a statewide income
tax. She emphasized that sales taxes hurt the poor far
more. She stressed that the state could not cut its way to
prosperity. She could accept some restructuring of the
Permanent Fund especially if savings were invested in
affordable housing, education, and childcare in the poorest
sectors of the state or if it was done on a needs basis.
10:33:10 AM
NELSON WALKER, CITY OF KIANA, KIANA (via teleconference),
remarked that the state's smaller communities used a
significant amount of state funds. One of the community's
largest issues was related to insurance for its employees,
buildings, and equipment. He stated that insurance costs
had dramatically increased in recent years. He shared that
the community used a lot of equipment on road maintenance
and its sewer systems were over 20 years old. He detailed
that the community was faced with replacing things with
parts that were already broken. He pointed to issues
related to the community's health and safety. There had
recently been a large fuel spill in the community, which it
was working to clean up.
10:34:55 AM
BRAD REICH, NORTHWEST ARCTIC BOROUGH, KIANA (via
teleconference), spoke to the importance of revenue sharing
for the borough. The borough tried to provide the best
public safety as possible, but it was in need of additional
public safety officers to provide sufficient service. He
spoke to the high costs of fuel in the region. Revenue
sharing helped to keep the communities moving. He detailed
the costs between villages. He asked the committee to
maintain revenue sharing for rural communities.
10:37:47 AM
MARY NANUWAK, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), shared
that she had listened to a taped meeting between David
Gottstein and David Cuddy from a bank in Anchorage; she
stated that the meeting was very informative. She relayed
that the individuals had talked about issues that the
Senate had not yet discussed. She urged the Alaska Mental
Health Trust Authority (AMHTA) to stop misusing money. She
asked for the funds to be used for the appropriate things.
She shared that she had sought help with housing in
Anchorage from AMHTA and had been told by the authority to
go to the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, which she believed
was inappropriate. She stated that no matter who a person
was, their needs were like everyone else's. She thanked the
committee for its time.
Co-Chair MacKinnon noted the committee would reconvene at
11:15 a.m. or earlier if additional members of the public
were ready to testify.
10:41:55 AM
AT EASE
10:48:15 AM
RECONVENED
10:49:41 AM
GEOFF CAROL, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference), spoke to
the need to increasing income and reducing expenditures. He
supported restructuring of the Permanent Fund to be of
further use to the state. Additionally, he supported a
statewide income tax. He understood that cuts were needed,
but he urged the committee from cutting too deeply. He
strongly supported a restoration of funding for public
broadcasting. He spoke to the important programs provided
by the service including news, emergency broadcasting, and
other. He relayed that there was great support provided to
the station by the community, but it was not sufficient to
run the station.
Senator Olson asked Mr. Carol to discuss the local
contributions to radio. Mr. Carol replied that the
community raised $130,000 per year for the public radio
station.
10:53:29 AM
JEFF SEIFERT, GENERAL MANAGER, KBRW, BARROW (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. Shared that the station had survived a
20 percent cut from the last session. He believed 100
percent cuts to public broadcasting were not fair. He
discussed that the Alaska Public Broadcasting Network was
vitally important to keeping local stations on track; the
cuts would eliminate the service. He stressed that the
station was a vital link to villages and many times it was
the only way to get information to the communities. He
stated that for life, safety, and health, the service was
critical. He hoped the committee would restore funding.
Senator Olson asked about the extent of the range of the
radio station.
Mr. Seifert replied that the station's transmit power was
10,000 watts. He had been told that the station had been
heard as far as Finland. There were public broadcasting
transmitters in all of the region's village communities,
which were in dire need of repair. He detailed that the
station's entire infrastructure was aging. He discussed
that costs kept rising. He stressed the importance of
public broadcasting in the region.
10:58:33 AM
Mr. Seifert noted that others from public broadcasting were
coming to testify.
Co-Chair MacKinnon noted that the committee would hear the
testimony when they arrived.
10:59:23 AM
AT EASE
11:01:11 AM
RECONVENED
BRYANT HAMMOND, CITY CLERK, NOME (via teleconference),
asked the committee to ensure that the Nome Youth Facility
did not close. He spoke to spreading cuts to ensure the
facility remained open. He stressed that there was not much
"fat" to cut. He hoped for the return of increased oil
prices, but he was not holding his breath. He detailed that
it was time to diversify the state's revenue. He did not
believe the state adequately taxed its residents. He
advocated for the government to recognize that change was
needed. He endorsed a budget that increased revenues rather
than increasing cuts.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: BARROW, TOK, DELTA JUNCTION
11:04:02 AM
DONNA DENNIS, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funds for the Tok Senior Center. She urged the
committee to not cut funds for senior services that
included transportation and physical therapy. The program
encouraged seniors to engage with other community members.
She spoke to the overwhelming number of seniors in need.
She detailed that the center had been told that the
transportation service would not be available in April and
May; one of its staff would be required to take time off
due to cuts. She urged the committee to strongly consider
the cuts. She reminded the committee members that they too
would become seniors at some point. She thanked the
committee for its time.
11:07:12 AM
HELEN OLSON, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), urged support
of funding for senior services and the Tok Senior Center.
She discussed the Meals on Wheels service for the
committee. She shared information the program provided.
Some of the elders could not read or write; the staff went
above and beyond for caring for the recipients. She
implored the committee to continue to support the service.
11:10:07 AM
SHARON DUNKIN, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), shared that
she is currently 81 years of age. She shared that she had
an old vehicle that was currently in the shop and needed a
new starter and rebuilt engine. She discussed her low
income, which prevented her from paying for the repairs.
She relayed that she only burned wood and understood that
heating would be cut; her only heat source was a wood
stove. She spoke to the high cost of groceries in the
community.
11:11:49 AM
BETTY DENNY, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), relayed that
she had worked for the Upper Tanana Development Corporation
for the past 38 years, which received Title 3 grants. She
detailed that the corporation served 16 communities
discussed a transportation service provided in the region.
She shared that the service provided meal sites in seven of
the communities. Additionally, the corporation provided bus
transportation for seniors between some of the areas. She
relayed that the buses were aging and upkeep costs were
high. She noted that the agency had been forced to lay
staff off due to budget cuts. She was opposed to cuts to
senior programs.
11:13:27 AM
MICHAEL JEFFERY, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference),
discussed his prior employment and work as a superior court
judge. He supported continued funding for public
broadcasting. He supported continued funding for Adult
Medicaid dental program, mental health grants, and the
senior community based program.
11:15:49 AM
BOB HARCHAREK, PRESIDENT, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, BARROW
(via teleconference), spoke in favor of maintaining the
revenue sharing program. He believed the loss of the
program would result in some placing having to close their
doors. He suggested that three sets of keys would be made,
sending one to the Senate President, one to the Speaker of
the House, and one to the governor. He also spoke about the
unfunded liability of PERS.
11:19:51 AM
GEORGE KOULUS, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), urged
support of funding for senior services. He believed cutting
senior benefits and centers was the wrong thing to do. He
explained that many seniors depended on the check they
received. He spoke against cutting heat assistance and food
stamps. He shared that he tried to work in the summer as
much as possible to avoid being dependent on the services.
His benefits had already been cut by $225 per month, which
was difficult. He was a 74 year-old and spoke of living off
of the land. He stated that some seniors depended on the
service.
11:21:25 AM
RICHARD BENEVILLE MAYOR, NOME (via teleconference),
testified against cuts to the Nome Youth Facility. He
detailed that there were troubled youth in the region and
closing the youth facility would be sad. He also spoke in
favor of revenue sharing. He stressed that the community
depended on revenue sharing. He understood that the
legislature and the governor were faced with incredibly
difficult decisions. He asked that the committee members to
reconsider funding the youth facility.
11:23:52 AM
ERIN HOLLINGSWORTH, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference),
testified in favor of the Online with Libraries program
that provided increased bandwidth to the 97 rural libraries
throughout the state. She detailed that the program
provided educational and economic opportunities that would
not otherwise be available to people on the North Slope.
She provided examples of how the program had helped
students to earn degrees. She opined that the program
helped to encourage learning. She talked about the
opportunities that online technology offered. She also
supported early learning programs. Additionally, she urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She thanked the committee for its time.
Senator Olson asked Ms. Hollingsworth to expand on the
services provided by the library in Barrow. He referred to
outreach programs provided by the library. Ms.
Hollingsworth responded that she provided public services
including story times with a focus on early literacy and
the Imagination Library program. The library also provided
video conferencing through the OWL network, which allowed
the library to bring authors into the state from the Lower
48, sharing cultural programming, conducting job
interviews, and other. The library had picked up the slack
for many of the social welfare services. She also helped
people fill out paperwork and their PFD applications.
11:28:50 AM
RAYMOND ATOS, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference), was a
resident of Barrow for 33 years. He urged the committee to
restore funding for public broadcasting. He spoke to the
importance of the service that provided information on
weather, which was vital information for the region's
hunters. He opined that public radio was critical for
providing emergency information.
11:30:15 AM
MIKE SHULTS, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
advocated for additional funding for the service. He
discussed that currently the weather was very windy; it was
also the time of year that whaling crews were starting to
cut trails on the ice, which was a perfect example of the
need for public radio. He stressed that without the radio
announcing the upcoming storm there would be as many as 48
crews on the ice who would be stuck on the ice when the
storm hit. He stressed that it was a dangerous situation.
He emphasized that it was public radio was vitally
important to the community.
11:31:57 AM
JENELLE EVERETT, SELF, BARROW (via teleconference), spoke
in support of the restoration of funds to public radio. She
mentioned that when she first started working at the
station she had not realized the importance of public radio
in terms of safety for community members. She stressed the
unpredictable nature of the weather in the region and the
importance of public broadcasting, which provided reports
on the weather. She relayed that all residents did not have
access to a computer or television, which meant they did
not have access to events in the region and the state.
Messages sent between communities kept residents informed.
She detailed that hunters needed to be informed of the
weather for safety reasons. She urged the committee to
continue support of public broadcasting.
11:33:47 AM
LEE SHERWOOD, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), shared that
he had retired in Tok because there were no property taxes.
He reviewed his expenditures and his limited income. He
urged support of funding for senior services because of his
personal need. He detailed that he needed free lunches at
the senior center and he used the heating assistance
program for oil. He stated that he needed the PFD to help
him out in the fall. He stressed that if the budget reduced
senior services it would increase suffering for individuals
like himself.
11:35:41 AM
GLENN WILKINSON, SELF, TOK (via teleconference), indicated
that he and his wife retired in Tok. He spoke of the
expense of his utilities. He spoke in favor of maintaining
the PFD; he did not want to see it reduced. He shared that
he and his wife had both gone back to work in Tok. He
provided personal information about his struggles.
11:38:10 AM
SHAWN ARNOLD, SUPERINTENDENT, NOME PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NOME
(via teleconference), spoke in favor of full funding for
broadband in schools early childhood education. He stressed
that many of the cuts to the services were significant,
which would impact staffing. He talked about the importance
of being able to plan ahead related to staffing. If the
goal was to determine innovative and collaborative
solutions for education, the funding needed to be
available.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked Mr. Arnold if his school had
qualified for an early learning grant from the Department
of Education and Early Development, and if so, she wondered
about the amount.
Mr. Arnold replied in the affirmative. The Nome School
District had been one of the initial recipients of the
grant in 2012; the district had received $264,000 per year.
He detailed that the district had received about one-
quarter of the funding each year, which helped the district
provide three full-time certified teachers to the local
Head Start and one for Pre-K.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked for verification that the district
had used the grant funding to fund the Head Start Program.
Mr. Arnold replied that the district had collaborated with
Head Start as part of the grant and it had provided two
teachers from the school district to the Head Start
program. She asked for verification that the district had
used one-quarter of the funds. She asked if $264,000 was
the total amount the district had received over the four
year-period.
Mr. Arnold clarified that it was about one-quarter of the
amount that was allotted every year within the grant. He
furthered that Nome Public Schools was a recipient of about
one-quarter of the funds each year.
Co-Chair MacKinnon indicated that the committee would
reconvene in 5 minutes.
11:42:24 AM
AT EASE
11:46:51 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair MacKinnon indicated that currently there was no
one online to testify. She reviewed the agenda for the
remainder of the day and noted the committee would
reconvene at 12:55 p.m.
11:48:28 AM
AT EASE
1:03:34 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair MacKinnon handed the gavel to Co-Chair Kelly.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: KETCHIKAN, WRANGELL, PETERSBURG
1:04:15 PM
BILL TREMBLAY, BOARD PRESIDENT, KFSK COMMUNITY RADIO,
PETERSBURG, urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. He understood the current state budget
situation, but felt that a 100 percent reduction would put
his station out of business within two years. He remarked
that the federal grants required a minimum of $// He
stressed that there was a minimum level of employment that
must be met in order to meet the federal matching grant. He
remarked that the current public radio system was an
effective way of communicating emergency and safety
information. He spoke against the House proposed investment
in alternative methods of communication. He provided
written testimony.
Co-Chair Kelly stated that the written testimony would be
distributed to the committee.
1:07:26 PM
DAVID MARTIN, CITY OF KETCHIKAN, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for
revenue sharing. He remarked that the City of Ketchikan had
received an average of $483,000 in revenue. He shared that
revenue sharing funding approximately 2.4 percent of city's
general fund annual budget. He stated that the city would
stand to lose $158,457, and may need to raise its mil rate
by two-tenths of a mil to cover the projected loss, if the
governor's proposed budget was not approved. The city's
economy had become more seasonal as a result of the
shutdown of the timber industry in Southeast Alaska. He
stressed that revenue sharing had been a reliable and
consistent source of revenue to help pay for the operations
of general government.
1:10:08 PM
GINGER FORTIN, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for Southeast Alaska
Independent Living (SAIL), and other similar nonprofits.
She urged support of funding for all senior services. She
also testified in support of funding the Alaska Marine
Highway, and hoped that the Kennecott would provide further
service.
1:11:32 PM
MARY DEIHL, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), testified
in support of funding the Alaska Marine Highway. She shared
that it was difficult to get car space on cross-gulf
service on the ferry. She encouraged more cross-gulf ferry
service.
1:12:23 PM
JEFF JABUSCH, BOROUGH MANAGER, WRANGELL CITY AND BOROUGH,
WRANGELL (via teleconference), testified in support of
funding for revenue sharing. He stated that the funding
would provide support for the smaller communities. He
remarked that the property tax exemption law made it
difficult to fund services when 70 percent of the tax
exemptions were directed at seniors. He remarked that many
times the exemptions were directed at the wealthier in
communities. He urged the committee to utilize a state
sales tax. He also urged the committee to restore funding
for public broadcasting. He stressed that the public radio
was the only form of broadcasting in Wrangell.
1:14:52 PM
CHRISTIE JAMIESON, PRESIDENT, WRANGELL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
WRANGELL (via teleconference), urged the committee to
restore funding for public broadcasting. She shared that
the proposed 100 percent reduction would eliminate the
federal match for public radio. She stressed that the
elimination of small stations in the state would eliminate
the possibility for access to state and world news.
1:16:23 PM
SUSAN STEVENS, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She echoed Ms. Jamieson's remarks. She spoke against the
tax exemption withholding. She testified in support of
funding the Alaska Marine Highway. She shared that the poor
communities would be greatly affected by the elimination of
ferry service.
1:17:58 PM
ALEISHA MOLLEN, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She echoed the previous testifiers related to the public
broadcasting funding. She shared that without the state
funding, the local radio station would be eliminated. She
shared that KSTK was Wrangell's only source for state and
local news. She encouraged the committee to consider their
own news sources when determining whether to fund public
radio. She urged the committee to provide the essential and
worthwhile funding to the public radio stations.
1:20:06 PM
MARK JENSEN, MAYOR, PETERSBURG BOROUGH, PETERSBURG (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for
revenue sharing. He felt that SB 21 should be revisited in
order to balance the state's budget situation. He shared
that the Petersburg Borough had a lower proposed balanced
budget than in years prior. He would like to decrease the
municipality contribution to Public Employees' Retirement
System (PERS). He also spoke in support of full funding for
education.
1:22:24 PM
JULIE HURSEY, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She felt that the elimination of funding would cause the
radio to go out of business. She shared that the radio had
recently provided information about an escape inmate, but
the radio was able to provide information about the safety
of children and citizens. She stressed that public radio
was a lifeline. She announced that there were many people
in Petersburg who did not have cell phones or internet.
Public radio was available to everyone regardless of their
ability to pay.
1:24:19 PM
CRAIG OLSON, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He encouraged the reinstatement of the governor's proposed
budget related to public radio. He remarked that the public
radio provided timely safety information. He stressed that
the public radio station in Petersburg provided news and
information to many outlying communities. He stressed that
the budget reduction would eliminate federal funding
availability.
1:26:03 PM
TOM ABBBOTT, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke
in support of capping the Permanent Fund Dividend, and
urged the committee to utilize a state income tax. He also
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. He felt that the governor's proposed cut was
more reasonable than the House proposed 100 percent cut. He
stressed that public radio provided access to local
Alaskans to entertainment, news, and community information.
1:28:24 PM
ANDY DONATO, DIVISION MANAGER, KPU ELECTRIC, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. He shared that there had been a
situation that had eliminated power for most of Ketchikan.
He remarked that the public radio in Ketchikan was able to
announce the situation and encourage the community to lower
their lights and heat to "skirt" the shortage to make
adequate power repairs. He stressed the importance of the
public radio station in Ketchikan.
1:30:20 PM
MELVIN CHARLES, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), urged
the committee to utilize a state income tax. He remarked
that the majority of state fishermen in Alaska were
nonresidents in Alaska. He felt that all of the employed
nonresidents should pay taxes in Alaska. He remarked that
the tax would pay for education. He spoke in support of
reducing funding for food stamps. He felt that a person who
makes over $2000 should pay taxes. He did not feel that
seniors should pay taxes. He felt that there should be a
large tax on alcoholics. He remarked that he had many
additional comments.
Co-Chair MacKinnon handed the gavel to Senator Bishop.
1:32:50 PM
KATHLEEN LIGHT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KETCHIKAN AREA ARTS AND
HUMANITIES COUNCIL, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She stated that the public radio provided a valuable
service in providing information. She stated that a 100
percent cut to public radio would cause a negative ripple
effect across the community.
1:34:14 PM
DEB TURNBULL, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She understood that the committee had a difficult budget
decision. She stated that the public radio in Ketchikan
provided service to many communities surrounding Ketchikan.
She stressed that the budget cuts would cause a loss of
jobs that would cause a loss of service. She stressed that
the local public radio station provided various types of
information to the residents of Ketchikan.
1:36:16 PM
KAREN HOFSTAD, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She remarked that there were many safety issues that
required the information produced by public radio. She
understood that there should be funding for essential
services including public radio communication.
1:38:23 PM
JOE STRATMAN, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He remarked that the rural communities relied on public
radio for the sole source of news and information. He
shared that the public radio in Petersburg provided
information about a major earthquake in 2013. He announced
that the public radio provided access to emergency
information. He felt that a 100 percent cut to public radio
would be detrimental to the local station. He also urged
the committee to utilize a state income tax to support
public radio funding.
1:40:11 PM
SUNNY RICE, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She also testified in support of funding for the
University. She shared that the research in paralytic
shellfish poisoning would be eliminated, and stressed that
the research was important to the safety of the citizens.
She urged the committee to utilize a state income tax, and
testified in support of using Permanent Fund earnings.
1:42:15 PM
LEO LUCZAK, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He supported the governor's proposed budget for public
broadcasting. He remarked that a 100 percent cut would
cause many of the rural stations to lose funding for their
own stations.
1:43:44 PM
CHRISTINE JENKINS, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference),
supported the senior citizen tax exemption. She also urged
support of funding for senior services.
1:44:31 PM
PATRICK MAYER, SUPERINTENDENT, WRANGELL PUBLIC SCHOOL
DISTRICT, WRANGELL (via teleconference), spoke in favor of
full funding for broadband in schools. He spoke in support
of the scheduled $50 increase to the base student
allocation. He testified against the cuts to travel,
personnel, and phones. He also supported enhanced revenue
measures.
1:46:46 PM
MARGARET CLOUD, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She spoke in support of full funding for public television
and radio. She shared a personal story about her daughter.
She stated that her daughter was given the opportunity to
have a radio show, and allowed her to grow and develop. She
stressed that her son would watch valuable educational
programming on public television. She shared that her son
felt that he did not need to attend kindergarten, because
he felt that he was receiving adequate education from
public television.
1:49:17 PM
SHEILA MILLER, VOLUNTEER, KRBD RADIO, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. She shared that she was able to access
state and national news and information through the local
public radio station in Ketchikan. She stressed that she
received most of her information from public radio, because
she did not have internet or phone access in her home.
1:51:05 PM
DENNIS MANN, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), urged
the committee to utilize a state income tax, rather than
accessing the Permanent Fund. He also urged support of
funding for senior services.
1:52:13 PM
JANALEE GAGE, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), shared
that she was a working disabled person. She remarked that
she had seen the disregard of disabled citizens. She urged
the committee to utilize a state income tax. She also urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She stressed that the public radio station provided news
and important emergency information.
1:54:04 PM
JANICE WALKER, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She remarked that there was no cable television, internet
access, or cell phone service in many of the rural
communities. The rural communities often relied on the
local public radio station to access needed community
information. She shared that the budget cut would lead to
the layoff of many public radio personnel. She stated that
the layoffs would result in decreased public content and
quality information. She felt that the cut would also
result in the loss of federal funding. She stressed that
the Ketchikan public radio was the source of emergency
services in Ketchikan and the surrounding communities. She
also spoke in support of alternate revenue sources.
1:57:06 PM
DAVID BYRNE, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He stressed that the radio provided local real time
information and news to the community. He was opposed to
any further budget cuts to the radio.
1:58:08 PM
ERICA KLUDT-PAINTER, SUPERINTENDENT, PETERSBURG SCHOOL
DISTRICT, PETERSBURG (via teleconference), testified in
support of enhanced revenue measures. She felt that the
governor had provided a reasonable budget and revenue
proposal. She also urged the committee to utilize a state
income tax, and testified in support of using Permanent
Fund earnings. She also urged the committee to restore
funding for public broadcasting.
Senator Bishop handed the gavel to Co-Chair MacKinnon.
2:00:24 PM
JOHN HAVRILEK, PETERSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PETERSBURG
(via teleconference), urged the committee to restore
funding for public broadcasting. He stated that the local
public radio had provided adequate information about an
escape inmate, and was able to keep the community of
Petersburg safe.
2:01:32 PM
AT EASE
2:01:50 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: SITKA, CORDOVA, VALDEZ
2:02:13 PM
TED HOWARD, BOARD MEMBER, KCAW, SITKA (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. He felt that the budget reduction would cause
a problem in educating children. He felt that the radio
station could not handle any further budget cuts.
2:03:38 PM
RICH MCCLEAR, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
stressed that the local public radio station could no
longer provide the expensive news services. He stressed
that the state needed to know the activities of the state.
2:05:54 PM
JOHN DULL, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), testified
against all funding for education. He also testified
against funding for all senior citizens and public
broadcasting. He did not feel that the Medicaid funding
should be in incremental. He encouraged the committee to
make adequate budget decisions. He urged the committee to
utilize a substantial state income tax, and a state sales
tax.
2:07:48 PM
MARK GORMAN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR, CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA,
SITKA (via teleconference), felt that moving too quickly in
the budget reductions would result in a recession. He
testified in support of funding for revenue sharing. He
also spoke about the PERS contribution. He spoke in support
of the community sharing programs.
2:09:49 PM
LAUREN BELL, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
shared that she was 27-years-old, and had relied almost
exclusively on public broadcasting for local, state, and
national news. She stressed that she often depended on the
public radio for health, emergency, and safety information.
She remarked that many people did not have access to
internet, and relied on the radio for all information. She
felt that the budget reduction would degrade the value of
Alaska communities.
2:11:34 PM
MARY WEGNER, SUPERINTENDENT, SITKA SCHOOL DISTRICT, SITKA
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding Pre-K
through University. She also spoke in support of the
scheduled $50 increase to the base student allocation. She
stressed that the funds allowed for a quality education for
students. She remarked that, without the funding, there
would be a drastic negative impact on students and
communities. She also testified in support of funding the
Alaska Marine Highway. She opposed the proposed cut to
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).
2:14:55 PM
SANDI KOVAL, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged
support of funding for senior services. She stressed that
many services provided dignity to the senior citizens of
the state. She stressed that the elders of the state were
pioneers who contributed to the community. She felt that
the cuts were devaluing the seniors. She stressed that
every senior services provided priceless human contact for
many citizens. She hoped that the state would continue to
value the existence of the state's senior population.
2:17:22 PM
JON STAVIG, CFO, CITY OF CORDOVA, CORDOVA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding the Alaska
Marine Highway. He remarked that there was a study that
showed that for every dollar spent on the ferry service,
the state saw a two dollar return in the economy. He felt
that the ferry reduction would see a reduction in economic
activity. He also testified in support of funding for
revenue sharing. He stated that Cordova had consistently
provided the maximum allowable contribution to the schools.
2:19:23 PM
BRENT DAVIS, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
shared that he did not own a television, and received their
information from the public radio station.
2:20:05 PM
GRETCHEN CLARKE, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She also testified in support of funding for public health
nursing. She felt that the cuts would result in detrimental
health issues across the state. She remarked that many
radio stations utilized membership support, but could not
fully rely on local support.
2:22:20 PM
JOHN MURRAY, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), testified in
support of funding the Alaska Marine Highway. He agreed
with the outlook of Vice-Chair Micciche. He also urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
felt that public radio and television helped to adequately
inform the citizens of the state. He stressed that it was
important for him to have a connection to the state through
public radio. He thanked the committee for not proposing
cuts to the Board of Fish and Game.
Vice-Chair Micciche requested written comments from Mr.
Murray. He shared that he attempted to reflect the concerns
of Sitka in the current budget. Mr. Murray agreed to
provide that information.
2:25:44 PM
DENNY WEATHERS, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference),
testified against SB 139 and SB 140. She felt that the
government overspending had caused the current budget
shortfall. She spoke against accessing the Permanent Fund,
and also spoke against capping the Permanent Fund Dividend.
She spoke against additional taxes. She spoke in support of
reducing government funding.
Co-Chair MacKinnon shared that the budget did not access
the Permanent Fund or new taxes. She stressed that the
bills were the operating and mental health budgets. Ms.
Weathers agreed. She felt that public radio, and other
public services were not necessities.
2:29:36 PM
JOHN ANDERSON, KCHU, VALDEZ (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
felt that public television and radio were essential
services to rural Alaska. He felt that a cornerstone to a
democracy was a well-informed public. He remarked that
zeroing out the budget for public broadcasting would cause
a loss of federal funds.
2:31:23 PM
SHANE KIMBERLIN, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He stressed that public radio was not owned by the
corporations. He shared that he was a bartender and had
heard many peoples' problems. He felt that local
programming provided hope and solutions to many Alaskans.
2:34:01 PM
GUY BERGSTROM, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
stated that he received most of his news from the local
public radio station in Valdez. He shared that he has a
friend with a serious disability who was able to volunteer
as a disk jockey on the local public radio station in
Valdez.
2:35:48 PM
TERRY SIMMONS, SELF, VALDEZ (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
shared that she was physically and mentally handicapped.
She remarked that the radio station had worked with her to
become a disk jockey on the local public radio station. She
stressed that she had serious dementia, and the radio
station provided her with essential information to increase
her memory.
2:38:38 PM
ROBERT BERCELI, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He shared that the emergency broadcasting system provided
important storm warnings such as high tide and blizzards
that could block the road to Thompson Pass. He shared that
the public radio provided information about terrorist
groups in the world. He also urged the committee to utilize
a state income tax. He felt that the state income tax
should never have been eliminated. He stressed that
commercial fisheries was a major life force of the
community. He also spoke in support of education funding.
2:41:34 PM
KAREN ALLRED, VOLUNTEER, KCHU, VALDEZ (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. She stated that she volunteered because of
her dedication to the underserved in her area. She stressed
that information was not available to everyone in the
private sector. She stressed that the state of Alaska had a
population of a major urban area across a vast area of
land. She stated that information was the cornerstone to
democracy. She stressed that most of the listeners of
public radio stated that it was the lifeline to access to
information. She encouraged the committee to reach out to
the constituents who depend on public radio.
2:44:26 PM
LEE HART, LEVITATION 49, VALDEZ (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She stated that Levitation 49 was an organization that was
dedicated to the diversification of information about
sports services. She stressed that the local station in
Valdez was the only source of media that covered news and
information. She stressed that the commercial radio could
not provide in depth stories about the community and state.
She shared that the ferry service in Valdez had seen
dramatic cuts, so further cuts to information eliminated
access to the outside world.
2:47:49 PM
CHRISTINE NIEMI, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the
scheduled $50 increase to the base student allocation. She
stressed that many schools and families were in crisis. She
also urged the committee to utilize a state income tax. She
shared that there was an income tax in the 1970s, when she
first moved to Alaska. She shared that there was a
tremendous amount of state funding from rural Alaska. She
appreciated the people in rural Alaska. She stressed that
the urban centers of the state had greater access to
resources, and hoped that the people of rural Alaska would
be considered in the operating budget drafting.
2:49:35 PM
AT EASE
3:03:02 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair MacKinnon stated that the committee would go into
RECESS until 3:45 p.m.
3:04:00 PM
RECESS
3:40:32 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: OFF-NET SITES
JOAN KAUTZER, BOARD MEMBER, KFSK, KUPREANOF (via
teleconference), urged the committee to restore funding for
public broadcasting. She appreciated the difficult
financial decisions faced by the legislature, and
understood the inevitability of budget cuts. She thought
zeroing out funding for public radio would be
irresponsible. She recounted that KFSK reviewed its budget
at every board meeting, and the budget was very tight
despite robust listener support and non-stop fundraising
events. She thought that a hundred percent cut would set
off a bad chain reaction resulting in loss of federal grant
money that relied on matching funds, and silencing the
local public radio service on July 1. She discussed the
time it had taken to build up the radio station. She
described public radio as fundamental infrastructure that
was the sole provider of daily local, regional, and state
news. She discussed other functions of local radio such as
emergency information dissemination. She called public
radio a lifeline to the outside world. She recounted the
many important pieces of news she had heard from the radio.
She thought that a hundred percent funding cut to public
radio disproportionately discriminated against Alaskans in
the bush. She asked the committee to reinstate a rational
level of funding for public broadcasting.
3:42:38 PM
JOHN BOLLING, CITY OF CRAIG, CRAIG (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for revenue sharing at the
level of the governor's proposed budget. He reminded the
committee that the governor's budget had included a
reduction in funding for revenue sharing. He stated that
the City of Craig understood the need for reduced state
programs when state revenues declined. He thought that an
abrupt one-third cut to the revenue sharing program was too
great of a reduction for a single year. He thought the
governor's proposal struck a good balance between the need
to reduce state spending and giving communities time to
adjust to any further incremental cuts. He encouraged the
committee to maintain the 22 percent employer match to the
Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).
3:44:12 PM
CARL BERGER, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
stated that the 100 percent cut would have a drastic effect
on the public broadcasting system throughout the state. He
discussed federal funding that required a state match, and
noted that additional revenue would be lost if the proposed
cuts went in to effect. He referred to the many individuals
in the state that consistently supported public
broadcasting. He discussed regions where there was only one
radio station. He encouraged the committee to reconsider
the cuts to public broadcasting.
3:46:11 PM
GLEN MARUNDE, NORTHWAY COMMUNITY, NORTHWAY (via
teleconference), testified in opposition to cuts to the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. He
shared that he was born and raised in the Upper Tanana
Valley, and was testifying on behalf of the community of
Northway and the residents of the section of Alaska Highway
that would be affected by SB 139. He disclosed that he was
a 23-year state employee with DOT. The Northway community
was greatly opposed the proposed cuts that would result in
the closure of the Northway DOT Maintenance Station. His
biggest concern was the safety of the travelling public and
the deterioration of the road surface due to no maintenance
or delayed maintenance. He was concerned about the economic
hardship and future opportunities that would be lost as a
result of the proposed cuts. He thought it was time to
utilize the permanent fund for the purpose for which it was
created. He thanked the finance committee for listening to
the concerns of the Northway community.
3:47:25 PM
JULIA PHELAN, SELF, DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference),
spoke in support of reinstating funds for Best Beginnings
and the Cooperative Extension Service. She observed
positive outcomes in children as a result of early
childhood education. She referred to studies that indicated
a child's personality was largely determined by the age of
five years. She had met many parents who did not understand
the significance of the early stage of child development,
and did not know how to engage their children. She
discussed Imagination library referenced a study that
revealed economic benefits from every dollar spent on early
childhood education. She spoke in support of funding for
the Cooperative Extension Service. She recounted that her
family had started a homestead in the 1970s and had learned
about many necessary food harvest and preservation skills
from the service. She discussed her current use of the
service, and referenced research done by the service that
was used as a resource by her community. She urged the
committee to reinstate funding for the Cooperative
Extension Service, and for Best Beginnings.
3:49:46 PM
JON ERICKSON, CITY MANAGER, CITY OF YAKUTAT (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for
revenue sharing. He pointed out that Yakutat was probably
one of the smallest boroughs in population but one of the
largest boroughs in acreage. He shared that the City of
Yakutat had received $390,000 in revenue sharing the
previous year. The proposed $130,000 cut was the same
amount as the entire administration budget for the borough.
He discussed possible job loss, rising cost of PERS, and
wondered if he would have any full-time employees. He
thanked the committee and urged them to reinstate funding
to the governor's proposed level.
3:51:24 PM
STEVE ALEXANDER, SELF, ELFIN COVE (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. He discussed the importance of public radio
to the community in Elfin Cove. He stated that he was the
tsunami "go-to guy" in Elfin Cove, and wanted to make it
clear that severe weather could impact communications. He
discussed the unreliability of other types of communication
and emphasized the importance of radio in the event of an
emergency. He acknowledged the extreme budget crisis but
thought that there were some things that were very
important. He added that he was a Viet Nam veteran and
retired commercial fisher who had lived in Elfin Cove for
many years.
3:53:46 PM
TODD RICHARDS, SELF, ELFIN COVE (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He supported funding public radio at the governor's
proposed level. He thought that the value of dollars spent
on public broadcasting outweighed the benefit of savings
that would be gained from cutting the service.
3:55:37 PM
MARGARET FRIEDENAUER, SELF, HAINES (via teleconference),
urged the committee to restore funding for public
broadcasting. She stressed that public broadcasting
provided her a job, so she could remain in the community
and state. She reiterated that cutting funding for services
resulted in cutting jobs in the state and communities. She
noted that the lawmakers were still discussing ways to cut
spending rather than discussing ways to pay for the budget.
She felt that revenue producing legislation was important.
3:57:11 PM
ANNE HANSSEN, SELF, HAINES (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. She
highlighted the importance of the local radio station in
Haines. She relayed that the public radio in Haines (KNHS)
had worked hard in the recent years to raise money to
enhance the local news.
3:58:06 PM
JOHN LAMONT, SELF, ALAKANUK (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting and
early childhood education. He also supported alternate
forms of revenue for the state. He was willing to pay an
income tax, and thought that every citizen should pay for
the services in the state. He referred to teachers being
hired from out of state, and felt that there should be a
focus on employing teachers from inside the sate. He spoke
in support of a state income tax. He thought cuts needed to
be made on high administrative positions, and thought many
state employees made more money than the governor. He
mentioned federal funds that were leveraged by state
funding for state funding would be lost as a result of the
proposed budget cuts.
4:01:35 PM
ALBERT NIGNEULOOK, SELF, SHISHMAREF (via teleconference),
urged support of funding for senior services. He mentioned
the heating assistance program and senior benefits. He
highlighted the importance of senior benefits to many
elders in the state. He also urged the committee to restore
funding for public broadcasting.
4:03:15 PM
ELSIE VENT, HUSLIA CITY COUNCIL, HUSLIA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for
revenue sharing. She stressed the importance of the fund as
a lifeline to provide services in Huslia.
4:03:50 PM
JAMES SQUYRES, SELF, RURAL DELTANA (via teleconference),
thought there should be additional cuts to the budget. He
spoke against the governor's proposed state income tax and
cap of the permanent fund. He shared that he had observed
testimony in the Senate State Affairs related to continued
budget cuts. He endorsed the judicious use of the earnings
reserve, and the power of the majority under the caucus
rules to lower the overall budget to $4.5 billion or lower
in the current year. He felt that there should be an
examination of funding sources like the PCE and higher
education fund. He felt that the legislature did not set a
precedent. He called the governor's plan "diabolical." He
shared some thoughts about the inflation proofing of the
Permanent Fund. He felt that the legislature should reduce
the size of government to the 2006 level.
Co-Chair Kelly announced that the budget was at 2003
levels.
Senator Dunleavy asked if Mr. Squyres had mentioned a $4.5
billion for the current year. Mr. Squyres replied in the
affirmative. He clarified that there should be a $4.5
billion budget before the PCE or higher education funds
were maneuvered.
Senator Dunleavy asked if Mr. Squyres supported the use of
the earnings reserve. Mr. Squyres replied in the
affirmative.
4:06:38 PM
FRED PATTERSON, SELF, CHINIAK (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
He stated that public radio was critical to his community,
because they had limited internet at cell phone service.
Co-Chair Kelly handed the gavel to Co-Chair MacKinnon.
4:07:18 PM
JEFF WIDDOWS, SELF, YAKUTAT (via teleconference), urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
discussed the inaccessibility of his area, and shared that
many people did not have internet or phone access. He
thought public radio was important for emergency services.
4:08:35 PM
CHRIS WIDDOWS, SELF, YAKUTAT (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She shared that the community in Yakutat was struggling
financially. She furthered that there were not resources to
fill the monetary gap that would be left by the cuts in
state funding. She discussed federal matching funds that
would be lost if funding was cut. She thanked the committee
for their efforts.
4:09:59 PM
MARY AMAKTOIK, SELF, ELIM (via teleconference), testified
in support of funding for revenue sharing. She supported
funding revenue sharing as proposed in the governor's
budget. She discussed municipal expenses for Elim, and
stressed that the revenue sharing enhanced Elim's ability
to provide essential services to the community. She thanked
the committee for the work they had done.
4:11:31 PM
AT EASE
4:29:17 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair MacKinnon handed the gavel back to Co-Chair Kelly.
4:29:17 PM
DEBORAH POTTER, SELF, SKAGWAY (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She discussed the many isolated rural communities in the
state, and thought that they were dependent upon public
radio to get timely and important information. She shared
that her community depended on the radio for potential
lifesaving information such as weather alerts, road
closures, and last minute changes to the ferry schedule.
She stressed that there was no other way for the community
to receive the important information in a timely manner.
She thought that the cuts to public broadcasting would
affect many vulnerable people. She asked that cuts to
public radio would not exceed the level proposed by the
governor.
4:31:37 PM
JENNIFER THUSS, SELF, SKAGWAY (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting.
She thought public radio was vital to small communities of
Haines, Skagway, and Klukwan. She considered it the fastest
way for the community to share national, state, and local
information in real time. She echoed the remarked of Ms.
Potter.
4:32:41 PM
AT EASE
4:56:01 PM
RECONVENED
MELANIE LESH, SELF, GUSTAVUS (via teleconference), urged
the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting at
the level proposed by the governor. She thought public
broadcasting to critical for individuals in rural Alaska.
She relayed that many communities did not have access to
internet or phone service, and relied on the information
provided by public radio. She thought that public
broadcasting connected the state.
4:58:28 PM
DUSTIN CRANEY, SELF, HAINES (via teleconference), testified
in support of funding the Alaska Marine Highway. He relayed
that he was a business owner, and relied on the ferry
service. The current marine highway schedule was making his
business operations difficult. He was unsure that a planned
road would happen in the near future, and considered planes
to be an uncertain mode of transport. He urged the
committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He
was a regular listener to local radio, and discussed
federal matching funds that would be lost if the proposed
cuts were to happen. He also spoke in support of a cap to
the Permanent Fund Dividend.
5:01:34 PM
AT EASE
5:33:51 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Kelly relayed that public testimony had concluded
for the day. He communicated that the committee would meet
the following morning.
SB 139 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 140 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
5:34:11 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 5:34 p.m.