Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/21/2023 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB39 || HB41 || SB41 | |
| Public Testimony: Anchorage, Matanuska Susitna Valley, and Kenai Peninsula | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 39 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 41 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 41 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 21, 2023
1:06 p.m.
1:06:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 1:06 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator David Wilson
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Alissa Nadine Rogers, Director of Natural Resources,
Orutsararmiut Native Council, Palmer; Chris Rainwater, AK
Association of Conservation Districts, Homer; Doreen
Schenkenberger, Chief Executive Officer, Partners for
Progress, Anchorage; Patrick Reinhart, Director, Governor's
Council on Disability and Special Education, Homer; Bob
Scanlon, Blood Bank of Alaska, Anchorage; Chris Mello,
Blood Bank of Alaska, Anchorage; Kelly Lessons, Anchorage
School Board, Anchorage; Tom Crafton, Key Coalition, Eagle
River; Steve Rollins, Self, Anchorage; Dirk Shumaker, Kids
Core Head Start, Anchorage; Laura Bonner, Self, Anchorage;
George Hays, Deputy Manager, Matsu Borough, Palmer; Alicia
Amberg, Associated General Contractors, Anchorage; Colleen
Dushkin, Association of Alaska Housing Authorities,
Anchorage; Chris Kolerok, Cook Inlet Housing Authorization,
Anchorage; Scott Vierra, Self, Anchorage; Judy Jessen,
Political and Advocacy Organizer, Service Employees
International Union 775, Anchorage; Matt Carle, Blood Bank
of Alaska, Anchorage; Beth Nordlund, Executive Director,
Anchorage Park Foundation, Anchorage; Andres Widemer, Self,
Anchorage; Ginger McKee, Self, Two Rivers; Nicky Szarzi,
Self, Fritz Creek; Kimberly Sasser, Self, Anchorage; Bert
Houghtaling, Self, Big Lake; Marge Stoneking, Advocacy
Director, AARP Alaska, Anchorage; George Thompson, Public
Works Director, City of Houston, Houston; Carly Dennis,
Self, Anchorage; Leslie Davis, Self, Wasilla; Beverly
Luedke-Chan, Self, Anchorage Ski Club, Anchorage; Gabe
Kitter, Self, Wasilla; Trevor Storrs, President and CEO,
Alaska Children's Trust, Anchorage; Katherine Cronlund,
Self, Anchorage; Ron Meehan, Policy and Advocacy Manager,
Food Bank of Alaska, Anchorage; Winter Marshall-Allen,
Self, Homer; Mark Lackey, CCS Early Learning, Wasilla; Wes
Hoskins, MatSu Trails and Parks Foundation, Palmer; M.
Elise Huggins, President, Alaska Chapter of American
Society of Landscape Architects, Anchorage; Paul Seaton,
Self, Kachemak; Lisa Paesani, Self, Anchorage; Richard
Gustafson, Self, Homer; Sue Mauger, Self, Homer; Tiffany
Hall, Recover Alaska, Anchorage; Michele Girault, Executive
Director, Hope Community Resources, Anchorage; George
Pierce, Self, Kasilof; Suzi Pearson, Abused Women's Aid In
Crisis, Anchorage.
SUMMARY
SB 41 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL
SB 41 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CSHB 39(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)(efd fld)
APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP
CSHB 39(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
CSHB 41(FIN) am
APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
CSHB 41(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY: ANCHORAGE, MATANUSKA SUSITNA VALLEY, and
KENAI PENINSULA
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 39(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)(efd fld)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; repealing
appropriations; amending appropriations; making
reappropriations; and making supplemental
appropriations."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 41(FIN) am
"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."
SENATE BILL NO. 41
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations and other appropriations; making
supplemental appropriations; making appropriations to
capitalize funds; and providing for an effective
date."
Co-Chair Stedman discussed the agenda. He relayed that the
committee would hear public testimony on the operating
budget, the mental health budget, and the capital budget
for FY 24. He discussed the public testimony process.
Co-Chair Stedman handed the gavel to Senator Bishop.
1:08:14 PM
AT EASE
1:10:10 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: ANCHORAGE, MATANUSKA SUSITNA VALLEY, and
KENAI PENINSULA
1:11:14 PM
ALISSA NADINE ROGERS, DIRECTOR OF NATURAL RESOURCES,
ORUTSARARMIUT NATIVE COUNCIL, PALMER (via teleconference),
supported pay and benefits for teachers. She cited that the
Western region of the state was constantly being threatened
with development. She supported infrastructure for
businesses and fisheries. She mentioned the Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) scaling back permitting.
She mentioned the decline of salmon fisheries.
1:13:43 PM
CHRIS RAINWATER, AK ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS,
HOMER (via teleconference), testified in support of funding
in the capital budget for a line item of $250,000 to be
spread amongst the 10 conservation districts. He referenced
capital project request TPS 68001. He described that
conservation districts came out of the dustbowl era as a
solution to renewable resource problems that were
overwhelming the nation. He discussed conversation
districts and partnering with the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA). The conservation districts matched
$10 million for programs and had about 75 staff people. He
mentioned the Statehood Act.
1:17:13 PM
DOREEN SCHENKENBERGER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PARTNERS
FOR PROGRESS, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in
support of $2 million for the Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation (AHFC) Homeless Assistance Program. She relayed
that Partners for Progress provided services to
incarcerated and previously incarcerated homeless
individuals supporting Alaskas therapeutic courts and
walk-in center in Anchorage. She emphasized that safe
housing was essential for recidivism reduction and
recovery. She discussed supportive services. She supported
adding $750,000 for the Special Needs Housing Grant for
AHFC. She noted that many individuals served by Partners
for Progress suffered from mental illness. She asserted
that adding funding to the budget would help keep the
population from homelessness and recidivism and would save
the state money.
1:19:47 PM
PATRICK REINHART, DIRECTOR, GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON
DISABILITY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION, HOMER (via
teleconference), testified in support of infrastructure
funds for eradication of the Intellectual and Developmental
Disabilities (IDD) waitlist waiver for care of individuals
with disabilities. He noted that there was a need for
funding the system itself to support providers across the
state. He mentioned $100,000 in funding for the Centralized
Accommodation Fund for employing more people with
disabilities in state government. He supported Senior and
Disability Services grants and the Aging and Disability
Resource Center.
1:21:43 PM
BOB SCANLON, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support for the remaining funding
in the capital budget to complete the project of a donor
testing lab. The funding would be leveraged by the Blood
Bank of Alaska to end a vulnerability of the states blood
supply with a donor testing laboratory. He explained that
donor testing currently was done out of state and was
experiencing a serious bottleneck. He mentioned airport
closures and aircraft issues that caused delays of
lifesaving blood in hospitals. He emphasized the need for
the blood bank to be self-sufficient.
1:24:36 PM
CHRIS MELLO, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
donor testing lab. He relayed that the blood bank had been
in operation for 60 years in the state, and relayed that
the bank had an all-Alaskan, all-volunteer board of
directors. He mentioned problems because of weather delays.
He cited that there were only about six testing labs
throughout the nation. He furthered that the labs operated
at 100 percent capacity. He discussed the time-sensitive
nature of blood and blood testing, which jeopardized blood
supply if one testing lab went offline.
1:26:07 PM
KELLY LESSONS, ANCHORAGE SCHOOL BOARD, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of increased education
funding with at least $257 million of additional funding
for FY 24. She noted that although the Anchorage School
District (ASD) had closed schools and implemented
efficiencies, it could not balance FY 21 through FY 24
budgets without the assistance of $100 million from three
rounds of federal relief funds. She cited that the last of
the relief funds would be used to retain teachers, and
without action ASDs budget deficit was projected to be $85
million for FY 25. She asserted that past legislatures had
backfilled budgets with federal relief funds. She mentioned
school closures, cuts to teaching positions, and cutting
administration. She mentioned an increase in pupil-teacher
ratio. She stressed that all of ASD's Covid-19 funds had
been expended. She noted that the Anchorage School Board
engaged in a transparent process.
1:29:31 PM
TOM CRAFTON, KEY COALITION, EAGLE RIVER (via
teleconference), supported funding to eradicate the IDD
waitlist. He supported $15 million in funding for service
providers. He discussed his background and his family. He
mentioned that his daughter was a disability advocate and
being recognized for her work.
Senator Bishop handed the gavel to Senator Merrick.
1:31:51 PM
STEVE ROLLINS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of education funding. He thought education was
important for an expanding economy. He shared that he was
the head of the University of Alaska/Alaska Pacific
University Consortium Library. He advocated for increased
Base Student Allocation (BSA) funding as close to the $1000
level as possible. He supported funding for Statewide
Library Electronic Doorway (SLED) and the Alaska Library
Catalog (ALC). He supported the addition of $635,000 to the
operating budget. He cited that the ALC had grown to
include more than 90 libraries covering rural and urban
titles. He described the size and use of SLED. He mentioned
cuts to libraries.
1:34:13 PM
DIRK SHUMAKER, KIDS CORE HEAD START, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support Head Start grant
funding. He described that Head Starts services included
preschool and early learning, developmental screenings, and
support for families. He discussed the accountability of
the Head Start program. He supported $5 million of
increased funding for Head Start. He noted that wages and
benefits were far below K-12 education. He cited that
programs were understaffed and struggling to keep
classrooms open. He discussed rent and utilities costs.
1:36:07 PM
LAURA BONNER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
in support of increased funding for education. She listed
her funding priorities: increased BSA, the University of
Alaska, domestic violence programs, reduction of the IDD
waitlist, a reasonable Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD),
federal matching programs, workforce development, broadband
access, marine highways, ports, and UAs deferred
maintenance.
1:38:21 PM
GEORGE HAYS, DEPUTY MANAGER, MATSU BOROUGH, PALMER (via
teleconference), testified in support of full funding for
school bond debt reimbursement, community assistance, and
harbor debt reimbursement. He cited that the Matanuska-
Susitna (Mat-Su) Borough continued to be the fastest
growing borough in the state. He expressed support for the
2024 Arctic Winter Games with a $2 million appropriation to
host the games. He supported funding to start a Mat-Su
metropolitan planning organization, which would support
transportation planning. He discussed capital funding, and
supported transportation funding. He considered the need
for upgrades to roads in his area, which was growing.
1:40:24 PM
ALICIA AMBERG, ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for DEC
to assume primacy over Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
She relayed that Associated General Contractors (AGC) was
the industrys largest professional trade association,
representing over 600 contractors and suppliers statewide.
She asserted that the economy would benefit from Alaskans
permitting projects in the state. She thought in-state
permitting and regulation would take into account the
unique aspects of construction in the state without
compromising environmental standards. She thought DEC
taking primacy for the program would strengthen the
permitting process. She believed a state-run primacy
program would improve access and thereby communication and
accountability. She considered that the funds coming to the
state through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
(IIJA) would bring opportunities to the state but would
result in a significant backlog in permits. She thought the
state run program would provide a high level of regulatory
certainty with reasonable timelines.
1:43:07 PM
COLLEEN DUSHKIN, ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA HOUSING AUTHORITIES,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of
funding for AHFC programs including housing development
grants for the supplemental program, senior housing
program, and professional housing program. She explained
that the Association of Alaska Housing Authorities was a
membership organization of 14 regional housing authorities
that provided affordable housing and services for 196
tribes across the state. She discussed how the grants were
used for infrastructure development. She mentioned growth
in the senior population. She discussed the challenge of
recruitment and retaining of workforce, and the barrier of
availability of housing.
1:45:31 PM
CHRIS KOLEROK, COOK INLET HOUSING AUTHORIZATION, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), supported affordable housing
development funding appropriated through AHFC. He mentioned
supplemental grant program funding that leveraged other
funds. He discussed senior and professional housing
programs. He used the example of how the supplemental
housing grant was used to leverage other funding for a
development in Anchorage. He discussed the importance of
housing in the state.
1:48:16 PM
SCOTT VIERRA, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of DEC assuming primacy for Section
404 of the Clean Water Act. He was with North Star Terminal
and Stevedore Company, and North Star Equipment Services,
which had worked with the petroleum industry. He asserted
that if 404 primacy was implemented, DEC would apply
rigorous standards and would do better than the federal
government. He referenced project delays. He discussed the
states unique landscape and construction season. He
thought the state had an excellent track record of
responsible resource development.
1:50:52 PM
JUDY JESSEN, POLITICAL AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZER, SERVICE
EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION 775, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified for additional funding for the
Division of Senior and Disability Services to support
participant-directed care for seniors. She discussed
workforce challenges. She emphasized the importance of home
and community-based services. She discussed the expense of
institutional placement versus home and community-based
services.
1:54:01 PM
MATT CARLE, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the $2 million
appropriation for a blood donor testing lab. He was an
enrolled member of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska.
He discussed the need for self-sufficiency for Alaskas
blood and blood products. He discussed rural communities
and access to blook supply under emergency conditions.
1:55:34 PM
BETH NORDLUND, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ANCHORAGE PARK
FOUNDATION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in
favor of funding in the capital budget. She noted that the
Anchorage Park Foundation was focused on finding local,
private, and state funding to match federal funding. She
listed foundation projects including the Alaska Long Trail
Project, the Spenard Railroad Multi-use Pathway, the
University and medical district trail system, the Chester
Creek Greenbelt Park and trail enhancements, the Russian
Jack Springs Park safety improvements, East Chester
Woodside Park inclusive playground, and the Takotna-Cook
Inlet national heritage area.
1:56:44 PM
ANDRES WIDEMER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for eliminating the IDD
waitlist [via a communication support individual].
1:58:32 PM
GINGER MCKEE, SELF, TWO RIVERS (via teleconference), spoke
against the $2.8 million grant for the Two Rivers Fire
Department. She explained that Two Rivers was a fire
service area with seated commissioners. The commissioners
had brought forth a budget that was awaiting approval by
the borough assembly. She recounted that the Fairbanks
North Star Borough Mayor had applied for a grant for a fire
station building, water truck, and well and water storage.
The grant would include a level of service for prevention
and education. She emphasized that that Two Rivers had no
need for the services nor the $2.8 million in requested
funding. She discussed disagreement between local
commissioners and the borough.
2:01:18 PM
NICKY SZARZI, SELF, FRITZ CREEK (via teleconference), spoke
in favor of funding for projects in Kachemak Bay State
Park. She shared that she was a volunteer with Friends of
Kachemak Bay State Park. She noted that the park, which had
71 miles of trail had only one paid staff in charge of
trails and no paid crew for trails or facilities
maintenance staff. She explained that two rangers and trail
specialists must depend on volunteers for a variety of
maintenance tasks. She discussed a lack of project
completion and trail maintenance. She asserted that state
parks in Homer received a lot of use and provided many
jobs. She discussed $50,000 to $100,000 in funding for a
seasonal crew of 4 to 5 people. She noted that a trail
specialist could apply for grants if funded for 12 months
instead of only 8.
2:04:08 PM
KIMBERLY SASSER, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding to raise rates for direct
service providers. She supported $15 million in funding for
IDD. She cited that she had intellectual developmental
disabilities and lived in a group home. She discussed
workforce challenges.
2:06:31 PM
BERT HOUGHTALING, SELF, BIG LAKE (via teleconference),
testified in support of a budget cap. He was concerned
about the savings in the Statutory Budget Reserve (SBR) and
the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR) being expended. He
supported defunding programs and then rebuilding by funding
only essential services. He wanted to follow the
constitution in explicitly maximizing the states resources
for the benefit of all citizens. He did not want to follow
federal policies that came with the use of federal funds.
He supported restructuring Alaska school districts to
reduce administrative overhead. He supported a return of
parental rights.
Senator Merrick wondered whether Mr. Houghtaling supported
raising taxes in order to pay a larger PFD.
Mr. Houghtaling replied that he supported reducing the
budget and seeing accountability before supporting a tax.
2:08:55 PM
MARGE STONEKING, ADVOCACY DIRECTOR, AARP ALASKA, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), testified in support of $647,800 in
funding for Senior and Disability Services. She cited that
nursing home institutional care for one Alaskan at nearly
$160,000 per year cost the state and Medicaid four times
more than a home and community-based services waiver. She
thought the waiver system was at risk and identified that
the state was experiencing a direct care workforce
shortage. The shortage was jeopardizing the ability of
people with disabilities and the elderly to receive in-home
care and avoid institutionalization. She discussed aging in
place and participant-directed care. She mentioned the IDD
waitlist elimination. She supported budget intent language
that the funds were directed to the directed care service
delivery model. She supported $15 million for grants to
senior centers and independent living centers.
2:11:31 PM
GEORGE THOMPSON, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, CITY OF HOUSTON,
HOUSTON (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding
for a natural gas expansion project. He mentioned the 20
percent poverty rate in Houston and offsets to the cost of
heating. He supported $3 million for a new fire station and
public works facility. He thought the gas expansion project
would lower the cost of heating by 70 percent for some
people.
2:13:10 PM
CARLY DENNIS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
against DEC assuming primacy of Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act. She asserted that assuming the program would be
very costly for the state. She referenced DECs 2022
funding request of 28 staff and cited an estimated $5
million for the program. She noted that the Army Corps of
Engineers currently ran the program with 49 staff with an
annual budget of almost $8 million. She thought only 3
other states had assumed the permitting responsibilities
due to the high cost, and two of the states had experienced
severe problems with the programs. She referenced cuts to
DEC programs such as oil spill response and Ocean Rangers.
She thought any future funding cuts would result in lower
issuance of permits.
2:15:45 PM
LESLIE DAVIS, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of increasing funding for individuals with
developmental disabilities. Her son experienced Autism and
other conditions and received services under a Medicaid
waiver for a group home and other mental health services.
She shared a personal story. She emphasized the importance
of systems that provide services to vulnerable people.
2:18:17 PM
BEVERLY LUEDKE-CHAN, SELF, ANCHORAGE SKI CLUB, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), testified in support of six projects
within Chugiak State Park that were included in the Alaska
Long Trail Project in the capital budget. She discussed
needed upgrades to the Arctic Valley Trailhead. She
mentioned other projects in the park, which had limited
funds. All of the projects addressed issues in the park
including erosion and multi-use access.
2:20:22 PM
GABE KITTER, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), testified
in opposition to DEC assuming primacy over Section 404 of
the Clean Water Act. He thought the state should focus on
savings and spend money in ways that benefitted all
Alaskans or offered a financial return. He pointed out that
the program was currently run at no cost to the state. He
thought the matter should be addressed at a later time. He
did not think the proposed $5 million was sufficient to run
the program.
2:22:24 PM
TREVOR STORRS, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ALASKA CHILDREN'S TRUST,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding
for the childcare sector and funding for programs such as
$5 million for Head Start. He noted that Alaska had
struggled with one of the highest per-capita rates of child
maltreatment in the nation. He cited that evidence showed
that when there were resources and education available it
was possible to reduce the problem. He thought prevention
should be a priority and spoke of the costs of childhood
trauma. He discussed the importance of a functional
childcare sector. He supported a one-time investment of at
least $15 million for the childcare sector.
2:24:34 PM
KATHERINE CRONLUND, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for individualized support for
providers of services for people with disabilities. She was
the parent and caregiver for two special needs children.
She discussed the challenges with finding care providers.
She spoke of the advantages of home and community-based
waivers, and of allowing family members to be care-givers.
2:26:35 PM
RON MEEHAN, POLICY AND ADVOCACY MANAGER, FOOD BANK OF
ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in
support of the governors amended supplemental budget
proposals for technology and database upgrades, and staff
and IT workers at the Department of Health (DOH). He
asserted that the funding would help get through the
current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
backlog and would help prevent future backlogs. He
emphasized that the SNAP backlog had devastating to people
across the state. He cited an outdated computer system as
one of the reasons for the backlog. He cited that the
Division of Public Assistance was understaffed and
overworked, and hiring more workers and IT staff would
reduce strain and allow for faster application processing.
He supported additional improvements to SNAP eligibility
processing. He discussed food distribution.
2:29:11 PM
WINTER MARSHALL-ALLEN, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference),
spoke in support of a one-time increase in education
funding and funding for IDD waivers. She shared that she
was a special education teacher at Homer High School. She
mentioned an additional $175 million in funding. She
expressed support for discussions on the education funding
formula. She expressed concern about a reduction in
staffing. She supported diversification of state revenues.
Senator Merrick noted that the proposed funding of $175
million outside the BSA had not received the necessary
three-quarters vote, and there was currently no funding
outside the BSA.
2:31:32 PM
MARK LACKEY, CCS EARLY LEARNING, WASILLA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of early education
funding. He relayed this his program delivered Head Start
and early Head Start services. He noted that his program
was never able to fill the needs of all eligible kids. He
discussed staffing issues since the Covid-19 pandemic. He
referenced a message from the federal funding partners that
required serving more children. He mentioned $5 million in
the House budget, which would be a 20 percent match for the
federal funds coming to the state. He urged the committee
to include the $5 million.
2:34:14 PM
WES HOSKINS, MATSU TRAILS AND PARKS FOUNDATION, PALMER (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the Alaska Long Trail
projects. He explained that his foundation was a public
foundation that funded trails and parks. He discussed the
growth of the Mat-Su area. He mentioned 14 projects in the
capital budget including TPS number 67978 for a study, and
TPS 66755 for trail connections. He noted that the
foundation was ready to provide matching funds for the
projects.
2:36:50 PM
M. ELISE HUGGINS, PRESIDENT, ALASKA CHAPTER OF AMERICAN
SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the Long
Trail project. She noted that landscape architects did a
lot of trail design and recreation planning. She considered
that the project would help diversify the states economy.
She used herself as an example of funds flowing into local
economies through trail use. She emphasized the importance
of the projects. She used the example of trail users in
Washington, which supported 81,000 jobs and resulted in
$8.2 billion contributed by trail users. She thought the
trail could be designed for all kinds of users year-round.
2:39:58 PM
PAUL SEATON, SELF, KACHEMAK (via teleconference), supported
reduction of the deficit by adopting the oil tax reforms
proposed in SB 114. He thought the revenue would be
generated by treating all major oil producers equally
regardless of companies structure, and would also lower the
maximum per-barrel tax credit from $8/bbl to $5/bbl. He
spoke in opposition to DEC assuming primacy for Section 404
of the Clean Water Act, and proposed moving the $5 million
to the Renewable Energy Fund. He thought assumption of the
program would result in a hit to all future budgets. He
shared concern that the 404 process, under the states
control, would have a lot of leverage to not follow the
standards.
2:41:36 PM
LISA PAESANI, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
requested $5 million for Head Start. She spoke of the need
for employee retention. She advocated for early childhood
education. She noted that she was on the board of directors
for Head Start. She also spoke in opposition to the 404
Primacy permitting state takeover.
2:43:28 PM
RICHARD GUSTAFSON, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference),
testified in opposition to the state taking over the
primacy of Section 404 permitting. He also spoke in support
of SB 114. He discussed state funding needs and emphasized
that everyone pay their fair share.
2:44:44 PM
SUE MAUGER, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to $5 million in funding for the state to assume
primacy of 404 permitting. She relayed that she was the
science and executive director of Cook Inlet Keeper. She
referenced earlier testimony. She pointed out that only
three states had assumed wetland permitting from the
federal government, because it was currently done at no
cost. She thought it was unnecessary to bring a contentious
process into the state when the state was experiencing
difficulties with the retention of state employees. She
suggested providing funding to incorporate public notice
and public comment on existing fish habitat permitting.
2:46:43 PM
TIFFANY HALL, RECOVER ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of maintained funding for
prevention, treatment, and recovery services. She
specifically supported behavioral health and public health
Crisis Now continuum of care grants, maintaining the
behavioral health treatment and recovery grants, and
supporting peer support certification funding.
2:47:44 PM
MICHELE GIRAULT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HOPE COMMUNITY
RESOURCES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support
of funding for developmental disability services. She
served as the board president for the Key Coalition of
Alaska. She was also the guardian for a friend that
received home and community based disability support
services. She acknowledged the competing demands of the
budget. She mentioned the Senior and Disability Services
plan to eradicate the waitlist for services for Alaskans
with disabilities, who waited an average of five years. She
supported funds allocated to further support step one of
the plan to eradicate the waitlist. She supported an
additional $15 million increment to create a bridge while
DOH worked towards a better rate restructuring plan. She
supported a smaller PFD so the critical needs of the state
could be met.
2:49:29 PM
GEORGE PIERCE, SELF, KASILOF (via teleconference), spoke
against spending. He contended that the state had relied
heavily on revenue from oil production to fund state
government, while also spending from the Permanent Fund. He
thought there were loopholes that had cost the state
millions of dollars. He thought there had been excessive
growth of government. He was concerned about growth in
spending. He referenced a spending cap. He thought the
budget needed a balanced approach and referenced the
volatility of oil and gas revenue. He thought the industry
should be taxed. He did not think funding should be given
to non-profits and special interest groups.
2:52:12 PM
SUZI PEARSON, ABUSED WOMEN'S AID IN CRISIS, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for a $3
million one-time increment of General Funds (GF) and a $3.5
million federal appropriation. She noted that the Abused
Womens Aid In Crisis (AWAIC) was the only emergency
domestic violence shelter in Anchorage that included
multiple services. She noted that the largest funder for
AWAIC was the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault (CDVSA). She discussed supports through AWAIC
including a 24-hour crisis support line, and referenced
increasing demand. She referenced 5 vacant positions. She
noted that without the proposed increments, services for
victims would be $6.5 million short from previous years
funding. She requested that the one-time GF be put in the
base for CDVSA, and additional funds to address flat
funding.
2:54:06 PM
AT EASE
2:54:14 PM
RECONVENED
Senator Merrick CLOSED public testimony.
SB 41 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CSHB 39(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CSHB 41(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
2:54:56 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 2:54 p.m.
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