Legislature(2015 - 2016)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/06/2015 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB26 | |
| Public Testimony: Anchorage | |
| Public Testimony: Kenai, Seward, Homer | |
| Public Testimony: Mat-su, Glennallen, Delta Junction | |
| SB86 | |
| Public Testimony: Mat-su | |
| Public Testimony: Barrow, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg | |
| Public Testimony: Sitka, Cordova, Valdez | |
| Public Testimony: Juneau | |
| Public Testimony: Fairbanks, Tok | |
| Public Testimony: Bethel, Nome, Kotzebue, Unalaska | |
| Public Testimony: Kodiak, Dillingham | |
| Public Testimony: Statewide Teleconference - Offnet Sites | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | SB 86 | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 6, 2015
9:01 a.m.
9:01:55 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair MacKinnon called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Anna MacKinnon, Co-Chair
Senator Pete Kelly, Co-Chair
Senator Peter Micciche, Vice-Chair
Senator Mike Dunleavy
Senator Click Bishop
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Donny Olson
ALSO PRESENT
Carl Uchytil, Port Director, President, Alaska Association
of Harbormasters and Port Administrators, Juneau; Ken
Alper, Director, Tax Division, Department of Revenue; Tom
Brice, Laborers 942, Juneau; Melanie Zahasky, Hope
Community Resources, Juneau; Beth Handley, Hope Community
Resources, Juneau; Doug Bridges, Catholic Community
Services, Board Member, Alaska Mobility Coalition, Juneau;
Ed Page, Executive Director, Marine Exchange of Alaska,
Juneau; Lisa Mariotti, Policy Director, Alaska Network on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Juneau; Jeff Weltzin,
Tanana Chiefs Conference, Juneau; Tom Begich, Government
Affairs Director, Citizens for the Educational Advancement
of Alaska's Children, Anchorage; Dave Donley, Hope
Community Resources, Juneau; Senator Cathy Giessel;
Representative Dan Ortiz; Representative Louise Stutes.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Dan Duane, Association of Alaska Housing Authorities,
Anchorage; Robert Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer, Blood
Bank of Alaska, Anchorage; Robert Petersen, Board Chairman,
Blood Bank of Alaska, Anchorage; Rebecca Piersch, Shelter
Manager, Abused Women's Aid in Crisis (AWAIC), Anchorage;
Joel Renno, Case Manager, AWAIC, Anchorage; Erin Wilson,
Deputy Director, Aleutian Housing Authority, Anchorage;
Gabe Layman, Cook Inlet Housing Authority, Anchorage; Tonja
Rainbow, Chief Operations Officer, Hope Community
Resources, Anchorage; Kathy Tongsgard, Chief Financial
Officer, Hope Community Resources, Anchorage; Lance Wilber,
Director of Public Transportation, Municipality of
Anchorage, Anchorage; Judy Eledge, Self, Anchorage; Regan
Mattingly, Executive Director, Alaska Center for the Blind
and Visually Impaired, Anchorage; Bryan Clemenz, University
of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) College of Engineering Advisory
Development Council, Anchorage; Dale Nelson, Alaska
Professional Design Council, Anchorage; Butch Moore, Self,
Anchorage; Stacey McAson, Student Body President,
University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage; Matthew
Ostrander, Student Senator, University of Alaska,
Anchorage; Holly Scott, Self, Kenai; Dennis Haas, Self,
Kenai; Kathy Fitzgerald, Self, Kenai; Suzanne Fisler, Self,
Kenai; David Anderson, General Manager, KBBI Public Radio
in Homer and KDLL Public Radio in Kenai and Soldotna,
Homer; Max Funk, Harbor Master, City of Seward, Seward; Amy
Seitz, Alaska Farm Bureau, Soldotna; Abby Ala, Self,
Soldotna; Heidi Chay, District Manager, Kenai Soil and
Water Conservation District, Kenai; Steve Ashman, Division
Manager, Municipality of Anchorage Department of Health and
Human Services, Anchorage; Bryce Wrigley, Alaska
Association of Conservation Districts, Delta Junction;
Rebecca Wilburn, Delta Community School District, Delta
Junction; Dennis McGlothin Jr., Copper River Basin Regional
Housing Authority, Glennallen; Gary Huntsinger, Self, Kenny
Lake; Ann Arrisi, Hope Community Resources, Mat-Su; Ray
Collins, Hope Community Resources, Mat-Su; John Moosey,
Manager, Mat-Su Borough, Mat-Su; Naomi Nelson, Executive
Director, Mat-Su Community Transit (MASCOT), Mat-Su; Carol
Rushmore, Director of Economic Development, City and
Borough of Wrangell, Wrangell; Steve Corporon, Alaska
Association of Harbor Masters and Port Administrators,
Ketchikan; Seth Brakke, Assistant Public Works Director,
City of Ketchikan, Ketchikan; Kyan Reeve, Transit Manager,
Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Ketchikan; Roxane Lee, Self,
Petersburg; Dr. Tom Conley, Sitka School Board, Sitka; John
David Ragan, Self, Fairbanks; David Withoff, Self,
Fairbanks; Paul Gill, Self, Fairbanks; Jo Seamon, Self,
Fairbanks; Joe Hardenbrook, Mayor's Office, Fairbanks North
Star Borough, Fairbanks; Joni Scharfenberg, Fairbanks Soil
and Water Conservation District, Fairbanks; Russell Snyder,
Grants Coordinator, Interior Regional Housing Authority,
Fairbanks; Adam Barth, Fairbanks North Star Borough
Transportation Department, Fairbanks; Dave Miller, Self,
Fairbanks; Terry Duszyniski, Self, Fairbanks; Aditi Shenoy,
Invasive Species Specialist, Fairbanks Soil and Water
Conservation District, Fairbanks; Dan LaBrosse, Denali Deaf
Community Center, Fairbanks; Dr. Ann Marie O'Brien,
Superintendent, Northwest Arctic Borough School District,
Kotzebue; Kerry Boyd, Superintendent, Yukon Koyukuk School
District, Fairbanks; John Sargent, Grant Manager, City of
Bethel; Allan Joseph, Self, Bethel; John Owens, Self,
Bethel; Brian Lefferts, Employee, Yukon Kuskokwim Health
Corporation, Bethel; Millie Hawley, Kivalina IRA Council,
Kivalina; Stan Hawley, Kivalina IRA Council, Kivalina;
Dolly Foster, Tribe Secretary and Treasurer, Kivalina IRA
Council, Kivalina; Shirley Marquardt, Mayor, City of
Unalaska; Brenda Akelkok, Executive Director, Bristol Bay
Housing Authority, Dillingham; Kevin Tennyson,
Weatherization Director, Bristol Bay Housing Authority,
Dillingham; Stanley Cole, Hope Community Resources,
Dillingham; Carla Kimmel, Employee, Hope Community
Resources, Kodiak; Glenda Fernandez, Hope Community
Resources, Kodiak; Jackie Malutin, Hope Community
Resources, Kodiak; Jeff Garcia, Hope Community Resources,
Kodiak; Donna Mendigorin, Parent, Kodiak; Corrie Davis,
Director, Community Support Services, Hope Community
Resources, Kodiak; Pat Branson, Mayor, City of Kodiak;
Corrine Ferre, Employee, Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation
District, Kodiak; Sonia Clary, Employee, Hope Community
Resources, Kodiak; Herman Morgan, Self, Aniak; Kara
Groicher, Director, Standing Together Against Rape,
Anchorage; Pinkey Tooyak, Volunteer, Alaska Center for the
Blind and Visually Impaired, Barrow; Samantha Mintz-Gentz,
Advocate, Standing Together Against Rape, Anchorage; Thomas
McKenzie-Corbitt, Self, Clam Gulch; Karen Gonne-Harrell,
Case Manager, Standing Together Against Rape, Anchorage;
Soma Kliemann, Abused Women's Aid in Crisis, Anchorage;
Richard Webb, Self, Fox; Chuck Kancic, Wasilla Soil and
Water Conservation District, Wasilla; Rick Berns, Mayor,
City of Old Harbor; Mike Wood, President, Board of Susitna
River Coalition, Chase; Jeff Smeenk, District Manager,
Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District, Palmer; Nancy
Anderson, Department of Health and Human Services,
Municipality of Anchorage; John Fulton, Manager, Bristol
Bay Borough; Surge Kulikov, Service Advocate, STAR,
Anchorage; Chris Reitan, Galena School District, Galena;
Louie Flora, Legislative Liaison, Alaska Center for the
Environment and Alaska Conservation Voters, Juneau.
SUMMARY
SB 26 BUDGET: CAPITAL
SB 26 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 86 REFINED FUEL SURCHARGE; MOTOR FUEL TAX
CSSB 86(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a
"do pass" recommendation and with one previously
published zero fiscal note: FN 1(REV); one new
fiscal impact note from the Senate Finance
Committee for the Department of Environmental
Conservation; and one new fiscal impact note from
the Department of Environmental Conservation.
SENATE BILL NO. 26
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations and other appropriations; making
appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for
an effective date."
9:04:17 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon reviewed the balances of the Statutory
Budget Reserve as well as the Constitutional Budget
Reserve. She reviewed the testimony procedures.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: ANCHORAGE
9:04:25 AM
DAN DUANE, ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA HOUSING AUTHORITIES,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of two
capital budget programs funded through the Alaska Housing
Finance Corporation (AHFC); the Weatherization Program and
the Supplemental Housing Development Grant Program. He
outlined the necessity and statewide benefits of the
weatherization program. He relayed several correlating
statistics and discussed the program's resulting cost
savings. He urged the legislature not to defund and
dismantle the successful weatherization program. He
understood the need for budget reductions. However, he
suggested a 25 percent to 30 percent cut rather than a 75
percent to 80 percent cut that was currently proposed. He
also urged support for the AHFC Supplemental Housing
Development Grant Program and provided a list of benefits.
He urged some sort of modest funding to keep the grant
program going. He thanked the committee for the opportunity
to testify.
9:07:20 AM
ROBERT SCANLON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BLOOD BANK OF
ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged support for
the construction project for the Blood Bank building in
Anchorage. He explained that the new building would better
meet FDA requirements. He also indicated that the new
building would allow the blood bank to provide additional
services. He reported that the Blood Bank of Alaska was a
first responder responsible for providing blood to the
entire state in the event of a disaster or crisis.
9:09:15 AM
ROBERT PETERSEN, BOARD CHAIRMAN, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged support for funding
for the Blood Bank of Alaska's new building. He discussed
the details of the project and reported that it was
currently on schedule and under budget. The project was
scheduled to be completed at the end of 2015. He reported
that the project would be completed under budget by $6
million if the project remained on schedule. He reported
that there was a $5 million gap and suggested that the
blood bank could raise $3 million of those funds. He asked
that the state fund the remaining $2 million to close the
gap and complete the project. He thanked committee members
for their time.
9:11:49 AM
REBECCA PIERSCH, SHELTER MANAGER, ABUSED WOMEN'S AID IN
CRISIS (AWAIC), ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), urged
support for additional monies for the program. She reported
that AWAIC was the largest emergency shelter in Alaska and
that it operated over capacity for 67 percent of the year
in FY 14. She stated that the AWAIC Intervention Project
was an evidence-based program and provided a number of
statistics supporting its benefits. She understood the
severe budget constraints facing Alaska. She suggested that
the program saved the state over $2 million annually. The
municipality of Anchorage contributed over half of the
project's costs. She believed that everyone deserved to
live in a community where response to and prevention of
domestic violence and sexual assault was a priority. She
urged legislators to continue funding for the critical
program.
9:14:32 AM
JOEL RENNO, CASE MANAGER, AWAIC, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the Empowering Choices
Housing Program (ECHP). He shared his personal experience
witnessing the benefits of the program. He detailed some of
the benefits resulting from victims securing independent
housing. He conveyed the difficulty for victims to provide
first and last month's rent to escape from abusive
partners. The ECHP program provided the help needed to
remove victims from their abusive environments and place
them into a safe and stable home base. He continued to
identify the positive effects of the program. He thanked
the committee for its time and consideration.
9:17:21 AM
ERIN WILSON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ALEUTIAN HOUSING AUTHORITY,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of two
programs; AHFS Weatherization Program and the Supplemental
Housing Development Grant Program. She outlined the
importance of the weatherization program and reported that
280 homes received energy upgrades in her region. The
recipients of the program had seen reductions in the use of
diesel fuel and reported a cash savings of about 40 percent
on average. She provided additional secondary benefits of
the program. She relayed that ISER reported that
implementing energy efficiency measures like the
weatherization program was the single-most cost effective
method of addressing significant rural energy issues. She
urged the legislature to continue funding the
weatherization program. She added her support for a modest
capital request for the AHFC Supplemental Housing
Development Grant Program. Federal dollars were leveraged
for a minimal state investment. She thanked the committee
for its time.
9:19:21 AM
GABE LAYMAN, COOK INLET HOUSING AUTHORITY, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the AHFC Supplemental
Housing Development Grant Program. He provided a brief
summary of the program. He specified that the program could
not fund more than 20 percent of the cost for any housing
project making it an important tool in attracting and
securing non-state funding dollars. He discussed the
challenges of energy efficiency, the high cost of energy,
and high energy consumption in Alaska. He gave some
statistics regarding the cost of energy per family per
year. He continued to provide additional information about
the benefits of the AHFC Supplemental Housing Development
Grant Program and urged support by the legislature.
9:21:48 AM
TONJA RAINBOW, CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER, HOPE COMMUNITY
RESOURCES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), asked for the
inclusion of at least $361 thousand in the capital budget
for Hope Community Resources' budget to meet health and
safety needs. She cited some statistics from a 2009
legislative research report that estimated the state's cost
savings for having licensed homes serving Alaskans with
disabilities. She urged the committee to grant Hope
Community Resources' capital request.
9:23:41 AM
KATHY TONGSGARD, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, HOPE COMMUNITY
RESOURCES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), indicated that
$361 thousand of the $788 thousand initial request was
imperative to pay for the licensing recommendations of
significant health and safety items. She discussed the
approximate 100 properties across the state that were
inspected annually. The recommendations that resulted from
the inspections had to be addressed in a timely fashion.
Without a state subsidy rents would be increased. She urged
support for the $361 thousand capital request and thanked
the committee for its time.
9:25:29 AM
LANCE WILBER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION,
MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
encouraged the committee's support for transit matching
funds of $1 million. The Alaska Mobility Coalition offered
a $4 to $5 return for every dollar of matching funds. The
funds would be used statewide for a variety of purposes
including capital or maintenance improvements. He provided
some examples of the use of funds in previous years. He
appreciated the committee's consideration and support.
9:26:57 AM
JUDY ELEDGE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke
about her concerns regarding the uncertainty of Alaska's
economy. She opined that the state could no longer fund an
out-of-control operating budget or a capital budget that
was seen as a dream. She urged the legislature to complete
the projects that the state had begun and only fund the
projects that were necessary before considering a state
income tax. She asked the committee to balance the state
budget.
9:28:59 AM
REGAN MATTINGLY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA CENTER FOR THE
BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), requested support for a $188 thousand
capital request. He reported that the center was the only
vision rehabilitation agency in the state. He familiarized
the committee about the facility and provided some
background information. He relayed that deferred
maintenance projects and energy efficiency upgrades were
the center's top priorities. He asserted that the building
needed a new roof and boiler. The center had raised $100
thousand and was requesting $188 thousand from the state's
capital budget. He thanked the committee members for their
time.
9:30:42 AM
BRYAN CLEMENZ, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS (UAF) COLLEGE
OF ENGINEERING ADVISORY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of $10 million in funding
for the engineering or E-Life Building. He discussed the
benefits of the new building and urged the committee's
support. He closed by thanking the committee.
9:32:24 AM
DALE NELSON, ALASKA PROFESSIONAL DESIGN COUNCIL, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), urged support for funding to complete
the UAF Engineering facility. He expressed his appreciation
for past funding and he hoped that there would be funds to
complete the current building project. He would be
submitting written testimony as well.
9:33:42 AM
BUTCH MOORE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
identified himself as Breanna Moore's father. He spoke in
favor of funding the Council on Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault (CDVSA) intervention program and the
Empowering Choice Housing Program (ECHP). He asserted the
importance of both programs. He reported that on June 26,
2014, his daughter was murdered by her boyfriend. He stated
that his family had been a victim of domestic violence.
Since the loss of his daughter there were many things that
had come to his family's attention. He relayed that Alaska
led the nation reporting 3 times the amount of rape per
capita, 2.5 times the murder rate, and 2 times the sexual
assault rate. He concluded that Alaska was the most
dangerous state in America. Alaska replaced Tennessee as
the most dangerous state in the United States in 2015 based
on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's four major crime
categories; murder, aggressive assault, robbery, and
incidences of forcible rape. Anchorage and Fairbanks rated
number 2 and number 3 on the Forbes list of the most
dangerous cities for women. He was astounded by the
statistics. The two programs allowed women to leave and get
away from sexual assault and domestic violence. He
suggested that if the programs were cut, then victims would
have nowhere to go. He revealed that one of his three
daughters moved to Portland and was living there when her
sister was murdered. She currently had two grandchildren
and would not return to Alaska. He suggested that it was
scary for women to live in Alaska. He restated his request
for funding support for CDVSA's intervention program and
for ECHP.
Co-Chair MacKinnon inquired about further testimony in
Anchorage. She explained that she would be passing the
gavel to Vice-Chair Micciche at 10:00 a.m. for testimony
from Kenai, Seward, and Homer.
9:38:36 AM
AT EASE
9:47:18 AM
RECONVENED
STACEY MCASON, STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA
ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), expressed thanks
for the state's previous support for maintenance and
funding for some of the campus' larger buildings including
the engineering building. She pointed out the benefits of
being able to keep up with maintenance. She mentioned that
postcards were in the mail to legislators. She thanked the
committee again for its support.
9:48:14 AM
MATTHEW OSTRANDER, STUDENT SENATOR, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), expressed his appreciation
for capital funding of the university system. He reported
that there were buildings in desperate need of maintenance
and upgrades. He commented that maintenance of the Wells
Fargo Sports Complex would be funded by the campus.
Currently, the building had several problems. He thanked
the committee for recognizing the importance of higher
education in Alaska and asked for continued support. He
commented that approximately one thousand postcards were
sent to Juneau with individual student messages reminding
lawmakers about the importance of access to education in
Alaska.
9:50:04 AM
AT EASE
9:52:16 AM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Micciche switched to the Legislative Information
office in Kenai to hear further public testimony.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: KENAI, SEWARD, HOMER
9:52:51 AM
HOLLY SCOTT, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), asked the
committee to support funding in the amount of $361 thousand
for Hope Community Resources. She gave information about
Hope Community Resources and shared some of what she had
witnessed as a former employee. She believed the capital
monies requested would result in a saving to the state in
the long run and would provide safe and secure housing for
the disabled.
9:53:49 AM
DENNIS HAAS, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), indicated
his 34 year-old daughter was a recipient of Hope Community
Resources for over ten years. He discussed the number of
people it served and urged funding support for its $364
thousand capital request. He mentioned that Hope Community
Resources kept people in their communities and out of
institutions. He provided additional information about the
properties owned by Hope Community Resources. He relayed
how important the capital monies were in maintaining the
properties and providing additionally needed housing. He
thanked the committee for listening to his testimony.
9:54:57 AM
KATHY FITZGERALD, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), shared
that she was a parent of a participant of Hope Community
Resources. She urged support for the capital request to
keep the facility funded. She explained how difficult it
was for people with Medicaid waivers to find affordable
housing. She emphasized how critical it was for Hope
Community Resources to receive capital monies in order to
maintain the safety and security of its homes. She asked
that the legislature fund Hope Community Resources in the
amount of $361 thousand.
9:56:24 AM
SUZANNE FISLER, SELF, KENAI (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding the capital request for Hope Community
Resources. She explained that her older son was a resident
at one of Hope Community Resources' facilities which
allowed him enough stability to successfully maintain
employment. She attributed her younger son's active
participation in his community to the help provided by Hope
Community resources. She encouraged the committee's
continued support.
9:57:39 AM
DAVID ANDERSON, GENERAL MANAGER, KBBI PUBLIC RADIO IN HOMER
AND KDLL PUBLIC RADIO IN KENAI AND SOLDOTNA, HOMER (via
teleconference), urged support for the radio's capital
request for $10 thousand to assist with the purchase and
installation of new audio control boards for an air studio
and production studio. He explained that the current
consoles were 13 years old, had failing components, and
parts were no longer available. He identified the other
funding sources that would make up the total project cost
of $51 thousand. He outlined the importance of public radio
in emergency situations and was concerned about any lapse
in service that could result from a failed console. He
mentioned letters of support from the Kenai Peninsula
Office of Emergency Management and the Homer Volunteer Fire
Department. He appreciated the committee's support for the
project.
9:59:48 AM
MAX FUNK, HARBOR MASTER, CITY OF SEWARD, SEWARD (via
teleconference), urged support for the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities harbor matching grant
program. The City of Seward applied for a grant through the
program in the amount of $5.6 million. He discussed the
funding details. He indicated that the project was in the
engineering design stage. He listed the many deficits of
the current dock. He stated that the project would replace
the old creosote-treated pilings with fewer and stronger
galvanized steel pilings. He continued to outline the
improvements that would be made to the dock and indicated
that the first phase of the project was completed. The
project could continue with the state's financial help. He
closed by thanking the committee.
10:02:26 AM
AT EASE
10:02:39 AM
RECONVENED
AMY SEITZ, ALASKA FARM BUREAU, SOLDOTNA (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
Alaska Association of Conservation Districts. She pointed
out that there were over 350 members of the Alaska Farm
Bureau statewide. She discussed projects that the Soil and
Water Conservation Districts worked on, including GIS
mapping of soils and watersheds, land capability surveys,
conservation planning assistance for farmers, resource
education at local schools, and control of invasive plants
around the state. She spoke to the costs of invasive plant
control in the event that the conservation districts were
not funded. She listed the ratio of federal to state
funding for the districts as 10 to 1 and stated that it
would be "devastating" for the districts not to receive the
funding. She mentioned that the districts utilized private
funding and volunteer labor.
10:04:49 AM
ABBY ALA, SELF, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference), testified in
support of funding for the Alaska Association of
Conservation Districts. She related that she was a second
generation farmer from the Kenai area, and related that as
a child she had attended soil and water conservation
meetings with her father. She relayed that in previous
years the Kenai area Soil and Water Conservation District
had invested in farm equipment for vegetable growing. She
related that she took part in a Community Supported
Agriculture project that provided 100 families with boxes
of vegetables every week. She commented that the Soil and
Water Conservation District had aided with the growth and
development of her farm through information support. She
mentioned that she had served as a volunteer on the Kenai
area board.
10:06:36 AM
HEIDI CHAY, DISTRICT MANAGER, KENAI SOIL AND WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT, KENAI (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for the Alaska Association
of Conservation Districts. She discussed invasive plants
and pointed out that the Homer Soil and Water Conservation
district had provided essential coordinating services
through the cooperative weed management area to mitigate
the propagation of Elodea, a harmful and costly invasive
plant. She discussed programs that relied on state funding
and worked on the important task of preventing the spread
of invasive plants. She mentioned the importance of
investing local food production, highlighting the $1.8
million industry on the Kenai Peninsula and stressing the
importance of the Kenai Soil and Water Conservation
District to provide the infrastructure to support farm
development.
10:08:54 AM
AT EASE
10:14:49 AM
RECONVENED
CARL UCHYTIL, PORT DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT, ALASKA ASSOCIATION
OF HARBORMASTERS AND PORT ADMINISTRATORS, JUNEAU, testified
in support of a capital request for matching funds for the
Municipal Harbor Grant program. He relayed that the $10.4
million matching grant program was critical for the
membership of the Alaska Association of Harbormasters and
Port Administrators. He explained that the association had
$14 million from the membership for tier 1 and tier 2
projects. He noted that he had delivered a letter on behalf
of the association to each finance committee member,
thanking them for past support and urging full support of
the current request. He stated that the association had
been formed when the harbors transitioned from state
ownership to being owned by municipalities. He furthered
that harbors in Juneau have benefitted from the program. He
contrasted the recent work on Aurora Harbor with an older,
state-owned harbor in disrepair.
10:17:54 AM
AT EASE
10:22:52 AM
RECONVENED
STEVE ASHMAN, DIVISION MANAGER, MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Intervention Program.
He explained that the statewide program was a collaboration
funded through the municipality of Anchorage and the
Department of Health and Human Services. He added that
there was also program collaboration with the Anchorage
Police Department Domestic Violence Compliance Office, the
Municipal Attorney's office, and three non-profit
organizations. He discussed the success with offender
accountability and victim protection as well as improved
rates of recidivism, incidence, and arrests. He noted that
arrests for violation of conditions of release increased by
almost 500 percent, and the number of arrest warrants
served increased by 78 percent. He added that the funding
also went toward victim support including temporary housing
and support. He clarified that the municipality was
requesting $850,000.
Co-Chair MacKinnon handed the gavel to Senator Dunleavy.
10:26:17 AM
AT EASE
10:59:14 AM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: MAT-SU, GLENNALLEN, DELTA JUNCTION
10:59:55 AM
BRYCE WRIGLEY, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION
DISTRICTS, DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference), testified
in support of a $600,000 request for the Alaska Association
of Conservation Districts (AACD). He shared that over the
past five years $3.1 million had been contributed by the
state; the funding had enabled the districts to bring in an
additional $32.5 million. He communicated that the
districts resolved local erosion problems, created and
enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, perform land capability
surveys, and managed invasive weeds. He detailed that in
the Lower 48 over $132 billion was spent annually on
controlling invasive species. He stressed that without soil
and water districts there was no one else with the
capability or the will to provide the services. The
increment would allow the 12 districts to keep their doors
open and to continue seeking federal funding.
11:01:51 AM
REBECCA WILBURN, DELTA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, DELTA
JUNCTION (via teleconference), testified against proposed
reductions to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) and to one-
time education funds. She shared that it was disappointing
that state representatives had not contacted her district
to inquire about potential impacts of reductions. She
explained that the reduction would result in a $500,000
decrease in the district's tight budget. The district had
proposed cost savings initiatives to its representative
that would eliminate unfunded mandates; however, she
observed that the focus seemed to be on cuts rather than on
reform. She stressed that a cut to the BSA would only put
Rural Education Areas farther behind. She advised that
education funding was mandated by the constitution.
11:04:20 AM
DENNIS MCGLOTHIN JR., COPPER RIVER BASIN REGIONAL HOUSING
AUTHORITY, GLENNALLEN (via teleconference), testified in
support of Copper River Basin Regional Housing Authority
weatherization assistance program. He communicated that the
program was more than beneficial to the state and its
residents. He shared a letter from a client who had
received a weatherization grant through the program. The
client was very happy with the work and its rapid
completion.
11:06:30 AM
GARY HUNTSINGER, SELF, KENNY LAKE (via teleconference),
testified in support of funds for a home weatherization
program. He shared that he had saved between $200 and $600
during the winter. He was grateful to the program and
lauded its success.
11:07:23 AM
ANN ARRISI, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, MAT-SU (via
teleconference), testified in support of $361,000 for Hope
Community Resources. The organization served the neediest
Alaskans statewide, including over 1,400 Alaskans who
experienced challenges with physical and/or mental wellness
(many of the individuals had developmental disabilities and
many were children). She stressed that without state help
the individuals and their families would have significant
reductions in their quality of life. The funding would pay
state mandated upgrades to state licensed residences for
disabled Alaskans to address other life and safety
requirements. She detailed that without the capital budget
funding Hope would serve fewer Alaskans; some of those
Alaskans would require institutional services, which were
costly and would increase the operating budget. She
underscored that the increase would be immediate if the
residences closed. She spoke to cost savings of over
$10,000 for recipients of home and community-based waivers
compared to nursing homes. She detailed that capital
funding stabilized housing for people with disabilities and
had a direct impact on lowering Medicaid care costs.
11:09:30 AM
RAY COLLINS, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, MAT-SU (via
teleconference), encouraged the community to include at
least $361,000 for Hope Community Resources. He relayed
that the organization served the neediest Alaskans
statewide (over 1,400 Alaskans with physical and mental
disabilities). He detailed that the majority of the
individuals receiving services from Hope were dealing with
a developmental disability; most dealt with a combination
of mental and developmental challenges and many of the
individuals were children. He stressed that without state
help the individuals and families would have a significant
reduction in their quality of life. He underscored that
neglecting to provide funding would have a direct impact on
the lives of individuals.
11:11:12 AM
JOHN MOOSEY, MANAGER, MAT-SU BOROUGH, MAT-SU (via
teleconference), testified in support of a $2.2 million
request for a septage and treatment facility. He shared
that the prior year the borough had been informed that it
would be cut off from delivering its septic to Anchorage.
Currently all septage was taken to Anchorage for treatment.
Phase one of the project would cover engineering and
design. He relayed that the work would benefit the vast
majority of borough residents. The project was expected to
be completed be completed by 2020 if it received funding to
move forward. He relayed that the project was the borough
assembly's top priority.
Senator Dunleavy returned the gavel to Co-Chair MacKinnon.
11:13:40 AM
AT EASE
11:32:22 AM
RECONVENED
SENATE BILL NO. 86
"An Act relating to a refined fuel surcharge; relating
to the motor fuel tax; relating to a qualified dealer
license; and providing for an effective date."
11:32:54 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon relayed that public testimony had
previously been heard on the legislation.
Vice-Chair Micciche relayed that the legislation would
supplement the Spill Prevention and Response (SPAR) fund
[under the Department of Environmental Conservation]. There
was currently an inadequate amount of funding coming from
the production of oil and gas. The legislation was a "user
pays or spiller pays" bill that would take $.0095 per
gallon at the distribution level and provided adequate
funding for the response fund. He detailed that the state
had primacy for spill prevention and response and the bill
would enable the state to continue with the level of
service it had been delivering for many years.
11:34:13 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked for verification that the cost was
under one penny. Vice-Chair Micciche replied in the
affirmative.
Senator Dunleavy asked for verification that the cost would
be one penny per gallon. Vice-Chair Micciche clarified that
it would be less than one penny per gallon.
Senator Dunleavy asked what the average cost would be for
individuals using fuel oil to heat their homes.
Vice-Chair Micciche answered that the cost would equal
approximately $4.00 per year for the average Alaskan;
however, the larger users such as mines and businesses
would pick up the majority of the load. For example, if 500
gallons of oil was used per year, the cost would be under
$5.00.
Senator Dunleavy surmised that the surcharge would apply to
everyone, including nonprofits such as schools. Vice-Chair
Micciche replied that there were some exemptions in the
bill, but the surcharge would apply to everyone other than
the state.
11:35:47 AM
AT EASE
11:36:02 AM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Micciche relayed that the hope was that the cost
would not be passed down, but it was not possible to
guarantee that the surcharge would go to the distributors.
However, there were five exemptions in the legislation
including fuel sold to a federal or state government agency
for official use, fuel refined and used outside of the
United States, liquefied petroleum gas (propane and
aviation fuel), and fuel sold or transferred between
qualified dealers.
Senator Dunleavy wondered if school districts fell under
the state agency category. Vice-Chair Micciche did not know
[Note: answer was provided after the following "at ease"].
11:36:51 AM
AT EASE
11:40:03 AM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Micciche, in response to a question from Senator
Dunleavy, stated that the surcharge went to the dealer
level; however, fuel sold to a federal or state government
did not include local governments as an exemption.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked for detail on the bill's fiscal
notes.
Vice-Chair Micciche spoke to the bill's fiscal notes,
beginning with a zero fiscal note from the Department of
Environmental Conservation (FY 16 through FY 21). He
relayed that there would be no fiscal impact to the
Division of Spill Prevention and Response for
implementation of the legislation.
Senator Bishop communicated that the legislation would
alleviate the projected revenue shortfall for FY 16 at
approximately $7 million.
Vice-Chair Micciche addressed a zero fiscal note from the
Department of Revenue (DOR)(FY 16 through FY 21). There
would be a change in revenue, at an expected $.0095; the
change would bring in $7,600,000 million in FY 16 with a 2
percent increase across FY 17 through FY 21 ($7,750,000,
$7,900,000, $8,050,000, $8,200,000, and $8,350,000
respectively). The estimated supplemental in FY 15 was
$50,000; there was no estimated capital in FY 16. He
relayed that the $50,000 would cover the costs of updating
systems, form, and draft regulations for the new surcharge.
11:43:24 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked if DOR had anything to add to the
fiscal analysis of the bill.
KEN ALPER, DIRECTOR, TAX DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE,
confirmed that there were no continuing costs; any changes
would be absorbed within the department's operations and
excise tax group under the Tax Division. There was a
relatively small startup cost to adapt some of the
documents and systems to the new surcharge.
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered if the projected revenue would
be recurring into the future. She asked for verification
that the bill did not include a sunset clause. Mr. Alper
replied in the affirmative. He explained the expectation
that as long as fuel was consumed in Alaska it would be
subject to the surcharge.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked if the fund was currently solvent.
Mr. Alper replied that the SPAR fund was anticipated to
have shortfalls in the current fiscal year. He added that
under the legislation the money would be deposited into the
general fund and subject to appropriation it would be
transferred into the SPAR fund. He remarked that a fiscal
note from the Legislative Finance Division described some
of the mechanisms; the issue was outside the scope of the
Tax Division.
11:45:40 AM
Vice-Chair Micciche relayed that the fund was $800,000
short in the current fiscal year and the shortfall became
substantial in following years. He did not believe the
state should pay for the solvency of the fund.
Vice-Chair Micciche stated that the last fiscal note was
from the Legislative Finance Division for the Senate
Finance Committee. The note addressed the need for a
supplemental appropriation and appropriated the revenue
generated in FY 16 to the ONH fund, resulting in a net zero
impact on the fiscal gap. He commented that currently the
note included a .8 percent surcharge, which had been
changed to .95 percent to factor in exemptions provided for
aviation fuels. He noted that currently the DOR numbers
were more accurate. He detailed that FY 16 through FY 21
showed $7.5 million, which would be the amount for the fund
to remain solvent. The change in revenues showed $7.5
million per year with a 2 percent increase through FY 21.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked what would happen if the fund was
over funded. She understood there were outstanding
settlements the fund was waiting to receive. Vice-Chair
Micciche responded that all of the money would be deposited
into the prevention account, which funded all of the
smaller spills. He referenced dry cleaning fluid spills and
old gas stations that were no longer in operation and had
no one to pay for the cleanup. The surcharge had been kept
at a lower level to avoid funding more than required.
11:49:08 AM
AT EASE
11:49:43 AM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Micciche relayed that all funds were subject to
appropriation. He stated that in the event the SPAR fund
was over funded the goal was to provide only the amount
needed to adequately fund the agency.
Vice-Chair Micciche MOVED to REPORT CSSB 86(FIN) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSSB 86(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with one previously published zero
fiscal note: FN 1(REV); one new fiscal impact note from the
Senate Finance Committee for the Department of
Environmental Conservation; and one new fiscal impact note
from the Department of Environmental Conservation.
11:50:44 AM
AT EASE
11:51:51 AM
RECONVENED
SENATE BILL NO. 26
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations and other appropriations; making
appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for
an effective date."
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: MAT-SU
11:52:19 AM
NAOMI NELSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MAT-SU COMMUNITY TRANSIT
(MASCOT), MAT-SU (via teleconference), testified in support
of funding for the public and community transportation
state match. She relayed that state match was vital funding
that enabled the organization to leverage federal funds.
She discussed the role of public transportation to take
people to work, to the doctor, to the store, etc. She
communicated that supporting public transit supported other
health and human services agencies, built a stronger
community, lead to better health, and saved money.
11:54:17 AM
RECESSED
1:36:17 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: BARROW, KETCHIKAN, WRANGELL, PETERSBURG
1:37:53 PM
CAROL RUSHMORE, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CITY AND
BOROUGH OF WRANGELL, WRANGELL (via teleconference),
testified in support of $1.5 million for the upgrade and
repair of the city's pool and recreational facility. She
detailed that the borough and the state had already
invested in the assessment and emergency repairs needed to
move the project forward. She shared that the repair and
upgrades represented long-term community health and benefit
issues. She relayed that the signing of the project was
critical to keeping the existing facility open.
STEVE CORPORON, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF HARBOR MASTERS AND
PORT ADMINISTRATORS, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in support of Ketchikan municipal harbor facility grant
funding of $10.4 million. He recounted how the state had
originally built and maintained the harbors before
ownership was transferred to local municipalities; however,
municipalities did not have the rate structures in place.
He added that wooden harbors were designed for a 30 to 35-
year service life; the harbors were currently 45 to 50
years old. He described the deteriorated status of the
Ketchikan harbor. He shared that the local communities
scraped together 50 percent of funding through rate
increases and bond initiatives (the community was on its
third rate hike in three years). He stated that the funding
would cover four projects in Sitka, Seward, and Ketchikan.
He stressed that the harbors were not ADA compliant and
were barely able-bodied compliant.
1:43:00 PM
SETH BRAKKE, ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, CITY OF
KETCHIKAN, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke in support
of funding for the Water Street Bridge Number 2 and the
Front Mill and Stedman Street Reconstruction Project. He
detailed that the Water Street Bridge project was an
ongoing collaboration between the city and the Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities for bridge repairs.
He stressed that the project was critical to transportation
needs. He relayed that the project was about to go out for
bid. He communicated that the Front Mill and Stedman Street
project involved the city's key route through the community
and would provide for overdue repairs.
1:44:30 PM
KYAN REEVE, TRANSIT MANAGER, KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH,
KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), testified in favor of $1
million in state match for transit in Alaska. He relayed
that receiving the state support had been critical in the
development of a successful transport system in Ketchikan;
the system served over 400,000 people per year. The state
match had enabled the community to bring in over $1 million
in federal grants over the past three years. He testified
in support of $8 million for the Front Mill and Stedman
Street Reconstruction Project and the replacement of the
Water Street Bridge. He supported the Tongass Highway
rehabilitation and reconstruction project and funding for
the Alaska Marine Highway Ketchikan Ferry Terminal project.
Co-Chair MacKinnon welcomed Representative Dan Ortiz to the
committee room.
1:47:19 PM
AT EASE
1:57:01 PM
RECONVENED
ROXANE LEE, SELF, PETERSBURG (via teleconference),
testified in support of public radio. She detailed that
prior to public radio access in Petersburg the community
had been cut off from news, emergency information, and
other state issues. She related the memorable experience of
the development of the first radio station in Wrangell. She
gathered that the majority of the state legislators did not
live in rural Alaska and therefore could not realize the
full effect of the proposed cuts to public radio. She
understood that some cuts were necessary. She mentioned
alternative revenue sources such as the Permanent Fund or
state income tax. She stressed the importance of radio
connection in rural Alaska.
1:59:49 PM
AT EASE
2:11:18 PM
RECONVENED
TOM BRICE, LABORERS 942, JUNEAU, testified in support of
funding for the Juneau Access road project. He related that
once the record of decision was made on the project within
the upcoming 12 to 18 months, a $4 million investment would
enable the state to capture the remaining $574 million in
federal funds; the total state funds would be approximately
$52 million. He referred to the project as a major piece of
transportation infrastructure for Alaska. He addressed jobs
the project created and the importance of bringing Juneau
closer to the road system. He thanked the legislature for
its historical support of the project.
Co-Chair MacKinnon relayed that she may have a conflict of
interest related to the project given that her husband's
family owned a piece of property on the project route.
2:14:06 PM
AT EASE
2:31:12 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair MacKinnon noted that the committee was hearing
public testimony on SB 26. There were no testifiers online
or in the room at the time.
2:32:00 PM
AT EASE
3:02:34 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: SITKA, CORDOVA, VALDEZ
3:02:45 PM
DR. TOM CONLEY, SITKA SCHOOL BOARD, SITKA (via
teleconference), expressed his interest in testifying on
the operating budget (HB 72).
Co-Chair MacKinnon relayed that HB 72 may be heard by the
Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.
3:03:56 PM
AT EASE
3:07:58 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: JUNEAU
3:08:04 PM
MELANIE ZAHASKY, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, JUNEAU,
testified in support of $361,000 in funding for Jeffrey's
Hope, a licensed residential home that housed four
individuals with disabilities. She introduced Gloria
Costello, a resident at the home, and her service provider
Beth Handley. She communicated that the deck at the
residence was in need of repair. She detailed that access
to the backyard was difficult due to the disrepair of the
back deck. She discussed the correlation between stable
housing and lowered Medicaid costs.
BETH HANDLEY, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, JUNEAU, spoke in
support of funding for Hope Community Resources. She shared
that the residence was full of activity.
3:13:52 PM
AT EASE
3:15:20 PM
RECONVENED
DOUG BRIDGES, CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES, BOARD MEMBER,
ALASKA MOBILITY COALITION, JUNEAU, testified in support of
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities matching
funds in the amount of $1 million to support transportation
services statewide. He emphasized that the funds would help
leverage federal funding at a 4 to 1 or 5 to 1 ratio. He
communicated that the Juneau transit system had accessed
$130,812 during the current fiscal year. Additionally,
there was support for the dialysis transportation provided
by Catholic Community Services in conjunction with the City
and Borough of Juneau. He discussed that transit
represented support for economies. He spoke to the role of
transit in supporting hospitals and medical services. There
was an accessible taxi in Juneau that was funded through
the same grant process.
Co-Chair MacKinnon relayed that several testifiers had
spoken in support of the $1 million matching funds.
3:20:46 PM
ED PAGE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MARINE EXCHANGE OF ALASKA,
JUNEAU, testified in support of the maritime safety net
used by communities along the state's coastline. He relayed
that the program had most recently been partially funded by
the state cruise ship head tax. The state's contribution
was currently around 15 percent of the safety net that had
saved lives and aided efficiency and environmental
protection. He relayed that the industry supporting the
marine safety program recognized that if maritime
operations in the state were expanded they needed to be
done safely in an environmentally responsible way. He
stressed that state funding was instrumental in the
program's long-term success. He believed the capital budget
was the appropriate fund source because currently
additional vessel tracking sites were being built through
the Arctic and Northwest Alaska Aleutian Islands.
3:23:40 PM
LISA MARIOTTI, POLICY DIRECTOR, ALASKA NETWORK ON DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, JUNEAU, testified in support
of a $2 million request for the Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation (AHFC) Empowering Choice Housing Program. She
explained that the program helped victims rebuild their
lives after leaving violent homes. She detailed that the
program was a public-private partnership. She relayed that
the shelter programs and participants did not directly
receive the funds; the money went with parental assistance
directly to private landlords in the 12 communities that
offered the program. She elaborated that participants paid
a portion of their rent depending on their income and
ability to pay. The program had replace an inefficient
program four years earlier. She shared that over 400 people
had been assisted in the four-year period; currently there
were 186 program participants (74 percent were female heads
of households with children). She provided further
information about program participants. She emphasized
that the program saved money by breaking the cycle of
violence. She discussed that children with adverse
experiences had difficulties with school, interacted with
juvenile justice systems, and later in life with the
criminal justice systems.
3:26:41 PM
JEFF WELTZIN, TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE, JUNEAU, thanked the
committee for the past five years of support. He shared
that the conference had used $4.2 million of capital money
in the past four years to leverage over $22 million for the
construction of seven new primary healthcare clinics in
rural Alaska. Additionally, over the past five years the
conference had used $1.6 million in capital funds to
leverage $6.5 million of federal foundation funds. He
stressed that without the past support the conference would
not have had the ability to leverage other funding
resources.
3:28:20 PM
AT EASE
3:31:08 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair MacKinnon welcomed Senator Dennis Egan in the
room.
3:31:51 PM
AT EASE
4:31:33 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: FAIRBANKS, TOK
4:31:39 PM
Co-Chair MacKinnon handed the gavel to Senator Bishop.
JOHN DAVID RAGAN, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
asked the committee to make smart choices related to the
budget. He addressed the Juneau Access road. The state was
supposed to put $4 million into the project in the current
year. He relayed that in return the state would receive
$574 million in federal matching funds. He believed the
state would be required to pay back $27 million to the
federal government if it did not put the $4 million into
the project. He stressed that the state was not saving
money by not spending $4 million. He stressed that the
state funds like the $4 million increment primed the pump
to bring in massive amounts of matching funds. He stated
that making the cuts risked throwing the state into a major
recession. He stated that the budget gap was so substantial
that the cuts did not really solve the problem.
4:34:31 PM
DAVID WITHOFF, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified in opposition to a proposed $1.8 million for the
Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft systems integration. He
hoped that unmanned aircrafts had a bright future. He
relayed that if the state had a significant amount of money
he would heartily support spending public money to research
ways to make the systems profitable; however, the state did
not have a lot of money. He reasoned that if non-military
applications of unmanned aircrafts were profitable, private
businesses would already be using them. He did not believe
it was appropriate to use public funds for what amounted to
a small startup company that had not shown any profit. He
hoped the legislature would consider restoring language
that encouraged the University of Alaska to cut programs
and positions that had little interaction with students
rather than cutting low paid employees such as adjunct
faculty.
4:36:16 PM
PAUL GILL, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funds for the Alaska Center for Unmanned
Aircraft systems integration. He detailed that the
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) had recently approved
an aerospace minor. He encouraged funding for the new
engineering building at UAF. He discussed a lack of lab
space. He continued that new technology kept coming in, but
the university continued to use the old technology as well.
He believed that if construction was frozen it would cost
more to restart construction in the future. He stated that
$31.3 million would complete the building, but $10 million
would enable construction to continue for one year.
4:38:29 PM
JO SEAMON, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), asked the
committee to continue funding existing jobs to keep
maintaining the state's schools.
4:39:09 PM
JOE HARDENBROOK, MAYOR'S OFFICE, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR
BOROUGH, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), asked for a
restoration of funding for phase four of four of the
Barnette Magnet School renovations. He reasoned that
putting off the final phase would increase cost would
increase the amount of time to complete the project. He
detailed that the project was item 4 on the major
maintenance and renovation list; unfortunately only items 1
through 3 were funded in the governor's budget.
Additionally, he asked for funding for the UAF engineering
building. He reiterated that every year that projects were
put off meant that costs would increase to wrap them up. He
asked the committee to up the governor's $8 million request
to $10 million.
4:40:49 PM
JONI SCHARFENBERG, FAIRBANKS SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
DISTRICT, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in support
of funding for the Alaska Association of Conservation
Districts. She detailed that conservation districts worked
with state and federal agencies to promote natural resource
development. She provided additional detail about the
districts. The Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation
District had leveraged over $400,000 of non-state dollars
utilizing $40,000 of state money in 2014. She detailed that
the districts saved the state money and brought money into
the state. She mentioned a project in need of funding that
worked to eradicate aquatic invasive elodea, which had the
potential to spread throughout the state's waterways. She
elaborated that money had been allocated to Kenai and
Anchorage to work on the eradication. The elodea
infestation in the Chena Slough, Chena Lakes, and Chena
River posed a grave threat to the state fisheries economy
and recreational activities. She stressed that the more
time that went by, the harder it would be to control.
Senator Bishop asked if the elodea was present in Mat-Su.
Ms. Scharfenbreg replied that elodea was present in the
Kenai, Sand Lake in Anchorage, Cordova, and in the
Interior. She did not know whether it was in Mat-Su.
4:44:00 PM
RUSSELL SNYDER, GRANTS COORDINATOR, INTERIOR REGIONAL
HOUSING AUTHORITY, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
testified on behalf of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
(AHFC) and other regional housing authorities. He asked for
continued funding for the supplemental housing development
grant that provided a 20 percent match of all federal
Indian housing block grants. He stressed that the program
was vital for rural communities that had limited funds. The
agency employed over 90 staff with the supplemental funding
and the weatherization program. He detailed that the
weatherization program helped weatherize homes and saved
Alaskans money on heating bills. He relayed that cash was
saved in rural communities as a result of the program. He
thanked the legislature for funding the Alaska Energy
Authority (AEA) renewable energy grant.
4:46:20 PM
ADAM BARTH, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH TRANSPORTATION
DEPARTMENT, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in
support of community transportation matching funds that the
state had funded the past few years to help transit
agencies fund operations in their communities. Fairbanks
received about $113,000; it was able to fund a portion of
its transit system. He detailed that the district's blue
line had provided approximately 170,000 rides in the past
year; the funding would cover 26 percent of the rides. He
stated that the blue line would operate more frequently and
would enable more people to get around town. He thanked the
committee for its past support.
4:48:14 PM
DAVE MILLER, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
requested funds for the Cold Climate Housing Research
Center. He spoke to the successes of the center. He
detailed that the center taught homebuilders and commercial
contractors the importance of energy efficient and
sustainable building practices statewide. He reasoned that
the energy efficiency and sustainability would benefit
future generations as well. Additionally, he testified in
support of homeless assistance grants. He volunteered for
an organization providing shelter for homeless teenagers.
He emphasized the importance of the individuals who were
preyed upon and frequently had no place to go but the
hospital or the police station. The grant enabled the
organization to provide safe shelter and to help
individuals get on their feet to head down the right path.
4:50:19 PM
TERRY DUSZYNISKI, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
spoke in favor of funds for the Cold Climate Housing
Research Center. He stated that the work conducted by the
research center over the past 15 years was vital to the
Alaska housing industry. He spoke to the high costs of home
heating in Fairbanks. He detailed that the center had come
up with ways to help make houses less expensive to operate
in rural Alaska. He also thanked the committee for funding
for public broadcasting.
4:52:08 PM
AT EASE
4:59:57 PM
RECONVENED
ADITI SHENOY, INVASIVE SPECIES SPECIALIST, FAIRBANKS SOIL
AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), communicated that elodea was an aggressive
aquatic invasive species that could transform native
habitats. She discussed the potential impact on grayling,
salmon, and other commercially important species for sport
and commercial fishing. She discussed impacts on fish
habitat; the plant increased sedimentation and degraded
water quality. She discussed the importance of acting
quickly on the infestation in Chena Slough; the slough fed
directly into Chena River where plant fragments could be
washed downstream into the Tanana and Yukon River
drainages. She shared that a recent infestation had been
located in Alexander Lake in Mat-Su. She stressed the
importance of eradicating the species in Interior Alaska in
order to prevent from spreading it to other areas in the
state. She spoke to federal matching funds available for
the eradication in Chena Lakes and Slough; legislative
money would help to begin the eradication program.
5:03:34 PM
DAN LABROSSE, DENALI DEAF COMMUNITY CENTER, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), asked for support for a $995,000 request
that would enable the center to purchase its current
building. He spoke to the Navigator program that serviced
deaf and hard of hearing individuals statewide; it helped
individuals secure employment and living situations. He
communicated that deaf individuals in Alaska were
marginalized. He shared that the first two years of the
project had been funded by the legislature; the $995,000
was the third and final increment. He stated that without
the funding there was a good chance the center would not
survive another year. He noted that there was a heavily
used facility in Anchorage. He stressed that the services
were vital to the community.
5:05:36 PM
AT EASE
5:11:29 PM
RECONVENED
DR. ANN MARIE O'BRIEN, SUPERINTENDENT, NORTHWEST ARCTIC
BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, KOTZEBUE (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for the Kivalina school. She
detailed that it was in the community's interest to provide
students with a suitable facility in which to enrich their
education. She sincerely recognized the difficulty facing
the state budget. She shared that Kivalina was the last
school remaining on the list of schools in the Kasayulie
settlement; on January 5, 2010 the community of Kivalina
had voted overwhelmingly in favor of a site for a new
school. She provided information about the elected site.
Governor Walker's proposed capital budget included $2.5
million for the Kivalina evacuation and access road and
$4.6 million for the planning and design of the replacement
school. She asked the committee to consider that the school
was operating at 220 percent capacity; there were 132
children attending school in Kivalina. She continued that
the school had used every available space possible to make
room for classrooms. She thanked the committee for its
consideration.
5:15:47 PM
KERRY BOYD, SUPERINTENDENT, YUKON KOYUKUK SCHOOL DISTRICT,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), requested support for the
governor's proposed increment for Nulato's Andrew K.
Demoski School in the Department of Education and Early
Development major maintenance capital budget. She shared
that the school had been on the major maintenance list for
eight years; it had ranked number 2 out of over 100
applications for the past two years. She detailed that the
school was part of a Regional Education Attendance Area;
the only funding source the district had for new
construction and major maintenance was through the state's
major maintenance list.
5:17:13 PM
TOM BEGICH, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, CITIZENS FOR THE
EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT OF ALASKA'S CHILDREN, ANCHORAGE,
spoke in support of funding for the Kivalina school. He
relayed that the school had been an integral part of the
Kasayulie lawsuit; it was a last piece of the negotiated
settlement. He spoke in support of the capital budget
proposed by the governor for major maintenance and capital
construction for the Kivalina road and school. He stressed
that the funding of the school was critical Kasayulie
consent decree.
5:18:56 PM
AT EASE
5:39:53 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: BETHEL, NOME, KOTZEBUE, UNALASKA
5:39:53 PM
JOHN SARGENT, GRANT MANAGER, CITY OF BETHEL (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
statewide transit system. He relayed that the prior year
the state had allocated $1 million to the program. He
remarked that the program received matching federal funds.
He detailed that the transit system in Bethel had been
running for six years. The local tribe was not able to
afford the match; therefore, the state match had been very
beneficial the prior year. The city had used its portion of
the money to obtain a grant for 15 permanent bus shelters.
Senator Bishop handed the gavel to Co-Chair MacKinnon.
5:42:48 PM
ALLAN JOSEPH, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), testified
in support of $5 million for the Alaska Village Council
Presidents (AVCP) Regional Housing Authority program. He
shared that the grant program was primarily used for green
projects (e.g. energy efficient doors, windows, etc.) and
infrastructure costs (i.e. water and sewer connections). He
detailed that green projects helped prevent runaway heating
costs; fuel costs were hovering around $7 per gallon in
many villages. He elaborated that AVCP housing served
Bethel and other surrounding regions, which had some of the
highest rates of poverty, unemployment, and energy costs in
the state. He stressed that many residents could not afford
to renovate their homes to make them energy efficient. He
noted that supplemental grant funds provided up to 20
percent match for federal Housing and Urban Development
funds. He further discussed the need for housing in the
region. He urged the legislature to continue investing in
programs that saved money for Alaska residents.
5:45:09 PM
JOHN OWENS, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for ACVP Regional Housing Authority
weatherization grants. He communicated that the region
consisted of 26,000 residents and 8,100 homes. He detailed
that the program had conducted weatherization services in
36 villages from 2008 to 2014. He provided further
statistics related to the program. He discussed that
weatherization work was beneficial to the local economy;
the organization had hired 1,324 village workers from 2008
to present. He reasoned that weatherization had already
proven to lower energy costs in the region by approximately
35 percent. He hoped the program would continue far into
the future.
5:47:32 PM
BRIAN LEFFERTS, EMPLOYEE, YUKON KUSKOKWIM HEALTH
CORPORATION, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in support
of funding for the village safe water and wastewater
infrastructure state match for federal funding. He relayed
that much of the federal money had already been awarded to
the communities, but a state match was required in order
for projects to move forward. The federal grant funding had
a limited window; therefore, construction schedules were
tight. He detailed that there would not be time for
completion of new and ongoing projects if the state funds
were not provided. The corporation was concerned that an
absence of state funding would hurt the communities'
chances of receiving the federal funds again in the future.
He communicated that in 2014 water and sanitation was the
top priority identified at the annual Tribal Unity
gathering in Bethel. He detailed that nearly half the homes
in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta lacked indoor plumbing. He
discussed the high rate of chronic respiratory infections
in children living in homes without plumbing.
5:50:52 PM
MILLIE HAWLEY, KIVALINA IRA COUNCIL, KIVALINA (via
teleconference), requested $2.5 million for the Kivalina
evacuation road project. The funds would enable the
community to continue studies that would lead towards
providing an evacuation road; the road would provide life
safety for residents. The community was interested in
putting in a new school at the end of the road. She pointed
to various studies that had been done or were underway. She
relayed that the Native Village of Kivalina had committed
no less than $1 million to the evacuation road. The road
was needed due to increased sea storms that were eroding
the community's shoreline.
5:53:58 PM
STAN HAWLEY, KIVALINA IRA COUNCIL, KIVALINA (via
teleconference), encouraged the committee to appropriate
funds for new school in Kivalina. He relayed that residents
needed an opportunity for work, expansion, and to provide
infrastructure to support the health and welfare of tribal
members. The school would provide youths with access to
increased educational opportunities.
5:55:13 PM
DOLLY FOSTER, TRIBE SECRETARY AND TREASURER, KIVALINA IRA
COUNCIL, KIVALINA (via teleconference), spoke in support of
the Kivalina evacuation road and a new school. She noted
that the new school was part of the [Kasayulie] settlement.
She asked the committee to consider the eroding island of
Kivalina and its need for the projects. She urged support
of $4.6 million for the school planning.
5:56:56 PM
SHIRLEY MARQUARDT, MAYOR, CITY OF UNALASKA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the reappropriation of
$1.5 million from the Unalaska geothermal project to the
Unalaska fuel conservation project. [Note: much of the
testimony was indecipherable due to a poor phone
connection.] She spoke in support of projects that did not
have significant road blocks in order to decrease the
community's energy costs.
Co-Chair MacKinnon commented on the poor phone connection.
Ms. Marquardt reiterated the request to reappropriate $1.5
million to the Unalaska fuel conservation project for its
new powerhouse and water utility. She noted that with the
two projects combined the city would still need to pay
approximately $400,000 to $500,000; the community believed
the cost was worth it and would be able to pay off the
projects within 10 years. She spoke to cost savings.
Vice-Chair Micciche asked that Ms. Marquardt submit an
email with her testimony.
6:01:15 PM
AT EASE
6:23:11 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: KODIAK, DILLINGHAM
BRENDA AKELKOK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BRISTOL BAY HOUSING
AUTHORITY, DILLINGHAM (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
supplemental housing development grant that leveraged a
significant amount of federal HUD funding. She communicated
that the primary source of HUD money was derived through
the Native American Housing Assistance and Self
Determination Act. She detailed that without the grant
fewer homes would be constructed to meet homelessness and
overcrowding conditions. The funds would enable the
community to build to the statewide energy efficiency
standard.
6:25:53 PM
KEVIN TENNYSON, WEATHERIZATION DIRECTOR, BRISTOL BAY
HOUSING AUTHORITY, DILLINGHAM (via teleconference), spoke
in support of Bristol Bay Housing Authority grant fund. He
relayed that the housing authority had fixed 400 homes and
had increased the energy ratings from one-star up to a
four-stars. He noted that the budget was down from $4
million in 2008 to $1.4 million at present. He discussed
that the organization had created jobs in the rural areas
and had provided much needed training for residents. He
stressed that the program was cost-effective. He
underscored that the improvements saved an average of 40
percent for rural homeowners.
6:27:25 PM
STANLEY COLE, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, DILLINGHAM (via
teleconference), interviewed a Hope Community Resources
recipient in Dillingham. He spoke in support of a funding
request that would enable the organization to remodel its
deck for use. He detailed that Hope provided services to
1,400 individuals with physical and mental disabilities. He
relayed that without continued state help the individuals
and their families would see significant quality of life
reductions. He shared that a person's ability to live where
they called home had a direct impact on lowering Medicaid
healthcare costs. He asked the committee to support the
inclusion of a minimum of $361,000 for the organization.
6:29:10 PM
DAVE DONLEY, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, JUNEAU, spoke in
support of funding for Hope Community Resources. He relayed
that the money would help keep the Hope homes open
throughout the state. He discussed that the state licensed
the facilities; the request had been reduced to include
only the projects the state had ordered the organization to
do. He communicated that a portion of the funding request
had been identified by the organization for projects
effecting safety in the homes. He shared that Hope raised
approximately $2 million annually to pay for the costs. He
elaborated that a 2009 legislative research study indicated
significant operating budget savings that occur from
individuals living in the homes instead of in institutions.
Additionally, the legislative research report identified
billions of dollars in savings in potential capital budget
expenses. He stressed that the costs would exist one way or
another; Hope's strategy represented a much more efficient
way of providing services.
Co-Chair MacKinnon noted that Representative Louise Stutes
was present in the committee room.
6:32:19 PM
CARLA KIMMEL, EMPLOYEE, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, KODIAK
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for Hope
Community Resources. The organization believed the funding
would help improve the lives of its recipients. She relayed
that the grants went to housing and group homes. She
questioned where the residents would go if the funds were
not provided. She stressed that the recipients worked and
volunteered in the community. The grants provided means to
improve homes, provide individuals with equipment, and
other. The organization worked with the state and tried to
save money. Her program helped children with disabilities
improve their lives. She stressed that failing to provide
the funds would mean residents would end up on the street
or in institutions. She stressed that it would not be fair.
6:34:33 PM
GLENDA FERNANDEZ, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, KODIAK (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for Hope
Community Resources. She asked the committee to support the
inclusion of at least $361,000 in the capital budget. She
communicated that the funds would help the neediest
Alaskans statewide. She elaborated that the majority of the
organization's recipients had a developmental and/or
physical disability; many of the individuals were children.
She stressed that without the state's help the individuals
and their families would see substantial reductions to the
quality of life. She implored the committee to provide the
funding.
6:35:54 PM
JACKIE MALUTIN, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, KODIAK (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for Hope
Community Resources. She shared some of the activities that
she participated in on a recent trip with the Hope
Community Resources Center. She relayed that Hope had
helped her grow.
6:37:20 PM
JEFF GARCIA, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, KODIAK (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for Hope
Community Resources. He shared that the organization had
helped him with his needs. He thanked the organization.
6:38:15 PM
DONNA MENDIGORIN, PARENT, KODIAK (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for Hope Community Services.
She shared that Hope was able to help her family. She was
very thankful for the services provided by the
organization.
6:39:37 PM
CORRIE DAVIS, DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, HOPE
COMMUNITY RESOURCES, KODIAK (via teleconference), testified
in support of a minimum of $361,000 for Hope Community
Resources. She detailed that the funding would pay for
upgrades to state-licensed residences for disabled Alaskans
that the state had ordered. The capital funding for Hope
reduced the operating budget; funds were needed to comply
with state and federal licensing requirements. She stressed
that without capital budget funding Hope would serve fewer
Alaskans; some of the Alaskans would require much more
costly institutional services that would increase the
operating budget. She underscored that the increase in
Medicaid cost would be immediate if the residences closed.
She spoke to research showing the savings of services
provided in-home. She emphasized that stable housing
increased health for people.
6:42:03 PM
PAT BRANSON, MAYOR, CITY OF KODIAK (via teleconference),
spoke in support of $3.5 million for the building road
pavement rehabilitation project in Kodiak. She explained
that there were over 10,000 vehicle trips per day. She
noted that the funding would help make the road drivable.
She urged support of funding for state transit money. She
detailed that the transit system used state matching funds
to operate. She relayed that the transit system provided
transportation for many Hope Community Resources Center
recipients.
6:44:07 PM
CORRINE FERRE, EMPLOYEE, KODIAK SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
DISTRICT, KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funds for the Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District.
She highlighted that the district worked with state
agencies to provide cost-effective soil and water
management. Additionally, the soil and water districts
worked towards eradicating invasive plants. She relayed
that the districts brought in millions of dollars in
federal funds; the small amount of funds received in the
capital budget were necessary matching funds. She declared
that the districts used funds to help develop the state's
resources including agriculture, mining, reclamation, and
habitat. She shared the districts had used $51,000 in state
funds to support projects that brought in an additional
$110,000 in grant funds to the community. She spoke to
other efforts supported by the districts.
6:46:00 PM
SONIA CLARY, EMPLOYEE, HOPE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, KODIAK
(via teleconference), testified in support of a minimum of
$361,000 for Hope Community Resources. She shared that one
of the largest benefits of working for the organization was
getting to meet and know its recipients. She spoke to the
benefits added to the community by the individuals served
by the organization; she could not imagine life without the
individuals. She stressed the importance of looking at the
"human face" of the cuts. She asked the committee to think
about its neighbors. She emphasized the importance of
embracing people and their differences.
6:48:08 PM
AT EASE
7:04:54 PM
RECONVENED
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: STATEWIDE TELECONFERENCE - OFFNET SITES
7:05:38 PM
HERMAN MORGAN, SELF, ANIAK (via teleconference), testified
in support of funding for the Mid-Yukon Soil and Water
Conservation District. He stated that there were various
types of plant life that were getting contaminated. He
referred to challenges with invasive weeds. [Note: much of
the testimony was indecipherable.]
7:07:17 PM
KARA GROICHER, DIRECTOR, STANDING TOGETHER AGAINST RAPE,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of
funding for sexual assault and domestic violence
prevention. She shared that the funding helped to provide
the most basic needs; without the funding vulnerable
members of the community would be in crisis and in dire
need for services. She detailed that the funding provided a
replacement pair of jeans for a woman hoping evidence would
be recovered from the ones she had to leave behind.
Additionally, it provided counseling services, a track
phone, and airfare for a family in crisis needing a safety
plan and a new start in order to lead a life free of
interpersonal violence.
7:08:54 PM
PINKEY TOOYAK, VOLUNTEER, ALASKA CENTER FOR THE BLIND AND
VISUALLY IMPAIRED, BARROW (via teleconference), spoke in
support of $188,000 for repairs and upgrades to the Alaska
Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She shared that
in 1983 the legislature had appropriated funds that enabled
the organization to purchase a building. The center needed
a roof replacement in addition to energy efficiency
repairs.
7:10:59 PM
SAMANTHA MINTZ-GENTZ, ADVOCATE, STANDING TOGETHER AGAINST
RAPE, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of
reinstating funds for the Alaska Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault Intervention Program. She stressed that the
funds were necessary for ongoing support of domestic
violence and sexual assault survivors. She spoke to the
tragic repercussions that interpersonal violence had on a
person's life. The financial support offered by the program
worked to alleviate the burden. She relayed that the
program was necessary to ensure the safety and progress for
survivors in Alaska. She provided examples of women
benefitting from the program. She implored the committee to
reinstate funds.
7:14:20 PM
THOMAS MCKENZIE-CORBITT, SELF, CLAM GULCH (via
teleconference), expressed support of the budget decisions
of the committee. He recognized that budget planning was
always difficult.
7:15:14 PM
KAREN GONNE-HARRELL, CASE MANAGER, STANDING TOGETHER
AGAINST RAPE, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke against
proposed cuts to the Alaska Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault Intervention Program. She communicated that STAR
had assisted close to 500 people since the past September.
The program had paid for immediate, safe housing and had
developed a safety plan. Once the individuals were stable
they could begin to heal, gain employment, and other. The
program helped relocate and transport clients, paid rent,
installed security systems, and other. She urged the
committee to not cut the funding.
7:18:01 PM
SOMA KLIEMANN, ABUSED WOMEN'S AID IN CRISIS, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funds for the Alaska
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Intervention Program.
She shared that the program provided hope to people in the
community; it gave people the opportunity to become and
stay safe. Additionally, it provided people with the chance
to find themselves in a place where they were no longer in
fear and running from an abuser. The program provided court
advocacy, relocation, safety devices, increased home
security, rent, and other. She communicated that since 2002
the program had provided 16,000 individuals with safety and
resources in 38 communities. She emphasized that the
program covered the entire state. She underscored that a
loss of the program would be devastating. She asked the
committee to restore the funds.
7:19:41 PM
RICHARD WEBB, SELF, FOX (via teleconference), testified in
support of $188,305 for capital upgrades for the Alaska
Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired facility. He
shared that he had lost his vision just before his forty-
first birthday; he had believed his life was over and that
he could not do anything without vision. He was very
grateful that he had found the Alaska Center for the Blind
and Visually Impaired. The center had showed him that he
could continue to do the things he loved to do. He stressed
that the facility was the only comprehensive vision
rehabilitation center in Alaska. He had traveled 370 miles
to the facility to obtain the training he had desperately
needed. He urged the committee to support the capital
appropriation. He added that matching funds had been
raised. He stressed that the facility roof should have been
replaced three years earlier.
7:23:16 PM
CHUCK KANCIC, WASILLA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT,
WASILLA (via teleconference), spoke in support of funds for
the Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District. He
detailed that the district in Wasilla was established in
1948 to advise residents and neighbors on the best
conservation management practices. He relayed that in the
past year the district had been at a critical crossroads
due to the lack of funding that had been exacerbated by the
current funding situation for the upcoming year. He
communicated that the district budget leveraged a high
level of federal funds. He stressed that without state
operating funds the district would not have the ability to
qualify for federal, state, and local funds. The district
served the Wasilla area as a leader in community-based
salmon restoration projects and public conservation
outreach. He stated that the district typically operated at
a 25 percent more efficient level than the government when
planning, implementing, and completing projects. District
capital projects included an ATV crossing construction
project, Lake Lucile Park trails upgrade, salmon education
in elementary schools, and a fall and winter conservation
series.
7:25:21 PM
RICK BERNS, MAYOR, CITY OF OLD HARBOR (via teleconference),
testified in support of funds for the Old Harbor Airport
safety and expansion project. He elaborated that the
project would extend the current airfield from 2,700 feet
to 4,700 feet and would remove side slopes for safety
purposes. The community used a private-public partnership
to advance the project; it had secured federal and private
contributions totaling above $9 million. The largest
portion of the federal match had been the construction
support from the innovative readiness training program; the
program provided training opportunities for service members
and units to prepare them for wartime missions while
supporting the needs of underserved communities. All but
40,000 cubic yards of material had been moved to the site.
He relayed that the project had not received state funding
the prior year; $4 million would complete the drilling and
blasting for the project and a minimum appropriation of
$2.5 million in FY 16 would provide sufficient funding for
construction oversight, monitoring, and drilling and
blasting.
7:28:24 PM
MIKE WOOD, PRESIDENT, BOARD OF SUSITNA RIVER COALITION,
CHASE (via teleconference), spoke against the Susitna
Hydroelectric Project. He did not believe the project was
necessary to solve Alaska's energy needs. Additionally, he
stated that the project would endanger a viable salmon
river. He asked the committee to reappropriate the
remaining funds from the project for use on more important
items. He noted that federal matching money needed to be
returned. He opined that much better solutions [to the
state's energy problems] existed.
7:30:34 PM
JEFF SMEENK, DISTRICT MANAGER, PALMER SOIL AND WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT, PALMER (via teleconference),
advocated for funding for the Alaska Association of
Conservation Districts. He stressed that funding the
organization was an incredible investment of state funds.
He relayed that the organization was lean. The organization
focused on the sustainable development of Alaska's
resources; it had a great knowledge base. He communicated
that on agricultural related issues many times the
districts were the "go-to" organization for the Division of
Agriculture and the University's Cooperative Extension
Service. He noted that the districts were relatively
autonomous and focused on the issues important to each
region. The Palmer district had elected to make a
significant investment in the technology of precision
agriculture. He believed the work would help the community
and the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities'
mission to control invasive weeds along the roadsides. He
relayed that the organization used state funds as a
multiplier for federal grants.
7:32:59 PM
NANCY ANDERSON, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for domestic violence prevention
programs. She asked the committee to consider an increment
for $850,000 to continue to fund the program that partnered
with agencies such as STAR, AWAIC, Victims for Justice, the
Alaska Police Department, and the municipal prosecutor's
office. She detailed that the program had decreased
recidivism by almost 50 percent. As a result, it had a
significant cost savings. She discussed that the program
gave a message to offenders that the state took sexual
assault and domestic violence seriously; if an offender was
arrested and convicted they would be held accountable for
following conditions. She noted that the state funds
accounted for approximately 46 percent of the program; the
other 54 percent was provided by the police department,
Municipality of Anchorage prosecutor's office, STAR, AWAIC,
and Victims for Justice. She urged the committee to
continue funding the program.
7:36:07 PM
JOHN FULTON, MANAGER, BRISTOL BAY BOROUGH (via
teleconference), testified in support of the bill in its
current form. He explained that Naknek was located 297
miles Southwest of Anchorage and is the heart of the
Bristol Bay Sockeye fishery. He relayed that the
community's sewer system served a large population increase
in the summer months as a result of the salmon fishery. He
detailed that the community owned and operated the sewer
system that was over 30 years old. He spoke to the
increased demand on the system over the years. He
elaborated that in 2007 there had been a major break in the
sewer system; had it occurred during the fishery season it
would have been disastrous. The current bill provided the
necessary funding to address the borough's needs. He urged
the committee to maintain the funding at its current level.
7:38:12 PM
SURGE KULIKOV, SERVICE ADVOCATE, STAR, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the Alaska
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and Prevention
Project. He stressed that the project helped many victims
of sexual assault and domestic violence; he had witnessed
how the project had changed and saved lives. He discussed
that it was difficult to get out of abusive and violent
situations and the project helped the victims get their
lives back. He elaborated that the project helped create
new lives; its continuous funding would continue to help
victims and their families. He shared that the funding
would help the recipients become participating members of
the community. He implored the committee to continue
funding the project.
7:39:34 PM
CHRIS REITAN, GALENA SCHOOL DISTRICT, GALENA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for school
construction and major maintenance. He commended the job
done by the legislature and former governor during the 2014
legislative session related to education funding. However,
one area that had not been addressed was the Department of
Education and Early Development's major maintenance grant
fund. He noted that the four-year funding average for major
maintenance from FY 11 to FY 14 was $22.9 million. He
elaborated that no money had been appropriated during the
FY 15 budget cycle. He explained that $13.49 million had
been included for the item in the governor's amended
capital budget. He requested that the FY 16 capital project
budget contain some money for the major maintenance grant
fund in order to begin addressing major maintenance needs
of school districts. He detailed that the fund provided
school districts with a credible and viable way to address
infrastructure needs to support core academic program
needs.
7:41:33 PM
LOUIE FLORA, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, ALASKA CENTER FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT AND ALASKA CONSERVATION VOTERS, JUNEAU (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the inclusion of funds
for the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Weatherization
and Energy Rebate Program. Additionally, he requested
consideration of the inclusion of Renewable Energy Fund
projects. The organizations appreciated the work that had
gone into the budget and understood that Alaskans would be
asked to tighten their belts collectively. He relayed that
the energy efficiency programs had assisted many Alaskans
at many income levels to achieve upgrades to their
residences; as a result the work had decreased home heating
usage. He stated that the programs were good for the
environment and for the economy. The Renewable Energy Fund
had been a successful model and had displaced millions of
gallons of diesel generation per year. The organizations
would like to see the programs continue in order for
projects in phased completion could work towards final
completion.
Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony. She discussed
the agenda for the following day.
SB 26 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
7:45:02 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.