Legislature(1999 - 2000)
05/04/1999 03:35 PM Senate STA
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
May 4, 1999
3:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Jerry Ward, Chairman
Senator Lyda Green
Senator Gary Wilken
Senator Kim Elton
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Randy Phillips
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 24
Relating to the Kosovo conflict and to Alaskans serving in the
military forces in the area of the conflict.
-MOVED CSSJR 24 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20
Urging the Congress to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
eliminate the marriage penalty by providing that income tax rate
bracket amounts, and the amount of the standard deduction, for
joint returns shall be twice the amounts applicable to unmarried
individuals.
-MOVED HJR 20 OUT OF COMMITTEE
CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 26(WTR)
Relating to establishing maritime boundaries with Canada.
-MOVED CSHJR 26(WTR) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
SJR 24 - No previous Senate action.
HJR 20 - No previous Senate action.
CSHJR 26(WTR) - No previous Senate action.
WITNESS REGISTER
Robert Krogseng
Staff to Senator Robin Taylor
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for the sponsor of SJR 24
Judi Jordan
Staff to Representative Gail Phillips
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for the sponsor of HJR 20
Representative John Coghill
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HJR 26
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 99-13, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN WARD called the Senate State Affairs Committee to order at
3:35 p.m. Present were Senators Green, Wilken, Elton, and Chairman
Ward. The first order of business to come before the committee was
SJR 24.
SJR 24-KOSOVO CONFLICT
SENATOR WILKEN moved to adopt CSSJR 24 in lieu of the original
bill. There being no objection, the motion carried.
MR. ROBERT KROGSENG, staff to Senator Taylor, sponsor of SJR 24,
made the following comments. SJR 24 will let members of the Armed
Services know that Alaskans support them in their efforts to bring
a halt to the atrocities being carried out by Milosevic. CSSJR 24
acknowledges the bravery and sacrifices of all military forces and,
in particular, those military men and women who are Alaskans or are
stationed in Alaska. While some may not agree with the methods
being used to accomplish the goal of the NATO Alliance, we support
our military men and women who are being asked to participate in
this conflict and courageously place themselves in harm's way. The
committee substitute does not contain language referring to the
POWs as it is no longer applicable due to their release. He urged
the committee's support of CSSJR 24.
SENATOR GREEN noted some members of the public view this resolution
as endorsing the President's actions and are offended by it.
Number 064
CHAIRMAN WARD stated he has no problem supporting the Alaska
military overseas anytime, however he is uncomfortable supporting
the language on page 2, lines 21-22, because he is not sure that he
supports NATO's actions.
MR. KROGSENG stated the intent of the resolution is to support
those "in the trenches," including troops from other NATO
countries, not to support the decision to be involved.
CHAIRMAN WARD stated that Senator Stevens pointed out, after
returning from Kosovo, that NATO is preventing the bombers, the
majority of whom are American, from bombing the necessary targets.
MR. KROGSENG agreed, but said he still feels the Alaska Legislature
should provide support to the troops.
CHAIRMAN WARD maintained his support for American troops and said
that although he agrees with Senator Stevens, he disagrees with the
Senator's decision to publicly state that American troops are being
put under the misguided rule of NATO.
Number 120
MR. KROGSENG repeated that this resolution does not endorse NATO's
actions, it supports the combat troops involved.
SENATOR WILKEN clarified that NATO is not at the top of the chain
of command and that no American serviceperson is taking command
from one of the allied forces commanded by NATO. He clarified that
American troops are taking command from US Armed Services'
officers.
CHAIRMAN WARD disagreed and noted that Senator Stevens expressed
concern that NATO is taking easy political outs in an attempt to
achieve its own political advantages to the detriment of American
soldiers.
MR. KROGSENG stated he flew 230 missions in Viet Nam and could
relate to the frustration experienced by American troops involved
in the current situation. He added it is easier for the guy doing
the actual work knowing people support him even though they
disagree with the overall policy.
CHAIRMAN WARD noted until now, NATO has been in a defensive
position in its 50 year existence, therefore we are at a crossroad
in which foreign countries are dictating to American servicemen.
Number 192
SENATOR WILKEN repeated American troops are taking orders from
American commanders in consultation with the NATO Allied Forces.
CHAIRMAN WARD stated his understanding is the opposite; American
commanders are being held back from taking normal military actions
because of the NATO machinery which it cannot control.
SENATOR GREEN suggested the following amendment. On page 1, delete
lines 8-10, and reword lines 11 and 13 to read:
WHEREAS the armed forces of the United States are
currently participating in the campaign against Serbian forces
in Kosovo to stop the ethnic cleansing activities; and
On page 2, lines 21 and 22, delete "of the military personnel of
NATO countries involved".
In addition, SENATOR GREEN suggested removing the reference to
President Clinton and Congress on line 23 and rewording the
remainder of the sentence.
CHAIRMAN WARD said he would feel more comfortable including the
Senator Green's suggested amendments.
SENATOR ELTON stated he agrees with the sponsor's language for
several reasons. First, it is clear the resolution does not
endorse the choices made by NATO or its command structure. Second,
the resolution expresses clear support for the troops doing the
job.
Number 277
SENATOR GREEN moved to delete lines 8-10 on page 1, and to change
lines 11 and 12 to read:
"WHEREAS the armed forces of the United States are
currently participating in the campaign against Serbian forces
in Kosovo;"
and change lines 20-23 on page 2 to read:
"FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the Alaska State
Legislature express their heartfelt concern for the safety of
the United States military personnel in the conflict, and of
the refugees who are fleeing Kosovo;"
and to delete the remainder of the sentence.
SENATOR ELTON objected to bring to Senator Green's attention that
if the concern is the implication that the United States is
acceding control to NATO, the language on page 2, lines 23 - 25
should be retained, because it says that final control of the
mission ought to be in the hands of the President and Congress.
SENATOR GREEN said so many people disagree with President Clinton's
actions on this matter but that other language might be substituted
regarding a quick and peaceful resolution.
Number 320
SENATOR ELTON agreed that many members of Congress disagree with
President Clinton on this matter but he emphasized the need to
retain the language suggesting that the President and Congress work
as hard as possible to bring about a long lasting resolution. He
added that if the resolution does not suggest that the President
and Congress do it, it could imply that NATO is the appropriate
organization to find a resolution.
SENATOR GREEN agreed but said she did not know how to amend the
amendment.
SENATOR WILKEN moved to amend Amendment 1 by deleting, on page 2,
line 1, the words, "of the military personnel of NATO countries
involved in the conflict,".
SENATOR GREEN was agreeable to Senator Wilken's amendment to
Amendment 1 and said her concern was that no one think that the
Alaska Legislature tacitly approves of the President's actions by
calling on him to continue those actions.
There being no objection, Amendment 1 as amended was adopted.
Number 344
SENATOR WILKEN asked whether Representative Don Young has been
contacted about his votes last week on this issue in Congress.
MR. KROGSENG thought Senator Taylor spoke with Congressman Young
the previous week but was unaware of the discussion.
SENATOR WILKEN noted there is no need to send a copy of the
resolution to Congressman Young since he voted against supporting
military activity last week. He moved Amendment 3, to delete the
words on page 3, lines 7-8, "and the Honorable Don Young, U.S.
Representatives, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress".
SENATOR ELTON objected and again repeated that SJR 24 as amended
does not endorse the military action in Kosovo, it endorses the
troops.
SENATOR WILKEN maintained his motion to adopt Amendment 3 on the
basis that Representative Young voted against a similar resolution
in Congress on two occasions.
SENATOR GREEN questioned whether sending a resolution to Alaska's
congressional delegation is a matter of protocol.
SENATOR ELTON removed his objection, therefore Amendment 3 was
adopted.
SENATOR WILKEN moved to send a copy of SJR 24 as amended to Colonel
Canolas, General Cash, General Cash, and the Adjutant General of
the Alaska Air National Guard. There being no objection, the
motion carried.
SENATOR WILKEN moved to move CSSJR 24(STA) from committee with
individual recommendations. There being no objection, the motion
carried.
HJR 20-FEDERAL INCOME TAX MARRIAGE PENALTY
JUDI JORDAN, legislative aide to Representative Gail Phillips,
sponsor of HJR 20, made the following comments. Married couples
pay a much higher income tax rate and receive a lower standard
deduction than two single individuals. The purpose of HJR 20 is to
support a proposal before Congress to eliminate the marriage tax
penalty. In 1996 nearly 21 million married couples paid an average
of $1400 more in taxes because of the marriage penalty. With the
anticipation of a federal budget surplus over the next ten years,
Representative Phillips felt the time is appropriate for the
removal of the marriage tax penalty. Several legislative measures
to do away with the marriage tax penalty and make the standard
deduction for a married couple equal to that of two single
individuals are before Congress at this time.
SENATOR GREEN moved HJR 20 from committee with individual
recommendations.
There being no objection, the motion carried.
SENATOR ELTON asked Ms. Jordan to provide him with information
showing that the average family now pays more in taxes than it pays
on housing, food, and clothing combined. MS. JORDAN said she could
provide Senator Wilken with backup information to the bills before
Congress.
Number 443
CSHJR 26(WTR)-ALASKA MARITIME BOUNDARY WITH CANADA
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COGHILL, sponsor of HJR 26, explained the
intent of the measure is to try to keep a good working relationship
with Canada. Some of the Alaskan/Canadian maritime boundaries are
still in dispute. HJR 26 calls for resolution of that dispute. No
negotiations are underway between Canada and the United States
right now; CSHJR 26(WTR) urges the establishment of negotiations,
that Alaska be included, and that the result of the negotiations be
disclosed to Alaskans prior to ratification.
CHAIRMAN WARD asked if the Administration has taken a position on
the resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL said the Administration was not asked.
Number 480
SENATOR ELTON moved CSHJR 26(WTR) from committee with individual
recommendations. There being no objection, the motion carried.
CHAIRMAN WARD adjourned the meeting at 4:10 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|