Public Testimony  HB 375-APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS  HB 377-APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET    The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes and handouts will be on file with the House Finance rd Committee through the 23 Legislative Session, contact 465- rd 2156. After the 23 Legislative Session they will be available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.   LOG SPEAKER DISCUSSION   TAPE HFC 04 47, SIDE A      000 Co-Chair Harris Convened the House Finance Committee  meeting in order to take statewide  testimony on the FY05 Operating Budget.  150 ERIC LEE, PETERSBURG Addressed concerns with the ferry  service being cut and how it will affect  the fishermen of that area. Spoke to  concerns that the fast ferry will only  carry three vans, which would be a  problem for getting the fish out to  market.  850 DIANA CARBONELL, Urged that the Legislature reinstate the  HOMER Federal Title 10 funds to help women and  children. Without those funds, it will  but Alaskan women at risk for  reproductive concerns.  1028 Co-Chair Harris Stated that Representatives Hawker and  Coghill were working on that issue.  1052 JEAN STEELE, HOMER Spoke in support of funding for mental  health programs.  1409 PAULA PINDER Spoke against reductions to domestic  violence and sexual assault.  1531 MEG MITCHEL, HOMER Spoke in support of full funding for  mental health and disability programs.  She noted that this is the most  vulnerable population of the State.  1746 VALERY MCCANDLESS, Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska  MAYOR, WRANGELL Marine Highway System. Spoke in support  of additional funding for education.  She added continued funding for the  Youth Core programs.  2056 JOEL HANSON, SITKA Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska  Marine Highway System.  2334 Co-Chair Harris Asked how often does the ferry go to  Sitka.  2347 Mr. Hanson Replied not often.  2355 JOY LIGHT, SITKA Spoke in support of funding for mental  health programs. She supported taxing  out of State fishermen.  2452 CORNELIA HUESSCHER, Spoke in support of funding for mental  SITKA health programs.  2707 JACK OZMENT, SITKA Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska  Marine Highway System.  2909 EMILY WARD, HOMER Voiced opposition to the cuts in  Medicaid Services. Spoke in support of  funding for mental health programs. She  urged that Title 10 funds be reinstated  and family planning.  3001 JULIE LAFOUNTAIN, Spoke in support of funding for mental  HOMER health programs.  3143 SANDY JOHNS, HOMER Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  Funds for family planning clinics.  3301 DEBORAH GERMANO, Spoke in support of additional funding  HOMER for education. Expressed support for  the implementation of a statewide income  tax.  3508 PHYLLIS KAUFMAN, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  HOMER Funds for family planning clinics.  3519 KAY LYNN NIELSEN, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  HOMER Funds for family planning clinics.  Expressed concern over cuts to in state  services.  3647 MICHELLE WANEKA, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  HOMER Funds for family planning clinics.  3828 MARY ELLEN PURCELL, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  HOMER Funds for family planning clinics  services.  3944 KARL RIFFENSTEIN, Urged that the Division of Vocational  SITKA Rehabilitation remain open throughout  the State.  4116 ANNE MORRIS, SITKA Expressed concern over cuts to in state  services. Urged that the Division of  Vocational Rehabilitation remain open  throughout the State and that funding  not be cut.  4311 JOHN BARTELS, SITKA Urged that the Division of Vocational  Rehabilitation remain open throughout  the State and that the funding not be  cut.  4459 SHEILA FINKENBINDER, Expressed concern over cuts to in state  WORKFORCE services. Urged that the Division of  DEVELOPMENT CENTER, Vocational Rehabilitation remain open  SITKA throughout the State and that the  funding not be cut.  TAPE HFC 04 47, Side B    4623 BONNIE RICHARDS, Urged that the Division of Vocational  SITKA Rehabilitation remain open throughout  the State and that the funding not be  cut.  4315 JERRY KAINULAINEN, Urged that the Division of Vocational  SITKA Rehabilitation remain open throughout  the State and that the funding not be  cut.  4006 CHRIS FONTAINE, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  HOMER X Funds for family planning clinics  throughout the State of Alaska. She  noted that it will affect cancer  screening and family planning services.  3808 SHAY HOFFMAN, HOMER Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  Funds for family planning clinics. She  reiterated concerns voiced by Ms.  Fontaine.  3700 ELIZABETH NEWMANN, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  ANCHORAGE Funds for family planning clinics.  3531 Co-Chair Harris Observed that the operating budget is  not completed and reassured testifiers  that their comments would be taken into  account.  3459 MATT PANCRATZ, HOMER Spoke in support of funding for mental  health and developmental disability  programs.  3315 TARRI THURMAN, Spoke in support of the Katchemak Bay  KATCHEMAK BAY FAMILY Family Planning Clinic, Homer.  PLANNING CLINIC,  HOMER  3143 JULES HARLUETT, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  FRITZ CREEK Funds for family planning clinics and  spoke in support of the Katchemak Bay  Family Planning Clinic, Homer.  3127 MARY LOU KELSEY, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  HOMER Funds for family planning clinics.    3043 HOWARD HEDGES, HOMER Spoke in support of funding for mental  health programs.  2901 KIM SMITH, HOMER Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  Funds for family planning clinics.  2703 RUEBEN JOHNSON, Spoke in support of funding for mental  SITKA health programs.  2550 HELEN CRAIG, SITKA Spoke in support of vocational  rehabilitation services.  2355 BOB BENTON, SITKA Spoke in support of funding for mental  health programs. Noted support for  additional revenue measures.  2120 JANE ALBERTS, Urged reinstatement of the Federal Title  PRESIDENT, Funds for family planning clinics.  KATACHEMAK BAY  PLANNING CLINIC,  HOMER  1831 BOB MEDINGER, Spoke in support of the Governor's  UNIVERSITY OF increments for the University.  ALASKA, BETHEL  1645 WINIFRED KELLY, Testified in support of funding for  TUNDRA WOMEN'S women's shelters and domestic violence  COALITION, BETHEL programs.  1542 RONDI BEAN, TUNDRA Voiced support for programs that address  WOMEN'S COALITION, teens against violence.  BETHEL  1508 ZACH FRANSLER, Testified in support of funding for the  TUNDRA WOMEN'S Tundra Women's Coalition, which provides  COALITION, BETHEL programs for teens against violence and  women's shelters.  1253 AARON ATCHLEY, Spoke in support of the Governor's  UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA increments for the University.  FAIRBANKS  1050 BARBARA SMITH, In support for funding for the Cordova  CORDOVA FAMILY Family Resource Center, which works with  RESOURCE CENTER, domestic violence.  CORDOVA  939 NANCY BIRD, CORDOVA Expressed support for the implementation  of a statewide income tax. Voiced  support for programs to support  fisheries. Testified in support of full  funding for public broadcasting.  622 MARK WASIERSKI, Voiced support for the public health  BETHEL nursing program.  537 SUSANNE EDELME, Expressed support for the public health  BETHEL nursing programs. Spoke in support of  vocational rehabilitation services.  316 AMELANIE GRIFFITH, Testified in support of funding for the  TUNDRA WOMEN'S Tundra Women's Coalition, which provides  COALITION, BETHEL programs for teens against violence and  women's shelters.  214 SUSAN TAYLOR, BETHEL Testified in support of funding for  social programs to help teens and women  and correctional rehabilitation  programs. Voiced support for the public  health nursing program.  TAPE HFC 04 48, SIDE A    419 BOB DOLL, BETTER Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska  FERRIES FOR ALASKA, Marine Highway System and the  JUNEAU degradation of service. He pointed out  that the Alaska Marine Highway System  would be about $9 million short. All of  the savings would have to occur after  October and the burden would fall on the  outlying communities with the fewest  resources.  631 BETH LACROSS, Spoke in support of funding for mental  KETCHIKAN health programs.  816 BECKY BOLLING, Voiced support for the public health  KETCHIKAN nursing program.  1056 GERI KELLY, Voiced support for the public health  KETCHIKAN nursing program.  1136 MAUREEN KELLY, Voiced support for the public health  KETCHIKAN nursing program. She added her concern  to cuts in public health.  1258 MARGI GILMON, Testified regarding cuts to public  KETCHIKAN health. She stated that public health  should continue to have family planning  services available and education  programs.  1526 JAMES FISHER, Expressed concern over cuts to in state  SOLDOTNA services. Noted support for additional  revenue measures.  1739 Co-Chair Harris Asked what an acceptable measure would  be.  1756 Mr. Fisher Expressed support for the implementation  of a statewide income tax.  1817 Co-Chair Harris Asked about earnings of the permanent  fund.  1849 Mr. Fisher Replied that would work also and a broad  base tax.  1923 ELLA LANIER, VALDEZ Spoke in support of funding for mental  health programs. Spoke in support of  additional funding for education.  Expressed concern with reduction of  funding cuts to senior services.  2122 NOEL ARAKELIAN, Expressed concern with reduction of  VALDEZ funding cuts to senior services.  Expressed concern over cuts to in state  services. Voiced opposition to the cuts  in Medicaid Services. She supported the  need for a broad based tax in lieu of  cutting services.  2325 SHARON REESE, VALDEZ Spoke in support of funding for mental  health programs.  2355 DOUG DEORCIE, VALDEZ Spoke in support of the Governor's  increments for the University and full  funding for the budget. Spoke in  support of additional funding for  education for K-12.  2608 Co-Chair Harris Asked how to fund the increases.  2624 Mr. Deorcie Commented that there are PERS and TERS  expansion are causing inflated budget.  He commented that Permanent Fund would  work, broad base tax, tourism and oil  tax.  2945 CHRIS CHAMBERS, Spoke in support of the Governor's  VALDEZ increments for the University and full  funding. Expressed support for the  implementation of a statewide income tax  and noted that the Permanent Fund should  not be touched.  3155 SUSAN KILLARY, Spoke against cuts to the component of  KODIAK domestic violence and sexual assault  services to women and children.  3421 WALLY JOHNSON, Testified in support of full funding for  KODIAK public broadcasting. He commented that  this is a "quality of life" issue.  3634 Co-Chair Harris Noted that there were reductions to  public radio in the subcommittee  reports.  3653 MARGARET HALL, Expressed concern with reduction of  KODIAK funding cuts to senior services.  Voiced opposition to the cuts in  Medicaid Services. She encouraged that  a good fiscal plan be adopted.  Expressed support for the implementation  of a statewide income tax and use of the  permanent fund earnings.  3824 TOBY SULLIVAN, Urged that the Division of Vocational  KODIAK Rehabilitation remain open throughout  the State and that the funding not be  cut. Expressed support for the  implementation of a statewide income tax  and reconsideration of oil taxes.  3953 D. SCOTT SMITH, He asked if medical services were  KODIAK removed from Kodiak Island, how would  residents get by. Spoke against cuts to  Medicaid, and felt there must be  alternatives.  4237 REPRESENTATIVE DAN Expressed that he sat on subcommittee,  OGG and was able to put funds back in for  ASAP program for the juvenile portion.  TAPE HFC 04 48, Side B (malfunction)    4323 JOHN WENSLEY, KENAI Expressed concern over cuts to the  education funding and suggested that it  be inflation proofed.  TAPE HFC 04 49, Side A    042 CATHY CARROW, Spoke in support of additional funding  SOLDOTNA for education. Expressed support for  the implementation of a statewide income  tax.  110 Co-Chair Harris Asked she would be the head of the "Just  Say Yes" campaign on Kenai.  138 RICHARD WARRINGTON, Spoke in support of funding for mental  KENAI health programs. He commented on the  number of brain injuries that exist  statewide.  421 MARY WARRINGTON, Spoke in support of funding for mental  KENAI health programs and voiced opposition to  the cuts in Medicaid Services. Spoke in  support of additional funding for  education. She spoke against taking the  Permanent Fund away but did support a  broad based income tax.  558 LINCOLN WENSLEY, Spoke in support of additional funding  KENAI for education.  633 AMBER CLARK, VALDEZ Spoke in support of the Governor's  increments for the University and full  funding and spoke in support of  additional funding for education K-12.  755 KRYSTAL CALISON, Spoke in support of the Governor's  VALDEZ increments for the University.  828 RANIER MASTERS, Spoke in support of the Governor's  VALDEZ increments for the University and full  funding and spoke in support of  additional funding for education.  1119 LINDA FLEMING, Expressed concern with reduction of  VALDEZ funding cuts to senior services.  Voiced opposition to the cuts in  Medicaid Services. Spoke in support of  the Governor's increments for the  University and full funding.  1240 LORRANIE STEWARD, Spoke against cuts to the component of  KODIAK domestic violence and sexual assault  services to women and children. Spoke  in support of funding for mental health  programs.  1504 DAWN JURADO, KODIAK Urged that the Division of Vocational  Rehabilitation remain open throughout  the State and that the funding not be  cut.  1644 BOB JOHNSON, DOCTOR, Commented on the volunteer services  KODIAK available in Kodiak and all the non- profits. Many services have been  severely compromised but the job of the  Legislature should be the caring for  people.  1853 Co-Chair Harris Noted that all legislators share that  concern.  1912 AARON DOLPH, KODIAK Spoke in support of funding for mental  health programs.  2125 CHARLIE KING, KODIAK Expressed support for the implementation  of a statewide income tax. He spoke to  a Permanent Fund for education. He  agreed that the existing permanent fund  should be capped at $25 million dollars.  All dollars over that should be placed  into another account for uses by the  State.  2356 Co-Chair Harris Explained that the issue is not coming  up with a creative solution. There is a  political problem, not a fiscal problem.  Many people throughout the State  recommend different options on how to  deal with these concerns.  2524 LISETTA ALVEREZ, Voiced opposition to the cuts in  KODIAK Medicaid Services.  2736 PATRICIA GIBBS, Expressed concern with the cuts  KODIAK happening with the early intervention  programs. She stated that she supports  substance abuse programs and teen  courts. Fully funds grant for mental  health. Youth are a precious resource.  Spoke in support of additional funding  for education. Expressed support for  the implementation of a statewide income  tax.  2920 COLLEEN NEWMAN, Spoke against cuts to the component of  KODIAK domestic violence and sexual assault  services to women and children.  3154 KRISTIN PANAMAROFF, Spoke in support of funding for mental  KODIAK health programs.  3344 GINA POPE, Spoke in support of the Governor's  DILLINGHAM increments for the University and the  small campuses throughout the State.  Expressed concern over cuts to in state  services.  3604 CRISTY TILDEN, Commented on the concerns in that area  DILLINGHAM with alcohol and drug abuse. She noted  the programs that have helped those  people. Expressed concern over cuts to  in state services.  3808 SIGNEY NELSON, Spoke in support of funding for mental  DILLINGHAM health programs.  3937 MIKE LANE, BARROW Voiced support for tobacco prevention  and cessation programs.  4223 Representative Observed that the House has authorized  Hawker 20 percent funding for tobacco  prevention and cessation programs.  4357 Lee Stoops Testified in support of additional state  trooper positions and stressed the need  for the positions to be located in rural  areas. Testified in support of full  funding for public broadcasting.  4541 SUZIE ERLICH, Noted support for additional revenue  CHAIRMAN, ASSEMBLY, measures and a long-term solution to  KOTZEBUE stabilize the budget.  TAPE HFC 04 49, Side B    4641 Representative Observed that the city of Nome supports  Foster the POMV. He added that many others have  supported an income tax and noted that  legislators need to hear from their  communities.  4255 BRAD REEVES, ALASKA Testified in support of full funding for  PUBLIC BROADCASTING public broadcasting. Voiced support for  ASSOCIATION, continuation of funding for the public  KOTZEBUE broadcasting satellite infrastructure.  He observed that there would be a loss  of stations if the proposed cuts remain.  3939 CHARLES BECK, NORTON Spoke in support of funding for mental  SOUND HEALTH health and alcohol and substance abuse  CONSORTIUM, NOME programs.  3728 SHELLEY LONG, Voiced opposition to the cuts in  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Medicaid Services. She spoke in support  MATSU RECOVERY of substance abuse program funding.  CENTER, MATSU Noted support for additional revenue  measures. Expressed support for the  implementation of a statewide income  tax.  3438 KATHY ROBERTS, MATSU Voiced opposition to the cuts in  Medicaid Services. She stressed that  seniors would be adversely affected by  reductions.  3257 SYDNEY JACOBS, Spoke in support of vocational  PALMER rehabilitation services. Urged that the  Division of Vocational Rehabilitation  remain open throughout the State and  that the funding not be cut.  3226 DAN DUCEY, MATSU Spoke in support of vocational  rehabilitation services and recounted  his personal experiences.  2959 TRISH WALTER, Voiced opposition to the cuts in  SERVICES FOR Medicaid Services.  CHILDREN AND ADULTS  MATSU  2601 BILL JOHNSON, MATSU Spoke in support of vocational  rehabilitation services.  2320 GERALD MILBRETT, Spoke in support of vocational  MATSU rehabilitation services. He recounted  help he received through the Division of  Vocational Rehabilitation.  2126 RUSSLE NELSON, Spoke in support of the Governor's  DILLINGHAM increments for the University.  1928 DON FORD, MATSU Urged that the Division of Vocational  Rehabilitation remain open throughout  the State and that the funding not be  cut. Expressed support for the  implementation of a statewide income  tax.  1645 PEARL STRUB, MATSU Voiced support for the Bristol Bay  Campus.  1347 CHARLES GREGORY, Stated that he had suffered a heart  KAKE attack and that he used medical services  in Sitka. He spoke in support of  medical services in Sitka.  1108 ROBERT BUNSEY, Spoke in support of vocational  KODIAK rehabilitation services. Expressed  support for the implementation of a  statewide income tax. Spoke against use  of the Permanent Fund.  0823 JOHN HOUSER, KODIAK Testified in support of funding for  community mental health programs. He  explained he had a nervous breakdown and  would like the Kodiak office to remain  open. Spoke in favor of a sales tax.  0458 DR. BOB JOHNSON, Spoke in support of a long-range fiscal  KODIAK plan. Expressed support for the  implementation of a statewide income tax  and the POMV. Urged leaving the CBR  alone.  TAPE HFC 04 - 50, Side A    0113 BARBARA LEWIS, Spoke against an access road from Haines  HAINES to Juneau. Testified in support of  funding for community mental health  programs. Expressed support for the  implementation of a statewide income  tax. Suggested increasing oil company  taxes per barrel.   FRANCIS OZENNA, Described the local problems and needs  LITTLE DIOMEDE including their limited mail service;  ISLAND law enforcement; two years of shoreline  erosion that was funded locally;  transportation services, specifically a  small boat harbor; new housing and  better medical attention; and solid  waste disposal. The local bird  sanctuary limits housing construction.  The town hasn't received disaster  funding although it has serious erosion  problems.  0801 CORY THOLE, SKAGWAY Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska  Marine Highway System. Did not support  the highway from Haines to Juneau and  would prefer full funding for the ferry  system.  ADJOURNMENT  1112 The meeting was adjourned at 4:09 P.M.  #