GENERAL SUBJECT(S): HB 375-APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS  HB 377-APPROP:MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET STATEWIDE TESTIMONY: JUNEAU    The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes and handouts will be on file with the House Finance Committee through the 23rd Legislative Session, contact 465- 2156. After the 23rd Legislative Session they will be available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.   LOG SPEAKER DISCUSSION   TAPE HFC 04 - 53, SIDE A  000 Co-Chair Harris Convened the House Finance Committee meeting in order to take statewide public testimony on the operating budget and the mental health budget for FY05. (Juneau)  005 ALLEN HERRICK, Spoke in support of vocational JUNEAU rehabilitation services.  075 HAROLD STEPP, JUNEAU Spoke in support of funding for shelters.  150 BILL LEGERE, KTOO, Voiced support for continuation of JUNEAU funding for the public broadcasting satellite infrastructure. Testified in support of full funding for public broadcasting.  409 BEV MUELLER, JUNEAU Spoke in support of funding for behavior health services, which address alcohol and substance abuse. Expressed support for the Percent of Market Value (POMV) plan. Noted support for additional revenue measures. Expressed support for implementation of a statewide income tax.  619 ERNIE MUELLER, Spoke in support of funding for behavior JUNEAU health services, which address alcohol and substance abuse.  749 WALTER MAJOROS, Voiced support for behavior health EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, services, which address alcohol and JUNEAU YOUTH substance abuse among youth. Spoke in SERVICES support of funding for mental health programs.  1150 RUTH SIMPSON, Spoke in support of funding for behavior NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR health services, which address alcohol DRUG DEPENDENCE, and substance abuse. Testified in support JUNEAU of the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP).  1423 SUZANNE CORTWRIGHT- Spoke in support of additional funding COHEN, JUNEAU for education. Expressed support for  implementation of a statewide income tax.  1602 Co-Chair Williams Questioned the optimal class size.  1698 Ms. Cohen Felt that classes should not be larger than 20 students.  1721 DIANE KRUCK, JUNEAU Spoke in support of funding for behavior health services, which address alcohol and substance abuse. Spoke in support of funding for mental health programs.  1941 DIANE MCGACHERN, Spoke in support of funding for mental NATIONAL ASSOCIATION health programs. She observed that many OF SOCIAL WORKERS, of their services are not Medicaid JUNEAU eligible. Voiced support for the public health nursing program. Expressed support for implementation of a statewide income tax.  2142 GAIL BAKER, JUNEAU Spoke in support of vocational rehabilitation services. Support of Juneau Youth Services.  2334 TED MERRELL, JUNEAU Voiced concerns with cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System.  2552 RANDY MAGEN, Thanked the committee for adding social NATIONAL ASSOCIATION workers to the Division of Occupational OF SOCIAL WORKERS, Licensing. Suggested that funding could JUNEAU be fund by using funds directed to Arctic Power for lobbying ANWR. Expressed support for implementation of a statewide income tax.  2922 DORIS ROBBINS, Voiced support for funding for tobacco JUNEAU prevention and cessation programs. Testified in support of funding for alcohol treatment programs. Spoke in support of vocational rehabilitation services.  3256 KATHRYN ARLEN, Voiced opposition to the cuts in Medicaid JUNEAU Services.  3722 BILL BURK, JUNEAU Spoke in support of funding for behavior health services, which address alcohol and substance abuse. Spoke in support of funding for mental health programs. Spoke in support of vocational rehabilitation services.  3934 JILL SANDLEBEN, Voiced opposition to the cuts in Medicaid CATHOLIC COMMUNITY Services. Expressed concern with SERVICES, JUNEAU reductions to senior services. Expressed concern with reductions to programs serving those with disabilities. Expressed support for the POMV plan. Expressed support for implementation of a statewide income tax.  4415 JOAN O'KEEFE, JUNEAU Expressed concern with reductions to programs serving those with disabilities. Voiced opposition to the cuts in Medicaid  Services. Spoke in support of vocational rehabilitation services.  4528 TAPE HFC 04 - 53, Side B  4625 ELFRIDA NORD, ALASKA Voiced support for the public health NURSING ASSOCIATION, nursing program.  JUNEAU 4302 MARY HAKALA, JUNEAU Spoke in support of additional funding for education. Suggested inflation factor plus for five years, which would be a statement of commitment on the part of the Legislature.  3939 JULIE MORRIS, JUNEAU Spoke in support of additional funding SCHOOL BOARD, JUNEAU for education. She pleaded the Legislature to look at something "reasonable". Classrooms are approaching a "critical mass".  3732 BRIAN SCHUTT, OFF Spoke in support of vocational NET - ANACORTES, WA rehabilitation services.  3614 CLAUDIA CRISS, Spoke in support of vocational JUNEAU rehabilitation services and the many services that have been offered to her with her visual disabilities. She requested that services for the blind not be cut from the proposed budget.  3001 ROSEMARY HAGEVIG, Voiced opposition to the cuts in Medicaid EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Services. She commented on the damage CATHOLIC COMMUNITY that those cuts would cause the non- SERVICES, JUNEAU profit infrastructure.  2602 JACKIE GREEN, JUNEAU Spoke in support of vocational rehabilitation services. Spoke in support of funding for behavior health services, which address alcohol and substance abuse.  2244 SUSAN PAPPS, JUNEAU Spoke in support of funding for mental health programs.  1940 CATHERINE REARDON, Spoke in support of additional funding JUNEAU for education and inflation proofing. She added concerns to reductions in the Division of Occupational Licensing. She pointed out that [cuts to the Division] would not help to balance the State's budget, but would change the philosophy on investigations throughout the State.  1448 ROSA GAONA, JUNEAU Spoke in support of vocational rehabilitation services. She noted that she uses the services of JAMI. She maintained that these agencies are important and should be continued by the State.  1248 SHARI MATTINGLY, Spoke against cuts to the Council on JUNEAU Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault for services to women and children. She  pointed out that one in three women are battered. She urged that the funding not be cut from programs that are helping real people.  858 CASSANDRA RUSSELL, Spoke in support of vocational JUNEAU rehabilitation services. Spoke in support of funding for behavior health services, which address alcohol and substance abuse and the support systems associated with those agencies. She commented on the resources available in Alaska and how supportive they are. She asked that the cuts to these programs be reconsidered.  TAPE HFC 04 - 54, Side A  044 KYLE CURTIS, JUNEAU Spoke in support of vocational rehabilitation services. He commended legislators for taking a hard path on crime. Investing in Alaska's future would maintain funding for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and increase earning and manufacturing power for the State. Expressed support for implementation of a statewide income tax. He urged compassion.  632 SYDNEY STRADICKE, Spoke in support of vocational JUNEAU rehabilitation services noting that they have been there for her during her struggle with MS.  1131 ERIN CRUZ, JUNEAU Expressed concern over cuts to in statewide services. She commented on racism and the manifestation of statewide alcohol problems. She maintained that the Legislature needs to "realize that these concerns are affecting our children and our children's children". The problem is getting "bigger". The State cannot put these concerns off.  1443 JAN WRENTMORE, Voiced appreciation for funding for the SKAGWAY new fast ferry. She urged that this effort be fully funded. She pointed out that 40% of marine highway revenue is earned in the Lynn Canal, which reduces subsidies statewide. She urged that the ferry system be fully funded. She voiced concern with the Governor's proposed budget and plans to eliminate ferry travel north of Juneau.  1809 ANDY STORY, JUNEAU Noted support for additional revenue DISTRICT SCHOOL measures. Spoke in support of additional BOARD, JUNEAU funding for education. Emphasized the need to pay for PERS and TRS increases.  1924 GAYLE TRIVETTE, Expressed support for the POMV plan and a JUNEAU payout, which would divide funds between  state government and dividends. Expressed support for implementation of a statewide income tax. Spoke in support of HB 441, which would increase oil tax revenues. Spoke in support of additional funding for education.   ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:33 PM