HOUSE BILL NO. 81 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making supplemental appropriations; and making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." Public Testimony HOUSE BILL NO. 83 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." Public Testimony The following overview was taken in log note format. Handouts will be on file with the House Finance Committee through the 26th Legislative Session, contact 465-6814. After the 26th Legislative Session they will be available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.   1:35:00 PM TIME SPEAKER DISCUSSION   ANCHORAGE  1:36:13 PM JUDY CORDAL, Shared statistics about the Center, AWAKE WOMEN'S highlighting the need for funding the CRISIS CENTER, increase of $1.2 million. She spoke in ANCHORAGE support of full funding for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.   CO-CHAIR Spoke of alternative funding sources.  HAWKER  CO-CHAIR Inquired about capital needs.  STOLTZE  MS. CORDAL Stated the goal to maintain status quo.  1:41:01 PM VICE-CHAIR Questioned the causes of domestic THOMAS violence.  MS. CORDAL Detailed various causes of domestic violence.  1:42:26 PM LIZ POSEY, Spoke in support of funding for obesity VICE-CHAIR, programs. She shared Alaskan HEALTH AND statistics regarding obesity problems HUMAN SERVICES and expenses. She discussed programs COMMISSION, currently in place in Anchorage.  ANCHORAGE 1:46:30 PM DIANE INGLE, Spoke in support of full funding for STAR/DHHS, the Council on Domestic Violence and ANCHORAGE Sexual Assault. She related successes of the programs she is involved with.   1:48:50 PM NANCY HAAG, Spoke in support of full funding for EXECUTIVE the Council on Domestic Violence and DIRECTOR, Sexual Assault. STAR,  ANCHORAGE 1:50:41 PM JOHN R. LUHFF, Urged full funding for mental health DISTRICT COURT services and substance abuse grants as JUDGE, submitted by the Governor. He shared ANCHORAGE experiences related to substance abuse issues he witnessed as a judge. He emphasized the positive results of fully funding the grants.  1:53:21 PM ANNA SAPPAH, Urged full funding for mental health EXECUTIVE services and substance abuse grants as DIRECTOR, submitted by the Governor. She spoke SUBSTANCE of future expenses as a result of not ABUSE fully funding treatment programs. She DIRECTORS, shared her personal story. She also ASSN., urged support for behavioral health ANCHORAGE services grants.  1:56:31 PM ROSALIE Spoke of the consequences of not NADEAU, funding interventions. She advocated EXECUTIVE for funding for substance abuse grants DIRECTOR, and treatment programs. She shared AKEELA statistics of successful treatment TREATMENT programs.  PROGRAM, ANCHORAGE 1:59:52 PM MELINDA MYERS, Spoke in favor of increases in funding SENIOR for Head Start, Denali Kid Care, MANAGER, BEST Intervention Activities, Best BEGINNINGS: Beginnings, and other child advocacy ALASKA EARLY centers. She requested increases in CHILDHOOD funding for Best Beginnings and INVESTMENT, detailed the positive outcomes ANCHORAGE generated by such funding.  2:03:34 PM TIM SCHUERCH, Voiced appreciation for increased VPSO POLICY funding. He urged support for ANALYST, behavioral health services grants. He ALASKA NATIVE requested funding for an Alaska Health HEALTH BOARD, Information Exchange and spoke of the ANCHORAGE advantages of such a program. He thanked the Committee for fully funding PCE. He urged continued support for energy programs. He requested investing Medicaid savings in Tribal Health programs such as Bring the Kids Home and others.  2:08:49 PM AL KOCH, ALL Asked for continued support for ALASKA TOURS, destination marketing. He spoke of the EAGLE RIVER benefits of funding this industry model.  2:10:54 PM ROB MARX, Urged full funding for mental health SALVATION ARMY services and substance abuse grants as CLITHEROE submitted by the Governor. He spoke of CENTER, efforts to maximize every dollar spent. ANCHORAGE He spoke of his clients' needs and ways to save money in the future by providing treatment programs.  2:13:32 PM JANET MCCABE, Spoke in support of funding for Alaska PARTNERS FOR Therapeutic Courts, ASAP. She PROGRESS, described how money could be saved by ANCHORAGE supporting this program.  2:15:02 PM RON PECK, Urged support of tourism programs at PRESIDENT the $9 million level. He spoke of the ATIA, requirements of HB 147 (tourism ANCHORAGE legislation passed in 2008).  2:16:44 PM LORIE MORRIS, Expressed support for continued funding ALASKA BAPTIST for child advocacy centers. She urged FAMILY support for behavioral health services SERVICES, grants. She urged full funding for ANCHORAGE mental health services and substance abuse grants as submitted by the Governor.  2:18:53 PM JOAN CULLINAN, Urged full funding for mental health ANCHORAGE services.  COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, ANCHORAGE 2:20:26 PM ANDREA Urged full funding for mental health SCHMOOK, services and substance abuse grants as ANCHORAGE submitted by the Governor. She shared COMMUNITY her personal story. She related how MENTAL HEALTH services could be maintained with SERVICES, adequate funding.  ANCHORAGE 2:23:11 PM GENE M. Urged full funding for mental health KOWCHEE, services and substance abuse grants as ANCHORAGE submitted by the Governor. He shared COMMUNITY his personal story.  MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, ANCHORAGE 2:24:19 PM JOSEPH Urged full funding of $1.7 million for GERVAIS, mental health services and $1.7 million ANCHORAGE for substance abuse grants as submitted COMMUNITY by the Governor. He shared his MENTAL HEALTH personal story.  SERVICES, ANCHORAGE 2:26:55 PM THERESA Urged full funding for mental health RICHARD, services and substance abuse grants as ANCHORAGE submitted by the Governor. She shared COMMUNITY her personal story.  MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, ANCHORAGE 2:28:59 PM CATHY MUSSER, Urged full funding for mental health ANCHORAGE services and substance abuse grants as COMMUNITY submitted by the Governor. She shared MENTAL HEALTH her personal story.  SERVICES, ANCHORAGE 2:31:10 PM PAM BRIERS, Urged full funding for mental health ANCHORAGE services and substance abuse grants as COMMUNITY submitted by the Governor. She shared MENTAL HEALTH her personal story.  SERVICES, ANCHORAGE 2:33:09 PM DELLA Urged full funding for mental health FORSELLES, services and substance abuse grants as ANCHORAGE submitted by the Governor. She shared COMMUNITY her personal story.  MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, ANCHORAGE 2:34:06 PM KANDI S. Urged full funding for mental health HAYES, services and substance abuse grants as ANCHORAGE submitted by the Governor. She shared COMMUNITY her personal story. MENTAL HEALTH  SERVICES, ANCHORAGE 2:36:12 PM AARON MURPHY, Urged full funding for mental health ANCHORAGE services and substance abuse grants as COMMUNITY submitted by the Governor. He shared MENTAL HEALTH his personal story.  SERVICES, ANCHORAGE 2:37:17 PM DENNIS Urged full funding for mental health HERMANN, services and substance abuse grants as ANCHORAGE submitted by the Governor. He shared COMMUNITY his personal story. He voiced MENTAL HEALTH appreciation for what mental health SERVICES, funding has done for people.  ANCHORAGE 2:38:59 PM ALVIN GRIFFIN, Urged full funding for mental health ANCHORAGE services and substance abuse grants as COMMUNITY submitted by the Governor. He shared MENTAL HEALTH his personal story.  SERVICES, ANCHORAGE 2:40:52 PM GARY JAEGER, Urged full funding for mental health  ANCHORAGE services and substance abuse grants as COMMUNITY submitted by the Governor. He shared MENTAL HEALTH his personal story.  SERVICES, ANCHORAGE 2:42:39 PM CO-CHAIR Thanked all of the speakers from the HAWKER Anchorage Community Mental Health Services program.  2:43:16 PM MARYELLEN Expressed support for continued funding FRITZ, HEAD for child advocacy centers. She spoke START CHILD as a grandparent of a positive CARE, experience with the Head Start Program.  ANCHORAGE 2:45:47 PM CANDICE Expressed support for continued funding WINKLER, for child advocacy centers. She shared CHILDREN'S stories of parents' experiences with RESEARCH & child care assistance. She spoke in REFERRAL favor of supporting child care NETWORK, assistance and coordination of ANCHORAGE programs. She suggested investing in a quality rate of assistance program.  2:49:40 PM BREE DAVIN, Urged full funding for mental health CLINICAL services and substance abuse grants as DIRECTOR, submitted by the Governor.  SALVATION ARMY CLITHEROE CENTER, ANCHORAGE 2:52:10 PM AT-EASE.  3:34:47 PM RECONVENED  3:34:58 PM SITKA  3:35:41 PM LIBBY Urged full funding for HB81. This would WATANABE, benefit diabetes education and aide in SEARHC, SITKA public health and wellness. Her request emphasizes nutrition education programs. She urged the creation of a nutrition degree program in the state. Spoke in support of the Regent's request for full funding for the University of Alaska specifically nutrition programs.  3:39:26 PM CHRIS BAUMAN, Spoke in support of full funding for SAFV, SITKA the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She requested additional resources for victims of domestic violence.   3:41:20 PM WRANGELL  3:41:31 PM KRISSY SMITH, Requested increasing childcare WRANGELL reimbursement rates. She urged support for the voluntary pre-kindergarten programs.  3:44:09 PM ANGELA DENTON-Urged additional funding for co-pay ALLEN, support for childcare. She requested a WRANGELL re-adjustment in Denali Kid Care qualification standards.  3:45:39 PM CORNELIA Urged support for behavioral health HUEBSCHER, services grants. She specifically NATIONAL pointed out the needs of veteran and ALLIANCE FOR active military Alaskans and their THE MENTALLY families.  SITKA 3:48:47 PM CORDOVA  3:49:01 PM MELANIE Spoke in support of full funding for MATTSON, the Council on Domestic Violence and CORDOVA FAMILY Sexual Assault. She felt that the RESOURCE recession will increase the need for CENTER, services. CORDOVA  3:51:20 PM HOMER  3:51:26 PM JULIA PERSON, Spoke in support of full funding for HAVEN HOUSE, the Council on Domestic Violence and HOMER Sexual Assault. She expressed support with the use of access permanent fund felony funds to replace the general fund support for the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.   3:53:27 PM CO-CHAIR Felt that she was oversimplifying. STOLTZE Expressed that troopers and VPSO had to share the funding. He stated that the priority was to fund uniformed officers. He maintained that it is a work in progress.  3:54:45 PM CO-CHAIR Maintained that it is a work in HAWKER progress.  3:54:50 PM DONNA BERAN, Spoke in support of full funding for HAVEN HOUSE, the Council on Domestic Violence and HOMER Sexual Assault. She stressed that it would be beneficial for Alaska to take the lead in identifying the root of social ills throughout the state to try and solve problems. She pointed out that substance abuse and economic stress add to social ills.   3:57:53 PM NINA ALLEN, Urged support for behavioral health CEO, SOUTH services grants. She maintained that PENINSULA she was not asking for an expansion of BEHAVIORAL services simply more funding for HEALTH services already in place.  SERVICES 3:59:47 PM PETERSBURG  3:59:57 PM JENNIFER RAY, Requested that the committee support  PETERSBURG HB83. She spoke of the need to fund mental health programs throughout the state.  4:01:07 PM MICHAEL Spoke in support of HB83. He urged the BIGGERS, return of 1.7 million to the cause.  PETERSBURG 4:03:02 PM JOHN Spoke in support of HB83. He relayed a YARBROUGH, personal story of mental illness and PETERSBURG elaborated on the personal benefit from services he has received from the state.  4:04:04 PM ANDREW BERGEN, Urged support for behavioral health PETERSBURG services grants. He relayed a personal story and his positive experience with Petersburg mental health facilities.  4:05:56 PM KIN KILKENNY, Urged support for behavioral health PSG MENTAL services grants. She expressed that any HEALTH loss of funding would negatively effect SERVICES, the amount of help provided to the PETERSBURG community  4:07:17 PM DILLINGHAM  4:07:32 PM GINGER BAIM, Spoke in support of full funding for EXECUTIVE the Council on Domestic Violence and DIRECTOR, Sexual Assault. She expressed that SAFE, programs in her community have suffered PETERSBURG cutbacks. She maintained that her program desperately needs a funding increase to maintain services.   4:10:48 PM REPRESENTATIVE Thanked Ms. Baim for her service.  FOSTER 4:11:22 PM NATHAN MADSEN, Spoke in support of full funding for SAFE, the Council on Domestic Violence and PETERSBURG Sexual Assault.   4:12:21 PM SAMARA BAKER, Spoke in support of full funding for OUTREACH AND the Council on Domestic Violence and EDUCATION Sexual Assault. She informed that COORDINATOR, without increased funding her position SAFE, will be cut. PETERSBURG  4:13:28 PM TERRY Spoke in support of full funding for HOEFFERLE, the Council on Domestic Violence and PETERSBURG Sexual Assault. He thought that all members of Alaskan Communities have been touched by domestic violence issues. He spoke in support of funding for youth homes and programs.   4:16:05 PM WASSILIISIA Spoke in support of full funding for BENNIS, SAFE, the Council on Domestic Violence and PETERSBURG Sexual Assault. She specifically  mentioned the necessity for programs among Native Alaskans. She urged support of victim services programs in Bristol Bay.   4:18:58 PM KATHY MCLINN, Urged support for behavioral health DCSD, services grants. Spoke in support of PETERSBURG full funding for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She stressed that the services provided by SAFE are essential to her community.   4:21:11 PM SUSAN Spoke in support of full funding for MITCHELL, the Council on Domestic Violence and BOARD MEMBER, Sexual Assault. Urged support for SAFE, behavioral health services grants. She PETERSBURG expressed the importance of SAFE in education parents on effective non violent parenting.  4:23:43 PM CO-CHAIR Wondered what the causes of domestic HAWKER violence are in Ms. Mitchell's community.  4:24:30 PM SUSAN MITCHELL Mentioned lack of non-violent parenting education and substance abuse add to the rise of domestic violence.  4:26:13 PM CO-CHAIR Asked if increased public safety HAWKER efforts or more health service workers would be more beneficial to solving domestic violence problems.  4:27:11 PM SUSAN MITCHELL Replied that a combination of both is needed.  4:28:01 PM DEANNA HARDIN, Urged support for behavioral health BBAHC & CAC & services grants. Spoke in support of SAFE, full funding for the Council on PETERSBURG Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She felt that each person helped by SAFE has gone back to provide help to their respective communities.   4:30:39 PM CO-CHAIR Asked if the state could invest $100 in HAWKER law enforcement, prevention, or shelter how would she divide up the funds.  4:32:04 PM DEANNA HARDIN Replied that she would divide the money up equally.  4:32:31 PM CORDOVA  4:32:50 PM JOAN BEHRENDS, Spoke in encouragement of funding for CORDOVA EMS programs. Spoke in support of HB83 VOLUNTEER FIRE and particularly funding for the DEPARTMENT, Emergency Medical Services Grant.  CORDOVA 4:36:35 PM PATTI Urged full funding for mental health KALLANDER, services and substance abuse grants as  CORDOVA FAMILY submitted by the Governor. She RESOURCE testified in support of funding for CENTER, alcohol treatment and healthy family CORDOVA programs.  4:39:00 PM KODIAK  4:40:41 PM REBECCA Spoke in support of full funding for SHIELDS, the Council on Domestic Violence and KODIAK WOMEN'S Sexual Assault. She spoke in support of RESOURCE AND the governor's increment and emphasized CRISIS that CDVSA services save lives and SHELTER, money. KODIAK  4:44:06 PM MONTE HAWVER, Urged support for behavioral health BROTHER services grants, where the governor's FRANCIS increment was reduced by 43 percent.  SHELTER, KODIAK 4:46:31 PM KARLA BOURAY, Spoke in support of full funding for KODIAK WOMEN'S the Council on Domestic Violence and RESOURCE & Sexual Assault. She listed the services CRISIS that her program provides and stressed SHELTER, that all funding for the shelter is KODIAK necessary.   4:48:58 PM PAT BRANSON, Spoke in support of continued funding SENIOR for home and community based services CITIZENS OF pertaining to senior citizens.  KODIAK, KODIAK 4:50:36 PM JANET Spoke in support of funding for tourism BUCKINGHAM, marketing. She asked for a reinvestment KODIAK ISLAND of $9 million in ATIA.  CONVENTION & VISITORS CENTER, KODIAK 4:52:39 PM PAM FOREMAN, Spoke in support for funding ATIA the ATIA, KODIAK full $9 million request.  4:54:01 PM CINDY Spoke in support in all budget programs HARRISON, that benefit Alaska's children. KANA, KODIAK Expressed support for continued funding for child advocacy centers. She expressed that she is anxious to work with other child advocacy groups throughout the state. She shared that all members of the community of Kodiak work in a coordinated effort to protect families and children.  4:57:28 PM ROBERT POLLEY, Expressed support for continued funding ATTORNEY, for child advocacy centers. He KODIAK expressed the need to have an advocacy center in Kodiak.  5:00:54 PM MAT-SU  5:01:29 PM AARON MARTIN, Testified in support of funding for  NUGEN'S RANCH, alcohol treatment programs.  MAT-SU 5:02:25 PM SHELLY Testified in support of funding for EDWARDS, alcohol treatment programs. She spoke NUGEN'S RANCH, of the ills of substance abuse in the MAT-SU state and felt that program funding would be beneficial to Alaska.  5:04:11 PM JEREMY PIKE, Testified in support of funding for AARS, MAT-SU alcohol treatment programs. He felt that rehabilitation programs help to reduce eventual economic strain to the state.  5:05:56 PM KRIS ABSHIRE, Urged funding for Fish and Game. ALASKANS FOR Requested that the committee read e- PALMER HAY mails she sent to each member.  FLATS, MAT-SU 5:07:51 PM JAMES GARHART, Requested cutting funding to send MAT-SU legislators to the Energy Summit. He suggested reducing the expansion of government. He requested a forward funded budget.  5:11:52 PM CO-CHAIR Replied that Mr. Garhart's statements HAWKER have merit.  5:12:44 PM MELONY ADAMS, Spoke in support of infant learning MAT-SU services.  5:14:45 PM KETCHIKAN  5:14:55 PM ANNSIA Spoke in support of full funding for SHANNECE the Council on Domestic Violence and MOTTON, WOMEN Sexual Assault. IN SAFE HOMES,  KETCHIKAN 5:16:05 PM SHALAYA Spoke in support of full funding for KNIGHT, WOMEN the Council on Domestic Violence and IN SAFE HOMES, Sexual Assault.  KETCHIKAN 5:17:55 PM TOK  5:18:08 PM CARRIE BEEMAN, She spoke for support for the IMAGINATION distribution of books to children ages LIBRARY, TOK 0-5 years.  5:19:59 PM CO-CHAIR  HAWKER 5:20:16 PM KIMBERLY ROTH, Spoke in support of funding for IMAGINATION libraries. She specified on the LIBRARY & importance of reading to children age PUBLIC 0-5 years.  LIBRARIES, TOK 5:23:12 PM KENAI  5:23:23 PM CHERI SMITH, Urged support for behavioral health LEE SHORE services grants. The increment was CENTER, KENAI reduced by 43 percent. She spoke in support of full funding for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual  Assault.   5:26:46 PM SEWARD  5:26:59 PM JERRY DIXON, Spoke in support of funding for K-12 PEREGRINE education programs. He was particularly EXPEDITIONS, interested in salaries for teachers to SEWARD keep teachers in Alaska and specifically in rural areas.  5:31:02 PM CO-CHAIR Spoke of efforts already made to keep HAWKER teachers in the state.  5:31:35 PM JERRY DIXON, Felt that small schools in the state SEWARD are not sufficiently funded.  5:32:36 PM The meeting was adjourned at 5:33 PM.  ADJOURNMENT #