HOUSE BILL NO. 108 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date." HOUSE BILL NO. 109 "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." JUNEAU  1:36:27 PM ELSA DEMEKSA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS, JUNEAU, asked for funding to support the Communities In Schools. Care coordinators were instrumental in helping youth stay in school and to prepare for life. The Juneau program currently served JDHS and the alternative high school. 1:38:29 PM KRISTI SMITH, CARE COORDINATOR, COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS, JUNEAU, discussed her support for funding for the Communities In Schools program. Care coordinators made home visits in the event of a student's prolonged absence. The coordinators worked to strengthen family relationships. 1:40:05 PM ANGEL ROGERS, STUDENT OF COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS, YAAKOOSGE DAAKAHIDI ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the Communities In Schools program. She appreciated the support of the care coordinators and stated that she without the coordinator in her school she would not have anyone to talk to in times of need. 1:40:37 PM STACI TAYLOR, STUDENT OF COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS, YAAKOOSGE DAAKAHIDI ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the Communities In Schools program. She expressed that without the support of the care coordinator in her school she probably would have dropped out of her classes. 1:44:50 PM AT EASE 1:44:58 PM RECONVENED MARGO WARING, FORMER MEMBER, JUNEAU SCHOOL BOARD, JUNEAU, highlighted her support of the Pre-K Grant Program in the Department of Education and Early Development. She discussed the high dropout rate and low college attendance rate in Alaska. Quality Pre-K programs were imperative. 1:47:52 PM ALEXANDER VON HAFFTEN, CHAIR, ALASKA PSYCHIATRY RESIDENCY STEERING COMMITTEE, ANCHORAGE, discussed his support of funding for the Alaska Psychiatry Residency. Alaska Psychiatry Residency Steering Committee was in year three of operation and included members from the Veterans Association, the military, the Department of Health and Social Services, and more. The number one need in Alaska was mental health. 1:51:12 PM Representative Gara asked whether psychiatrists or other medical professionals tended to practice in the same location that they completed their residency. Mr. Hafften answered in the affirmative. 1:51:38 PM KAREN PERDUE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA STATE HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME ASSOCIATION, JUNEAU, the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association strongly supported the Alaska Psychiatry Residency program. Hospitals in Alaska desperately needed psychiatrists. She supported reinstatement of $202,000 in the governor's budget for the program. She also supported the Medicaid budget. 1:53:44 PM WALTER MAJOROS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JUNEAU YOUTH SERVICES, JUNEAU, illuminated his support of the Alaska Association of Homes for Children. He requested support for the Alaska Psychiatry Residency program, for Therapeutic Courts, and for Medicaid funding. 1:56:46 PM GEORGE REIFENSTEIN, GENERAL MANAGER, MOUNT ROBERTS TRAM, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the tourism industry and the Alaska Tourism Marketing Institute (ATIA). Money earned in the tourism industry had provided for Alaskan families. The tram employed over 75 full-time seasonal positions and over 60 percent were Goldbelt shareholders. 1:58:41 PM ANDI STORY, MEMBER, JUNEAU SCHOOL BOARD, JUNEAU, spoke in support of K-12 Students and contributions towards PERS/TRS obligations. The board supported an increase to the base student allocation (BSA). The board would need to cut an additional $1 million if the BSA remained the same. 2:01:44 PM JOANN LOCKWOOD, JUNEAU THERAPEUTIC COURT ALUMNI, JUNEAU, spoke in support of Juneau Therapeutic Court. The program was 18 months long for primarily DUI offenders. There had been 24 graduates and the program had dramatically helped graduates and their families with the recovery process. 2:03:40 PM GINA DEL ROSARIO, FILIPINO COMMUNITY, INC., JUNEAU, asked for funding to reinstate the Office of Citizenship Assistance in Juneau. The office had helped the Filipino community and other immigrants with their related needs. 2:05:23 PM ED CARRILLO, VICE PRESIDENT, FILIPINO COMMUNITY, INC., JUNEAU, highlighted his support of the reopening of the Office of Citizenship Assistance in Juneau. He shared a personal story related to the difficult immigration paperwork process. 2:07:07 PM GENOVEVA DEL ROSARIO, DIRECTOR, FILIPINO COMMUNITY INC., JUNEAU, spoke in support of the reopening of the Office of Citizens Assistance in Juneau. The office helped ensure people that their paperwork had been filed correctly. 2:09:00 PM MARTHA MOORE, MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ALASKA BRAIN INJURY NETWORK, JUNEAU, supported the Alaska Mental Health Trust request for brain injuries. She talked about the devastating effects that a brain injury could have on individuals. Services for disabilities in Alaska did not cover people with cognitive disabilities. 2:13:23 PM DOUG WALRATH, DIRECTOR, NORTHWESTERN ALASKA CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTER, NOME, asked for support of $1 million in the budget for the Career and Technical Education Program under the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD). 2:15:18 PM Representative Gara asked whether the $1 million was cut in subcommittee. Mr. Walrath believed that it had been cut. Representative Gara asked whether NACTEC had received funding from the Career and Technical Education program in previous years. Mr. Walrath responded that the center had received grants from DWLD in prior years but did not know the specific source. 2:16:07 PM MARK JOHNSON, SELF, JUNEAU, expressed concern about insufficient funding for the state Emergency Medical Services (EMS) office. He supported funding for EMS and public health programs. The program was crippled due to lack of funding. 2:19:38 PM JOY LYON, ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN, JUNEAU, discussed her support for a reinstatement of funding for the Best Beginnings program for young children. At the cost of $10 per child from birth to age five, Best Beginnings helped to support over 60 communities in Alaska. 2:22:10 PM JOHN MCCONNOCHIE, OWNER, CYCLE ALASKA, JUNEAU, was against the governor's change related to matching funds that were increased from $2.7 million to $$9 million. The organization would need to raise membership fees in order to reach the required funding to qualify for the match. Members of ATIA were already hurting. 2:24:23 PM PAUL VOELCKERS, BOARD, JUNEAU ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL, JUNEAU, discussed his support for an increase to the Alaska State Council on the Arts. The money in the governor's budget fell short of funds that were needed. 2:26:05 PM NANCY DECHERNEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF JUNEAU ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts to cover the National Endowment for the Arts matching funds. 2:29:21 PM PEGGY BROWN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA NETWORK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, JUNEAU, supported the restoration of funding for legal advocacies and emergency travel for victims of sexual assault in rural areas. She supported money for the Rural Pilot Project, media campaigns, and the Pro Bono program. Vice-chair Fairclough wondered whether the funding amount for legal advocacies was $501,800; and $181,500 for transportation of victims. Ms. Brown responded in the affirmative. 2:34:42 PM SARALYN TABACHNICK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AWARE, INC, JUNEAU, requested the restoration of $550,000 budget increment for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. There had been a focus on rural areas in recent years. She requested the continuation of funding for Legal Advocates. Representative Doogan asked whether she was referring to the outstanding $182,000 in relation to the $550,000 increment. Ms. Tabachnick responded in the affirmative. Vice-chair Fairclough noted that the committee was awaiting clarity on the funding request for travel. Ms. Tabachnick replied that the numbers had been given to the council. 2:38:30 PM MARYANN RAY, OWNER, PERSON'S POND, JUNEAU, spoke in support of advertising funding for ATIA. The funding was extremely important to SE Alaska. 2:41:06 PM JOHN PAPPENHEIN, MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, BARTLETT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the Alaska Psychiatric Residency program. The program had wide support from public and private individuals. He emphasized that it was vital to the population to have trained psychiatrists in Alaska to help with depression, alcoholism, suicide and more. 2:42:52 PM LAURY SCANDLING, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDANT OF SCHOOLS, JUNEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT, JUNEAU, spoke in support for Pre-K and education funding. She asked for assistance to help keep up with electricity, heating fuel, and insurance increases. She explained that even with a BSA increase the school district would have a $4 million hole. Representative Doogan expressed appreciation for Ms. Scandling and others that worked hard on education issues. 2:45:33 PM AT EASE 2:49:56 PM RECONVENED BETHEL, KOTEZEBUE, DELTA JUNCTION, NOME, OFFNETS  2:50:06 PM Vice-chair Fairclough transitioned from Juneau testimony to the above mentioned communities. 2:50:33 PM BROOKE GONDARA, BARROW (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for North Slope borough to train employees in the region. She stressed local hire for Alaskans. 2:53:47 PM KATHY LEARY, BARROW (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for local hire in North Slope Alaska. 2:55:02 PM MARY WEISS, BETHEL (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for the Recruitment Retention of Alaska Natives program. The site in Bethel made a difference with its nursing program. 2:57:11 PM Vice-chair Fairclough asked if the funding was in the governor's proposed budget. Ms. Weiss Responded that she did not know. 2:57:55 PM BRYCE WRIGLEY, DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference), spoke to the importance of the certification of the potato export program. The important tuber program benefits from instate growth. He disagreed with the recent reduction in the program and requested that the money be replaced in the budget. 3:01:14 PM JOHN BOCKMAN, NOME (via teleconference), advocated for Alaska's community colleges. 3:01:40 PM JANET BALICE, NOME (via teleconference), testified in support of preschool education. She discussed the shifts in requirements for entry into grade school. 3:05:13 PM DEB TROWBRIDGE, NOME (via teleconference), testified in support of Head Start programs. She noted that cuts in federal funding will lead to a loss of many staff positions. 3:08:54 PM Representative Gara appreciated the testimony. He asked about the loss of federal funding. Ms. Trowbridge understood that 14 staff positions would be lost in her region. She did not have an exact number. 3:10:03 PM SARAH KRISTIANSEN, NOME (via teleconference), testified in support of Head Start programs. She added that the loss of federal funding would be detrimental to the program. 3:11:57 PM JOHN LAMONT, LOWER YUKON (via teleconference), spoke on behalf of preschool funding. He added that the district was able to fund a preschool program with the help of state funding. 3:15:56 PM MARY LONG, ST. MICHAEL (via teleconference), testified in support of Head Start funding. She shared a personal story regarding the benefits of Head Start. 3:17:34 PM SHIRLEY MARTIN, ST. MICHAEL (via teleconference), spoke in support of Head Start and its benefit to young families. 3:20:05 PM Ms. Kristiansen continued with her testimony about early intervention offered by Head Start. 3:21:36 PM Representative Wilson asked about the loss of federal funding for Head Start. 3:22:09 PM Representative Gara requested better information regarding the federal funding of Head Start. He mentioned the state funding and lack of increases. 3:22:54 PM RICHARD BENEVILLE, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for Head Start. He noted the correlation between early childhood education and high school dropout rates. He advocated for tourism advertising with Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA). He stressed that Alaska is competing with other states due to the funding of a brilliant advertising campaign. 3:26:02 PM LILLIE NYLIN, ELAM (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the Head Start program. The program aids families in nutrition, medical and other needs of referral. She added that she appreciates her job with Elam Head Start. 3:26:02 PM ROXIE QUICK, SAVOONGA (via teleconference), testified in support of early childhood education in rural Alaska. 3:29:12 PM RICH CARLSON, KLAWOCK (via teleconference), testified in support of funding for technical education and competitive grants for school districts. The $1 million in Department of Labor and Workforce Development's budget allows for competition for the funds. 3:31:08 PM JULIE EGLIE, BERING STRAIT (via teleconference), spoke in support of Head Start and early childhood education. She stressed the ongoing support of the programs. 3:32:25 PM VIRGINIA WALSH, testified in support of Arctic Women in Crisis. She advocated for transportation funding. 3:34:32 PM VIOLET CHARLES, NOME, requested restoration for the full budget increment for victims of violence in the Nome area. She explained the advocacy services provided with state funding for the Bering Strait Women's Group. 3:35:51 PM DEBBIE MOATES, KOTZEBUE, testified in support of funding for restoration of the full $50 thousand budget increment to assist with the continued rising cost of providing a full service facility and outreach program in Kotzebue. She supported the budget request to ensure safety for those victims of sexual and domestic abuse. 3:37:18 PM MICHELLE DEWITT, BETHEL, spoke of the funding for domestic violence victims. She noted that transportation costs have been cut. Her district provides transportation for victims, which is critical. Outreach requires transportation as well. She noted the expiring federal funding. She spoke in support of the governor's initiative. Her region is a site for a pilot project. 3:40:27 PM ROLAND TROWBRIDGE, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in support of Head Start funding. He stated that other options for childcare in his region do not exist. He highlighted the many reasons that the program benefits the community. 3:42:28 PM VIRGINIA DEGNAN, BERING STRAIT (via teleconference), testified in support of Head Start funding. She mentioned various grants that help with the funding, although state funding is crucial. 3:44:03 PM ROBERT FITHIAN (via teleconference), spoke in support of the Department of Natural Resources' program for funding for the hunting and guiding industry. The program was necessary for a myriad of reasons. 3:46:51 PM SHANNON DODGE, SHAKTOOLIK (via teleconference), testified in support of the Head Start program. She discussed the values of early childhood education. 3:48:15 PM GAIL EVAN, SHAKTOOLIK (via teleconference), spoke in support of continued funding for Head Start. She believed that children understand the value of the beneficial program. 3:49:14 PM SILAS PANIPTCHUK, SHAKTOOLIK (via teleconference), testified in support of Head Start funding. He mentioned many benefits of the program. 3:50:13 PM CARL WHITE, BERING STRAIT (via teleconference), testified in support in early childhood education. He noted that Head Start prevents high school dropout. 3:51:39 PM PROPHETESS HAYDEN (via teleconference), testified in support of the Head Start funding. She discussed the importance of early childhood education. 3:53:51 PM ROSEMARY OTTON, KOYUK (via teleconference), spoke in support of early childhood education funding. She shared a personal story regarding the positive successes valued by her own children and grand children. 3:56:21 PM ANN MARIE RUDSTROM, BERING STRAIT (via teleconference), testified in support of continued funding for early childhood education and Head Start. 3:57:39 PM ANNA SAPPAH (via teleconference), testified regarding HB 108 and treatment for therapeutic court participants. The program is successful in helping recovering addicts. 3:59:55 PM DON HAM (via teleconference), spoke in support of the funding of therapeutic court. He recently graduated from the program. 4:00:37 PM RON WILSON (via teleconference), spoke to the need of therapeutic courts. He explained that he is a recent graduate of the program. 4:02:00 PM BOB GEISE, DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference), discussed the funding for the bridge crossing the Tanana River. He noted the deficit in the budget and the importance of the bridge. The Alaska Railroad property is another important issue. 4:03:40 PM Vice-chair Fairclough stated that the capital budget is in the Senate at this time. 4:04:35 PM AT EASE 4:16:21 PM RECONVENED   ANCHORAGE, FAIRBANKS    DIANE MAPLES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of Career and Technological Education funding. 4:20:13 PM RON PECK, PRESIDENT, ALASKA TRAVEL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, spoke in favor of the match program of the $2.7 million funding, and appreciated the $9 million budget. Representative Costello requested an example of how a business would pay for its individual marketing, in addition to what was offered through ATIA. Mr. Peck explained that small businesses probably spend four times what ATIA pays in marketing. 4:22:34 PM Representative Gara wondered if there was a formula to determine the requirement of the members to pay a certain amount to achieve the state match. Mr. Peck replied that the payments were based on the size of the company. Representative Gara queried the burden of the matching on the members, and wondered what the large companies contributed versus what the smaller companies. Mr. Peck agreed to provide the committee with the information. 4:24:39 PM Co-Chair Stoltze Spoke against funding the film industry, and spoke in favor funding of the tourism industry. 4:26:00 PM KEELEY OLSON, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, STANDING TOGETHER AGAINST RAPE, ANCHORAGE, requested that the committee restore the $181,500 decrement to the $550,000 increment for the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual assault (CDVSA) budget. 4:26:54 PM AT EASE 4:27:14 PM RECONVENED 4:28:07 PM Ms. Olson requested replacement of a federal earmark that was used to fund legal advocacy with general funds, as requested by the Department of Public Safety. 4:29:37 PM SUZI PEARSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ABUSED WOMEN'S AID IN CRISIS AWAIC, ANCHORAGE, requested restoration of the full $550,000 budget increment to assist with rising health care costs, cost of living increases, and emergency travel for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She requested restoration of the governor's CDVSA budget. 4:32:07 PM SUSAN SULLIVAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VICTIMS FOR JUSTICE ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), requested $225,000 for the Victims for Justice operating costs. 4:38:14 PM ROD HUMPHREY, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in favor of traumatic brain injury funding. 4:39:30 PM CORINNE BOWELL, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in favor of $500,000 for traumatic brain injury funding. 4:42:15 PM RANDY A. BOWELL, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in favor of $500,000 toward traumatic brain injury funding. 4:45:02 PM JILL HODGES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA BRAIN INJURY NETWORK, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of $500,000 for the traumatic brain injury program. 4:49:30 PM MICHAEL MOORADIAN, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified against a 20 percent cut in the wellness courts budget, and encouraged a 20 percent increase in wellness courts funding. 4:52:58 PM BARBARA BROWN, BEST BEGINNINGS, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified to restore funding to $680,000 for the Imagination Library. 4:55:43 PM GLEN HEMINGSON, OWNER, COPPER WHALE INN, ACHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke against the change in the funding formula related to tourism marketing. He requested a return to the FY 11 marketing language. 4:59:04 PM JARA HAAS, SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER, ANCHORAGE MUSEUM, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in favor of $9 million towards Alaska tourism marketing in HB 108. 5:01:25 PM MICHAEL HORTON, COPPER RIVER NATIVE ASSOCIATION (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for behavioral health, and encouraged a change in the funding structure for behavioral health granting. He stressed that the structure change from a "strengths based program" to a "needs based program." 5:05:21 PM FRANK FLAVIN, PHOTOGRAPHER, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), requested a return to the FY 11 tourism marketing funding language. 5:08:19 PM MELISSA SAUNDERS, DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING, ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference), testified in support of continued tourism marketing funding. 5:10:01 PM ETHAN TYLER, OWNER, ALASKA TOURISM SOLUTIONS, GIRDWOOD (via teleconference), testified against the language regarding the proposed match for tourism funding. He stressed that the program could get defunded for small businesses. He requested a return to the FY 11 tourism marketing funding language. 5:11:32 PM MURIEL M. MORSE, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in favor of wellness courts program funding, especially in the rural communities. 5:14:24 PM SHERRI DOUGLAS, YOUTH SERVICES COORDINATOR, ANCHORAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY (via teleconference), requested a restoration of $680,000 in Imagination Library funding. 5:16:36 PM JOHN CREWS, BOARD CHAIRMAN, STATEWIDE ADVISORY BOARD FOR ALASKA VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL CENTER (via teleconference), requested $226,800 in general fund receipts and $100,000 in general fund program receipts be restored to the budget, which would be crucial in creating a registered nursing program at the Alaska Vocational and Technical Center. 5:19:37 PM CRYSTAL KENNEDY, VICE-PRESIDENT, ANCHORAGE SCHOOL BOARD (via teleconference), requested pre-Kindergarten funding. 5:23:38 PM STEVEN PERRINS, OWNER, RAINY PASS LODGE (via teleconference), encouraged the committee to reconsider the Department of Natural Resources budget for $120,000 for one new staff member. 5:26:19 PM KIMBERLY STRYKER, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference), spoke in support of the tobacco use prevention programs. She stressed the issue of obesity in Alaska, and encouraged the committee to fund programs for obesity prevention. 5:28:13 PM DIRK SHUMAKER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KIDS CORPS, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in favor of Head Start expansion and pre-Kindergarten education funding. He requested a restoration of $2 million towards pre- Kindergarten projects. 5:30:10 PM IRENE PERSSON-GAMBLE, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in favor of pre-school funding, and the Head Start program. 5:32:29 PM Vice-chair Fairclough stated that Representative Wilson would provide more information regarding Head Start funding. 5:33:30 PM VICKIE MCCUBBIN, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of the $500,000 toward Alaska brain injury funding. 5:35:48 PM DUANE EPTON, ALASKA AIRLINES MAGAZINE (via teleconference), requested a return to the FY 11 tourism marketing funding match language. 5:38:22 PM JULIE SAUPE, PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT, ANCHORAGE CONVENTION AND VISITOR'S BUREAU (via teleconference) requested a return to the FY 11 tourism marketing funding match language.