SENATE BILL NO. 139 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs, capitalizing funds, making reappropriations, making supplemental appropriations, and making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." 9:09:11 AM Co-Chair MacKinnon directed attention to a proposed committee substitute for SB 139. Co-Chair MacKinnon MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee substitute for SB 139 (FIN), Work Draft 29-GS2740\W (Wallace, 3/3/16). Senator Bishop OBJECTED for discussion. 9:10:13 AM JAMES ARMSTRONG, STAFF, SENATOR PETE KELLY, explained that the committee substitute (CS) incorporated all of the numbers that the budget subcommittees had forwarded to the committee the previous week. He continued that the language section of the budget had some major technical changes to the bill that was introduced and amended by the governor's office. The title was amended to include FY 16 appropriations, and the new version removed all the dividend "plumbing" that had been encapsulated in the governor's bill. Additionally, the CS reformatted to resemble a typical operating budget similar to years past, and removed the pension obligation bonds contained in the original bill. In the numbers section of the CS, all the funding for the Alaska's Liquid Natural Gas Project (AKLNG) was removed, totaling almost $29 million. He added that the other body had used excess PCE funds to help fund one of the agencies, but the provision was not in the CS being considered. 9:11:31 AM Mr. Armstrong continued that the CS contained funding for the single audit within the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), which would be a three-year project of approximately $932,000. He specified that the CS capped funds for firefighting crews, not to exceed $1,125,000. He stated that the CS smoothed out the funding for the Division of Elections, with $1.9 million in FY 16, and $1.9 million in FY 17. He clarified that in future years, the division would have $1.9 million in the budget. 9:12:32 AM Mr. Armstrong pointed out new fund capitalization in the amount of $7.5 million for Group Health and Life Benefits Fund, which would fund approximately half of what the administration was proposing. He directed attention to excess funding from FY 16 that was put toward the Public Education Fund in the amount of approximately $435 million. He highlighted that one third of the amount was used to displace FY 17 funding for education. He asserted that the change resulted in education being fully funded, but had a different fund source. 9:13:18 AM Mr. Armstrong stated that the CS contained no funding in FY 16 or FY 17 for the Community Revenue Sharing Program. He furthered that the program utilized a three-year rolling average, and if the CS remained as it was currently written, revenue sharing would receive approximately $38 million in FY 17. Mr. Armstrong continued discussing the CS, noting that the new version would deposit $80 million in to the Higher Education Fund in FY 16, and then capitalized the fund. In FY 17 an appropriation was made to displace funds within the statewide assistance to TERS, lowering the general fund (GF) component in FY 17 by $77 million. 9:14:09 AM Mr. Armstrong noted that the work draft reduced the deposit to the Renewable Energy Fund by $5 million. He mentioned three small retirement accounts (for the Elected Public Offices, Alaska Nation Guard, and Alaska Naval Militia retirement systems) that were embedded in the numbers section which were moved to statewide retirement so as to be housed in the same area of the budget. He added that there were no Constitutional Budget Reserve provisions in the CS. 9:15:03 AM Co-Chair Kelly explained that there would be public comment on the budget at a later time, and members would submit amendments later in the week. 9:15:35 AM Senator Dunleavy asked for a total of reductions when considering the governor's plan to the House and then to the Senate. Mr. Armstrong replied that there was a report from the Legislative Finance Division (LFD) in the member's packets. He directed member's attention to the bottom of column 2, $4,511,000,000 was the total listed for the governor's amended total budget. The House total was $4,093,520,000 and the Senate total was approximately $27 million higher. He noted that the other body was considering amendments the following day, and would be using some PCE funds in non-traditional places. He summarized that the changes between the two bodies were contained within DHSS, University of Alaska, and the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. 9:16:49 AM Senator Dunleavy clarified that the amount being considered was of $4,120,098,000. Mr. Armstrong answered in the affirmative. Mr. Armstrong explained that the blue binders before the members contained the budget action sheets for each subcommittee, as well as the narratives, so members could follow along to understand the changes. He noted that after the CS was adopted, the LFD website would have each comparison available for consideration. 9:17:29 AM Co-Chair MacKinnon asked if Mr. Armstrong could quantify the percentage or dollar amount total of an overall cut from the previous year to the current year. Co-Chair Kelly commented that whatever number Mr. Armstrong discussed, the amount would be different after the upcoming work on the budget was completed. Mr. Armstrong discussed the reductions and estimated that between the governor's reductions, the reductions in the House, and the reductions from the CS; reduced the budget overall by nearly $215 million. Co-Chair Kelly stated that number was consistent with what he had discussed during a press conference earlier in the day. 9:19:07 AM Senator Hoffman asked if column 2 of the LFD report included all of the governor's amendments that had been submitted to the Senate for consideration. Mr. Armstrong stipulated that there had been an amendment for $2 million that was not included in the CS. He could not recall the details of the amendment, but was confident that the governor's office would have a list of amendments it would want to see restored in the budget. 9:19:38 AM Co-Chair Kelly clarified that only members of the Senate Finance Committee would be offering amendments to the budget. If other Senate members wanted to offer amendments, they would need to work through the committee members. Mr. Armstrong discussed the upcoming schedule for amendments and public testimony. 9:20:39 AM Senator Bishop REMOVED his objection. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The CS for SB 139(FIN) was ADOPTED. 9:21:04 AM Senator Hoffman asked if amendments would be considered if they were not available to the legal drafters by the specified time. Co-Chair Kelly answered in the affirmative. 9:21:19 AM Vice-Chair Micciche considered that there had been a lot of misunderstanding regarding past budgetary work, and thought that it might be helpful to get an overview from LFD regarding budget changes in the departments over the previous few years. Co-Chair Kelly mentioned a recent question from a reporter, thought it was important the public understood that the Senate and the House had different ways of counting things as cuts. He referred to a question about $200 million in tax credits that were reduced the previous year, and he had expressed that the Senate did not count the reduction as a legitimate cut, but rather a "false cut." He characterized the committee's budget methodology as a form of discipline that the committee engaged in. He agreed that it would be positive for LFD to overview budget processes for clarification. He thought some bloggers had made outrageous statements about budgetary decisions, and thought it showed a lack of understanding of the process. SB 139 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. SENATE BILL NO. 139 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs, capitalizing funds, making reappropriations, making supplemental appropriations, and making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." SENATE BILL NO. 140 "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." 3:50:12 PM ^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: JUNEAU 3:50:51 PM FOREST WAGNER, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OUTDOOR STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA SOUTHEAST (UAS), JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding University programs. He shared that he was born and raised in Fairbanks, and was an alumni of University of Alaska. He shared that he had taught at UAS for ten years. He stressed that the University system was important to him. 3:53:14 PM JAYNE ANDREEN, PRESIDENT, ALASKA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION (ALPHA), JUNEAU, spoke in support of programs that encouraged healthy communities, specifically public health nursing and other public health centers. She stressed that the citizens of the state need to have access to public health. She stressed that the elimination of funding for Public Health nurses would affect the public health centers. 3:55:51 PM MARK MILLER, SUPERINTENDENT, JUNEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for cultural education paraprofessionals. He offered a coin toss analogy as related to Alaska Native male students. He stressed that the graduation rate in Alaska was increasing, but needed to continue to increase with the help of education paraprofessionals. 3:57:49 PM AT EASE 3:58:41 PM RECONVENED 3:58:44 PM JOHN CLOUGH, PRESIDENT, ALASKA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for public broadcasting. He shared that his organization provided cost saving support to public broadcasting across the state. He shared that Alaska was diverse, and throughout the state's history there had always been an intention to bring the communities together. He shared that public radio depended on state, federal, and public funding. He shared that much of the federal funding for public radio was dependent on the amount of state funding available to the radio. He felt that the funding for public broadcasting should be, at least, reinstated to the governor's proposed budget. He also spoke in support of developing new sources of revenue for the state. 4:01:32 PM MICHELLE WEAVER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the Parents as Teachers program. and early childhood education programs. She shared that the Parents as Teachers program had provided tools for her family. She stressed the importance of early childhood programs. She shared that each year the child and parent were given new appropriate tools to fully understand the fundamental developmental phases. 4:04:09 PM IAN NIECKO, CASE MANAGER, JUNEAU ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH, JUNEAU, spoke in support of behavioral health programs. He felt that mental health problems did not discriminate: they affect all classes, races, ages, genders, and religions. He shared that the World Health Organization identified mental illness as the most disabling health condition in the world, above heart disease and cancer. He stressed that behavioral health programs saved time and money. He remarked that the programs were associated with higher productivity in the workplace and reduced absenteeism. 4:06:32 PM GUS MARX, GRANT WRITER, JUNEAU YOUTH SERVICES, JUNEAU, spoke in support of behavioral health programs. He stressed that behavioral grants would continue to provide treatment for teenagers and children facing severe emotional issues. 4:07:40 PM MARY HAKALA, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of public education. She urged the committee to adopt the governor's funding level for K-12 education. She stressed that early childhood education would result in a successful future. She also urged support of funding for distance learning. She testified in support of funding for the University. She spoke in support of an education head tax and a statewide income tax. 4:10:10 PM RACHEL GEARHART, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS, ALASKA CHAPTER, JUNEAU, testified in support of programs for mental health programs. She spoke in support of behavioral health programs. She stressed that Medicaid did not cover all individuals, and shared that her organization was required to provide service to everyone. 4:12:07 PM CALLIE CONERTON, VICE CHAIR, COALITION OF STUDENT LEADERS, UAS, testified in support of funding for the University. She stressed that the university provided community support and events. She also declared the UA support strong economies for the communities across the state. She shared that she was currently seeking a degree in elementary education, and hoped that the funding would continue, so she could remain in Alaska after graduation. 4:14:03 PM GEORGE REIFENSTEIN, SELF, JUNEAU, urged the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He shared that he had worked in various capacities including the fire department and boy scouts. He remarked that many larger radio stations provided support for smaller stations, and reached over 95 percent of Alaska's population. He felt the savings and new revenue sources should be utilized to pay for the budget. 4:16:07 PM AMY LUJAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARD OFFICIALS, JUNEAU, testified in support of broadband. She also spoke in support of funding for education programs. She stressed that many of the state funding for education programs provided leverage for federal funding. She advocated for a state financial plan; specifically spending cuts, new sources of revenue, and use of savings. 4:18:09 PM SASHA SOBOLEFF, GRAND PRESIDENT, ALASKA NATIVE BROTHERHOOD, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for K-12 education programs, and other education programs. He felt that the cuts to education marginilized the children. He stressed that learning should provide challenges through a cultural lens. He felt that the dropout rate for native Alaskans should be addressed, like the Alaska's Learning Network. He stressed that the Alaska's Learning Network provided a skillset. 4:21:27 PM FRANK COENRAAD, DIRECTOR, ALASKA'S LEARNING NETWORK, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding the Alaska's Learning Network. He stated that there had been significant increases in enrollment. He echoed the remarks of Mr. Soboleff. He stressed that the Alaska's Learning Network provided support that resulted in an increased graduation rate. 4:23:33 PM BOB BARTHOLOMEW, FINANCE DIRECTOR, CITY AND BOROUGH OF JUNEAU, JUNEAU, shared that the City and Borough of Juneau had developed significant budget cuts, and shared that he understood the current fiscal situation. He encouraged the committee to share the budget cuts in advance. He testified against a potential increase to the communities' contribution to the unfunded liability. He stressed that the unfunded liability was based on the annual contribution. He stressed that the impacts of the FY 14 contribution had not yet been evaluated, so increasing the contribution would be premature. 4:26:02 PM AT EASE 4:26:34 PM RECONVENED 4:26:56 PM GORDON KRUSE, DIRECTOR, FISHERIES DIVISION, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS (UAF), JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for the University. He shared that the Fisheries program was ranked one of the highest in the country. He stressed that UAF trained 65 percent of the fishery related professions in the state. He stressed that the state was facing a sharp decline in the state. He shared that UAF provided outstanding service to the outside of Alaska. He personally supported a modest income tax, revision to the oil tax credit structure, and use of the permanent fund. 4:29:54 PM KATHI COLLUM, BOARD CHAIR, JUNEAU YOUTH SERVICES, JUNEAU, spoke in support of behavioral health programs, specifically Juneau Youth Services. She shared that the grants served many communities across the state. She stressed that the behavioral health grant funding had been reduced for the third year in a row. She understood that many budget cuts needed to occur, but encouraged the committee to make thoughtful reductions. She spoke in support of the governor's proposed budget for spoke in support of behavioral health programs. 4:31:48 PM ALEX MCGUAN, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of early childhood education programs. She shared a personal story about her experience educating a developmentally difficult student, who she was able to education and intervene at an early age. 4:34:02 PM MELINDA MESSMER, HOME VISITOR, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, JUNEAU, spoke in support of reinstating funds early childhood education programs. 4:34:42 PM JADA KAHL, EARLY EDUCATION, LEND, JUNEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for early childhood development programs. She stressed the importance of the current programs within the communities. 4:36:27 PM TALEA KELLAR, HOME VISITOR, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for early childhood development programs. She stressed that the proposed cuts were directed at Alaska's most vulnerable citizens. She stressed that the programs helped to eliminate the negative issues with the students. She hoped that the state would continue to invest in Alaska's future. Co-Chair Kelly shared that the meeting was broadcast in the Tom Stewart building. 4:38:59 PM KELSEY VENECHUK, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of early childhood education programs. She urged support of Parents as Teachers. She felt that the program provided essential support as a parent. She shared that her son had been given valuable information and education as a result of the Parents as Teachers program. 4:41:01 PM AMBER FROMMHERE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for early childhood education, specifically Tlingit and Haida Head Start. She shared that the Tlingit and Haida Head Start served up to 262 children and their families throughout Southeast Alaska. She shared that many of the children also received services through the community schools by way of infant learning programs and special education. She furthered that early childhood education also encouraged family involvement. 4:42:26 PM TINA PEYERK, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of early childhood literacy and education programs, specifically the Parents as Teachers program. She shared that she and her son benefited from a home visitor, who observed and discussed his development. She remarked that, because of the program, it was discovered that her son had some hearing and vision issues that were able to be treated early. 4:44:14 PM CYNTHIA KATZEEK, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for Parents as Teachers. She shared that she was assisting in raising her own children and nieces and nephews. She shared some critical information about how to interact with her infant. She also spoke in support of the Imagination Library. She shared that her home visitor helped her move into her new home, and provided referrals. 4:47:14 PM BRENDA TAYLOR, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of education funding. She shared that her son had visited the legislature at a very young age. She shared that her son was currently in Greenland representing the Alaska Winter Games. She stressed that she was supportive of other programs, but remarked that education was visible in the schools. She announced that the library in her son's school was not open during lunch time. She encouraged the committee to create an income tax and utilize the permanent fund. 4:49:58 PM ANDREA DEWEES, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SPANISH, UA, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding submitted by the UA Board of Regents. She stressed that the small campus on UAS saw significant cuts. She shared that many students at UAS were the first in their families to attend college. She remarked that education was essential to the state's intellectual diversity. 4:51:33 PM BETH WELDON, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for education. She felt that the career and technical programs were essential to her business, so she could hire skilled at trained workers. She specifically spoke in support of the $50 increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA). 4:53:02 PM KIRK DUNCAN, CHAIR, COAST ALASKA, JUNEAU, urged the committee to restore funding for public broadcasting. He shared that public broadcasting provided essential services. He urged the committee to reinstate the governor's proposed budget for public broadcasting. He also spoke in support of a state income tax. 4:54:55 PM RICK IANNOLINO, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of behavioral health programs. He shared that he had served vulnerable adults and children for many years. He remarked that Medicaid did not cover all of the residents of Alaska, but stressed that his program could not turn people away. He shared that decreasing funding for mental health programs would not decrease the number of people with mental health problems. He remarked that reducing the grants would be costly to the entire mental health system. 4:56:50 PM NICK CROWE, JUNEAU YOUTH SERVICES, JUNEAU, spoke in support of behavioral health programs. He specifically spoke to support of funding for mental health and substance abuse programs. He shared that he was currently a member of the transitional housing programs, to ensure that individuals did not end up on the street. He stressed that there should be a consideration of the individuals who were at risk of various negative influences. 4:58:51 PM RICK SVOBODNY, SELF, JUNEAU, advocated support of funding for a portion of the public integrity unit. He stressed the importance of public integrity for law enforcement. He shared that there needs to be funding to prosecute for "white collar crimes." He recollected a case that he prosecuted for price fixing. 5:02:05 PM KATHIE WASSERMAN, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, JUNEAU, testified in support of the governor's proposed $35 million deposit in the revenue sharing fund. She remarked that there had already been some cost shifting in school bond debt, jails, policing, capital budget and Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) costs. She was concerned about smaller municipalities and their ability to provide needed services. 5:04:00 PM CLAY WALKER, DENALI BOROUGH MAYOR, VICE-PRESIDENT, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE (AML), JUNEAU, related that the AML body passed three resolutions. He shared that the top priorities for AML were the sustainable budget plan, supportive community revenue sharing, and maintaining the PERS rate. He spoke to the community revenue sharing program, which he described as vital to the functional existence of municipalities. He thought it would be devastating if the funds were to go to zero in two years as proposed. 5:06:40 PM MIKE MANN, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding the Alaska Marine Highway. He also spoke in support of K-12 and University funding. He shared that his children had grown up in the Alaska education system. He shared his extensive experience as a fisherman in the state. 5:11:10 PM ANNE FULLER, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of Pre-K funding, Mt. Edgecumbe, and research and study at the University. She spoke in support of the $50 increase to the BSA. She shared that she remembered paying a state school tax. 5:12:33 PM AARON BRAKEL, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of behavioral health programs. He also spoke in support of all education programs. He shared that he had attended school across the street from the Capitol. He acknowledged that his son was in attendance in the audience, and that his son was the first child born in the millennium in Alaska. He shared that he son was a freshman in high school, and had enrolled in some courses at the University. He urged support of the University Board of Regents budget recommendations. He aslo spoke in support of a state income tax and a cap to the permanent fund dividend. 5:15:52 PM AMY JO MEINERS, 2016 ALASKA TEACHER OF THE YEAR, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for education. She encouraged the committee to stabilize multiple funding sources. She felt that the initial oil money revenue was able to supplant the need for taxes, so quality education and other services could maintain funding. She expressed willingness to pay to support a quality public education. 5:18:12 PM DAVE NEWTON, SELF, JUNEAU, voiced support of basic funding for education. He specifically spoke in support of Parents as Teachers, Imagination Library, and other early childhood education program. He remarked that he had seen changes in academic levels and the children who had struggled because of the lack of early childhood education. He shared that he had worked many years in the school system, and noted that he had personally seen the negative impact related to the lack of proper early education. 5:20:52 PM LISA EAGAN LAGERQUIST, SELF, DOUGLAS, voiced support of K- 12 education funding. She stressed that her children's school had a positive impact. She shared that she was a volunteer in her son's class, and had recently participated in class related to learning about money. She was able to realize the difficulties that many teachers face. She shared that her son had seen positive strides in his education, because of the reading specialists in his schools. 5:23:31 PM JOSH KEATON, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of fully funding education. He urged support of funding for Pre-K funding. He shared that his son's preschool teacher had testified in support of education funding, and remarked that his son had seen the benefits of public education Alaska. 5:25:29 PM FRANK RUE, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of the budget that utilized permanent fund earnings; budget savings; a state income tax; and an increase in tax to various activities like gas and tobacco. He felt that the budget options for schools and resource management would be severe. He restated that there should be a comprehensive approach to the budget issues. 5:27:41 PM SALLY RUE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of education funding. She shared that she had volunteered as an active parent for many years in education. She shared that the budget for education paid dividends at a later time in the state. She supported the use of the permanent fund for essential state services. She remarked that the permanent fund was intended for future state services. She understood that the state needed a state income tax and other types of taxes. 5:31:26 PM DENISE DONIELLO, ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING, JUNEAU, urged support of funding for senior services. She urged funding for the Alaska Senior Benefits program, which provided a critical safety net for people aged 65 years and older who lived on a fixed income. She remarked that those individuals depended on the program for access food, housing, and heat. She shared that the reduction would impact an estimated 5,438 seniors. She also spoke in against the reduction in funding for senior community based grants. The grant funded served the largest number of seniors at the lowest cost: home-delivered meals, congregate meals, transportation, adult day services, and respite for family care givers. She stressed that the services could prevent the need for higher cost care. She also spoke in support of funding for the adult Medicaid dental program, which assisted many low income seniors who were living dental pain and decaying teeth. She stressed that Medicaid did not pay for the cost of dentures and most forms of dental care. Those without dental coverage, could turn to the hospital emergency department at a significantly higher cost. She shared that older people with poor oral health were at a higher risk of chronic health conditions and cardio vascular disease. She shared that the program served 4,026 seniors in 2015. Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered if there were 548 seniors in the senior benefit program. Ms. Doniello replied that the number was 5,438. Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered if the numbers for the program were only for the higher level, or was the number related to the total program. Ms. Doniello responded that the reduction affected the category of people with the highest income who received the lowest amount of assistance. 5:33:51 PM MARCELO QUINTO, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the governor's proposed budget for the Alaska Marine Highway. He felt that the committee's proposal to cut $8 million and scrapping a vessel was too extreme. He felt that the reduction was at too high a cost to families, and cost jobs in the private sector. He also testified in support of mental health programs. He urged the committee to add $100,000 in the Suicide Prevention Council. He also testified in support of funding for public broadcasting. He spoked in support of continued investment in Alaska's communities. He shared that he was a 75-year resident of Alaska. He stressed that the native people in the rural areas of the state felt the budget cuts. 5:37:12 PM SHAYNA ROHWER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for early childhood education. testified in support of Parents as Teachers. She shared that she had worked as a doula with many high risk low income families. She shared that she almost always referred her clients to the Parents as Teachers program. She shared that the program was a source of information and also provided social support. She also urged support of a state income tax and use of the permanent fund. 5:39:26 PM TOM BRICE, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for public workers to keep transportation and facilities as safe as possible. He also spoke in support of funding for broad fiscal plans. 5:40:38 PM EMILY THOMPSON, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, SELF, spoke in support of funding for Parents as Teachers. She shared that she wanted to stay in Alaska, but was worried about the drastic budget cuts. 5:41:51 PM JUNE ROGERS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of any taxes that may be necessary to fund the budget. She also spoke in support of early childhood education. She remarked that there were some issues in Fairbanks that may not have occurred, if money would have been spent on preventative measures. She shared that she and her family were longtime residents of Alaska. She felt that Alaskans should share the privilege of participating in new ideas. She shared that she had worked in the community to produce a positive outcome. 5:44:13 PM LILLIAN WORL, SELF, JUNEAU, spoked in support of the $50 adjustment to the BSA. She read from a prepared testimony (copy on file). She shared that he children had felt the cuts to education in the most recent five years' operating budgets. The Juneau School District had a decrease in the operating budget by nearly 17 percent, and eliminated nearly 100 jobs or positions. The remaining staff had worked hard to continue to provide the best teaching, learning, and support possible to all students. She stressed that there were limited available classes to the students as a result of the budget cuts. 5:47:05 PM MARA EARLY, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support for education, specifically the $50 increase to the BSA. She shared that over 100 staff positions had been cut from the Juneau School District over the last five years. She stressed that the remaining workload had been put on the employees in order to keep student achievement as a priority. 5:50:03 PM ANDI STORY, MEMBER, JUNEAU SCHOOL BOARD, JUNEAU, spoke in support of education funding. She shared that the education funding would be reflected in the quality of the workforce. She spoke in support of the scheduled $50 adjustment to the BSA. She testified in support of a comprehensive budget plan. 5:52:27 PM KELLY SORENSEN, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for Parents as Teachers. She shared a personal story about her toddler son, and remarked that she was able to call her mentor in the Parents as Teachers program. She stressed that her mentor was often available to help. She shared that her mentor noticed that her son's vocabulary was not developing normally. As a result of that observation, her son was diagnosed with an ear infection. 5:54:43 PM KATEY BLAGDEN, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of early childhood education programs like Parents as Teachers, Imagination Library, and Online with Libraries. She stressed that investing in early childhood education was important for the future of Alaska. 5:55:33 PM NOAH WILLIAMS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of funding for the University. He stressed that the proposed budget strategy was not sustainable to the state. He stressed that denying Alaskans education would result in detrimental effects in the future. He understood the need to conserve resources, but felt that the drastic cuts would only degrade the economic situation further. SB 139 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. SB 140 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.