MINUTES  SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE  March 15, 2006  3:32 p.m.    CALL TO ORDER  Co-Chair Lyda Green convened the meeting at approximately 3:32:08 PM. PRESENT  Senator Lyda Green, Co-Chair Senator Gary Wilken, Co-Chair Senator Con Bunde, Vice-Chair Senator Donny Olson Also Attending: SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS; SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS; REPRESENTATIVE BERTA GARDNER; Testifiers are listed in the order they spoke. Attending via Teleconference: There were no teleconference participants. SUMMARY INFORMATION  ^Key Campaign Presentation By the Key Campaign 3:33:29 PM EMILY ENNIS introduced the 19th annual Key Campaign participants and told about the group, its members and needs and goals. 3:40:23 PM KIM SIMPSON and AUBREY SIMPSON of Chugiak spoke about Aubrey's adoption into the family and participation in the Infant Learning Program. 3:45:08 PM DAVE FALSEY of Anchorage introduced his 19 year-old autistic son. He told of his dentistry practice and the need for expanded preventative and restorative dental care coverage. 3:51:15 PM Co-Chair Wilken was aware of the pending legislation the witness spoke of and the benefits it would provide. He requested Dr. Falsey encourage the Alaska chapter of the American Dental Association to support the issuance of temporary licenses to allow dental professionals to travel to Alaska to provide services to indigent patients. Although not a final solution, this would help the situation. 3:52:17 PM Dr. Fasley informed that he works at the Alaska Native Hospital and in that capacity he travels to rural areas. He was aware of the problems associated with dental health in rural communities. 3:52:46 PM TRAVIS NOAH of Fairbanks introduced his special assistant, Alex McDonald, who makes it possible for him to travel to this event and participate in other activities. Mr. Noah explained the cerebral palsy he is afflicted with and reported that of the many states in which he has resided, Alaska provides some of the best services. 3:58:41 PM KATY PARISH of Anchorage shared that during her pregnancy, a drunk driver hit her vehicle. Her son, Wilson Middleston was born premature and with disabilities as a result. His progress was substantially greater than the doctor predicted, largely due to the immediate assistance that was available to them. 4:01:30 PM WILSON MIDDLESTON of Anchorage testified that he has been waiting for four years for services and that working with a job coach would give him the skills to achieve his goals in the media industry. 4:02:22 PM KRISTINE COLLINS gave her testimony, which was read aloud by LAYNE COLLINS both of Palmer about her right to live independently. She asked that the waitlist for services be reduced so that she may receive services. 4:04:31 PM JOHN CANNON of Wasilla told of his involvement in entities that serve those with developmental disabilities. He spoke of the need for continued support of related programs. 4:09:00 PM Ms. Ennis concluded the presentation. 4:09:50 PM Senator Huggins thanked the testifiers. 4:10:21 PM Co-Chair Green furthered that she hoped that the dreams of those present all come true. ADJOURNMENT  Co-Chair Lyda Green adjourned the meeting at 4:10:27 PM