With less than 30 days left before the Legislature adjourns April 19,
much is happening in Juneau. Here's the latest regarding the
University of Alaska.
Operating Budget:
After one meeting with UA, the Senate Finance Subcommittee (SFS) closed out the FY11 operating budget March 18, essentially restoring the Governor's budget numbers with several caveats. The subcommittee also amended intent language regarding a general fund ratio to UA-generated revenue. The subcommittee would increase the UA budget by 3.8 percent over the current fiscal year.
Major differences include the number of appropriations. The Governor and House propose one appropriation for UA; the Senate split it into seven appropriations spread throughout the campuses.
The SFS allocated 3 percent of UA funding into a 'systemwide appropriation' to give the Board of Regents flexibility in allocating funds between campuses when necessary, due to the multiple appropriations. This is a net zero change in the overall budget.
The subcommittee plan includes the following general fund distributions:
Expect the Senate Finance Committee to address the budget in committee late next week, with possible action by the full Senate soon after that. Once the Senate passes its version, the budget will go to a Conference Committee with the House.
The Senate Finance Committee will hold its statewide teleconference on Wednesday, 9 a.m., March 24. Public testimony is limited to two minutes each at the following Legislative Information Office locations:
9 – 9:45 a.m. Juneau
10 – 10:45 a.m. Kenai, Valdez, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Seward, Matsu, Glennallen, Tok
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Fairbanks
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. Anchorage
3:30 – 4 p.m. Sitka, Wrangell, Petersburg, Homer, Dillingham, Cordova
4:15 – 5 p.m. Bethel, Kotzebue, Barrow, Nome, Delta Junction, Offnets
Capital Budget Status
On March 15, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on SB 226 to address the "certificate of participation" revenue bonding mechanism proposed for the Life Science Classroom and Lab facility, the top new construction priority of the Board of Regents.
Deven Mitchell from the Department of Revenue discussed the details of financing state capital projects with this method. No action was taken. Jay Quakenbush, Alaska Builders and Trades; Blake Williams, Central Labor Council; and Don Ethridge, AFL-CIO, testified in support of the Life Sciences facility.
On March 16, the Senate Finance Committee heard from UA President Mark Hamilton; Kit Duke, UA's chief facilities officer; and Michelle Rizk, UA associate vice president for budget, on the details of the university's capital budget request. The committee also held a statewide public hearing on March 18 on capital budget needs. The committee now will now look at the deferred maintenance and new construction requests from all agencies, municipalities, the university, court system and communities throughout Alaska.
Key items to the university's capital budget request are the deferred maintenance projects ($37.5 million in Governor's legislation), as well as the Life Sciences facility ($88 million) and planning money ($10 million) for the Engineering facilities at UAA and UAF. Funding scenarios, i.e. straight general fund dollars or a general obligation bond, are under discussion, as well as the COP revenue bonding mechanism. The capital budget is typically one of the last items to come before the House and Senate before they adjourn, so expect more discussion and opportunities for advocacy in the days ahead.
The House version of the UA Lands bill (HB 295) is in House Resources, its third committee of referral, and has had numerous hearings and amendments. Expect more action before the end of session.
The Governor's Performance Scholarship legislation has been heard in both the Senate and House Education Committees multiple times, and UA students have been advocating for a 'needs based' component to be included in the legislation. (HB 297 and SB 224) The merit based GPS is estimated to cost approximately $20 million per year once the program is up and running. The new fiscal note indicates a start of $14.5 million in FY12 and going up each year to show a total of $37 million in FY15. The Education Committee substitute for HB 297 addresses the 'needs based' aspect, and requires the student to qualify for the merit-based scholarship and demonstrate need for financial assistance. HB 297 is being heard in the House Finance Committee on March 22.
Kudos –
This past Tuesday, the UA Boosters Caucus had its fourth hearing on an overview of the university from various perspectives. This last meeting included individuals from the private sector who shared their experiences and support of university programs. Many thanks to these participants, including:
Jim Johnsen, Sr. Vice President of Administration, Doyon
Bruce Lamoureux, Chief Operating Officer, Providence Health
Doug Murray, President, Murray and Associates
John Aho, retired Vice President, CH2M-Hill
Boyd Morgenthaler, President, AMC Engineers
Jack Wilbur, President, Design Alaska Inc.
Anne Brooks, P.E., Owner Brooks and Associates
Eric Eriksen, AEL&P Vice-President of Transmission and Distribution
Five students from the Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) and Denise Wartes, the Executive Director, traveled to Juneau to present their documentary films at two legislative hearings and met with their legislators March 16. A special luncheon sponsored by the Senate Special Committee on World Trade, Technology & Innovation, and the House Special Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Tourism was held for legislators, staff and public officials to view the films and meet the student creators. This presentation was also broadcast on Gavel to Gavel 360 North.
Recognition goes to:
Corey Joseph from Kwigillingok ('A River without a River")
Jayna Kelly from Pilot Station ("Living Alaskan Life")
Samantha Foss from Pedro Bay ("Pedro Bay and the Pebble Mine")
Laura Fox from Takotna ("Takotna")
Nellie Iyapana from Little Diomede ("Let Your Light Shine")
Also shown:
Jerica Aamodt from Barrow ("Barrow and Global Warming")
The Staff Alliance leaders were also in Juneau for several days this past week to advocate for the University of Alaska. They spent time meeting with legislators and attending committee hearings. Thanks to:
Maria Russell, Chair, Staff Alliance and President-elect, UAF Staff Council
Martin Klein, President, UAF Staff Council
Megan Carlson, President, UAA Classified Council
Russell Pressley, President, UAA APT Council
Cynthia Rogers, President, UAS Staff Council
Gwenna Rogers, Vice President, UAS Staff Council
Vicky Inkster, Member, UAS Staff Council
Kim Eames, President, Statewide Administration Assembly
Lisa Sporleder, Member, Statewide Staff Alliance
Melodee Munson, UAA winner, 2005 Staff Make Students Count award
Suzanne Browner, member, UAA APT Council
Next Week
March 22 - HB 297 – GPS legislation in House Finance
March 21-23 - UAF Alumni Board members meeting with legislators
March 24 – Senate Finance Committee statewide teleconference on the state operating budget
All week - Continuing hearings on the State operating budget in Senate Finance
On behalf of UA, thank you for all your help in supporting our university system.
Operating Budget:
After one meeting with UA, the Senate Finance Subcommittee (SFS) closed out the FY11 operating budget March 18, essentially restoring the Governor's budget numbers with several caveats. The subcommittee also amended intent language regarding a general fund ratio to UA-generated revenue. The subcommittee would increase the UA budget by 3.8 percent over the current fiscal year.
Major differences include the number of appropriations. The Governor and House propose one appropriation for UA; the Senate split it into seven appropriations spread throughout the campuses.
The SFS allocated 3 percent of UA funding into a 'systemwide appropriation' to give the Board of Regents flexibility in allocating funds between campuses when necessary, due to the multiple appropriations. This is a net zero change in the overall budget.
The subcommittee plan includes the following general fund distributions:
- $1.2 million for the Alaska Natives in Science and Engineering Program
- $314,200 for Anchorage fixed cost priorities
- $300,000 for the Marine Advisory Program
- $ 75,000 for the Alaska Summer Research Academy
- $150,000 for individual technology based math and Summer Bridge Program at UAF
- $260,800 for UA community campuses for additional lease cost increases
Expect the Senate Finance Committee to address the budget in committee late next week, with possible action by the full Senate soon after that. Once the Senate passes its version, the budget will go to a Conference Committee with the House.
The Senate Finance Committee will hold its statewide teleconference on Wednesday, 9 a.m., March 24. Public testimony is limited to two minutes each at the following Legislative Information Office locations:
9 – 9:45 a.m. Juneau
10 – 10:45 a.m. Kenai, Valdez, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Seward, Matsu, Glennallen, Tok
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Fairbanks
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. Anchorage
3:30 – 4 p.m. Sitka, Wrangell, Petersburg, Homer, Dillingham, Cordova
4:15 – 5 p.m. Bethel, Kotzebue, Barrow, Nome, Delta Junction, Offnets
Capital Budget Status
On March 15, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on SB 226 to address the "certificate of participation" revenue bonding mechanism proposed for the Life Science Classroom and Lab facility, the top new construction priority of the Board of Regents.
Deven Mitchell from the Department of Revenue discussed the details of financing state capital projects with this method. No action was taken. Jay Quakenbush, Alaska Builders and Trades; Blake Williams, Central Labor Council; and Don Ethridge, AFL-CIO, testified in support of the Life Sciences facility.
On March 16, the Senate Finance Committee heard from UA President Mark Hamilton; Kit Duke, UA's chief facilities officer; and Michelle Rizk, UA associate vice president for budget, on the details of the university's capital budget request. The committee also held a statewide public hearing on March 18 on capital budget needs. The committee now will now look at the deferred maintenance and new construction requests from all agencies, municipalities, the university, court system and communities throughout Alaska.
Key items to the university's capital budget request are the deferred maintenance projects ($37.5 million in Governor's legislation), as well as the Life Sciences facility ($88 million) and planning money ($10 million) for the Engineering facilities at UAA and UAF. Funding scenarios, i.e. straight general fund dollars or a general obligation bond, are under discussion, as well as the COP revenue bonding mechanism. The capital budget is typically one of the last items to come before the House and Senate before they adjourn, so expect more discussion and opportunities for advocacy in the days ahead.
The House version of the UA Lands bill (HB 295) is in House Resources, its third committee of referral, and has had numerous hearings and amendments. Expect more action before the end of session.
The Governor's Performance Scholarship legislation has been heard in both the Senate and House Education Committees multiple times, and UA students have been advocating for a 'needs based' component to be included in the legislation. (HB 297 and SB 224) The merit based GPS is estimated to cost approximately $20 million per year once the program is up and running. The new fiscal note indicates a start of $14.5 million in FY12 and going up each year to show a total of $37 million in FY15. The Education Committee substitute for HB 297 addresses the 'needs based' aspect, and requires the student to qualify for the merit-based scholarship and demonstrate need for financial assistance. HB 297 is being heard in the House Finance Committee on March 22.
Kudos –
This past Tuesday, the UA Boosters Caucus had its fourth hearing on an overview of the university from various perspectives. This last meeting included individuals from the private sector who shared their experiences and support of university programs. Many thanks to these participants, including:
Jim Johnsen, Sr. Vice President of Administration, Doyon
Bruce Lamoureux, Chief Operating Officer, Providence Health
Doug Murray, President, Murray and Associates
John Aho, retired Vice President, CH2M-Hill
Boyd Morgenthaler, President, AMC Engineers
Jack Wilbur, President, Design Alaska Inc.
Anne Brooks, P.E., Owner Brooks and Associates
Eric Eriksen, AEL&P Vice-President of Transmission and Distribution
Five students from the Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) and Denise Wartes, the Executive Director, traveled to Juneau to present their documentary films at two legislative hearings and met with their legislators March 16. A special luncheon sponsored by the Senate Special Committee on World Trade, Technology & Innovation, and the House Special Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Tourism was held for legislators, staff and public officials to view the films and meet the student creators. This presentation was also broadcast on Gavel to Gavel 360 North.
Recognition goes to:
Corey Joseph from Kwigillingok ('A River without a River")
Jayna Kelly from Pilot Station ("Living Alaskan Life")
Samantha Foss from Pedro Bay ("Pedro Bay and the Pebble Mine")
Laura Fox from Takotna ("Takotna")
Nellie Iyapana from Little Diomede ("Let Your Light Shine")
Also shown:
Jerica Aamodt from Barrow ("Barrow and Global Warming")
The Staff Alliance leaders were also in Juneau for several days this past week to advocate for the University of Alaska. They spent time meeting with legislators and attending committee hearings. Thanks to:
Maria Russell, Chair, Staff Alliance and President-elect, UAF Staff Council
Martin Klein, President, UAF Staff Council
Megan Carlson, President, UAA Classified Council
Russell Pressley, President, UAA APT Council
Cynthia Rogers, President, UAS Staff Council
Gwenna Rogers, Vice President, UAS Staff Council
Vicky Inkster, Member, UAS Staff Council
Kim Eames, President, Statewide Administration Assembly
Lisa Sporleder, Member, Statewide Staff Alliance
Melodee Munson, UAA winner, 2005 Staff Make Students Count award
Suzanne Browner, member, UAA APT Council
Next Week
March 22 - HB 297 – GPS legislation in House Finance
March 21-23 - UAF Alumni Board members meeting with legislators
March 24 – Senate Finance Committee statewide teleconference on the state operating budget
All week - Continuing hearings on the State operating budget in Senate Finance
On behalf of UA, thank you for all your help in supporting our university system.
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