(Juneau) - The House Finance budget subcommittee for the Department of Administration has today passed a proposed departmental budget of $256.5 million for FY 07. Representative Jim Holm (R- Fairbanks), chairman of the subcommittee, indicated six components to the budget proposal that deserve special attention.

"First, I'm pleased to report to the full Finance of the House of Representatives a budget recommendation that is about $2.3 million below the targeted spending level for FY 07. However, I'm just as pleased to report that my subcommittee recommends improved funding for Public Broadcasting, services for the blind, for Public Advocacy and the Public Defender Agency, the Alaska Land Mobile Radio program, and DMV services personnel," Rep. Holm said. He continued with "We've received a lot of good information from and testimony by the department and I'm confident that this budget proposal will help to bring balance to the perceived needs of the department and an amount that's financially sustainable."

The subcommittee budget proposal includes an increment of $125,000 for Public Broadcasting that will help improve the delivery and performance of public television and radio, particularly for rural Alaska. "The Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission got by with flat state funding from 2000 to 2005, and sustained a budget decrease last year in the final hours of the state budget process. An increase in their funding, to at least restore funding to the previous level, is a good idea for the continuation of these core programs," Holm said. The increase will help cover the costs of local programming and production, and of replacing and refurbishing equipment and facilities. Similarly, and as is being felt everywhere, increased fuel costs, coupled with diminished membership drives in rural Alaska, has made it nearly impossible for the Commission to meet its goals. "The APBC is in line for receiving this increment and would distribute it to the most needy community stations throughout AK, primarily in the Interior where fuel costs are highest," Holm said, adding "There are some wonderful services provided through Public Broadcasting that shouldn't be jeopardized."

The budget proposal also includes monies for Alaska's Independent Blind through the Alaska Radio Reading Service (AIRRES) program. This program is in place to assist the blind with current affairs by reading and audio-digitizing such things as news and journal articles over the internet. The system requires a dedicated server and special device receivers to enjoy the service. This increment will allow, for the first time, AIRRES' ability to provide receivers to over 200 listener clients statewide. "We recognized the value of this program last year and awarded AIRRES an additional $25,000 above and beyond what they were asking. We're providing $25,000 again this year to help build upon that effort. I think this will really help them realize the goals they've been working on for 10 years."

Another funding increase of $1.5 million is being recommended to help the Public Defender Agency (PDA) and Office of Public Advocacy (OPA). Holm stated, "The PDA and OPA have no control over their caseloads, since it's the court that decides appointments, and felony crimes are on the rise. Until the court stiffens the eligibility criteria for getting court-appointed defense attorney, the state is obliged to better fund these agencies and alleviate some of the burden of their case loads by hiring more legal support staff."

The Alaska Land Mobile Radio (ALMR) program is in its final phases. The subcommittee is recommending a combined state and federal matching funds in the amount of $6.4 million to complete the installation of the statewide ALMR network. The ALMR network has been established to coordinate communication between multiple emergency support agencies in the event of statewide disasters. "This is an important component to our homeland security and public safety package that needs to be completed," Holm stated.

Finally, the subcommittee recommends the Division of Motor Vehicles receive $350,000 in receipts to encourage the retention of Customer Service Representatives. Holm concluded "The DMV has demonstrated a track record of improved service to Alaskans and deserves the receipt authority to attract and retain the people on the front lines; those who are the ones directly responsible for making the turn around in wait-time and customer satisfaction."

"I'm really happy that we could provide assistance to these valuable programs and still come in $2.3 million below target," concluded Holm.

The subcommittee makes initial recommendations for funding levels that are forwarded to the full Finance Committee for adoption.

# # #