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ARIZONA STATE SENATE |
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45TH LEGISLATURE SECOND REGULAR SESSION
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MINUTES OF COMMITTEE ONFAMILY SERVICES |
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DATE: |
February 6, 2002 |
TIME: 9:30 a.m. |
ROOM: SHR 3 |
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CHAIRMAN: |
Senator Hartley |
VICE CHAIRMAN: |
Senator Hellon |
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ANALYST: |
Barbara Guenther |
COMMITTEE SECRETARY: |
Carol Dager |
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INTERN: |
Elizabeth Baskett ASSISTANT ANALYST: Tracey Landers |
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ATTENDANCE |
BILLS |
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Committee Members |
Pr |
Ab |
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Bill Number |
Disposition |
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Senator Jarrett |
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X |
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SB 1195 |
HELD |
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Senator Lopez |
X |
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SB 1264 |
DPA |
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Senator Petersen |
X |
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SB 1289 |
DP |
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Senator Solomon |
X |
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SB 1292 |
DPA |
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Senator Hellon, Vice Chairman |
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X |
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Senator Hartley, Chairman |
X |
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GOVERNOR’S APPOINTMENTS |
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Name |
Position |
Recommendation |
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Chairman Hartley called the meeting to order at 9:55 a.m., and attendance was taken. Attendees Sign-In Sheet (Attachment A).
Senator Hartley announced that she would be holding SB 1195.
SB – 1195 family importance; state policy – HELD
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Senator Hartley moved the minutes of January 30, 2002 be approved. Without objection, the minutes were approved as distributed.
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS
SB 1264 – child care; payment rates – DO PASS AMENDED
Tracey Landers, Family Services Committee Assistant Research Analyst, explained SB 1264 requires the Department of Economic Security (DES) to consider its most current market rate survey as one of the factors for determining child care assistance’s sliding fee scale and formula. She also explained that the three-line Hartley amendment dated 02/05/02 at 1:52 p.m. requires DES to also consider the most current survey when determining child care assistance rates.
Senator Lopez moved SB 1264 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
Senator Lopez moved SB 1264 be returned with an AS AMENDED, DO PASS recommendation. The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 4-0-2 (Attachment 1).
Senator Hartley announced that the following individuals were present in support of the bill: Karen Ortiz, Senior Program Associate, Early Care And Education; Stacie Strange, Office Manager, representing herself; Juanita Weinberg, Assistant Manager, Enterprise Academy; Bonnie Lund, Coordinator of Preschool Programs, representing herself; Mitch Menlove, Arizona Childcare Association; and Kevin Demenna, Arizona Childcare Association.
SB 1289 – appropriation; Nogales food bank – DO PASS
Barbara Guenther, Family Services Committee Research Analyst, explained SB 1289 appropriates $500,000 in FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund to DES for distribution to the City of Nogales to purchase a food bank warehouse.
Senator Solomon stated that although she would like to see this bill pass, she is obligated not to support a new appropriation. Senator Hartley responded that the Nogales food bank is not a new project. Currently, they are leasing a facility that is inadequate. She indicated that she sat on the Hunger Committee and listened to testimony regarding how much food is going to waste because of the lack of a processing and warehouse facility. She suggested that it is not new spending because it is an existing program.
Senator Solomon acknowledged the need and noted that there appears not to have been a state appropriation in the past. By making it a state appropriation, it does become a new funding project. She suggested that if the bill passes out of this Committee, the sponsor should find a dedicated funding source other than the general fund.
Ginny Hildebrand, Executive Director, Association of Arizona Food Banks, pointed out that this bill is a request for a one-time expansion of state funding to support the purchase of a warehouse building to be used for the food bank. The food bank has been in operation since 1994 and reaches out beyond County of Santa Cruz. Millions of pounds of food are offered to this food bank annually and serve not only the immediate area but also the entire state. Since July 2001, 5.7 million pounds of produce has been distributed to the other ten food banks in Arizona. If funds can be found, all food banks will benefit.
Senator Solomon suggested taking $500,000 from the Coordinated Hunger Program. Ms. Hildebrand replied that she has consulted with a number of food banks. While they are in support of the bill, they also are concerned about the existing funding that supports their ongoing infrastructure. The loss of funding from that line item would hurt all of the food banks.
Yolanda Soto, Executive Director, Borderland Food Bank, provided a handout (Attachment C) and noted that their community has more produce than any other community. In the past seven years, they have tried to salvage the produce that was being dumped and going to waste. She emphasized that produce is an expensive commodity and needy people cannot go to the grocery store and purchase it. However, the Borderland Food Bank has produce available to these people. She pointed out that 3.5 billion pounds of produce were received at the food bank last year, with 20 million pounds salvaged and donated. The warehouse is only 12,000 square feet and there are five paid staff. They solicit, house, and distribute millions of pounds of produce. However, there are millions of pounds lost because they do not have the space. She stated that they desperately need this help in order to get into a cleaner facility so that more people can benefit.
Senator Petersen asked how much effort there is from the local community. Ms. Soto replied that 20% of contributions are from the community and 80% are from the State.
Marco Lopez, Mayor, City of Nogales, suggested that if the Borderland Food Bank only served Nogales, they could sustain that operation. This year the City of Nogales has contributed over $50,000 to Borderland. However, they are asking for support because Borderland supplies 49% of the produce to all of Arizona's food banks.
Senator Solomon indicated that for a decade Arizona could have helped to provide for the State; however, the leadership of the Legislature chose not to do that. Currently, there is a need to reduce the State budget just to keep the State operating. She stressed that it is difficult to say no when she has argued the issue for a decade. She emphasized that her vote will not be based on what she knows is needed, but what is best for the State budget.
Mayor Lopez stated that he does understand. He pointed out that at their council meeting yesterday, he had to cut 21% of their operation to meet the deficit in their revenues.
Senator Lopez noted that regardless of what they need to do to balance the budget, he feels in this situation, they should pass this bill on. There still is time to find alternative funds. He indicated that it is important to take advantage of the millions of pounds of produce available to the State.
Senator Hartley announced that the following individual was present in support of the bill: Tara Plese, Legislative Liaison, Basic Needs Coalition.
Senator Lopez moved SB 1289 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 3-1-2 (Attachment 2).
SB 1292 – appropriation; Hopi senior center – DO PASS AMENDED
Ms. Guenther explained SB 1292 appropriates $300,000 in FY 2002-2003 to the DES for Hopi senior centers. She also explained that the three-line Hartley amendment dated 02/01/02 at 3:32 p.m. specifies the appropriation comes from the state general fund.
Elgean Joshevama, Vice Chairman, Hopi Tribe, noted that in May 2000, the Legislature provided $50,000 to plan the development and construction of a senior center in one of the Hopi villages. DES in conjunction with the Attorney General's office took until June 15, 2001 to put the appropriated funds into a contract. DES required numerous goals and outcome measures which the Tribe found obtrusive and incongruent with the intent of the appropriation. When the Hopi Tribe received the approved contract on June 15, 2001, they were told they would have to spend the funds in two weeks to meet the June 30 deadline. As a result, the Tribe experienced a loss of $30,000.
Mr. Joshevama pointed out that the Legislature approved a two-year appropriation of $571,400 to construct the Kykotsmovi center, as well as to plan and design centers at Hotevilla and First Mesa Villages. Because of the elimination of the second year funding when the Legislature met in Special Session in November 2001, the plans for the Hotevilla and First Mesa Villages centers are on hold. He requested that the funds be reinstated so that 700 additional elders in their community can be served.
Mr. Joshevama provided a summary chart (Attachment D) that shows that they have worked on obtaining additional support for these centers.
Phillip Quochytewa, Coordinator, Elderly Services, Hopi Tribe, explained that their elders are teachers and mentors to the Tribe. The elders have cautioned the Tribe that their land and resources will be taken from them. In return they will spend substantial amounts of money to regain what is rightfully theirs. For too long, the Hopi people have been treated as stepchildren by the State. He pointed out that the Hopi Tribe is a nongaming tribe and contribute to the State's economy including $16 million in taxes collected from their Peabody Western Coal Company.
Mr. Quochytewa stressed that the Hopi elders were disappointed when they learned that the senior centers for First Mesa Villages and Hotevilla were not funded this year. First Mesa Villages has approximately 360 elders over 60 years old. He suggested that the current facility is overcrowded and is located in the confines of the Village administration with limited parking. Currently the senior center is operating utilizing its own funds. They have adopted their own personal and financial policies and are independent. First Mesa Villages is the only village that has a four-year strategic plan (Attachment E). The clan leadership approved a landsite adjacent to the Hopi Healthcare Center.
Mr. Quochytewa emphasized that the Tribe values their elders as special people who deserve the very best including a safe and healthy environment. He urged the Committee to fund the senior centers. He indicated that he had a list of elders who support the bill (Attachment F).
Kenneth Quanimptewa, Community Services Administrator, Hopi Tribe, mentioned that the elders are waiting for the day the new senior center will be built. He pointed out that they have acquired many appliances, computers, and other items to use in the new facility. He reiterated that the Hopi seniors are the Tribe's treasures and people of knowledge.
Senator Hartley congratulated the Hopi Tribe for their innovative methods of providing various funding sources and matching funds for the senior centers.
Senator Hartley announced that the following individuals were present in support of the bill: Janet Regner, Lobbyist, Hopi Tribe; and Maria Solis, Associate State Director for Advocacy, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
Senator Lopez moved SB 1292 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
Senator Lopez moved SB 1292 be returned with an AS AMENDED, DO PASS recommendation. The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 4-0-2 (Attachment 3).
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Dager
Committee Secretary
(Tapes and attachments on file in the Secretary of the Senate’s Office/Resource Center, Room 115.)
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Committee on Family Services
4 February 6, 2002
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