Arkansas Legislative Council PEER Review – August 6, 2009
Posted on August 6th, 2009
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Location: Room 171, State Capitol
Agenda: http://tr.im/vLCL
Attachments: http://tr.im/vKhK
This committee reviews matters pertaining to the financial operations and fiscal performances of state agencies, departments, and institutions, including but not limited to, program performance and evaluation, efficiency in the operation of agency programs and services, coordination of programs and services which require the expenditure of state funds, the stability and adequacy of the various fund and fund accounts of the state, and other matters pertaining to agency performance and accountability in the use of public funds may be referred to this committee. Matters pertaining to the organization, consolidation, merger, or abolishment of a state agency, board, commission, or program, and such other matters as maybe assigned by the Council.
1:35 pm – The first item is the revenue report. Gross General Revenues are down 4.4% from last year. The net availiable for distribution was down 4.6%
1:37 pm – Due to a $61,049,112.00 transfer from the Allotment Reserve Fund, the adjusted net availiable for distribution is up 11%.
1:39 pm – The cumulative deviation from DFA net general revenues available for distribution is $13.712 million below forcast. It should be noted that forcast was less than past forecasts.
1:42 pm – Current trends show that cigarette tax revenues are averaging $7.5 to $8 million above last year. It should be noted that Alcoholic Beverage Taxes are 2.6% below last year.
1:47 pm – Rep Davy Carter asked if there was any additional Allotment Reserve Funds that can be transferred.
1:49 pm – Senator Madison asked if any “replacement” effects have been calculated to account for impact of lottery ticket purchases will have on other purchases. There has been no calculations or estimation of the lottery impact on sales taxes.
1:53 pm – Overhead Democrat legislators grumbling about food tax decrease causing budget shortfalls. I find it amazing that when people out there are suffering from the bad economy and the state government is SPENDING MORE money than last year that anyone can feel like a tax cut on the poorest people in the state caused the budget problems. SPENDING is the damn problem. Thank you very much.
1:58 pm – I am wondering why last years data on the natural gas serverance tax has been left off the revenue report. The overall severance tax revenues are down 53.6%
2:02 pm – The Arkansas Disabilit Determination for Social Security has been asked by the Federal government to take on additional duties. There has been a Federal Appropriation Request of $2,533,692 to fund 31 additional employees. The scary part is if the federal government might dump the funding given the current situation.
2:06 pm – Currently reviewing contracts between state agencies. The Health Department is paying UAMS Department of Surgery the amount of $60,000.00 for a medical consultant in trauma system development to serve as a senior advisor to the State Health Officer / Health Department Directors. Since UAMS will be recieving a large amount of the Trauma Systems funds, this arrangement seems like a conflict of interest. Other providers for the trauma system should be concerned.
2:10 pm – The Minority Health Commission is paying the UAMS College of Health for a Medical Director for the commission to design and facililate Phase II of the Arkansas Racial and Ethnic Disparities Study and the Marianna Examination Health Survey. The total amount after review will be $730,200.00.
2:14 pm – If you are wondering where the “General Improvement Funds” are going see attachment K.1 here: http://tr.im/vKhK. The GIF expenditures is somewhat equivalent to what is known at the Federal level as “earmarks.” There are a lot of questions about HB1847 of 2007 which provided and additional $4.8 million above normal bugdet appropriations to the University of Arkansas System to the various institutions and entities of the UofA System for construction, renovation, maintenance, equipment and operational expenses.
2:24 pm – No questions or comments about the Budget Stabilization Trust report.
2:26 pm – The Emergency Purchases Report has been reviewed without question or comment.
2:28 pm – The Tobacco Settlement Summary of Income, Expenses and Balances Report has been reviewed without question or comment.
2:30 pm – The State Central Services Fund Reports has been reviewed without question or comment.
2:32 pm – Meeting adjourned.
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Joint Committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology – August 6, 2009
Posted on August 6th, 2009
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Location: Room 151, State Capitol
Agenda: http://tr.im/vKhA
10:08 am – Apparently I am not the only one having technology troubles today. Ironic isn’t it? The IT committee starting late due to technology troubles is kind of funny. Twitter is dead, access to ARKLEG is dead, so some of the links to agenda and attachments will have to be posted later.
10:12 am – Katie McLane Burns, the Chair and Manager of Governmental Relations for CenturyTel, Inc. is giving the update of activities of the Broadband Advisory Council. The highlight is probably the creation of the CyberInfrastructure Board and naming Broadband as Critical Infrastructure during the last legislative session.
10:16 am – Sam Walls, II, CEO of Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG) is providing an update about activities of Connect-Arkansas. As with most things these days, all funding discussions center around the ARRA (Stimulus) Act. If you are interested in learning more about Connect-Arkansas, then click here: http://www.connect-arkansas.org/
10:21 am – Rep. Rainey is asking if the the federal funding being provided have “rural priority.” Mr. Walls said that the funding is targeted for underserved and unserved areas.
10:23 am – Looking at a map provided by Connect Arkansas. 29% of the population has never used the internet. South and Northeast Arkansas have the lowest broadband usage patterns, while Northwest and Central Arkansas have the highest usage patterns.
10:30 am – Much of the areas that currently have broadband are in areas where consumers have a higher demand for the service, thereby making it a sensible investment to make the capital expenditure required to install the infrastructure.
10:32 am – The intent of current efforts are to assist in getting broadband to those areas where population density or demand cannot be cost justified. Those efforts are both from funding through grants and education to creating a customer demand.
10:42 am – The areas that are currently unserved by broadband also correlate to those areas where there is a higher percentage of students on free and reduced lunch.
10:46 am – Rep. Pennartz asked if every school has broadband access. Rep. Abernaty, chairman of the Education Committee, said that he believed that every school has broadband access.
10:59 am – The investing in Broadband technology is an important infrastructure investment but not one that we should turn into and on going subsidy. As perceptions change, and initial investments cause the cost of subscription to fall, the discretionary spending priorities will change and help the service to be self sustaining much as occured with the rural electrification program.
11:05 am – I am wondering if these public investments in internet access will lead to access providers having charges being regulated by the PSC (Public Service Commission) as occured for electrical providers.
11:09 am – Luke Duffield of River Valley Satellite is making comments about broadband provided by satellite.
11:24 am – There are alot of technology type questions from legislators going on right now. Not anything interesting from a policy stand point. Legislators sometimes need some technology training from the experts who are testifying.
11:29 am – Claire Bailey, Director of the Arkansas Department of Information Systems is currently discussion Fiscal Year 2010 Rate Adjustments.
11:35 am – Claire Bailey discussed how much money the schools saved from rate decreases. Rep. Pennartz made the point that would be $9 million in funds that need to be considered in the next budget. Nervous laughter ensued. I wonder which legislator will be the chump to jump up and start defending the surplus funds from being considered in the next budget? There is always one.
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Arkansas Legislative Council Review Committee – August 5, 2009
Posted on August 5th, 2009
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Location: Room 171, State Capitol
Agenda: http://tr.im/vBCR
Attachments: http://tr.im/vBDB
This committee reviews Agency requests for professional services contracts and consultant services contracts. (A.C.A. 19-11-1006). Proposed methods of financing for capital expenditures in excess of $250,000 which have not been approved by the General Assembly (A.C.A. 22-9-104) are reviewed by this committee. Requests of state agencies for leasing of motor vehicles (for more than 30 days) prior to final approval of said lease by this state purchasing administrator (A.C.A. 22-8-102) are approved by this committee. Also, other matters may be referred to this committee by the Legislative Council.
1:32 pm – A special request for an emergency contract review was reviewed without question or comment. Extensive information was provided in attachements.
1:34 pm – DHS provided responses regarding clients served under contracts and sub-grants. This information is also in attachments. No questions or comments.
1:35 pm – We are currently reviewing the Response from Higher Education Institutions regarding Lobbyists. The information is in section C2 of the attachments.
1:37 pm – Rep. Pennartz is asking for examples for what ASU Jonesboro is actually lobbying for and who exactly it is they are lobbying. The answer is that they are seeking federal grants. Rep. Pennartz asked if they are lobbying our own congressmen and senators. She wondered why our own elected officials are not sufficient.
1:40 pm – Rep. Pennartz asked if any of our own state tax dollars are used to lobby “us” (the state legislature.) The response was “yes.”
1:43 pm – ASU Jonesboro spent $173,000 for a Washington D.C. lobbyist. U of A Fayetteville spent $183,139 for a Washington D.C. lobbyist, $55,000 for “other” lobbyists.
1:45 pm – Upon review of requests from various state agencies regarding Review of Methods of Finance, Senator Altes asks how can projected costs be missing actual costs by so much. Look at page 18 of the attachments, this is section D1. Notice that for the Arkansas Department of Corrections that the original projected cost was $695,500, but the revised total projected costs is $8,040,475. Also notice that Arkansas Tech University had an original projected cost of $100,000 with a revised total projected cost of $2,815,138.
1:51 pm – The contracts for the Arkansas Military Department concerning a couple of alternative delivery contracts was held. I personally am a strong supporter of alternative delivery method, but failure to have someone at this meeting to answer questions given the current suspicions of the legislature of the method is irresponsible. Rep. Dunn was right to ask to hold the contracts.
1:57 pm – Senator Altes and Rep. Burris are asking about DHS Grants for ARRA (Stimulus Funds) “to provide statewide capacity for van conversions for physically handicapped individuals and home modifications to help with handicap accessibility; and to collect and report ARRA data per applicable federal and state directives.” Apparently they are concerned that grants go to those in actual need and sufficiently to address those needs rather than spreading the grant money as widely as possible even if needs are marginally justified.
2:07 pm – Currently reviewing a pile of contracts with sole-source that have been reviewed in the past and are being renewed. See section D5 in the attachments. Let us know if you see anything out of line. The more eyes that look at this stuff the better.
2:18 pm – The committee is not over, but I am sparing you from suffering the mind-numbing boredom of listening to the reading of every contract. If you want to know what is going on look at the attachments in D3c, D3d, and D5c.
2:23 pm – Senator Pritchard inquired about Mid-South Community College paying $300,000 to a grant writer. It is the feeling that this could be done much cheaper by an in-house employee.
2:25 pm – Rules were suspended to provide a review of a contract “to provide engineering services for the design of plans and supervision of the construction of a storage facility to house emergency disease response equipment and supplies adjacent to the agency’s headquarters.
2:27 pm – Meeting adjourned.
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Political Animals Club of Northwest Arkansas
Posted on August 4th, 2009
Due to busy schedules and uncertain availability the Political Animals Club of NWA has had to make a short notice announcement for the next meeting in which Lottery Commission Executive Director Ernie Passailaigue (pronounced pass-a-lay) of Little Rock. The only date available was next Monday, August 10. The organizers have apologized about the short notice and a meeting on a Monday (typically meetings are not held on Monday), but it was either that or wait several months.
The meeting will be held from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m., Monday, August 10, 2009 at the Clarion Inn in Fayetteville.
Mr. Passailaigue is a native South Carolinian, born in Charleston. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1969 and received a Master’s in Business Administration from The Citadel in 1974. He is a CPA, a former professor, former owner of professional baseball teams, served in the South Carolina Senate for thirteen years, and was Executive Director of the South Carolina Educational Lottery. He is currently chairman of the multi-state Powerball Group.
Remember, there are no PACNWA dues; but there is a $9.00 charge when you attend a meeting, which includes a complete breakfast buffet.
This is not a meeting where you can just “show up.” RESERVATIONS ARE IMPORTANT! Make your reservation no later than noon on Friday, August 7. Send an e-mail to: rhudson@uark.edu or Fax a note to Richard Hudson at 479-575-7575, or Call Qiana Wilson at 479-575-7964 in Fayetteville
Let me encourage all of you political junkies out there to attend. It’s only natural.
Wherever animals must pool their talents and numbers into cohesive social groups, scientists said, the better to protect against predators, defend or enlarge choice real estate or acquire mates, the stage will be set for the appearance of political skills — the ability to please and placate, manipulate and intimidate, trade favors and scratch backs or, better yet, pluck those backs free of botflies and ticks.
Over time, the demands of a social animal’s social life may come to swamp all other selective pressures in the environment, possibly serving as the dominant spur for the evolution of ever-bigger vote-tracking brains. And though we humans may vaguely disapprove of our political impulses and harbor “Fountainhead” fantasies of pulling free in full glory from the nattering tribe, in fact for us and other highly social species there is no turning back. A lone wolf is a weak wolf, a failure, with no chance it will thrive.
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Hundreds of New Laws Took Effect Recently
Posted on August 4th, 2009
Hundreds of new laws took effect recently, on the 91st day following formal adjournment of the 87th General Assembly., including a tougher law to punish those who torture animals. They’re among 1,501 pieces of successful legislation signed into law, most of which were bills for appropriations.
Starting July 31, young people who drive personal watercraft will face fines ranging from $50 to $100 if they fail to have an adult next to them. It’s named “Rachel’s Law,” in memory of a 15-year-old girl who died in a watercraft accident two years ago, and is now Act 693.
Act 693 raises from 14 to 16 the legal minimum age for operating a personal watercraft without an adult supervising. A child between ages 12 and 15 would be permitted to operate the watercraft but only if accompanied by someone older than 18 – and that person, if born after January 1, 1986, must have completed a boating safety course. A child under age 12 can operate the watercraft if accompanied by an adult at least 21 who has completed a boating safety course.
The new law also requires anyone who operates a personal watercraft to submit to drug- and blood-alcohol-content tests if they’re involved in a watercraft crash resulting in death or if a lawn enforcement officer believes the watercraft operator is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Other new laws:
- Arkansas’s first felony offense against cruelty to animals, previously only a misdemeanor regardless of the circumstances. A felony charge can be filed against someone who tortures a dog, cat, or horse, even on a first-time offense. It’s now Act 33. The law also exempts standard agriculture and animal-husbandry practices such as branding; allows for incidents arising from self-defense or defense of others, protecting livestock and poultry, lawful veterinary purposes, Good Samaritan acts for animals in distress, legitimate animal research, euthanizing animals, and humanely killing sick animals. Conviction can result in up to six years in prison (5 additional years if the offense is conducted in the presence of a child) and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Act 781 allows the state Athletic Commission to regulate all combat sports, such as “tough man” contests, in Arkansas, including tighter requirements on the presence of physicians and emergency responders. It was approved in the wake of a death in Texarkana of a man who’d been in a fighting contests.
- Act 329, to ban the sale of novelty lighters – or those often shaped like cell phones, animals or even fire trucks – because they are enticing to children. The bill was filed in the wake of the deaths of several children, the casualties of house fire started when one of the children was playing with a novelty lighter.
- Act 497 names a stretch of U.S. 67 in Northeast Arkansas as the “Rock ‘n Roll Highway,” because such legendary performers as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash regularly played at clubs along the highway in Jackson, Lawrence and Randolph counties.
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Arkansas Legislative Council – August 4, 2009
Posted on August 4th, 2009
Date & Time: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Location: Room 171, State Capitol
Agenda: http://tr.im/vrox
Attachments: none
This committee reviews matters regarding the State Uniform Personnel Classification and Compensation Plan; matters pertaining to the adequacy of position classification and pay schedule of state agencies and institutions; matters which require Legislative Council advice in regard to the administration of the State Personnel Classification and Compensation Plan; matters pertaining to the duties of the General Assembly to establish the maximum number of employees; and the maximum annual salaries of all officials and employees of state government shall be referred to this committee.
10:01 pm – Senator Faris called the meeting to order. We must not be discussing the lottery today because there is not many press people, no TV cameras here.
10:04 pm – Rep Lea asked if this meeting was being audio recorded. Staff confimed that it is being recoreded.
10:06 pm – The committee is currently reviewing an update on the new pay plan implementation. Agencies that are paying shift should have had training about shift differential but had not done so, therefore some pay entries were incorrect. The problems seems to have been addressed and corrected.
10:12 pm – Currently reviewing report on the pay plan and positions created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The act is stated as “making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State adn local fiscal stabilization….”
10:15 pm – Apparently the “job creation” is meant to mean “government jobs” that have no promise of being permanent. In fact, these people taking these positions have to sign a document saying that the job will end in 2011 unless funding is continued. We are creating a whole new group of people who have a vested interest in continuing big government.
10:18 pm – Representative Andrea Lea asked if the State of Arkansas would be responsible for paying unemployment when the funding ends. The answer was “Yes”. She asked a follow up question was, “Isn’t the states unemployment fund currently in debt and called Mr. Williams to the stand to ask for how much.” Mr. Williams said the fund is currently “broke” and we are currently $92 million in debt and by the end of the year it would be up to $230 million in debt. I think he is being very conservative the number and think it is probably closer to $260 million.
10:22 am – Terry Smith asked how this money would be paid back, if someone has an answer of how we can pay this back without raising taxes on employer payrolls. Senator Teague made the point that the legislature already raised the tax by $50 million in the last session.
10:26 am – When asked how we are going to pay back the debt, Mr. Williams said, “We are going to pay it back slowly” generating alot of laughter. He really has a great sense of humor. He believes that the debt should be forgiven by the federal government because that money was paid by Arkansas employers.
10:28 am – The discussion has turned to the condition of the state unemployment fund and has moved away from the point that the ARRA hires will make the situation worse.
10:30 am – Rep. Dunn asked how these increases in unemployment costs going to affect our competitiveness with surrounding states. Mr. Williams said that currently we are competitive, but seemed to indicate that it could be a future issue.
10:36 am – If I recall, we voted on a bill to extend unemployment benefits during the last session. I sure hope I didn’t vote for that.
10:39 am – Mr. R.T. Williams has been called to the stand again by Senator Teague. He is asking if there is an effort to create a formal plan for paying back debt and suggested that business leaders should be included in the discussions. Mr. Williams said a plan is in works that includes both labor and management.
10:41 am – Meeting adjourned.
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Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Advisory Council – August 3, 2009
Posted on August 3rd, 2009
Date & Time: Tuesday, August 3, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Location: Room 171, State Capitol
Agenda: http://tr.im/vkge
Attachments: none
2:33 pm – Introduction of committee members are being made.
2:34 pm – Lt. Gov. Halter is making comments. He started out speaking from the normal testimony chairs in the back of the room rather than going to the podium to make his presentation. Do you think that is the sign of a humble man, or just one beat down by the power structure here in the Capitol.
2:36 pm – Lt. Gov. Halter mentioned that a legislator has been talking about repealing the enabling legislation for the lottery. He is referring, of course, to Senator Sue Madison.
2:37 pm – Before you start feeling too sorry for the Lt. Gov., you should know that he has…. oh I don’t know maybe 12 or 15 professional photographers here taking pictures of him during his comments. (I sometimes exaggerate.)
2:39 pm – Dr. Jim Purcell is currently making a presenation about non-traditional award priorities.
2:41 pm – The goal is for Arkansas to reach the Southern Regional Education Board’s (SREB) average for citizens holding batchelor’s degrees by 2015.
2:43 pm – This will mean that we will need to increase the production of batchelor’s degrees by 64% (7,098 more graduates per year) each of the next six years to reach the SREB average.
2:45 pm – 60% of all AR college graduates reside in only 8 of 75 counties.: Benton, Washington, Sebastian, Garland, Saline, Pulaski, Faulkner, Johnson, and Craighead.
2:47 pm – Arkansas was ranked 51st nationwide in 2000 for Bachelors degrees or higher. In 2002 we were ranked 49th. (Thank God for Mississippi?)
2:48 pm – Arkansas ranked 48th in percentage of population holding an associates degree, with 58% of all associates degree receipients residing in 12 counties.
2:50 pm – There are three non-traditional groups. 1) Students nearing completions called “near-completers,” 2) Students entering college not immediately after high school and stop-outs called “delayed/returners,” and Traditional-age Students who did not qualify for the Academic Challenge scholarship right after high school called “earn-in” starting with class of 2010.
2:53 pm – The majority of scholarship funds are targeted to students directly out of high school. There is $8 million in funds availiable for non-traditional students for the years 2010 to 2011. In future years ADHE will recommend more or less depending on usage of the scholarship and lottery revenue.
2:55 pm – ADHE recommends to have students apply for aid via the univeral scholarship web application. They divide the subgroups allocating 4 million to near completers ($2 million to bachelors and $2 million to community colleges) and $4 million for delayed and returning adults with an allocation of $2 million for each group.
2:58 pm – Rep. Randy Stewart asked if military scholarship and GI Bill funds would be included in scholarship priorities. Dr. Purcell assured him that they would not.
2:59 pm – Sen. Robert Thompson is asking about how the priorization would be done for near completers. The the first category is closeness to completion, next would be if the student is enrolled/admitted in workforce critical-needs degree program (Determined by Workforce Cabinet), financial need (EFC), and finally the GPA.
3:03 pm – For the delayed/returning adults the priority will be giving to those not requiring remediation and the ACT/SAT/Compass or equivalent score, finally the financial need. Those returning it would be the same except previous college GPA instead of standardized test scores, and next is those admitted/enrolled in critical-needs degree programs.
3:10 pm – Again, it appears that the non-legislative board members of this council do not understand or are unaware of what the enabling legislation established as the purpose of the council. I asked if we could have this read aloud. Jodie Mahoney provided the purpose to be briefly read by me.
3:18 pm – The purpose of this committee is to make recommendations in how to best utilize the Academic Challege Scholarship to increase the percentage of Arkansans completing degrees. The emphasis is, by nature, going to be those students that most likely to complete in the shortest amount of time. Students who need to be remediated or are not substantially complete with a degree are obviously going to be a higher risk investment to meet the goal.
3:24 pm – Question was asked of Dr. Purcell, “Is it possible that lottery scholarships will be avaliable for January 2010. He said that would not be possible.
3:26 pm – Rep. Roebuck is asking about the one stop scholarship application process cost and timeline. INA is doing software development for less than $800,000 appropriated out of the existing scholarship fund balance. This contract was awarded without a bid process.
3:29 pm – Senator Thompson informed Dr. Purcell that he has a problem with using critical degrees as a priority for scholarship award. I disagree with Sen. Thompson.
3:31 pm – Rep. Burris is asking if we have statistics on number of Arkansas graduates who move out or or remain in state.
3:33 pm – I just noticed that the composition of this committee is dominated by educators with almost no representation from industry or ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT agencies in the state. I fear this will severely limit the wisdom of the council in determining what is best for the state overall.
3:36 pm – The council members: Dr Jim Purcell, Director or ADHE; Dr. Diana Julian, Interim Commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education; Dr. Tom Kimbrell, Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of Education Administrators; Mr. Charles Evans, Associate Executive Director of the Arkansas School Boards Association; Mr. Kim Arnell, Assistant Director of the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research; Mrs. Tara Smith, Coordinator of Financial Aid for Department of Higher Education; Ms. Elyse Price, Assistant Coordinator of Financial Aid for Arkansas Department of Higher Education; Dr. Steven Murray, Chancellor of Phillips Community College; Dr. Sally Carder, President of National Park Community College; Dr. Robert Potts, Chancellor of Arkansas State University; Dr. Walter Kimbrough, President of Philander Smith College; Mr. John Jefferson, Financial Aid Director, Southern Arkansas University Tech.; Dr. Daniel Pugh, Dean of Students at University of Arkansas.
3:46 pm – Please note: I don’t think Halter really had any photographers here. I was making a joke. Damn! the poor fellow never gets a break. Now I feel bad.
3:49 pm – Discussion about making a foreign langauge a part of the required core curriculum.
3:52 pm – Next meeting is tenatively set at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 in Room 171 of the State Capitol.
3:54 pm – Meeting Adjourned.
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Legislative Facilities – August 3, 2009
Posted on August 3rd, 2009
Date & Time: Tuesday, August 3, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Location: Room 272, State Capitol
Agenda: http://tr.im/vhLe
Attachments: none
The Legislative Facilities committee shall review the existing usage of the space presently used in the State Capitol Building and make reallocations or improvements. (A.C.A. 10-3-1104)
10:03 am – Discussion about audio upgrades in Old Supreme Court. A few additional minor expenses were necessary for historical preservation.
10:06 am – Brief discussion about audio upgrades completed in House Committee Rooms. Senator Glover expressed displeasure with some of the more recent systems in the ALC meeting room.
10:09 am – Currently discussion by Ms. Laidlaw talking about the “Big Mac Building” renovation and proposed tunnel. Also discussion of renovation and redevelopment of the Old Dillards building for housing the state library and various state agencies. The building will be silver LEED certified.
10:14 am – There was some additional discussion about the tunnel proposal.
10:15 am – Rep. Reep is asking if we lease that building or if we have purchased it. The building is currently under a lease with an option to purchase. Rep. Reep asked if formal decisions have been made about usage. Apparently there have only been informal with no specific usage been determined. Sen. Farris said that one of the priorities would be for legislative space.
10:18 pm – Senator Baker asked about the cost of the building. Ms. Laidlaw said that exercising the purchase option would be about 18.5 million.
10:20 pm – This meeting seems to be progressing very quickly. We are already on the last agenda item. Rep. Rick Green is asking about exact location and ease of public access for the new buildings. Apparently the access for the state library will be greatly improved, but because of the demands at the Capitol, access will neither be helped or hurt to any substantial amount.
10:23 pm – Rick Green is asking if there are any plans to move any of the Constitutional Officials out of the Capitol. While some staff may be moved, there is no plans to move the Constitutional Officials themselves.
10:24 pm – Rep. Barry Hyde is asking about the costs per square foot on the ADEQ and Dillards buildings. The response is about $150 to $175 per square foot. The Dillards building is going to be less than new construction and that cost includes data and elsctronics systems that would normally have to be provided in an additional contract.
10:26 pm – Rep Hyde is asking that the design professionals be called to testify about the design options for the tunnel.
10:28 pm – Rep. Maloch asked who would ultimately make the decision to proceed with these projects. Senator Farris said he believed that it would be this committee.
10:29 pm – Williams and Dean Architects are now before the committee. Tad Price, the state architect is also here.
10:31 pm – The tunnel from the basement of the Capitol to the 5th floor of the Big Mac Building would actually be a combination of tunnel and sky bridge. The cost would be somewhere around $3.5 million. There are pure tunnel options under consideration that would be slightly less costly.
10:34 pm – It seems like press coverage of committee meetings has been greatly improved/increased recently.
10:35 pm – The improvements to the fifth floor of the Big Mac Building are expected to be about 3.8 million.
10:36 pm – It sounds like the “Economic Development” agencies are the ones likely to be moved to the renovated Dillard’s Building.
10:37 pm – Committee adjourned.
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