Southeast Spotlight: Audits & April showers

Dear Neighbors,

"Rule #2: The Double Tap" at the Legislative Shoot (Rep. Kito, Tally, & Miguel). A good time was had by all, but Miguel seemed especially proud of his performance.

The legislative session has picked up the pace as we near the home stretch. With less than a month left, the House is holding Floor sessions nearly every day.  The operating budget will be a big focus as we close in on the end of session, but since there is a lot of information out there already (see “Fiscal Reality with David Teal” and “As the Alaska Legislature makes cuts”), I’d like to focus my comments on something even MORE engrossing: audits.

How effectively do our state agencies function?

It’s a rhetorical question, but here’s the thing: part of governing means understanding how well things are (or aren’t) working. As a result of House Bill 130, state agencies will be going through agency wide performance reviews.  I serve on the Legislative Budget & Audit (LB&A) committee, which is responsible for overseeing that process.   LB&A will be soliciting proposals from consulting firms for agencies that will be the subject of review, one in each year.  Once the contract has been awarded, the firm conducting the audit hears public input before launching their full research and audit.  This testimony is a chance for the public to weigh in on the things they like about the agency and things they think need improvement. 

Enjoying Juneau’s (pre-) April showers at the Glacier 10K. Bucking the trend, Rep. Kito rode his bike.

The first performance review was completed last December and was for the Department of Corrections.  We learned that DOC is doing a good job of managing our prison population with limited resources, and that there are some facilities that are in need of renovation and repair.  This review will soon be available on the LB&A website.

The second review, taking place this year, is on the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS).  A wide range of health professionals contributed at the public hearing for DHSS.  Now the consultant will collect information from the Department and other sources to conduct the review.

The third review, scheduled for next year, will look at the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), and we are in the process of scoping that review.  I will keep you informed of public testimony opportunities.

Southeast Shout-out

On the steps of the Capitol for the Choose Respect rally. Learn more about the Choose Respect Campaign here.

•    A job well done by the Juneau MATHCOUNTS team, which won the Southeast tournament and is headed to the statewide competition.  Go, team, go!

•    Kudos to Lauree Morton, Executive Director of the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault for her presentation at the United Nations. Read more here.

•    Congratulations to Allie Smith, who was presented with the inaugural Discovery Award from Discovery Southeast.  Her continued dedication to students will ensure a bright future for Alaska.  See more here.

Do you have a community recognition or shout-out? Let me know so I can include it.

Reminders

Monday, April 6: The Senate Finance Committee is taking public testimony on the Capital Budget. Here’s the schedule:

•   Juneau: 3:30 – 4:30 in Senate Finance (room 532)
•   Haines, Skagway, Excursion Inlet, Gustavus, & Klukwan: 7:00 – 7:30 call 844-586-9085

You can also send written testimony to: senate.finance@akleg.gov.

I hope this April finds you healthy and happy.  Please be in touch if I can be of service.

With Regards,

Sam Kito III