Senators assure Pioneer Homes will be funded

PALMER — Alaska legislators have gone on record stating they will do everything possible to make sure funding for the state's six Pioneer Homes will not be nixed. State senators utilized legislative process taking a formal position on the issue while House representatives are on record opposing cuts.

Word surfaced Tuesday that the Palmer Pioneer Home and possibly a second in Juneau were marked for possible closure due to a senate-proposed $5.7 million reduction in DHSS funding for fiscal year 2018. The shortfall lead to a scramble by DHSS officials to come up with a solution to absorb the cut. A contingency plan calling for the possible closures was, and according to DHSS officials, still is in the works as state legislators continue wrangling ways to balance the state's budget before the planned April 16 departure from Juneau.

According to Senate majority leader Peter Micciche's office, the body invoked a rarely-utilized legislative process, "Sense of the Senate" to unanimously uphold current funding levels. The process involves taking a formal position on an issue. Passed unanimously by the body, the documents stated: "It is the sense of the Senate that our cherished seniors and honorable veterans be rest assured that all Pioneer Home residents have earned secure, quality housing and deserve to have the respect and deference of the senate clearly communicated."

The document went on to state, "To facilitate continued Pioneer Home services in all current locations...any reductions...to the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Pioneer Homes (budget line item) be spread throughout all other areas of the DHHS budget..."

Senator Shelley Hughes (R-Palmer) joined Micciche in releasing a statement of funding support.

"I want to assure the precious residents of the Alaska Veterans and Pioneer Home in Palmer and other communities that we are committed to protect and care for them. We will ensure they will be able to continue right where they are. Those who have served our country and communities deserve our utmost respect and attention," said Hughes Thursday. "It hurts me to know that some suffered anxiety unnecessarily over the misinformation that was circulating, and I want to apologize to each everyone for that. Please know that the threat has been corrected."

"There will not be any closures of the state's Pioneer Homes," Micciche stated Thursday. "We (want) to formally clarify that budget reductions will not adversely impact (seniors)...We will work with the other body, and the administration, to require that budget cuts are not taken out...in a way...that could compromise their secure housing."

The Mat-Su legislative delegation accused Governor Bill Walker and the Majority Caucus in the House of using the idea of Pioneer Home closures as a scare tactic. The delegation is comprised of senators Mike Dunleavy, Hughes; and representatives David Eastman, DeLena Johnson, George Rauscher and Colleen Sullivan-Leonard.

"The Senate Majority incorporated significant spending reductions in its version of the budget; however, those reductions did not dictate closing of any...Pioneer Homes," the delegation stated in a joint statement issued Tuesday.

The delegation noted DHSS funding reductions were made in its version of the budget, but were unallocated. That leaves it up to the governor's administration to use its discretion to direct the reductions as it sees fit. It accused Walker of playing on emotions to advocate his proposed fiscal plan calling the move "deplorable".

State Democrats cried foul over the move Wednesday accusing the Mat-Su group and the Senate's Republican majority budget was unanimously rejected.

"For some reason, the Mat-Su Republican delegation (attempted) to blame the governor for their own cuts to the Pioneer Homes to avoid inevitable backlash from constituents when the ramifications of their cuts were discovered," stated Senator Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage)."

"They say 'cut, cut, cut' but when it comes to their own district, they change their tune," said Senator Donny Olson (D-Golovin).

Organizers of a planned Saturday support march is still on the books for tomorrow at 1 p.m. One of those involved, Carol Ryan-Aube said the event will take place in front of the Palmer Pioneer Home. She encouraged those interested in showing their support for Pioneer Home funding to attend.