File name: JACBudgetHearings2014_20131209_095318.dcr Folder: C:\Documents and Settings\happropriations\My Documents\JAC Audio 2014 0 ~ 12/9/2013 10:02:02 AM ~ Start Recording 26 ~ 12/9/2013 10:02:28 AM ~ Monday December 13, 2013 Office of Governor 56 ~ 12/9/2013 10:02:58 AM ~ Harshman: Protocol and welcome 1:39 ~ 12/9/2013 10:03:41 AM ~ Governor Mead: Previous year, additional cuts. 219 million excess for legislature to consider. Budget is conservative, meets needs of the state, recognizes exponential growth of the budget, wanted a relatively flat budget. Revenue is not flat but not exponential. CREG 3.5 billion, then 3.6 billino for 17-18. 4th fastest growing state. #1 business friendly, 3rd highest per capital with high school diplomas, 3rd or 4th for people not in poverty. 97 million inc. in dept of health. Evaluation, rated strong in terms of taxes, businesses. Congratulations tot he legislature. 6:23 ~ 12/9/2013 10:08:25 AM ~ Governor Mead: Priorities: 1. Local Govt Asked for 135 to 175 million increase Used wisely by local govt. infrastructure needs 7:37 ~ 12/9/2013 10:09:38 AM ~ Bebout: percent split 8:00 ~ 12/9/2013 10:10:02 AM ~ Gov: 40 percent infrastructure 60 percent operating. open to change in percentage 8:36 ~ 12/9/2013 10:10:38 AM ~ Governor: excess of 500 millin in wwexception requests. needs of people, investments, state employees. No raise for about 4 years. Base salary has gone down this year, higher turnover, recommended additional salary for state employees. 225 fewer employess than 2010 so fewer people being asked to do more. 2.5% base salary adjustment for judicial, UW and executive for 15 - 16. For community colleges 2.5% for 2015 as they have received raises in the past. Retirement increase. Merit increase for UW,. Total cost 49 million for package. 11:46 ~ 12/9/2013 10:13:48 AM ~ Bebout: Numbers relative to including the retirement component, think the amount is light weight, number agreement? 12:14 ~ 12/9/2013 10:14:16 AM ~ Governor: Have absorbed the 2.5% as opposed to adding the whole thing. LSO and Budget Division not in agreement on total number. Confident of roughly 50 million versus 58 million. 13:05 ~ 12/9/2013 10:15:07 AM ~ Stubson: Faucett speaking of salaries, Hay study 90% of market focus has led to compression of salaries across govt. does increase address it? 13:43 ~ 12/9/2013 10:15:45 AM ~ Governor: x percent below market moved up, which caused compression. Faucett believees and we believe compensation package will alleviate the compression.. Also addressed through merit pay 14:29 ~ 12/9/2013 10:16:31 AM ~ Bebout: 2% for community colleges, how do you come up with 2% and no retirement? 15:06 ~ 12/9/2013 10:17:08 AM ~ Governor: Community colleges have been given raises, try to match market rates. 2% does not address getting up to UW or K-12. Retirement is being added to community colleges. Discrepancy of 50 and 58 million. UW Bill Mai 16:21 ~ 12/9/2013 10:18:23 AM ~ Mai: Calculations are similar. Differences: Bret Jones built standard budget, built the employers side of HB 250 in the standard. 1/4% gov proposes, current proposal. Curren bill for 1 1/2 % ..additional employee side of .375 in fiscal 2016. Covering a quarter percent for 15/16 and an additional .375%. Part is covered in the standard budget. This piece gov is requesting is just for 15/16. Budget office looks at employee compensation different.., compounding effects because of retirement. We are factoring in turn over and replacement at lower pay rate. within 4 to 10 thousand dollar 20:46 ~ 12/9/2013 10:22:48 AM ~ Bebout: 8 million is in std budget for retirement side, total pkg 58 million 21:03 ~ 12/9/2013 10:23:05 AM ~ Mai: A component of that, difference of assumptions of what goes into the 8 million. Referred to document. That is total cost but a chunk is built into the std budget, part is built into the JAC fiscal note. That will not show up on the gov profile. We put in the other 3.75 percent. Most consistent way to handle it. A missing component . We are close 22:49 ~ 12/9/2013 10:24:51 AM ~ Don Richards: I agree. I included some compounding and the full cost of the JAC proopsal as adopted in Oct. They are counting half of it. Half of the cost of the bill will be in their budget and half on the fiscal note. I included all of it. 23:28 ~ 12/9/2013 10:25:29 AM ~ Bebout: How we do it is not the issue.. What is the total cost? 23:39 ~ 12/9/2013 10:25:41 AM ~ mai: Revenues and expenditures are forecast, based on a point in time, 24:32 ~ 12/9/2013 10:26:34 AM ~ Bebout: Employee compensation questions: relative fairness of what lower paid employees make compared to the higher paid. Any thoughts of cappingfor higher paid? Thinking changin on merit pay for employees, broader package? 25:26 ~ 12/9/2013 10:27:28 AM ~ Governor: Merit pay..broader factors, more money allocated, I would not object.. 99 percent of employee evaluations are being done. 89 percent of employees are in middle on evaluations. What do you mean broader? 26:32 ~ 12/9/2013 10:28:34 AM ~ Bebout: 1 and 1/2 and 1/12 with more money for merit. Same totoal amount 26:48 ~ 12/9/2013 10:28:49 AM ~ Governor: Not amenable to that change. Not sure would cover issues of turn over 27:17 ~ 12/9/2013 10:29:18 AM ~ Harshman: capping question 27:24 ~ 12/9/2013 10:29:26 AM ~ Governor: Have Dean look at numbers, ex 75,000 salary so not subject to raise, exacberates compression and trelling longer term employees.. 28:01 ~ 12/9/2013 10:30:03 AM ~ Harshman: Capped last year 120, 00 At UW a significant number make more than 120,000 will have that debate 28:28 ~ 12/9/2013 10:30:30 AM ~ Governor: Depending on the cap, I am opent to that 28:38 ~ 12/9/2013 10:30:40 AM ~ Meier: Turnover problem. Demographics, aging boomers, If you take away demographic issue, assuming losing 35 yr old s with better opportunity in the private section. Analysis of that? including impact of salary increases . 29:33 ~ 12/9/2013 10:31:35 AM ~ Governor: Dean will have the answer. We do have an aging workforce. My understanding is a hihger turn over in the younger age group. Can not present numbers today. 30:06 ~ 12/9/2013 10:32:08 AM ~ Meier: Turnover - Chairman point of disproporionately applying fudns. At higher rate have a 1% inc. while at lower rates have a 1.5%. Address compression and turnover with compensation package. 31:39 ~ 12/9/2013 10:33:41 AM ~ Governor: I feel strongly about raises for all the employees. Hay Market Study - stick with it. Still falling behind in terms of mkt. 32:20 ~ 12/9/2013 10:34:22 AM ~ Governor: Unified Network. In a rural state, connectivity is importatnt. Tele education, tele medical. Analogy of raod system, to leave state have to go through cheyenne. Same for education, must go through state. No redundency. Add speed, redundency into system. More demand on system by students bringing own device. Goal is to increase the capacity in our school districts, for teaching opportunities through broadband. These are hubs that allow inc. of capacity and give private sector an opportunity to branch off of what we have built. Asked for that money and SIPA acct. Next std after that is IBP6. We could be first state in country to have that std. Having world's fasted computer system, adding Technology to industry. 36:12 ~ 12/9/2013 10:38:14 AM ~ Governor: 10 million for courthouse security. Security left up to counties. Public must go to jury duty. Security is important. Plan is to start with 10 million, look statewide, security team looking at standards. Every courthouse must meet minimal stds. 37:26 ~ 12/9/2013 10:39:28 AM ~ Governor 9 million for school security. Used to bring weapons to school. Times hae changed. Ex: Wheatland Wyoming has spread out schools, limited space. Schools in state have different levels of security. People have different views on that. As we spend billinos building new schools, as we remodel and build, need minimum stds for security 38:47 ~ 12/9/2013 10:40:48 AM ~ Bebout: Funding mechanism. Going into the 13/14 budget to utilize funding = 30 million. INstead of giong to ARA, will be spent 39:15 ~ 12/9/2013 10:41:17 AM ~ Govenor: Trying to address the need quickly. 39:30 ~ 12/9/2013 10:41:32 AM ~ Bret Jones: 40:13 ~ 12/9/2013 10:42:15 AM ~ Governor: .....workforce sbcs, engineers office, bark beetle, UW AA and water system. business council, business ready communities, courthouse funding.. 40:54 ~ 12/9/2013 10:42:56 AM ~ Bret Jones: 41:03 ~ 12/9/2013 10:43:05 AM ~ Bebout 38 million of funding LSRA you will utilize, why? 41:28 ~ 12/9/2013 10:43:30 AM ~ Jones: Selected list gov reviewed is sense of urgency. Courthouse funding, 42:02 ~ 12/9/2013 10:44:03 AM ~ Governor: I may have misinterpreted quesiont. Is it a policy or mechanism? 42:18 ~ 12/9/2013 10:44:20 AM ~ Bebout: Mechanism question. sets up 38 million spent out of 13/14 budget. do not see in 15/16 42:38 ~ 12/9/2013 10:44:40 AM ~ Jones: Correct. The 38 million comes out of the 62 million expected to go into the LSRA at the end of the session 43:00 ~ 12/9/2013 10:45:02 AM ~ Governor: Question of money flowing in or cut off before then. 43:20 ~ 12/9/2013 10:45:21 AM ~ Stubson: School security money Design on capital construction, Any pieces for training or hiring personnel that will move into future bieenium. 43:51 ~ 12/9/2013 10:45:53 AM ~ Governor: I mentioned captial construction because relative to the billions spend, for a fractino could build safer school. I am not limiting it to that. School resource officers are valuable. We should be open to adding elements to school..sharing peopel. Other issue.WYO Liink. Motorola has a product that allows teacher to wear button that gives location to law enforcement. I do not think we should limit it to walls..should included training, staff and equipment for staff. 45:37 ~ 12/9/2013 10:47:39 AM ~ Governor: Department of Health: DD Waivers. 12 million last session which the legiislature decined. Again asked for money to reduce the waiting list. INdividuals on list for 6 or more years. Dept of health beliefs. I asked Dept of Health to break down by time period. 18 month = 20 million, 10 for state 10 for fed . 5 month = 28 million 4 month = 2 yrs = 16 million. Waiting time limit inc or dec amount. statistics of those on waiting list... 48:11 ~ 12/9/2013 10:50:13 AM ~ Governor: Dept of Health, ACA -- Reoccuring spending is 44.9 million for Dept of health 28 million for mandatory requirements of ACA. Do we do the full expansion of Obamacare. asked for analysis from dept of health. If we did the full expansion, expand our current system. Option 3 is best way to go. I have declined to recommend to the legislature. 16,000 people are in gap. Problem I have is questions on policy, problems with exchange, more people have had insurance taken away. Need improvements before we commit as a state. We hae an unmet need, but only solution available is ADA which I do not believe is a solution, 51:20 ~ 12/9/2013 10:53:22 AM ~ Govenor: Needs of citizen, Asked for expansion fo tourism, air service enhancements, which addto tourism and business opportunities. Issues companies have is the issue of air service. We can not buy our way out of a small population. 52:18 ~ 12/9/2013 10:54:20 AM ~ Hastert: Dejpt of Health still shwoing cost savings to state by going to ACA. Issues with rolout and not being competitive in state. Given that we could have a cost savings you are stil concerned over ACA? Exchanges seperate from Medicaid 53:59 ~ 12/9/2013 10:56:01 AM ~ Governor; Agree on need. Disagree on the solution. There is aperformance issue, delays in portions of ACA without legislation, without debate. If we sign up 16,000 people, what level of comfort do we have that the federal govt will folow through? System design of young people enrolling and covering cost. I don't see that working right. Funding is not working. ...........Disagreement in solution. Lack of performance of ACA makes me not convinced it is the solution. 56:45 ~ 12/9/2013 10:58:47 AM ~ Hastert: Accept hundreds of milions in federal money, have not seen issues of fed govt keeping their committment. Could draft that tif funding dropped from federal govt we would alter. Having some insurance for a period of time, is better than no insurance. 57:31 ~ 12/9/2013 10:59:33 AM ~ Governor: Looked at AML dollars, shut down of of federal govt, I have legitimate reasons for wondering where federal govt will go. ...came without us voting. My disagreement is not because it is federal dollars but because the system won't work. Is it lowering costs, providing good quality healthcare. 58:53 ~ 12/9/2013 11:00:55 AM ~ Esquibel: DC national conference, Health and Welfare, We heard from collegues of some successes. I hope you as Governor will keep open mind.. Veterans would be covered under this. 133 to 138% of federal poverty level must be working somewhere to get to that level. If we can't cover them in the medicaid fit, hope we can cover it.. 1:00:30 ~ 12/9/2013 11:02:32 AM ~ Govenor: I will keep an open mind. I recognize the needs. Not political, pragmatic. Ex: Wisconsisn Gov Walker looking at hybrid, same as Arkansas. In Dubai, the airport has sleeping pods, rented by the hour, had to go in one with Tony Young, ..If changes are made that provide me iwwh a level of confidence I will continue to look at it. 1:02:37 ~ 12/9/2013 11:04:39 AM ~ Hastert: I am uncertain of not expanding medicaid for the 16,000, what is the solution? 1:02:58 ~ 12/9/2013 11:05:00 AM ~ Governor: With disagreement in legislature, .....the 16,000 are a need and we have to not forget. 1:04:24 ~ 12/9/2013 11:06:26 AM ~ Governor: Community Colleges requests for capital construction LCCC, Easter Wyoming = 22 million. Process is evaluation of 13 points, came up with priority list, We have excellent community colleges, wwant them to stay strong. Is there a better way to look at capital construction than my indidviual decision? Most have merit, project in Gillette heavily financed by local govt. I recommended the top of the priority tlist. 1:05:55 ~ 12/9/2013 11:07:57 AM ~ Bebout; Community Colleges capital construction funding is all over the place, dependent on local funding, Did they use the same percentage as other community colleges (Easetrn). Used 6 mills, same as other but that is not the same dollar amount. 1:07:01 ~ 12/9/2013 11:09:03 AM ~ Stubson: in 13 factor test, there isn othing that looks at ability to leverage local dollars 1:07:30 ~ 12/9/2013 11:09:32 AM ~ Gov: private side? 1:07:35 ~ 12/9/2013 11:09:36 AM ~ Stubson: local side, bonds...fits with priorities butr two projects take all the cap con money for community colleges. Was it part of the consideration? 1:08:07 ~ 12/9/2013 11:10:09 AM ~ Governor: Yes, I looked at list and my belief in career technical school. In terms of total dollar, have not set an amount. Question of how much money to spend.Nice to have a system of consensus block grant for community colleges..have them prioritize the list. and have the internal discussions. Eastern Wyoming this year is a huge dollar amount that takes away opportunity from ohter colleges. I would suggest looking at setting a yearly amount and have them make a recommendation that is consistent with county block grant. 1:10:06 ~ 12/9/2013 11:12:08 AM ~ perkins: General policy or philosophy you have? Substantial matching requirements. Gift of a future interest was used in one situation..a legacy gift. computed the present value and that qualified as a matching gift. What are your thoughts on matching funds? 1:11:21 ~ 12/9/2013 11:13:22 AM ~ Govenor: I would like to hear what you think and would like to think about it..mixed reactions. 1:11:47 ~ 12/9/2013 11:13:48 AM ~ Perkins: Matching funds that will not exist for a number of years. 1:12:27 ~ 12/9/2013 11:14:29 AM ~ Governor: Committment by person for future gift. concern is whether that will come about. 1:12:56 ~ 12/9/2013 11:14:58 AM ~ Governor: Game and Fish Budget: Work for sportsmen, stae tourism, industry. Sweet spot between commission funds and general funds. Asked for additional general funds Important to adequately fund the Game and Fish. 1:14:23 ~ 12/9/2013 11:16:25 AM ~ Governor: Nursing home cuts last session mistake. Ask for 300,000 for nursing home to address what I think was a mistake and increasing need. 1:14:54 ~ 12/9/2013 11:16:56 AM ~ Governor: Summary_ Flat budget 2.664 billion budget this session. ETC added is 2.7 billion. Not sure if ETS is part of std budget because they are zerobased. Need t oreview every two years. Compared to 2013/14 - 2.76 billion that biennium. We have a lower std budgetr, cut peopel. Total proposed spending is 3.3 billion this year compared to 3.1 billion previously. 119 million reoccuring 50 million employee comp 8 million UW engineering program. GF increase 135 m to 175 mi for local, ...inc of courthouse sec..major maintenance, business ready communities, big ticket drivers of increase from 3.1 billion to 3.3 billion 1:17:51 ~ 12/9/2013 11:19:53 AM ~ Hastert Community colleges_ Enrollment funding level has ben stagnenet for numerous years. Discussion or budget address this? Level of raises for community colleges..things all over the map. document showing what has happened. 1:18:58 ~ 12/9/2013 11:21:00 AM ~ Governor: Document with numbers of raises for community colleges. Picked a baseline year, may be one of the question. Since 2010 NWCC 2.6; LCCC 5% inc. CW =5.9% NW 4.4 Casper ...Rate increases varies. Trying to be fair in recommending increases for public employees is to take into account community college difference. 1:21:08 ~ 12/9/2013 11:23:10 AM ~ Meier: Community College...go back to base, always have to have an exception request, workd different than other budgets, way to do that differently? 1:21:51 ~ 12/9/2013 11:23:52 AM ~ Governor: room for improvement, timing of numbers received Baseline is 2005? 1:22:21 ~ 12/9/2013 11:24:23 AM ~ Jones: Baseline is 04/05 for enrollment. Commission recalcualates on a bieenial basis. When recommendation arrives to Gov and JAC< it is oncsidered a one time funding. CCC asked for a change in methodology for a change from 2005 to 2010. Requesting that it becomes part of the std budget in the future. 1:23:29 ~ 12/9/2013 11:25:31 AM ~ Meier: comment on proposed methodology? 1:23:49 ~ 12/9/2013 11:25:51 AM ~ Govenor: Would simplify, only works for so long, would be revisited .. did not take into account enrollment increases in the salary increases.. will probably be used in their recommendation. 1:24:37 ~ 12/9/2013 11:26:39 AM ~ Meier: Last biennium, 9 or 9 million increase from 2005.? reduction in std budget 1:25:05 ~ 12/9/2013 11:27:07 AM ~ Gov 1:25:07 ~ 12/9/2013 11:27:09 AM ~ Jones: Their calculation going into 13/14 produced a number of 24 million. They received 7.5 million. 1:25:29 ~ 12/9/2013 11:27:31 AM ~ Meier: Flat budget based on enrollment, Formula 3x that? 1:25:43 ~ 12/9/2013 11:27:45 AM ~ Jones: They did 3 calaculations. Without adjustment in 2004-05, 19 million. inc. in enrollments reduced amount slightly. proprerty and tax revenue, fee incrases are set at the individual colleges. 1:26:36 ~ 12/9/2013 11:28:38 AM ~ Hastert: This budgetr reflects 05 enrollment growth? 1:26:48 ~ 12/9/2013 11:28:50 AM ~ Jones: The budget proposal reflects ...Submitted is 09-10 as base year. 1:27:17 ~ 12/9/2013 11:29:19 AM ~ Hastert: Where is the budget at the recommendation? 1:27:27 ~ 12/9/2013 11:29:29 AM ~ Jones: Methodology has not changed. Gov's rec does not recommend acceptance of change 1:27:45 ~ 12/9/2013 11:29:47 AM ~ Kari: No change in std budget yet 1:27:56 ~ 12/9/2013 11:29:58 AM ~ Hasrshman: local mills, changes... 1:28:04 ~ 12/9/2013 11:30:06 AM ~ Wallis: Is there an amount in this budget for enrollment growth in community colelges? 1:28:20 ~ 12/9/2013 11:30:22 AM ~ Grey: No 1:28:24 ~ 12/9/2013 11:30:26 AM ~ Wallis: last session, 14 or 17 million was requested. Committee took it out, put 7.5 million back in during the round robin. Problems for colleges with huge enrollment changes like Gillette. Gove. mentioned re evaluation of formula. Wat is the timeline for that? 1:29:31 ~ 12/9/2013 11:31:33 AM ~ fGovernor: I am not sure we do Immediate priority is meeting funding then it is finding formula that works. Enrollment growth has gone down. We recommeneded money for raises not enrollment growth. Depending on baseline can go up or down every two years. We wan to make sure we fund them. Just looking at enrollment growth would say we need less funding..not the way I want to go. New model not necessarily done before beginning of session. Each college does enrollment differently versus bodies in seats and bodies on line. In 2005 changes in on line enrollments. Needs of on line less than on campus. 1:31:27 ~ 12/9/2013 11:33:29 AM ~ Moniz: Universiyt Capital Construction - Failure of Lab, power outage, walls cracked, not funcitioning may take 500,000 to repair 1:32:03 ~ 12/9/2013 11:34:05 AM ~ Governor: 1.2 million request, recommendation was 600,000. 1:32:35 ~ 12/9/2013 11:34:37 AM ~ Moniz Operational maintenance does not address failure of that lab? 1:32:57 ~ 12/9/2013 11:34:59 AM ~ Governor: It was an oeopration requests., repair was not part of request. 1:33:13 ~ 12/9/2013 11:35:15 AM ~ Mai: University BSL# will talk about it Wed. 1.3 million is for operations. Govs rec for half. funded for one year. There was issue with a switch put into brown out. caused negative pressure, not sure aboutr request to fix that lab. There are some contingency funds to adress these types of things. 1:35:07 ~ 12/9/2013 11:37:09 AM ~ Moniz: handle in std budget? 1:35:20 ~ 12/9/2013 11:37:22 AM ~ Mai: do not know. Valves of fire suppression system, flooded health sciences building on Saturday morning. 1:36:16 ~ 12/9/2013 11:38:18 AM ~ Bebout: community Colleges - 15 million enrollment erequest denied, gave 7.5 million. That 7.5 million is not in this recommendation? 1:36:47 ~ 12/9/2013 11:38:49 AM ~ Gov: correct 1:36:53 ~ 12/9/2013 11:38:55 AM ~ Bebout: Federal Overreach - war on coal, lack of ability to get permits, 2 tro 6 years out? 1:37:17 ~ 12/9/2013 11:39:19 AM ~ Governor: State is in good shape. Budgetr is within revenue. so much is funded by minerals, appropriate to consider how much goes into savings . I am concerned about coal, being suppressed in the United States. Price of Oil jumped up in CREG report, short term is better. Long term I think oil and gas will be fine. Coal is a big concern. budget does nto represent everything I want but represents what I think is needed. For long term, need to be cautious. Coal_ looking at portys, be aggressive to repreent what coal means to state, coutnry and world. will be proactive, think litigation will come. To summarize: Oil,m gas, tourism, ag the future looks good. With regard to coal, future looks rocky. Time to remain conservative 1:40:00 ~ 12/9/2013 11:42:02 AM ~ Bebout: Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund comes more into play because of volatility. CREG not representing the volatility..mineral trust fund offsetting it. Percentage is down. INtent of fund is to reach a certain percentage so need to save more. 1:40:56 ~ 12/9/2013 11:42:58 AM ~ Governor: Infrastructure ..markets up and down, investments are in a world market. Question of agreeing on sweet spot, recognizing the market can fluctuate up and down, good time to be working on infrastructure in the state. 1:42:09 ~ 12/9/2013 11:44:11 AM ~ perkins: Orphone wells, 2 million immediately, 1 million. Have youc hanged the rules on bonding for orphan wells? 1:42:42 ~ 12/9/2013 11:44:44 AM ~ Governor: Working on that, linear foot cost, oil and gas commission troubled wells, Companies that pay in on bonding w/o problems are concerned on cost. Bond amount.. Oil and Gas commission...need to plug wells, state left holding bag to plug all the wells needed. Oil and Gas and legislatiure are working on that, will look at my letter, need a plan for 4 years. 1:44:40 ~ 12/9/2013 11:46:41 AM ~ Nicholas: 1.2 Billion unfunded in retirement account? 1:45:13 ~ 12/9/2013 11:47:15 AM ~ Governor: Legal side, ethical side. Do not want to leave people shorthanded. Acturial studies change significantly when the factors change, including life expectancy and 8% rate of return. Changes cause funding ratio to change..Do not over or under react to this. Changes last session is the correct step. Now is time to move forward with funding for it due to longer life expectancy and lower rate of returns.. 1:46:59 ~ 12/9/2013 11:49:01 AM ~ Moniz: Highways, funding roads 1:47:10 ~ 12/9/2013 11:49:12 AM ~ Governor: Appropraite request of 50 million . Net of 7 million for fuel tax inc. Nov gasoline prices are less than before increasing the fuel tax. Open to looking at it in supplemental for more. I support the fuel tax to maintain infrastructure. 1:48:23 ~ 12/9/2013 11:50:25 AM ~ Meier: Potential for future in minerals. Newcastle meeting..trouble trying to get permits. What have we done to change that? 1:49:25 ~ 12/9/2013 11:51:27 AM ~ Governor: First I have heard of trouble getting permits. State worked to trade out land to give more access. If there are unreasonable delays on the state side, I will look into it. Rare earth elements. 1:50:26 ~ 12/9/2013 11:52:28 AM ~ Esquibel: Narrative remark - 219 million for legislative consideration. Capital renovation support but legislature should consider other needs of occupents of capital. moving staff.....Study takes into account rental space, building a new office building, 1:52:03 ~ 12/9/2013 11:54:05 AM ~ Governor: Capitol Renovation. 2 years ago, I was opposed to building of new state office building. I am in favor of renovation of capital due to safety issues.. I have not heard from Zwonitzer or Ross on plan. 219 million..some of it is appropraite for capital renovation. I am not in fabor of building a new office building. We can find a way to accomodate 5 agencies and the legislature. 1:53:48 ~ 12/9/2013 11:55:50 AM ~ Harshman: Thank you to Governor. 1:53:57 ~ 12/9/2013 11:55:59 AM ~ Governor: Thanks to comittee. 1:54:27 ~ 12/9/2013 11:56:29 AM ~ Pause 1:54:27 ~ 12/9/2013 11:56:36 AM ~ Stop Recording