on the issues
I am running as a Republican because I believe in economic opportunity and the right of every American to work toward the destiny they choose. Government should have a limited role in people’s lives, but the services government provides should be adequately funded, efficiently delivered, and afford the greatest amount of value for the greatest amount of people.
It is my belief that the utmost duty of a State Representative is to bring the issues, philosophies, and positions of their district before the state. I believe in working collaboratively to address the pressing issues facing Alaskans. A political party helps provide the lens through which we view legislation, but solving our issues should be driven by bipartisan cooperation. We all share the enviable distinction as Alaskans; we are neighbors, we are community, and, for the most part, we are all we have!
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Energy
In a state with ample natural resources, there is little reason we should be scrambling to energize the Railbelt. Failing to develop a long-term energy plan over the last decade will cost residents and businesses significantly in the next decade. Possible solutions have been proposed and each one comes with consequences, both positive and negative. However, inaction has only a negative effect and it is time to develop a long-term plan for affordable, reliable energy to grow our economy._________________________________
education
Across District 9, I have heard from many residents who put education at the top of their priorities. Providing good educational opportunities and fostering student growth is not just important to families but is critical to developing our industries in Alaska. High quality education systems support a skilled workforce and entrepreneurship, which have been proven to be key factors to economic growth in communities across the U.S. I support improving funding for public schools, as well as expanding charter school options and vocational education opportunities. Alaska spends more money per student than any other state, due to remote communities and the high cost of living. However, Alaskan students perform in the bottom 10% nationally. This reality must be improved, and I am open to any plan that creates real progress._________________________________
economy
Alaskan businesses are struggling day in and day out to recruit and retain skilled workers. As a small business owner, I have watched a once booming economy slide into a stagnating quagmire. Operating a business in a community that continues to lose population year after year is frustrating, to say the least. Our municipal and state leaders appear to have no desire to find solutions that would make us competitive on a national level for workforce. While Alaska is an incredible place with unrivaled access to wild spaces, we need to make real progress in improving quality of life. If we want our children to stay in Alaska, then we need to create an environment that has unrivaled social and economic opportunities._________________________________
crime and courts
Alaska continues to dominate statistics in all the wrong categories. Sexual violence in the state continues to destroy lives and communities. Working as a social work volunteer at Bean's Cafe, I saw first-hand the extensive and persistent amount of damage these crimes created. We need to get focused on prosecuting perpetrators and stiffening penalties. It’s imperative that we protect children and vulnerable members of our society. A well-functioning society is first and foremost a safe community._________________________________
families
While my wife and I do not have children, we are not immune to the challenges of raising children. This is especially apparent when both parents are working, and childcare is becoming an increasingly limited and unattainable resource. The U.S. is the only developed nation in the world without paid maternity leave. If we are a pro-family state, then we should enact real, substantive, pro-family policies such as providing paid maternity leave for every working Alaskan. Extended parental leave is proven to improve student learning, reduce crime, and prevent poverty. Providing families with the best start possible will pay big dividends for everyone later on._________________________________
freedom
I believe Alaska is truly the land of freedom. Every year, though, legislators and regulators create additional laws and regulations to fix issues that may not need fixing. I believe everyone needs to take responsibility for their own actions and that endlessly adding unenforceable laws is antithetical to the American dream. While plenty of legislators and administrations talk about reducing regulations, few have the knowledge or drive to do it. I have spent enough time swimming in the "alphabet soup" of government regulators to know what needs to be done to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens. I support the rights of Americans to speak their minds, keep and bear arms, and the right to privacy._________________________________
state revenue and the pfd
This issue continually brings the legislature to a standstill, year after year. The PFD has been a great program, but the time has come to re-evaluate how we pay it, if we pay it, and if we do, how do we continue to supply the important services Alaskans need and have come to expect? While I am generally skeptical of adding taxes in order to pay out a statutory PFD, I do believe the legislature needs to develop revenue streams which are coupled to economic activity and not just oil production and the returns of the Permanent Fund. If we are successful in growing the economy over the next few years, how will funding for roads, schools, law enforcement, etc. keep pace when the oil revenue continues to fall? I will support considering new revenue streams only if they are paired with a tighter spending cap.