Issues & Positions
There are many issues that concern you and your family, as they do Linn and I.
Healthcare costs, education metrics, roads and transportation, resource and economic development, possible new taxes, and of course what will happen to our Permanent Fund – all are important.
I am aware, however, of the overarching fact that we need to ensure a balance between revenue, spending, and rudimentary government services. Our budget is simply too high; spending is too arbitrary; and special-interests have too much input on state fiscal matters. As you representative, I work hard for you to bring conservative principles to Juneau, and uphold them here at home.
I believe fully in the founding fathers idea of citizen statesmen. I believe that lifetime politicians are an anathema to our form of government. If there is any discussion or bills on term limits in Alaska politics I will most certainly be part of that discussion.
I believe the state should have a balanced budget and believe “We The People” should mandate this via a constitutional amendment. A family or household does not get to operate or survive at a deficit; eventually they have to pay back loans and credit cards. The State is no different. We need a predictable, affordable and sustainable budget and budget process. Each and every bill should have a cost analysis attached to it. We need to know the cost of legislation before we enact it. Oil is a fixed asset, not a revenue stream we need to have controls on our budget in place in anticipation of the time when oil will no longer be flowing.
I believe in the Second Amendment. I do not, however, believe it was enacted just for shooting sports or hunting. The second amendment, which is echoed in the Alaska Constitution, was enacted to counterbalance what our forefathers were afraid of – a tyrannical government intent on subjugating citizens to its will. I strongly support the right of all Alaskans to keep and bear arms and I will fight all legislation that limits that right in any way.
One barrier to Alaska’s statehood was that we did not have a large population to contribute much to the United States. What we did have was an abundance of diverse resources. From timber and gold, to zinc and oil, Alaska had a lot to offer. Since achieving statehood, however, it seems that all we have focused on is oil. Flying over the Spruce Bark Beetle Kill trees in South Central Alaska made me realize how a resource not harvested, such as the spruce trees, is not only a waste of money but can be a danger to Alaska. We need responsible and safe development of ALL our resources. As a representative I will work to find avenues to safely and responsibly develop our local resources to help Alaska become the State it was meant to be.
KGB road is the second most dangerous road in the State. The upgrade to this road has been a political pawn for decades, and this needs to stop. With the expansion of housing developments out past Vine Road, this upgrade is imperative. The lack of an effective and efficient means to get to Port Mack is also a major hang up to the development of that facility and of the Rail Spur that would serve it. The Port of Anchorage has significant problems, not the least of which is the periodic dredging required to keep it open. Port Mack needs no such dredging. It is time we open the doors to Port Mack. It is time to remove the politics from upgrading KGB Road, and simply serve the people.
All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole. As an Alaskan, I believe in limited government. The government is not there to provide everything for everyone. The State government, of the people and by the people, was created to ensure safety, welfare, tranquility and to aid prosperity of Alaskans. Our constitution says that “…all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own industry…”
I believe that life begins at conception. It seems to me that some who believe in Darwin’s Theory, where “life” began from a single cell amoeba climbing out of the primordial ooze, would have to agree with that. With that in mind, how can we possibly say that the baby in the mother’s womb is not life, as it clearly meets the definition of life from many perspectives?
I firmly believe in the sanctity of human life and I will operate from that belief, working to convince others of its veracity through my debates, policy discussions and voting positions.
I believe the legislature and the governor should follow the law in all things. The legislature should be required to follow their own bills and statutes as well as their own procedure.
With the shutdown of our economy due to Covid-19, it is imperative that we elect citizens with ideas for restart and recovery. The only way for that to happen is to change the players in Juneau. We need less pandering politicians and more citizen-legislators who recognize the need to lift restrictions on people and businesses with plans and ideas to monetize our resources or construct projects that move Alaska forward.
There are a number of projects on the horizon that have been discussed for years. Many of these have been shelved due to out-of-State activists and congressmen who think Alaska belongs to them.
It is long past time to take our state back and to open Alaska to business for Alaskans. It is more important now, than ever, to put Alaskans back to work.
I believe there should be a spending cap and will support a bill to establish such and amendment in the state constitution. The fact is the legislature is not spending government money, they are spending your money. Yours and mine.
I believe in the historic and statutory payment of the PFD. The people of Alaska own the oil under our state and we currently give 85% of the royalties, gleaned from that oil, to the government for operating our state. I believe that ALL Alaskans deserve an equal share of our royalties. Currently the legislative attempt to steal the PFD is essentially a redistribution of wealth which takes part of ALL Alaskan’s Dividend and gives it to just a few Alaskan through special programs. I firmly believe that any change to the historic and statutory PFD formula should undergo a vote of the people of Alaska. It belongs to us – we should vote on it.
I believe all men are created equal. White, black, rich or poor, all men deserve the chance at the American dream. It is not the government’s job to favor one over the other. All persons are equal and entitled to equal rights, opportunities, and protection under the law. I also believe that every citizen has a corresponding obligations to the people and to the State. Working together we can do better.
I have serious concerns about our approach to education in Alaska and the way we are funding our schools.
One looming issue that needs an urgent resolution is that our teachers do not have the ability to access their social security benefits. It seems that no other state with a defined benefit retirement (TERS) shuts down a retiring teachers social security benefits. Why does this happen in Alaska? This certainly needs discussion and, if possible, a fix from our legislature.
I believe that the legislature should be as close to the people as possible. If this includes moving some, or all, legislative sessions to the road system, so the people have better access to our government, then I will support a bill to do so. We must return the government to one that is by the people, for the people.
I believe in God and His Son Jesus Christ. But I also believe this country was founded on the principle that all people should be free to worship their god – or not worship any god. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Freedom OF religion does not necessarily mean freedom FROM religion. It only means the State or Government cannot mandate a state religion.
I believe every state legislator should have the right and the ability to vote the way his or her constituency want him to vote. There should be zero restriction. The only caucus should be defined by the political party they represent. The one their constituents knew about when they voted. Any agreement to vote a certain way depending on how the rest of the caucus votes opens the door to coercion and chills the ability of a legislator to vote the way his or her constituents want or the way their conscience dictates.
