2016 Primary Election Guide by Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

E L E C T I O N

2016

PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INSIDE:

Q&As with the Alaska Legislature and U.S. House and Senate primary candidates Guide to ballots District maps and polling places Options for casting your ballot

Primary election day is Tuesday, Aug. 16 Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION 2016

Your guide to this primary election guide About this section

T h e Fa i r b a n k s D a i l y News-Miner sent a list of questions to candidates for U.S. Senate, Congress and Alaska Legislature whose names will appear on the Aug. 16 primary election ballot. Candidates were allowed up to 60 words to respond to each question for this publication but were given the option of longer answers for later display on the News-Miner’s website (newsminer.com). Six candidates did not respond to the survey or submit their surveys in time to

be included: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Paul Kendall, Republican U.S. House candidate Gerald Heikes, Democratic U.S. House candidate Lynette Hinz, Democratic state House District 2 candidate Truno Holdaway, Republican state House District 9 candidate Jim Colver, and Democratic State House District 9 candidate George Rauscher. Readers will note that some pages contain more questions than others. That occurs when there is an advertisement on that page. All answers will be available online.

Important notice

The candidates included in this election section are only those appearing on the primary election ballot. Three candidates for Interior legislative seats have pending applications to appear on the November general election ballot through the nominating petition process. Those candidates are unaffiliated candidate Jeanne Olson, of North Pole in House District 3; unaffiliated candidate Justin Pratt, of Salcha in House District 6; and Alaska Constitution Party candidate Pamela Goode, of Delta

Junction in House District 9. Several U.S. Senate and U.S. House candidates are also going directly to the general election ballot, or have pending applications to do so, without appearing on the primary election ballot. For the Senate, they are unaffiliated candidates Craig Breck, Ted Gianoutsos, Sidney Hill, Margaret Stock and Jed Whittaker and Veterans Party of Alaska candidate Bruce Walden. Bernie Souphanavong is an unaffiliated candidate for the House. The News-Miner will later this year send a questionnaire

to all candidates appearing on the general election ballot.

You can give us your comments about this election section by contacting Managing Editor Rod Boyce (459-7585, editor@newsminer.com) or political reporter Matt Buxton (459-7544, mbuxton@ n e w s m i n e r. c o m ) . C o m ments about this section that are intended for publication in the letters to the editor section of the newspaper can be emailed to letters@ newsminer.com.

Voters in Fairbanks participate in early voting at the Fairbanks regional Division of Elections office on Aug. 18, 2014. WESTON MORROW/NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO

INTERIOR POLLING PLACES District 1

01-446 Aurora Agricultural MuseumFairgrounds 1800 College Road 01-455 Fairbanks No. 1 Fairbanks North Star Borough Building 809 Pioneer Road 01-465 Fairbanks No. 2 Golden Towers 330 Third Ave., Fairbanks 01-470 Fairbanks No. 3 Noel Wien Library 1215 Cowles St., Fairbanks 01-475 Fairbanks No. 4 National Guard Armory 202 Wien St., Fairbanks 01-480 Fairbanks No. 5 Pioneer Park Centennial Center 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks 01-485 Fairbanks No. 6 Shoppers Forum 1255 Airport Way, Fairbanks 01-490 Fairbanks No. 7 J.P. Jones Community Development Center 2400 Rickert St., Fairbanks 01-495 Fairbanks No. 10 Pioneer Park Centennial Center 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks

District 2

02-345 Badger No. 2 Badger Place 771 Badger Road, North Pole 02-355 Fairbanks No. 8 Frontier Outfitters/ Gavora Mall

250 Third St. Suite 6, Fairbanks 02-365 Fairbanks No. 9 Tanana Middle School 600 Trainor Gate Road, Fairbanks 02-375 Fort Wainwright Last Frontier Community Center 1044 Apple St., Fort Wainwright

District 3

03-130 Badger No. 1 New Hope Church 2371 Bradway Road, North Pole 03-135 Chena Lakes Santa Senior Center 101 Fifth Ave., North Pole 03-165 Newby North Pole Plaza 301 N. Santa Claus Lane, North Pole 03-175 North Pole North Pole City Hall 125 Snowman Lane, North Pole 03-183 Plack North Pole Plaza 301 N. Santa Claus Lane, North Pole

District 4

04-230 Ester Ester Fire Station 3570 Old Nenana Highway, Ester 04-240 Farmers Loop Seventh-Day Adventist Gymnasium 1811 Farmers Loop, Fairbanks 04-250 Goldstream No. 1 Chena Goldstream Fire Station 3 1300 Goldstream Road, Fairbanks

04-260 Goldstream No. 2 Ken Kunkel Community Center, 2591A Goldstream Road, Fairbanks 04-265 Steese East/ Gilmore Bentley Mall 32 College Road, Fairbanks 04-270 Steese West Bentley Mall 32 College Road, Fairbanks 04-280 University Hills Effie Kokrine Charter School 601 Loftus Road, Fairbanks

District 5

05-580 Airport Pike’s Waterfront Lodge 1850 Hoselton Road, Fairbanks 05-582 Chena Faith Baptist Church 910 Chena Pump Road, Fairbanks 05-586 Geist University Baptist Church 1197 University Ave., Fairbanks 05-587 Lakeview Gene’s Chrysler Center 3400 S. Cushman St., Fairbanks 05-588 Pike J.A. Kornfeind Training Center 4782 Dale Road, Fairbanks 05-590 Richardson North Star Fire Station No. 1 2358 Bradway Road, North Pole

Telephone polling place locator: 1-888-383-8683 05-592 Shanly Beaver Sports 3480 College Road, Fairbanks 05-594 University Campus Patty Center Lobby University Alaska Fairbanks campus 05-596 University West Woodriver Elementary School 5000 Palo Verde Drive, Fairbanks

District 6

06-005 Anderson Anderson City Building 06-007 Arctic Village Arctic Village Council office 06-010 Beaver Beaver Council house 06-012 Cantwell Cantwell Community Center 06-015 Central Central Corner Mile 128 Steese Highway, Central 06-020 Chistochina Slana League Building 64 Mile Tok Cutoff, Slana 06-023 Circle Tribal council office Circle 06-024 Clear Rochester Lodge Mile 280 Parks Highway, Anderson 06-025 Copper Center Native Village of Kluti-Kaah Old Richardson Highway, Copper Center 06-026 Denali Park

Denali Park Community Center Mile 230 Parks Highway, Denali Park 06-027 Dot Lake Dot Lake Village Council Office* 06-030 Eagle Eagle Public Library 06-033 Fort Yukon KZPA radio station lobby East Third Avenue Fort Yukon 06-035 Gakona Gakona Volunteer Fire Department 2.2 Mile Tok Cutoff, Gakona 06-040 Healy Tri-Valley Community Center Usibelli Spur Road, Healy 06-047 Kenny Lake Kenny Lake Community Hall 06-050 Manley Hot Springs Manley Hot Springs Community Hall 06-053 Mentasta Mentasta Lake School 06-054 Minto Minto Lakeview Lodge 06-056 Nenana Nenana Civic Center 06-060 Northway Northway Community Center 06-070 Stevens Village Stevens Village Council office 06-075 Tanacross Tanacross Community Hall

06-080 Tanana Tanana City Office 06-085 Tetlin Tetlin Community Hall 06-090 Tok Tok Senior Center 06-095 Venetie Venetie Community Hall 06-145 Eielson Ben Eielson Jr./Sr. High School 675 Ravens Way, Eielson Air Force Base 06-150 Fox Turtle Club 2098 Old Steese Highway North, Fairbanks 06-155 Moose Creek North Star Fire Station 35 3483 Old Richardson Highway, Moose Creek 06-160 Salcha Salcha Elementary School 8530 Richardson Highway, Salcha 06-170 Steele Creek Door of Hope Connection Cafe 270 Fairhill Road, Fairbanks 06-180 Two Rivers Two Rivers School 400 Two Rivers Road, Two Rivers

District 9

Interior precincts only 09-600 Big Delta Delta Junction Community Center, 2287 Deborah St., Delta Junction 09-608 Delta Junction Delta Junction Community Center, 2287 Deborah St., Delta Junction

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION 2016

DIVISION OF ELECTIONS

IMPORTANT DATES Key primary election dates:

Fairbanks office information

Monday, Aug. 1: Absenteein-person, early voting, electronic transmission, and special needs voting begins. Saturday, Aug. 13: Regional elections offices open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for absentee-in-person, early voting, and special needs voting

Region III Elections Office 675 Seventh Ave., Suite H3 Fairbanks, AK99701-4542 Phone: (907) 451-2835 Toll-Free: (866) 959-8683 Fax: (907) 451-2832 Fax toll-free: (855) 977-3594

Sunday, Aug. 14: Regional elections offices open 12-4 p.m. for absentee-in-person, early voting, and special needs voting Monday, Aug. 15: Deadline to submit absentee electronic transmission ballot applications. Must be received by 5 p.m. Alaska Standard Time. Tuesday, Aug. 16: Election Day. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 16: Deadline for ballots returned by mail to be postmarked. Tuesday, Aug. 16: Ballots being returned by electronic transmission must be received by 8 p.m. Alaska Standard Time. Friday, Aug. 26: Deadline for state to receive absentee ballots mailed by voters from within the U.S., U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Guam,

the Virgin Islands, American Samoa and from elsewhere overseas. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Friday, Aug. 26: Final count of absentee and questioned ballots by review boards and certification of the review in regional offices. Friday, Sept. 2: Target date to certify the primary election.

A ballot explainer

Casting a vote on election day

Staff Report

By Amanda Bohman

NEWSROOM@NEWSMINER.COM

ABOHMAN@NEWSMINER.COM

Alaska voters, depending on their voter registration, will have two ballots to pick from in this year’s primary elections. Either on election day or through early voting, the ballots are broken up into one that contains Republican primary races only and ones that contains everyone else. The non-Republican ballot contains primaries for the Alaska Democratic Party, Alaska Libertarian Party and the Alaskan Independence Party, Political party affiliation listed on a voter’s registration 30 days prior to the election determines a person’s choices for which ballot to vote on. The Republican ballot is only available to voters registered as Republican, nonpartisan or undeclared. Anyone, regardless of registration, can vote on the ballot that includes the non-Republican primaries. Even registered Republicans can select this ballot rather than their own party’s ballot. Candidates running without party affiliation as independents or those running with parties that don’t qualify under state statute, such as the Alaska Constitution Party, won’t appear on the primary ballots but will be on the general election ballot if they meet the requirements. In a year with ballot measures or initiatives in the primary election, there would be a third ballot with only ballot questions for those who don’t want to vote on any candidates. This year there are no measures on the primary ballot, but two will be on the general election ballot. Registration for the primary election has already closed, but the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election is Oct. 9. For more information on registering or updating your registration, visit elections.alaska.gov.

Contact staff writer Amanda Bohman at 459-7587. Follow her on Twitter: @FDNMborough.

Here is an official sample ballot from the Alaska Division of Elections. House District 3, which roughly encompasses the North Pole area and the front portion of Chena Hot Springs Road, is presented here because it includes one or more candidates in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House races and the Alaska Senate and Alaska House races. Sample ballots for all districts are available at the Division of Elections website or at a Division of Elections office.

Instructions: To vote, completely fill in the oval next to your choice, like this:

United States Senator

United States Senator (vote for one)

(vote for one)

Stevens, Cean

Lochner, Bob

Republican

Blatchford, Edgar

Libertarian Democrat

Murkowski, Lisa

Republican

Metcalfe, Ray

Democrat

Kendall, Paul

Republican

Lamb, Thomas

United States Representative (vote for one)

Lindbeck, Steve

Republican

United States Representative (vote for one)

Democrat

McDermott, Jim C.

Libertarian

Wright, Stephen T.

Republican

Watts, Jon B.

Libertarian

Young, Don

Republican

Hibler, William D. "Bill"

Democrat

Heikes, Gerald L.

Republican

Hinz, Lynette "Moreno"

Democrat

Tingley, Jesse J. "Messy"

Republican

State Senator District B

(vote for one)

Hopkins, Luke

(vote for one)

Democrat

State Representative District 3

Republican

State Representative District 3

(vote for one)

Sinclair, Christina M.

Coghill, John B. Jr.

(vote for one)

Democrat

FRONT Card 85 SEQ# 1 English

Wilson, Tammie

Republican

FRONT Card 86 SEQ# 1 English

F12509413

SAMPLE BALLOTS

Candidates aren’t the only choice for voters during election time. There are a variety of ways to vote: by mail, by fax, electronically and by proxy, to name a few. And voting doesn’t have to happen on election day. Voters can cast their ballot in the weeks leading up to the election. Voters can select what manner of voting works best for them as individuals, said Jeremy Johnson, elections supervisor for the Fairbanks area. “We try to make it as easy as possible,” he said. The standard manner of voting is alive and well, according to Johnson. Voters can still go to their designated precinct on election day and fill out a ballot in a voting booth. Voters who don’t want to wait until election day can vote early at the Division of Elections regional office at 675 Seventh Ave. The office provides a voting booth. Early voting for the Aug. 16 primary election started Monday. “We have ballots for all 40 districts,” Johnson said. Registered voters can also have a personal representative or proxy help them vote. “You can appoint somebody to be your representative,” Johnson said. Voting by proxy involves an additional form to be filled out and a witness. The personal representative then returns the ballot to the Division of Elections on behalf of the voter.

The state also accepts ballots by mail, fax and electronically. It’s the same process as used for absentee voting, Johnson said. A voters must request a ballot by filling out a form. The forms are available online or at the Division of Elections office. “You have to apply ahead of time,” Johnson said. “We will send you a packet of information that contains a ballot. It has to be witnessed by another person.” This manner of voting involves an election worker processing the ballot, so the voter gives up the privacy of a voting booth, Johnson added. Fax voting is done through a secure line, he said. “It’s not like all of these faxes are printing out and falling on the floor in our office,” he said. Voting by mail involves the expense of a stamp, except in the case of overseas service members, who are provided a postage-paid envelope. To vote electronically, a voter must have an email address. It involves an extra step of scanning or taking a smartphone photo of the voting forms. The state emails a link to an online video that describes the process of voting electronically for those interested in voting this way. The voter then goes to a website and casts their vote online, uploading the ballot and an election form. “They have to be computer-literate enough to do multiple steps with those documents,” Johnson said.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION 2016

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2016 ELECTION DISTRICT MAPS

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DENALI BOROUGH

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Stay up-to-date on election news online Â» www.newsminer.com/news/politics

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION 2016 E L E C T I O N

2016

ALASKA LEGISLATURE HOUSE DISTRICT 1

HOUSE DISTRICT 2

HOUSE DISTRICT 3

SCOTT KAWASAKI*

STEVE THOMPSON*

CHRISTINA SINCLAIR TAMMIE WILSON*

Democrat Unopposed in Democratic primary

Republican Unopposed in Republican primary

Do you support or oppose using a portion of the Alaska Permanent Fund earnings to pay for government? The state has an estimated $3.5 billion budget deficit for fiscal 2017. Explain.

According to the Rasmuson Foundation study, the PFD-only plan is the most regressive way to fund government because it’s a flat tax only paid by Alaskans. I support a comprehensive fiscal plan that cuts oil and gas subsidies, a broad-based tax that will allow visitors to contribute and use of the earnings — only if there is the need.

As the co-chair of House Finance, I was actively involved in efforts to pass SB 128 during this past Legislature. I will continue to look for and support ways to eliminate the state’s deficit.

The PFD is meant for the citizens of Alaska, so giving it to the state government would still benefit Alaskans. However, the PFD should only be dipped into once we cut the millions in corporate subsidies such as the oil tax credits.

Not at this time. We must right-size government by reducing regulation, combining departments, turning functions over to the private sector and shrinking the impact of government on Alaskans’ everyday lives.

Even if the state adopts a restructuring of the permanent fund, the budget deficit is expected to be $1.5 billion next year (and about $3.2 billion without it). How do you propose closing that gap?

In the short-term, the gap can be filled by the ample savings that were made during the bipartisan Senate Majority. A longer-term fiscal plan should be worked on now so that we don’t shoulder future generations with these deficits. The plan starts with reducing massive oil and gas tax subsidies and ends with taxes on Alaskans.

Alaska must continue to reduce it’s spending by finding efficient measures that do not detract from services. Alaskans must be willing to examine every opportunity to save the state money and bring in new sources of revenue.

We have untapped sources of revenue that should be looked into further. Having a sales tax on non-essentials could place the financial burden on everyone in Alaska, not just residents. We must look at all our options for increased revenue and see what fits best with our needs and demands. Raise revenue for Alaska families and cut large, outside corporate subsidies.

The Alaska Constitution is very clear on what the state is responsible in funding. The Legislature should start with those obligations. They must make sure departments are accountable and that the money is being wisely used.

Do you agree with Medicaid expansion in Alaska? Why or why not?

Over 1/6 of Alaskans have no medical coverage at all. The uninsured end up costing the system in uncompensated care at hospital emergency rooms and clinics. I support Medicaid expansion to provide health coverage for the poorest Alaska families. It makes sense financially because federal money will support the coverage up to 90 percent and the state’s share is minimal.

I do not agree with the blanket way that the governor expanded Medicaid in Alaska. Although, expansion may have been inevitable, Alaska had a chance to negotiate acceptance into the program and upon expansion create terms to ensure that Alaska’s unique and individual needs were met.

I believe that every Alaskan deserves proper health care. That being said, I support the Medicaid expansion in Alaska. I feel that healthy Alaskans are less of a state financial burden than those unable to have medical access because they were denied the Medicaid expansion.

I do not agree with Medicaid expansion. The governor decided to go forward on his own when like in other states the Legislature should have created a program that would have promoted personal responsibility by requiring recipients to contribute toward their care.

Is the state doing enough to address alcohol or drug abuse? What, if anything, should the Legislature do in its next session to address alcohol or opioid abuse?

Alcohol and drug abuse are an epidemic and the Legislature has made great strides to combat the growth and, in some cases, reduce rates. This year, the Legislature passed a comprehensive crime bill with treatment for offenders who have drug problems. We passed emergency opioid drug assistance for paramedics. The Medicaid reform bill allows for expansive behavioral health treatment.

State agencies involved in the prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol abuse must ensure that their priorities align with available funding, thereby guaranteeing Alaskans maximum effectiveness through available programs. The state must expand its work through credible public-private partnerships to provide direct services to those in need.

No, the state is not doing enough to address alcohol or drug abuse in this Alaska. There have been positive strides such as the passing of last year’s HB369, but there are still uneducated legislators who don’t realize that addiction isn’t treated by punishment. It is treated by giving help.

Yes, the state is sufficiently addressing these issues. The Legislature added more funding in these areas and in this next session should analyze the success of each program.

The Legislature approved the Interior Energy Project in 2013. What further role, if any, should the Legislature have in providing energy relief to the Interior? Explain.

The Interior Energy Project is still the best project moving forward. However, with the lower cost of heating oil today and an uncertain economy, homeowners may opt out of natural gas. The IEP should stay on track for when the next price spike happens. The state and lenders can offer incentives to switch to the cleaner, stable price natural gas resource.

Until IEP has identified an affordable source of gas, the Legislature should continue to evaluate all plans.

Many in the Legislature have conflicts of interests when it comes to providing sources of energy for Alaska. These legislators do not want to see their monetary interests of oil, coal, and other pollutant and costly sources of energy to diminish. We have an unlimited amount of wind, sun, and water for free; all we need to do is research how to effectively and economically harness their power.

At this time, no further legislation action is needed because the Interior Energy Project is moving forward with Salix. They are in an Early Works Agreement. The AIDEA IEP team will continue to work with Interior utilities, Salix, and the Interior community leaders to bring a project recommendation to the AIDEA board for consideration.

Alaska’s fish and game boards have historically been made up of hunters and fishermen. Should there be hunting or fishing opponent on the boards to represent non-consumptive users of Alaska’s fish and wildlife?

Boards would do better with a diversity of thought from people who do not hunt or fish or profit from the industry. Good, qualified candidates have been submitted for consideration, but they never seem to get very far in the vetting processing. The governor would be wise to continue to advance a balanced board membership representing the diversity of Alaska.

I hesitate to recommend any changes to a process I believe is functioning well. Fisheries and Game Boards nomination and appointment process is extremely thorough and well-vetted. Any member of the public can become a board member as long as they can pass the scrutiny of the process.

It is a good idea to have hunters and those who fish for commercial and subsistence on the board; that is not being denied. To properly represent Alaska and its needs, we must have representatives be proportionate to Alaskans. So yes, it is a good plan to have other interests on the board.

The current process allows any Alaskan to apply. The governor’s office goes over the applications and vets each individual. A recommendation is forwarded to the governor who makes the appointment. The individual is reviewed by the Legislature through the committee process. Finally a vote takes place. This process has worked extremely well and allows all Alaskans the opportunity to participate.

The Alaska state government kills wolves under the 1994 intensive management law in order to boost moose and caribou populations. Opponents criticize the law for being cruel to wolves. What is your opinion of the law?

There is a balance in nature between predators, like wolves, and prey, like moose and caribou. Alaskans who fill their freezers are also part of the natural balance of populations. In some units, there seem to be a drastic reduction of available moose. There should be much more study on whether intensive management harms or helps the ecosystem.

The Constitution of Alaska requires that our natural resources guarantee maximum yield to all Alaskans. I support the current Fish and Game policy for wolf population management as one of the ways that Fish and Game maintains a sustainable moose and caribou harvest population.

My opinion is that there must be control of predators such as wolves to protect the moose and caribou so that subsistence hunters are able to feed their families. If the program is done properly and with consulting from biologists and those educated on supporting a balanced ecosystem, I am for it if it helps feed Alaska families.

The law is working and it has boosted the moose and caribou populations.

Over the last four years, the state support for K-12 and UA has dropped due to budget constraints and a lack of making education a priority. I support a budget increase for both K-12 and UA but with an appropriate guide path that keeps in mind our limited savings and the new planning that is going on at the university.

I have been a longtime advocate for the university. Due to the nature of funding through the education formula, little can be done for legislative support of education outside of appropriating funds. In these times of fiscal uncertainty, all Alaskans must be willing to change the necessary components of the funding formula and find an effective balance that treats urban and rural schools equally.

According to the Alaska Constitution, every child is granted a proper education and the Legislature is not being held to that. Ask any teacher and she or he will tell you how much the children suffer from these funding cuts. At the very least, I would advocate for a higher Student Base Allocation fund.

The state of Alaska funds both the K-12 programs and the university above and beyond most other states. I would advocate for more of the monies to be spent directly into the classrooms.

The Alaska Constitution allows the Legislature to repeal a citizens’ initiative two years after the new law’s effective date but says legislators can amend the law at any time. Is there anything about the new marijuana law approved by voters in 2014 that you would change? Explain.

I supported the marijuana initiative and the will of the voters. The state should not interfere in the process of the Marijuana Control Board and their regulation-setting authority.

I support local control for enforcement and sales of marijuana. Any legislation that moves forward should be supportive of municipalities.

The citizens of Alaska have voted and as representatives, it is the Legislature’s job to uphold those votes, not change them.

No, I would not make changes. The voters approved this as is. Regulations are still being formulated and local municipalities are deciding how they will treat the industry in their areas.

The University of Alaska president has initiated a significant consolidating of the university system in response to a major funding reduction from the Legislature. Additional reductions are expected in future years. Explain your vision of the university.

I support the efforts to consolidate and seek efficiencies in the university statewide system. In addition, each major campus in Fairbanks, Juneau and Anchorage must plan to terminate entire duplicate programs. The leadership should also be mindful that young students change their degrees often before settling. They should have a breadth of experiences and classes in their first two years.

I am a proud supporter of the university and have been encouraged by the recent decisions made by the university president. The Legislature needs to fund the university adequately enough so Alaska students can stay competitive in the workforce once they graduate, but the university administration must strive to find ways to reduce spending and still provide a top-notch education.

The University of Alaska system is experiencing significant cuts to degree programs, jobs for many workers of the UA system, and opportunities for research and development. This is not something any state legislator should be proud of. Investing in the university could give us a greater return in the future.

My vision is that it will be one great university utilizing its campuses with the programs that are the best in the nation. Alaska is unique and must utilize that uniqueness to have programs not available anywhere else. The new president is a great asset and with the Board of Regents’ assistance the university will continue to flourish.

To what extent do you think state government should support the arts?

Arts are a part of the cultural fabric of Alaska. As a country, we spend very little on arts and humanities that make this place such a great place to live. The state role continues to be to encourage, celebrate and invest a very small amount of state funds through the State Council for the Arts and through our schools directly.

The arts are critical to a healthy community. Fairbanks has always been supportive of the arts and funding provided through public-private partnerships, and priority funding through grant programs should always be part of a balanced discussion on community needs for state funding.

In order to preserve a culture, one must preserve its arts. Supporting museums and other educational centers of inspiration is a duty that any government has to its people. The government should support where it can for the arts, but I understand that there are other pressing matters during this financial crisis.

This is not a governmental function.

The Legislature in June narrowly passed a controversial measure to roll back the tax credits available to oil companies. The measure was part of the deficit-reduction efforts. Some legislators said the measure didn’t go far enough. What is your position?

In 10 years, the Legislature has created billions of oil tax subsidies that run in the hundreds of millions every year. This year’s liability is over $700 million in cash that will be spent for some producers that do not even produce any oil. These subsidies cost twice as much as the university and half the cost of education where we should be investing.

I supported HB 247 because of the hard work put forward to provide a fair deal for the state and the oil industry. The state must maintain a trustworthy relationship with the industry. Funding issues and eligible credits are an important component of that relationship. Any industry in Alaska must have the confidence of knowing that contracts made with the state are honored.

Oil tax credits are a burden to Alaska and not a wise investment, especially now with oil prices so low. Taking money away from Alaskans and giving it to the oil companies is an unsound decision and I do not support it.

SB 21 is working and Alaska has increased oil production for the first time in nearly 15 years. The legislation, passed in June, reduced incentives in Cook Inlet, where no tax has been charged. The incentives have worked and there is a secured energy supply of gas; therefore, it was time to roll them back.

* Denotes incumbent

Democrat Unopposed in Democratic primary

Republican Unopposed in Republican primary

QUESTIONS

Do you think the state is doing enough to support education at both the grade school and the university level? Amid the state’s budget problems, what would type of legislative support for education would you advocate?

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION 2016

ALASKA LEGISLATURE

E L E C T I O N

2016

HOUSE DISTRICT 4

HOUSE DISTRICT 5

DAVID GUTTENBERG*

AARON LOJEWSKI Republican Unopposed in Republican primary

Democrat Unopposed in Democratic primary

* Denotes incumbent

ADAM WOOL* Democrat, Unopposed in Democratic primary

QUESTIONS If the Legislature remains focused on restructuring government services and reducing operating costs, other state reserve accounts can provide sufficient cash flow to balance budgets while oil prices recover and development resumes. Permanent fund dividends should not be reduced to cover short-term cash flow gaps.

Do you support or oppose using a portion of the Alaska Permanent Fund earnings to pay for government? The state has an estimated $3.5 billion budget deficit for fiscal 2017. Explain.

I do, but it has to be part of a comprehensive plan that impacts each Alaska in a fair and equitable fashion. As a stand-alone reduction to each and every Alaskan’s dividend, no.

Even if the state adopts a restructuring of the permanent fund, the budget deficit is expected to be $1.5 billion next year (and about $3.2 billion without it). How do you propose closing that gap?

The state must continue finding ways to cut the budget; we must keep downward pressure on the budget. First eliminate the oil credit subsidies. Then we can take up the various tax proposals that the Legislature left undone. We cannot put the burden on any single segment of the Alaska economy.

Do you agree with Medicaid expansion in Alaska? Why or why not?

I support Medicaid expansion in Alaska and I would take it a step further. I would support a Medicaid buy-in option for all Alaskans or a “single-payer” plan.

Whether I agree is immaterial. Congress is facing bigger financial problems than the state of Alaska and cannot commit to longterm funding of the Medicaid expansion Gov. Walker forced Alaskans to accept. Therefore, we can expect a significant increase in Medicaid expense if the Legislature does not undo the governor’s unsustainable commitment.

I do agree with Medicaid expansion in Alaska. It allows many millions of federal dollars to come into the state and it also saves the state millions of dollars by transferring the burden of paying for care for some patients over to the Medicaid system, which previously had been paid for with state dollars. It also will cover behavioral health.

Is the state doing enough to address alcohol or drug abuse? What, if anything, should the Legislature do in its next session to address alcohol or opioid abuse?

In this year’s budget we put funds into recidivism-reduction programs to address the alcohol and drug abuse problem. But without trained counselors to staff the programs, there may be a backlog of opening in the programs. The university needs to train more counselors to staff those programs. Seems like a broken circle.

The Legislature should address all other social problems within the context of reducing state government spending until the current cash flow problem is resolved.

We passed legislation this past session toward reducing opioid prescription abuse and to help increase access to overdose prevention drugs. Through Medicaid expansion there is more access to behavioral health counseling, and we also enacted legislation that allows tele-medicine technology to be used for behavioral health, which should make it easier for those individuals in need of counseling.

The Legislature approved the Interior Energy Project in 2013. What further role, if any, should the Legislature have in providing energy relief to the Interior? Explain.

The IEP is still important. Oil prices will rebound and it’s important to have another affordable fuel source. Air quality in Fairbanks is still critically poor and detrimental to our health. We should be concerned about what the EPA will do if there isn’t an attainable plan in place.

Yes. The Constitution says the resources of Alaska belong to all Alaskans and not just one group.

The Legislature should evaluate board applicants according to their expertise and willingness to consider diverse perspectives. I see no reason to assume that non-consumptive users are necessarily opposed to hunting and fishing, but I certainly wouldn’t consider an applicant who is adamantly opposed to other resource management perspectives.

I am not sure if the board needs a member called an “opponent” to hunting and fishing, but a non-consumptive user isn’t a bad idea. Many individuals enjoy and “consume” wildlife who aren’t hunters.. Let us not forget about the millions of tourists who come to Alaska every year to view our wildlife in our pristine and natural environments.

It is my belief that the intensive management programs are not managed to meet the needs of Alaskans and need to be re-evaluated.

I am not sure “cruel” is the right word when describing predator control; however, there may be some questions to its efficacy. Trying to boost one population by killing another population is not always the easiest thing to control or predict. Many times natural population controls are the best method. Wolf killing isn’t cheap either, about $10,000 per single wolf.

The most important thing the state does is to educate our children; it’s a constitutional mandate. I think we are inadequately funding both K-12 and the university. In 2015 I spent 53 days in special session and this year almost 10 weeks holding out for adequate funding for education. That’s my commitment, to stay until the job is done.

Your question implies ADF&G kills wolves indiscriminately. That is not the case. They manage predator and prey populations for the benefit of Alaskans under the direction of the game board and wildlife management research. Their mission should be accomplished at the lowest reasonable cost of the public’s resources. According to NEA statistics, Alaska’s public schools receive one of the top highest revenue per student allocations in the nation. It seems, therefore, that the state is providing adequate educational funding. The Legislature must ensure that the recipients of those public resources are delivering educational services cost-effectively. If they are not, the public deserves to have its resources allocated more efficiently.

No, there is nothing to change at this time. But finding a way to take the risk out of a cash-only business would be appropriate.

The Legislature should focus on resolving the state’s cash flow problem while it waits to see how the cannabis decriminalization initiative works out.

I think it’s too early to say how the new marijuana legislation will play out. It’s been almost two years since the initiative was passed and we haven’t had any legal marijuana sales or associated state revenue yet. Other states have had legal marijuana, and there haven’t been major changes, although these states have raised a lot of tax revenue.

Extraordinary revenue flowing from Prudhoe Bay enabled former politicians to make commitments that those of us just starting to build our financial future should not be forced to sustain. Therefore, the administration must continue to pursue all cost-reduction efforts, and the Legislature must make the statutory changes needed to reduce unsustainable state government commitments.

It would be inappropriate for me to suggest any change in direction of the Interior Energy Project at this time. We should know whether the project can proceed according to plan later this fall.

Something has to be done to help correct the current budget deficit. We need to replace the billions lost in oil revenue due to low prices and low production. The earnings of the permanent fund are a reliable and robust source of much-needed revenue. If we do nothing, we will lose the dividend check in a few short years.

The governor proposed a balanced approach that utilized the permanent fund, a broad-based tax, increasing some taxes such as motor fuel and also mining and fishing taxes. I think this is a reasonable plan and warrants further scrutiny and action. If cuts are too deep or revenue increases too aggressive, it could be detrimental to our economy.

There are tax credits currently available to the companies doing development work in the Nenana area in search of new natural gas. I don’t see an immediate need for legislative intervention in the IEP. There may be a time where incentives for conversion to natural gas are needed, but even some of these have been touched upon by legislation recently passed.

Large education cuts are unacceptable for both the K-12 and the university level. We need both of these systems to deliver a high-quality product to ensure the success of our state. Education funding is too unpredictable for the school districts to operate in a stable manner. Every year they have to wait to see what their funding will be.

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION 2016

ALASKA LEGISLATURE SENATE SEAT B

HOUSE DISTRICT 6

JASON LAND

DAVE TALERICO*

RYAN SMITH Democrat Unopposed in Democratic primary

Republican

JOHN COGHILL*

Republican

Republican Unopposed in Republican primary

LUKE HOPKINS Democrat Unopposed in Democratic primary

I oppose using permanent fund to pay for the state government. When oil money was flowing into the state coffers, the Legislature threw money at issues with little oversight and few evaluations of the effectiveness of programs. We need to do the work that the current Legislature refuses to do and evaluate every program. If they don’t work, cut them.

I oppose using the PFD to pay for government. The state has not shown it has the ability to handle its own finances in a responsible manner, so that is the first step that should be taken. The state will have to make cuts by next year, so they should get a jump-start and make additional cuts this year.

I oppose the current proposal to utilize over half of the estimated dividend payment. There needs to be more discussion and evaluation before the earnings reserve is utilized.

Support. As long as cutting the cost of government continues at least at the rate of the last two years. A portion of the earnings is reasonable to use for the cost of government, as well as the sharing of the wealth of the state in a dividend.

1. Using permanent fund earnings must be part of a broader package. No other options were even considered by the Legislature. The Senate cut only the PFD and looked at nothing else to solve the problem. Other revenue options must be passed before considering the use of the earnings reserve. The entire burden should not be put on everyday Alaskans.

Make the necessary cuts based on evidence as discussed above and eliminate the current tax credit and subsidy system for the oil companies as I talk about below. Another major issue is to diversify the economy by encouraging small businesses and new industries, such as hemp and marijuana with regulations that lead to safe communities and economic growth.

The state is going to need to cut and cut deep. If they don’t act now, it will not be long before they are taking the whole PFD to try to close the budget gap, but the gap is far to big for the PFD to cover it. There must be cuts no matter what the state plans to do.

More resource development and restructuring state government to be more efficient, budget cuts.

Restructuring is important because you use the savings available to be combined to pay out earnings rather than use the savings cash, which will be part of sustaining a dividend and some for government use. Government services must be cut/changed. Examples include creating a Tier 5 retirement level; less big projects; no automatic wage increases without review for state employees.

We must cut, targeting mega-projects and oil subsidies we cannot afford. We cannot cut our way out of this deficit, and permanent fund earnings will be a necessary tool. We must take a comprehensive approach where no one group bears the burden. Our priority must put Alaska on a sustainable, stable path for our next generation.

Yes, the expansion is good for the health of Alaskans, good for the economy with over $1 billion in federal money coming in and good for the state because the preventative medicine funded through the expansion will prevent more expensive care, including emergency room visits. Without this expansion, many adults who live in poverty would be left without health care.

No, this was an expense the state couldn’t afford when the governor did the expansion, and the state is in worse shape now. There no longer is enough funding to pay providers, so this expansion hurts those who were covered before as well as those who were able to enroll after the expansion.

A safety net for those truly in need is necessary, but I fear we are potentially leaning toward having government fully run our health care system. Our success should be measured on growing the economy and providing opportunity, allowing people to not have to rely on public assistance.

I do not agree with Medicaid expansion for able-bodied, childless, working-age adults. The expansion is part of the failing Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA has not helped small businesses. In addition, the expansion results in an increased state burden to our already unsustainable state Medicaid costs. The benefit to some is there, but very costly for those paying.

I do agree with Medicaid expansion with the federal government covering the max amount. Thousands of Alaskans benefit from this new coverage and emergency room visits along with other hospital costs are now reimbursed, reducing hospital losses by reducing uncollected costs.

No. We need to invest less in punishing people for victimless crimes and drugs, especially possession, and more in helping people break out of the cycle of drug and alcohol addiction. One avenue is to set up a grant program for communities to tailor treatment and after-care programs to their specific needs. Help must be available for everyone that wants it.

I think the Legislature should take a back seat and allow local municipalities to take the lead. They have more knowledge of how the problem is affecting their communities, and they can find the best solution for their area. Alaska is very diverse, and a quick fix is not always the best solution for every location.

SB 23 dealt with the dispensing of opioid drugs to administer for an overdose, but we still have significant problems with abuse. I think everyone is open to ideas to combat this issue. I believe one of the keys to fight this epidemic is early intervention and education, which we could possibly address in the next session. I wish I had a surefire cure.

SB 91, which I sponsored, will hold people accountable while giving avenues to success for those who will be involved with the legal system. Needs and riskbased programs for those using drugs and alcohol is the focus. For opioids specifically, we need better real-time prescription tracking, swift and certain accountability for users, and harsh penalties for dealers.

Recovery programs must be stronger to address the addiction cycle. The number of available beds must be increased. Most communities have a bed shortage, preventing programs from fully addressing recovery. If we don’t address the need for long-term therapy programs, we will not reduce chronic addiction rates. This will save lives and save the state millions in the future.

The Interior Energy Project should help Fairbanks and the neighboring communities in a few years; of course, how quickly depends on the price of oil. Communities in the Interior with access to viable renewable energy sources should be helped to develop those resources to their full potential.

Due to budget restraints, there is little more the Legislature can do, so the mayors of the Interior municipalities are going to need to step up to help move this project along.

Our current fiscal situation prohibits a “cash infusion” into the project. The reduction in oil prices has provided a little relief but certainly can change rapidly. I’m hopeful that efforts to get affordable gas for space heating from down south will be successful, or potentially gas near Nenana could play a role if the volume is there.

Reviewing reports that are required for competitiveness, transparency, and cooperation within local, state and business entities. My office continues to engage federal agencies, which have a role in the construction phases. Opposing the harmful, expanded definition of “Waters of the United States” is one example (to ensure federal agencies don’t hurt Alaska energy infrastructure projects.

First, the Legislature must pass the PACE legislation that stalled in the Senate to create the market in Fairbanks. This program allows a municipality to offer businesses assistance for conversion to natural gas. There are federal grants through the state for homeowners, and utilities can offer low-interest federally backed loans to reduce energy usage through the state.

I appreciate a diverse range of opinions, though I’d hope that all of our goals on this matter are the same at the base. That is, the sustainability of our natural resources. Everyone can think what they want, but even a hunting or fishing opponent has to realize that many Alaskans depend on hunting and fishing for their livelihood.

No. Sportsmen in Alaska are as concerned as anyone about conservation. There is no reason to add someone to the board who is against hunting or fishing. This will not result in greater conservation but rather simply add another barrier between sportsmen and their ability to hunt or fish.

I struggle with the idea that non-consumptive users would understand how important the resource and its use are to those who utilize it as a food source.

No.

A recent fisheries and game board appointee, a big game guide, wasn’t confirmed because he photographs game. Non-consumptive users often still use fish or game and value the non-hunting set-asides. The fisheries and game boards will function fine by reducing the consumptive-only historic pattern and allowing Alaskans of all outdoor user types to handle our resources. A full opponent of any board is problematic.

It’s crucial for Alaskans to be able to harvest the moose and caribou they need for subsistence. That means making sure that their populations are kept sustainable. They both cannot be allowed to get stuck in a low stable state, and, not grow too large and overgraze. There must be scientific evidence that a predator control program is necessary.

I think the law is accomplishing what it set out to do, which is to increase the moose and caribou populations in Alaska. The law does not set out to kill all of the wolves but rather keep their population under control so that other species will be able to thrive around the state as well.

I support the intensive management model.

I think the intensive management of wolves and bears is appropriate for sustained yield of game animals. Without this management style, cruelty to other animals is certain, while also failing our Constitution.

Laws establishing areas for intensive management and how they’re regulated are needed for many regions where we must maintain game populations for Alaskans. Decisions about specific sensitive areas can and should be managed individually for the maximum benefit of Alaskans.

No. More needs to be done to support education; it’s the key to the future. We must invest in our children by funding programs that teach them necessary critical thinking and coping skills, and encourage them to engage in and give back to their communities. If we teach them the values, skills and knowledge they need, our communities will prosper.

Alaska spends almost twice as much as the average on K-12 education with lower-than-average results. We need to allow advanced options for high school students so they can work on more college courses that will allow them to find more value in the education they are receiving to increase the graduation rates around the state.

Our support will be somewhat limited financially for some time, so it is my hope that we all can get involved in improving the delivery of education at all levels. It will definitely take some commitment from those who have the time and talent to lend assistance for improving the outcome.

Yes, we are supporting our education systems. We could do better. Better outcomes throughout Alaska, need to improve in grades, work preparedness, and college-bound qualifications. From distance education to private or home school education, to boarding schools to flexible college distance or tutoring programs. We need to be 21st century system ready while meeting the needs of students and society.

The Legislature must uphold the promise it made to Alaska’s students by funding the Base Student Allocation in statute. Our university system delivers a huge cost benefit as an economic driver in Alaska. UA faculty and staff leave, and student retention efforts are impacted when the Legislature treats it the way they have under current legislative leadership.

The marijuana law approved by voters still leaves possession of between 1 and 4 ounces a misdemeanor and over 4 ounces a felony. These are amounts that can be provided by one plant. I find it unreasonable to call something legal yet still let the possession of what can be provided by one plant remain a felony.

Not at this time. The law currently allows local municipalities to vote on how they will handle this law and whether or not they are going to allow marijuana to be sold in their areas. This is how this law should be handled, and the decision should be made by those who are living in those areas.

I was not in favor of the initiative but respect the will of the voters. I do believe that having more control at the local level of government is appropriate.

I would like to slow the industry down and keep it accountable in more ways. Banking is a problem, as marijuana is still a federally controlled substance. The definition of an ounce is problematic; it can be leafy or edible or drinkable mixtures which are tough to understand and regulate. Driving under the influence is hard to quantify and hold accountable.

First, I would not support any repeal of the laws this initiative led to if elected senator. The household limit of 12 plants should be reviewed by the Marijuana Control Board.

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION 2016 E L E C T I O N

2016

U.S. SENATE EDGAR BLATCHFORD Democrat

RAY METCALFE Democrat

* Denotes incumbent

CEAN STEVENS Libertarian Unopposed in Libertarian primary

QUESTIONS House Republicans in June presented their plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, known widely as Obamacare. What, if anything, would you change about the Affordable Care Act?

I’m pledged to supporting improvements in the Affordable Care Act, particularly with the outrageous costs for prescriptions. I’m not in support of the recently proposed Republican substitute health care approach. Impacting Alaska, the Republican proposal includes eliminating the Indian Health Service agency, which will result in substantial reduction of funding of programs established under treaties with the Indian people.

I am 100 percent in agreement with Bernie Sanders’ stated position “Health care must be recognized as a right, not a privilege. Every man, woman and child in our country should be able to access the health care they need regardless of their income. The only long-term solution to America’s health-care crisis is a single-payer national health care program.”

Anytime the federal government gets involved with anything, the result is skyrocketing costs. Visit a VA and you will see a clear picture regarding national health care. Although I do realize there are some citizens who need government assistance, people must ultimately be responsible for their own health care. I would not extend health care services to those here illegally.

The latest report from the Social Security Board of Trustees states that the trust fund that pays benefits will be insolvent by 2034, at which time a 21 percent reduction in benefits will occur. What is your solution?

The first solution is to ask the right question: The Republican controlled Congress has borrowed from the Social Security Fund! Social Security contributions are in a separate bucket where debt issued to the OASI Trust Fund is kept. The Republican Congress has borrowed $2.5 trillion from the Social Security Trust Fund. SS contributions have been borrowed and not repaid.

Today there is a $118,500 cap on income taxed for Social Security. Billionaires pay the same as someone making $118,500 per year. As structured, Social Security places the largest burdens on the poorest among us. I agree with Bernie Sanders. Eliminate the cap. According to Sanders’ research, lifting the cap would not only fix the problem, it would enable expansions.

For the federal government to use the words “trust fund” is a misrepresentation of the truth. The real truth is Congress has raided this fund for years. This is why I support individual savings accounts so the theft would be obvious. I would sponsor a bill to prosecute any legislator who perpetrates theft on the Social Security fund.

The mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, in which 49 people were killed raised anew the debate about how to reduce the occurrence of such events. What, if anything, should Congress do?

“There’s been a rush of words following the Orlando shooting as people debate whether it was a homophobic hate crime or the work of an Islamic extremist, or whether stricter gun laws could have prevented it.” — author Dominic Knight. President Obama has introduced a gun safety package, including if you are on the “No-fly List,” you should be on the “No-buy List.”

I have owned guns since childhood. While I agree with NRA’s “If guns were outlawed, only outlaws would have guns,” I do not agree with the NRA’s absolute opposition to every common sense gun safety or background check ever offered. But for NRA’s opposition, what authorities knew about the Florida shooter could have sparked an alert to authorities.

Congress should recognize the “root causes” of these accelerated issues. It is most certainly NOT gun control. We have an enemy who has declared war on our way of life and a president who chooses to ignore the problem simply because he believes the future does not belong to those who bring insult to the cult of terrorism.

Should Congress modify the Antiquities Act of 1906 to limit a president’s unilateral power to permanently declare public lands a national monument? Why or why not?

After years of debate, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was passed in 1980, expanding protected land in Alaska. However, President Carter was the last president to date to make a national monument in Alaska. Congress also said the Antiquities Act couldn’t be used to designate huge monuments in Alaska without the approval of Congress. This is acceptable.

Authority given the president by the Antiquities Act was to be limited by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act passed in 1980. It contained a no more land withdrawals promise intended to prevent further land withdrawals by executive order. Many promises have been broken. Alaska requires a vigilant defense of rights won in the Statehood Act and ANILCA.

Not only should the Antiquities Act be repealed, but the entire issue of federal ownership of sovereign states needs to be immediately addressed. Where does an “act” supersede the U.S. Constitution? When one speaks to the three equal branches of government, how can one justify a “unilateral action?”

Explain your view on climate change and whether you believe it is occurring and the extent to which you believe humans contribute to it.

Alaska is clearly on the razor’s edge of climate change. Alaskans are not guessing about climate change, we are living it. While some deny the cause of climate change, climate change continues to roar on. 99 percent of the world’s leading scientists believe that massive climate change is occurring and human activity is a major contributor. I believe this is true.

Every Alaskan has witnessed climate change over the past 50 years. Our winters are warmer, our summers are longer, and our Arctic village shores, once protected by sea ice, are eroding. Bold clean energy action is needed to stave off a climate hostile to human life. Unfortunately, Congress is protecting the profits of those opposed to protecting the planet.

Climate has been changing for millions of years regardless of human intervention. The entire economy of Alaska is reliant on fossil fuels. If I were an advocate to reduce fossil fuels in Alaska, I would be encouraging 90 percent of the population to move away. Pretty foolish representation indeed! I support clean fossil fuel technology and free market alternative energy. I do not support subsidies.

In what situations, if any, do you believe abortion should be legally permitted?

I support the belief that every woman should have access to the full range of reproductive health care services, including access to safe and legal abortion. Decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy, raise a child must be left to a woman, her family, her faith, with the counsel of her doctor, health care provider — not to politicians.

I will vote in support of Planned Parenthood and a woman’s right to control her body.

When we pass laws to make murder legal.

Sexual assault in the military is a problem. Should the decision of whether to prosecute an alleged sexual assault be removed from the chain of command and given to trained military prosecutors? Explain.

I supported Senate bills for the “Military Justice Improvement Act of 2014” that required military chiefs of staff to establish offices to convene general and special courts-martial. The bills prohibited officers in the chain of command of an accused or a victim from detailing members to serve on a resulting trial by court-martial. Regrettably, the Republican Senate voted the bills down.

The media has exposed many abuses of discretion within the chain of command on matters of sexual assault. Sexual assault within the military should be removed from the chain of command and given to trained military prosecutors.

Why single out the military? Sexual assault is rampant in the civilian sector here in Alaska and the chain of command is lax in responding. Case in point, our previous governor and our current director of public safety both presided over sexual assault allegations and did nothing. Perhaps we should not only prosecute the criminal but the leaders who enable their acts with negligence.

How should the nation combat ISIS?

To combat ISIS we need smart, strong, steady leadership from the United States. As Hillary said, “No other country can rally allies and partners to defeat ISIS and win the generational struggle against radical jihadist terrorism. Only the United States can mobilize common action on a global scale in defense of our peoples and our values.”

I protested President Bush’s planed invasion of Iraq and was appalled at the number of Democratic senators voting to support him. Bush’s invasion was the catalyst that made ISIS possible, unleashing a monster that really threatens America’s security. We should use air power and logistics support until ISIS, Al Qaeda, Al-shabaab, Boko Haram, and the Al-Nusra Front, are destroyed.

I would suggest the first thing we should do is quit arming them through Syria’s back door. Second, understand that barbarians are short on negotiations, and third, do everything we can to honor their request to be a martyr.

The U.S. Federal Fish and Wildlife Service seeks to ban the killing of brown bears at bait stations and through other Alaska-legal hunting practices in federal wildlife refuges in Alaska. Should the federal government have power to manage fish and game in the federal wildlife refuges in Alaska? Explain.

The U.S. F&WS provides excellent refuge management, involving local input. Kenai Peninsula brown bears are genetically unique and physically isolated, making them more vulnerable to decline. Analysis shows that if bears continue to be killed at the rate they were in 2013, the Kenai brown bear has a 33 percent chance of going extinct on federal lands within 25 years.

The Fish and Game Board, in a close vote in 2012, approved shooting grizzly bears when they show up at certain black bear bait stations in Interior Alaska. On one hand I generally oppose federal management of Alaska’s fish and game. On the other hand, I think allowing bait and shoot for any reason other than subsistence is wrong.

When it comes to fish and game management, the federal government does not share Alaskans’ values. Alaskans are more knowledgeable and better equipped to make the decisions needed to protect this valuable resource.

Should Congress amend the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which allows the secretary of the interior to accept Native American lands into trust (similar to Lower 48 Indian reservations), to restore the provision excluding Alaska Native lands in Alaska from the act? Explain.

I fully support the decision, upheld by the highest court, which provides Alaska Natives to have land placed in trust. If land is taken into trust pursuant to today’s rule, it will support such tribal court jurisdiction authorized by Congress and, ultimately, help Native governments to be better partners with the state of Alaska to address these problems.

Born on a reservation, I get it. While the concept of corporations was superior to reservations, not all provisions of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act accomplished the intended. The state has not provided basic services and proper law enforcement to most villages. Villages therefore have a fundamental right to provide their own. Creating a village land base will help.

The issue is two-fold. First by what authority did the Native corporations cede away the sovereign rights of Alaska’s natives? Second, if the Native corporations were meeting the economic needs of the Native people by developing their land resources, then Native tribes would not be requesting their land to be placed back in trust. Who controls the funds and for what reason?

A bill has been introduced to change the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act to prohibit the act from being used as a means to, in part, exempt a person from compliance with some laws. What are your thoughts on this?

I support the bill, “The Do No Harm Act.” The bill would fix the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it could be manipulated by religious institutions and corporations. The bill would provide much-needed limitations on RFRA so that it can be used as a shield for religious exercise but not as a sword.

Called “The Do No Harm Act” introduced by two Democrats, if passed the act would prohibit using the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act to justify discrimination in housing, employment, health care, children’s welfare, and equal access to government services. I support this bill.

As a business owner I should have the right to refuse business if any public request violates my religious convictions. The First Amendment does not give the government the right to sanction religious values when the only victim is the loss of business enterprise. The free market will dictate good business practice. Individuals are sovereign. It is in our Bill of Rights.

Given the current federal focus on transgender student rights, do you support the Department of Education’s guidance to allow students to use the bathroom and locker room that aligns with their own consistent gender identity? Explain.

I support the Department of Education’s guidance that effectively “asks” our schools in the nation not to discriminate against transgender students or abridge their rights. This is guidance for school districts, not an absolute requirement. This issue will obviously continue to be discussed, and with awareness and understanding of transgender, schools will come to terms.

Modesty isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. If elected I’ll have bigger issues for worry. I sometimes respond to such questions by asking what society should do with the approximately 160,000 American citizen hermaphrodites born in the U.S. with both male female reproductive organs, proving God makes people that don’t fit their ideals. Which bathroom can they use?

If the police raid a house party of 16-year-olds getting drunk and they explain that everyone consistently identifies as 21-year-olds, are they good to go? If I consistently identify as your senator, can we forego the election and I go straight to Washington D.C.? The real question is whether we should have a Department of Education to even address this stupidity.

The Air Force has decided to place two squadrons of the new F-35 fighter aircraft at Eielson Air Force Base. The F-35 is the nation’s next-generation fighter. Do you support or oppose continued funding of the aircraft?

While we welcomed the F-35 squadron to Eielson AFB, Fairbanks, and the economic boost the squadron brought, it nevertheless is another air arsenal that the military leaders did not want. Had this plane not been stationed, another proven military plane would still have been based at Eielson AFB, as Alaska is the nation’s most northern and western defense line.

If deployed, deploy it here. However, I’m skeptical. Years behind schedule, it’s the defense project too big to kill. Developer Lockheed Martin funnels business through 45 states creating 133,000 jobs. Several defense experts say it’s already obsolete, likely to be overwhelmed by swarms of cheep drones and Russian antiaircraft missiles projecting 600 miles at three times F-35’s top speed.

Alaska is one of the most significant strategic military locations in the world. I support an increased military footprint not only at Eielson but throughout Alaska. Regarding the F-35 program, this airframe continues to be plagued with massive structural problems and is quickly becoming one of the most expensive military blunders of all time. We deserve better accountability.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION 2016

U.S. SENATE THOMAS LAMB Republican

First, the medical education and professional system needs to be set up to handle any increase in patient care. Repeal the law – since implementation, health care exchanges have decreased in Alaska and other states. Using federal natural resource taxes, contribute federal matching funds to state health endowment funds that cover the elderly. Corporate tax cuts based on sliding scale to companies that hire workers over 55, increasing the age of retirement to 70 for those who choose to continue to work. Sliding scale on Social Security benefits paid out based on retirement income. Use federal resource taxes to fund the unfunded liability. Ensure laws are being enforced and people who are on an FBI watch list are delayed in getting a gun permit. Close any legal loophole in purchasing a gun by an individual who may have mental health issues.

Yes. It can be abused in a political manner. It was designed to protect artifacts from being looted.

My background in meteorology in Alaska has given me the opportunity to deal firsthand with climate change — as such, the climate data is sparse — we are just beginning to find out natural events like volcanoes and subsea volcanoes have a greater impact than what humans have on the climate. The mother’s life is at risk.

It should be handled by the JAG.

BOB LOCHNER Republican

Put it back into the private sector. Allow interstate coverage and purchase. Insurer cannot deny you for a pre-existing condition. Cap prescription cost to a reasonable rate.

LISA MURKOWSKI* Republican

I have always opposed Affordable Care Act (ACA) and continue to support its repeal. The law has failed to reduce costs or improve the quality of health care in Alaska. Accessibility has decreased and costs have gone up. I remain committed to repealing and replacing ACA with an effective solution that restores the freedom of choice for Alaskans.

The Social Security Trust Fund will be insolvent due to the irresponsible actions of our representatives. Put Americans back to work, so we have money coming into the trust faster than it’s leaving. If you didn’t pay into Social Security, you don’t get paid out of it. That’s just for starters.

We must ensure that Alaska’s seniors receive the Social Security support they deserve, expect, and have already paid into. We must also work to build a sustainable program going forward. Americans live far longer today than when the program began. Raising the retirement age for newer and younger workers entering the workforce is a solution worth considering.

Congress and the president are responsible for the welfare and defense of the country, not each person individually. Congress needs to stop preaching “Gun Control” and start sending the message to all individuals to exercise their Second Amendment right. It’s what it is there for. There is only one person responsible for individual protection. That is the individual.

The Orlando events demonstrate the need to defeat ISIS. The ability for radical Islam to inspire attacks here at home requires us to defeat these terrorists abroad. Defeating ISIS will help destroy the inspiration for these homegrown attacks. We must keep terrorists from obtaining firearms but also must not compromise the rights of law-abiding Americans.

Yes. The current and past presidents have used this power to lock up states’ resources that could be used to strengthen their economy. Each state is a sovereign state, and the states should have a say in what lands, in their state, should be public lands. That decision should be the states’, not the federal government’s.

Yes. The Antiquities Act should not be used to subvert the will of Congress and create new wilderness areas or otherwise place public lands off limits through national monument designations. These decisions must be driven by local voices and through elected representatives, not through presidential decree. I will continue to fight to ensure that local voices matter most when it comes to our lands.

I believe that we should have reasonable controls in place to minimize pollutants in the air, water and land. The Earth has been going through environmental cycles for hundreds of thousands of years. We are now in one of its cycles. I don’t think humans are causing the change in the weather patterns.

We should take responsible steps to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change and invest in adaptation and resilient communities. I do not support policies that simply increase the already high cost of energy many Alaskans pay. The best approach is a policy of “do no harm” that focuses on research, innovation and renewable technologies to reduce emissions without harming the economy.

If the mother’s life is in jeopardy.

I have strong moral objections to abortion. This is an issue that divides Alaskans and as a senator I have supported laws consistent with Roe v. Wade. I’ve supported restrictions on late-term abortion and prohibitions on federal funding of abortions. I have also supported investments in women’s health services in the hopes of reducing the number of abortions.

Yes. There is the potential for the chain of command “sweeping the issue under the rug.” There needs to be a consistent legal process in place and followed.

I believe we must change the military system in which sexual assault cases are handled, which is why I supported the Military Justice Improvement Act. The legislation would have removed the commanding officer from the decision of whether a sexual assault case goes to trial. We must strengthen victims’ rights and remove the threat of retaliation for coming forward.

Alaska ending election night gathering amid budget crunch By Becky Bohrer ASSOCIATED PRESS

JUNEAU — It’s an election night tradition in Alaska: jubilant candidates followed by chanting, sign-waving supporters parade into a cavernous convention hall, shaking hands and taking their turn at the makeshift TV sets dotting what is known as “Election Central.” Republicans mill about with Democrats as race results are projected onto a bare wall by state election workers. Campaign staff line up interviews for their candidates as they cycle in and out of the room. But this longstanding event — an outlier during a divisive U.S. presidential election and in polarized political times that show little agreement between the two major parties — is set to end, a casualty of a multibillion-dollar state budget deficit fueled by chronically low oil prices. State election officials, looking for places to cut back, have said they will not be renting the state’s largest convention center in Anchorage for primary and general election watch parties this year, citing the $25,000 rental costs and questioning the state’s continued role in the event at a time when results can now be easily accessed online.

Trump and Clinton compete with Olympics By John McCormick BLOOMBERG

ISIS is a stateless group of different sects who are supported by states like Turkey (Sunni), Russia (Chechens), Iran (Shia). The group’s purpose is to cause disruptions in Europe, Middle East and just recently the U.S. We should fully support the Kurds with A-10 support and military hardware and force Turkey from NATO as long as Erdogan is the leader. Yes. The federal lands are under the jurisdiction of the federal government.

Stop funding them, stop arming them and stop bringing them into the country. Stop releasing their leaders out of GITMO. The U.N needs to play more of an active part in stabilizing that part of the world. If they attack us on U.S. soil, then we will retaliate with all of our might and force.

President Obama admits he has no strategy to defeat ISIS. Strategy is exactly what is needed for the United States to be successful in eradicating this terrorist threat. Action is meaningless without a comprehensive plan. Without a strategy in place, we will fail to gain the support of our allies, which is critical in the fight to defeat ISIS.

No! The federal government should have no jurisdiction over the state of Alaska’s, or any other state’s, renewable resources. We should defund and disband the federal level of Fish and Wildlife, BLM, EPA and many other “alphabet” agencies that do not fall under Article 1, Sec. 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

I have consistently fought against federal government overreach, and this is a perfect example of the feds inserting themselves where they should not. The state and Alaskans are best positioned to manage fish and wildlife in the state of Alaska. The federal land agencies should adhere to the decisions made in Alaska by Alaskans.

Carcieri v. Salazar is the guiding case decisions. I do have concern on a tribe buying large plots of land that where not owned by a tribe and were on the property tax roll. If put in trust, then a city could see a loss of tax revenue that has to be made up by other property owners.

No! The federal government has no business owning, controlling or holding any land of a sovereign state.

In 1936, Congress explicitly authorized the Secretary of Interior to take lands into trust for Alaska tribes. That provision was never repealed. There is ongoing litigation over whether this provision was limited or implicitly repealed by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. I am closely following this issue.

If the act is changed to force a nun to act against her religious belief, then it is no longer a religious freedom.

You cannot take away one group’s constitutional rights, so another group can be granted special rights by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court should know this already.

I stand with the right of every American to freely express their religious views. The Senate considered a bill to clarify that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act doesn’t permit private businesses an exemption from contraception mandates. The bill was filibustered. I voted to end the filibuster because I believe that accommodation must be made for religious and affiliated organizations with respect to the contraception mandate.

If your female or male biological hardware is working, then you use the designated bathroom

No! No! No! If a student identifies themselves as a teacher, consistently or not, this doesn’t allow the student to now use the teachers’ lounge to eat their lunch. If a student identifies themselves as a teapot, then you send that student to see a psychiatrist.

Alaska’s schools are already nationally recognized for leading on these issues. Instead of deferring to strong local practices, the Obama administration has issued a directive without appropriate comment and public review. I do not support the president’s method of dealing with these complex issues. I have supported initiatives protecting Americans from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

It’s great that we are getting the two squadrons of fighters, but I am disappointed in the performance specs of the F-35. The Russian U-35 is lighter, faster, more maneuverable than the F-35. The F-35s are enormously expensive for the lack of performance. I am disappointed that we are not getting a superior fighter jet for the cost.

I am proud of our work with the Fairbanks North Star Borough Tiger Team to bring the stationing of two F-35 squadrons at Eielson, bringing 54 fighter aircraft and thousands of jobs to the Interior. Most importantly, this move strengthens our national defense. I fully support funding for the F-35 and its critical importance to Alaska’s economy and America’s national defense.

I support bringing A-10 squadrons back to Alaska. The A-10 is a proven platform that is being used to support the fight against ISIS and protecting our ground forces in close air support. The F-35 is slated to cost $1.4 trillion, will take money from other military branches and can’t perform in close air support like the A-10.

“With the Internet, our presence has kind of become obsolete for the most part, reporting those returns,” state elections director Josie Bahnke said. The $25,000 doesn’t include costs like airfare or hotels for election staff who come to Anchorage to do tabulations at Election Central, she said. In many states, political parties or candidates host their own election night soirees. They do that, too, in Alaska. But while Election Central tends to have a high-energy vibe, it’s more a media event than a campaign rally. John Tracy, a retired journalist who co-owns an Anchorage advertising firm, called it “one-stop shopping” — a convenient place for reporters to catch candidates for a quick interview and for candidates to get on TV to thank their supporters. The state first got involved with Election Central in Anchorage in the mid-1990s, joining an effort earlier begun by the news media and taking the lead on it, Bahnke said. Starting in at least 2002, the Division of Elections also hosted Election Central events in Juneau and Fairbanks, she said. Events there were discontinued in 2012 due to low turnout, she said.

The conventions are over and Americans are preparing for final summer vacations and Olympic viewing parties, but the intensity of the presidential campaigns shows no signs of entering its traditional August slowdown. The explosion of social media traffic compared with previous election cycles, the bitter divisions in the White House race, and a convention schedule shift from late August to late July is likely to make this month busier than normal. “I think it just goes forward without a lull,” said Mike Murphy, a Republican strategist who has advised several presidential campaigns. “Now that politics is a reality show, there’s no incentive to stop the show. Old rules, even the good ones, all seem to be gone.” The one exception may be political advertising, which appears poised for a slowdown during the 17-day Olympic Games that start Aug 5 in Rio de Janeiro. The attention-grabbing Olympics arrive less than 100 days before November’s election and as the campaign moves into a new phase. A wave of post-convention polling is expected this week, and analysts say the race could lock in for a while, if there are no major developments. “I’m a little disoriented, and I think everybody is because of the early conventions,” said David Axelrod, a former top strategist and adviser to President Barack Obama. “The last time we had a convention, it ended and a few weeks

later there was a debate. What it suggests to me is that the campaigns are going to have to be creative, because there are no natural vehicles to advance their messages.” The next major campaign event isn’t for almost two months, when Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton are expected to face off on Sept. 26 for their first of three debates. The candidates will crisscross the country during August, raising money and trying to win over the shrinking pool of undecided voters. Their campaigns and the national parties will also be busy, building get-out-the-vote operations ahead of the start of pre-Election Day voting that starts in some states as early as late September. Television screens may flicker with just a bit less vitriol. Based on reservations placed, presidential campaign advertising on broadcast, cable, and satellite television will drop to roughly $3 million for the week that starts Aug. 9 from about $9 million for the current week , according to data from Kantar Media/CMAG. Weekly spending is projected to stay in a range of $2 million or $3 million during the Olympics and for the rest of August, before spiking back to $6.3 million for the week that follows Labor Day, which falls this year on Sept. 5. The 2012 Olympics in London started on July 27, with the Republican convention held during the final week of August and the Democrats following in the first week of September. Both Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney advertised during the games four years ago.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION 2016 E L E C T I O N

2016

U.S. HOUSE JESSE TINGLEY Republican

STEPHEN WRIGHT Republican

DON YOUNG* Republican

* Denotes incumbent

QUESTIONS

House Republicans in June presented their plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, known widely as Obamacare. What, if anything, would you change about the Affordable Care Act?

It should be optional and not penalize you if you don’t buy it or provide it because that is unconstitutional.

I would remove the mandatory features and fines for health care. I would also add optional care and repeal all aspects of the bill that limit the private sector’s ability to compete and provide coverage. I would also eliminate the multiple-step process for care. We must find the best way to deliver on a principled system of care that consolidates costs.

I continue to focus on repealing and replacing this flawed government takeover of health care built on broken promises. I’m focused on empowering people to make their own health care choices and restoring a level of financial feasibility for health care. Through common sense, patient-centered reforms, I believe American families, patients, and small businesses will have the relief and flexibility they deserve.

Start cutting the wasteful, inexcusable, un-American spending habits of the elected officials that We the People keep re-electing. We need to vote them out now and build the fund back up. Also, if they stopped printing money that would help. They should have never raided the fund to begin with. Do the right thing and return the funds that were wrongfully taken.

My solution will be to provide a system of investor tools in our economy. Investment options based on risk-averse accounts in our economy. Other options are needed to help enhance individual choice in retirement. I think the younger generation will use these type of accounts to augment what they need to accomplish to make Social Security a reality.

Tough changes must be made soon to ensure that Social Security remains solvent and viable for future generations. I support increasing the full retirement age for individuals younger than 55, while holding individuals older than 55 harmless. I also support incentivizing workers to invest some of their earnings in private-market retirement accounts, such as a 401(k).

The mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, in which 49 people were killed raised anew the debate about how to reduce the occurrence of such events. What, if anything, should Congress do?

Nothing, because 84,999,997 lawful gun owners killed no one in America that day.

Congress should not change the law as far as gun control is concerned. More restrictions or measures of security need to be in place, and a more responsiveness used to resolve and encourage private citizens to protect themselves. What I mean by this is we need to take steps to eliminate the threats and have better personal and community security measures.

The atrocious acts of terror and violence in Orlando, Florida, represent the actions of one man, fueled by a radical ideology and a deep hatred for this nation. Although some have attempted to use this terrible loss of life to promote tighter gun control laws, I believe Congress must focus on developing policies to respond to terrorism in order to protect the American people.

Should Congress modify the Antiquities Act of 1906 to limit a president’s unilateral power to permanently declare public lands a national monument? Why or why not?

Yes, because Mr. Obama abused his power way too much.

Yes, rules between the states should limit a president’s control over vital land and natural resources. The president should have limited public land control within a state. Only 10 percent of any state’s land or up to 25 percent with a premium lease attached. Any federal government land requested above 10 percent should have a premium lease attached to it.

I have and continue to support legislation to stop the unilateral taking of lands by providing a more open and transparent process for future national monument designations. I’ve proudly introduced legislation to reform the Antiquities Act by requiring transparency, public participation, and congressional approval before federal lands and oceans can be closed under the act.

Explain your view on climate change and whether you believe it is occurring and the extent to which you believe humans contribute to it.

Climate change has been going on since the ice age and will continue until the sun burns out. Common sense and responsible behavior on our part, and Mother Earth will always be here for us.

Climate change is directly related to the cycle of the distance the Earth is away from the sun. Nature takes care of itself. We are in between an ice age. Volcanic eruptions, natural fires contribute as much or more than what humans contribute. States should regulate the environment based on local climate. Burn restriction during dry times protect against wild fires.

I understand that Alaska is a focal point in the climate change discussion. Although I don’t challenge that climate change is occurring, I believe we are still awaiting an answer as to what extent manmade emissions are responsible for the change. Further, I reject the idea that economy-killing cuts to emissions, like those blocked by the Supreme Court, will make meaningful impacts.

In what situations, if any, do you believe abortion should be legally permitted?

Rape, incest, to save the life of the mother.

I am pro-life. Life-saving measures with opinions of multiple doctors are needed before any risky procedures are performed. If the life of the baby and mother are at risk, then a decision must be made to save one over the other with every effort given to save both. With medical technology considered with every attempt to save both.

My opinion on abortion has and always will be consistent. I have been pro-life throughout my entire service to Alaska, which is reflected in my voting record. I believe that the act of abortion is unacceptable unless the life or health of the mother is endangered by her pregnancy or in cases where rape or incest is involved

Verbal abuse is one case. Sexual assault, on the other hand, is unacceptable behavior for not only military personnel but everyone. The alleged abuses should be handled within the military.

As a 22-year veteran and former technical training instructor, it is important to protect the troops. Any directive needs to be clear and provide a way to protect the person being assaulted. A trained member from each service element should be available to prosecute and keep the victim safe and chain of command intact during the review and prosecution.

I strongly support efforts to ensure sexual assault prevention and prosecution remains at the forefront of military justice reform. Although I don’t support removing aspects of the military justice system from the chain of command, I believe we must ensure victims are able to seek justice without fear of punishment or reprisal and violators are held accountable for their crimes.

How should the nation combat ISIS?

Let’s bring most troops home and we can be impenetrable by protecting our own air, land, and sea. Bring it on world!

We should have a concerted effort to defeat and remove all elements of ISIS from the world stage. It is an evil that will continue to show up until we take a stand and remove it from our society.

The safety and security of Americans is paramount and I will not sit idle while extremist groups like ISIS spread violence and hatred across the globe. Ultimately, a path forward must include a strategic and comprehensive plan – including the use of targeted air strikes and partnerships with our allies in the region – to defeat and deter the growing threat of radical extremism.

No, leave it up to states.

No, state needs should always trump federal requirements for leased lands unless it is a matter of national security. Only pre-approved activities are allowed. The state should be the ultimate authority of all its land, including any federally leased or otherwise authorized land activity. Just as private citizens have to have permits and licenses, so should the federal government.

The FWS’ proposal to restrict state-approved management practices – which desecrate the many protections contained in ANILCA – is a clear-cut example of federal overreach. This action furthers the Obama administration’s attempt to expand its regulatory authority over Alaska and restrict access to our lands and resources. I have successfully passed language in the House to stop this proposed rule.

No, Congress should let the states control/manage it themselves.

Yes, if the state gets to participate and receive lands assigned in trust as Bureau of Land Management as well as other lands entrusted to the state of Alaska. There needs to be a balance between, state, private and lands held in trust with the land rights negotiated with all shared mineral rights held in trust distributed as permanent funds.

The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 allowed the federal government to take land into trust for tribes. In 1971, Congress passed ANCSA. Until recently, the Department of Interior’s regulatory interpretation of ANCSA prevented land-into-trust in Alaska. Since the issue is currently being considered in ongoing litigation, Congress should await a final outcome before determining if any action is necessary.

Like it or leave.

These laws protect our free worship of religion, when if there are elements that are in conflict, the law of the land shall prevail. Religious laws shall allow for the free exercise. When rights cross over between another person’s freedoms or it is intrusive, it should be looked at, but never to exempt a person from compliance with the law.

Our Founding Fathers forged a nation that values religious freedom and respects the practices and beliefs of those who worship. We must protect these important values that distinguish our country from many others in the world today. I support current federal laws that provide various legal protections and exemptions for individuals based on their religious and moral convictions.

Until you get a get sex change, boys are boys — no exceptions. Really America!

I do not support gender identification changes for minors in K-12 public education. If a student is uncomfortable, then they should choose another schooling option not paid for by the state. Where possible or available, private bathrooms may be used, just as in any public space. Bathrooms shall not to be used as a platform for your identity or orientation.

The Departments’ effort to punish school districts that set certain bathroom policies by cutting federal funding constitutes federal overreach. Most often, decision making of this nature should be carried out at the local level. Withholding program funding will hurt students who need the most help. I do not support jeopardizing the education of at-risk children to make a political point.

I support it.

I support the continued funding, and as a former aircraft maintainer it is important to be able to have a strong military force in Alaska for a number of reasons. Our state’s strategic location will be important in our ability to train and protect our country. I support the fighter squadrons and funding for a safe and effective military defense initiative.

I’ve long supported stationing F-35s at Eielson, not only for the positive economic impacts to our state, but for the critical mission the F-35s serve. Having secured F-35 related language in the last two NDAA’s, I will continue to fight for the F-35 program and work to ensure Eielson receives the support and funding it needs.

Read more questions and answers with candidates online » www.newsminer.com/news/politics

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION 2016

U.S. HOUSE WILLIAM HIBLER Democrat

STEVE LINDBECK Democrat

JIM MCDERMOTT Libertarian

JON WATTS Libertarian

The Affordable Care Act is a good idea that has been highly flawed in implementation. It has been stalled by a federal bureaucracy and recalcitrant Republican states supplying little help to their citizens. Replacing it totally is, however, throwing the baby out with the bath water. In Washington I will facilitate a Ryan-Clinton dialogue to get this plan back on track.

Alaskans face the highest health care costs in the country, and the Affordable Care Act is just not affordable for Alaskans. While the ACA ended pre-existing condition loopholes, this one-sizefits-all approach from Washington isn’t working. I support adding a less-expensive tier of plans and creating regional exchanges with other Northwest states to broaden the risk pool and reduce costs.

Obamacare architect Mr. Gruber laughs at the American people and calls us stupid for buying into Obamacare. The majority of Alaskans I talk to find Obamacare to be flawed, and I believe we need to lessen government’s role concerning our medical care.

I’d get government out of the health care business. The ACA benefits insurance companies, by force of law, making people choose what they otherwise wouldn’t. Fines in the thousands of dollars fall harshly on those who couldn’t afford health care in the first place. “If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor” has become an embarrassing meme under the ACA.

By putting health care on its own, you will solve many of the Social Security financial issues. As noted by Bernie Sanders, Social Security is not in as much trouble as many in Washington would have you believe. Basically, payments into Social Security stop at about $120,000 of income. By increasing or abolishing this limit, much would be solved.

Social Security is a promise we have made to our senior citizens, and we must keep that promise. Following the Medicare model, I support gradually raising the contribution cap for individuals making over $118,000. As congressman, I will work for a bipartisan solution to make Social Security solvent without reducing benefits for the most vulnerable seniors who depend on them.

The U.S. Congress has been swiping our Social Security dollars for decades and leaving the American people with worthless IOUs. Still, even with these piss-poor career politicians who have bankrupted our Social Security system, we can still turn things around with a robust economy. We need less government regulations that only impede economic growth, and prosecute the corrupt politicians.

End our costly wars of conquest overseas. Some estimates are as high as $5 trillion to date. The savings could be reallocated, without cutting the benefits of military personnel. What needs to be cut is the benefits to arms manufacturers who fiercely lobby to sell us trainloads of $100,000 missiles that are wasted on destroying $100 Bedouin tents.

Federal gun restrictions should be override-able by states. In the Lower 48, urban poor areas are awash in guns and no family is left untouched by the violence. The problem is the extreme lethality of, say, 9mm expanding/hollow point bullets. Congress should pass a strong limit on rounds and lethality of ammunition in urban areas. Alaska may opt out.

The shooting at a LGBT nightclub in Orlando and the assassination of police offers in Dallas are tragedies. As a country, we must be serious about reducing gun violence. But the answer is not infringing upon the Second Amendment rights of Alaskans. I support reforming the no-fly list to make it more transparent and preventing suspected terrorists from purchasing weapons.

Our government had twice brought in for questioning this cowardly ISIS killer of unarmed people and then let him walk away. The U.S. government officials also had identified the cowardly ISIS murder as someone who was on the “no-fly” list. The problem is a lack of qualified leaders within our government, which includes Don Young.

Do everything possible to keep individuals from being disarmed by laws at all levels. If law-abiding citizens’ natural right of self-defense was respected, you wouldn’t see mass shootings, you would see attempted murderer shootings. They would taper off a bit after that. Ever see a mass shooting at a gun show or police fraternity?

There is always a balance between federal overreach and states rights that requires decisions on a caseby-case basis. In this case, I think it is overreach. It’s inappropriate for a president with no understanding of Alaska to waltz in and declare Alaska public lands off limits to Alaskans. By and large, Alaskans take good care of their public lands.

Sixty percent of Alaska’s lands are already federal; use of the Antiquities Act again in Alaska is unlikely. We need an Alaska congressional delegation that can work with the White House to resolve land management issues wisely. I will stand up for Alaska’s interests and be sure a full public process is engaged any time federal land status arises.

Yes! According to Wikipedia, approximately 65 percent of Alaska is owned and managed by the U.S. federal government. The state has ownership of around 23 percent. The top 10 percent (rich) own a majority of the land left for the people, leaving 90 percent of Alaskans with only handful of dirt to fight over? It’s time to demand our Alaska lands.

It should be repealed as it violates the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This should be in the hands of the states or the people. The executive branch, in this area and others, has become nothing short of a dictatorship. I would go after every possible means to restore this amendment to its rightful function.

Having studied the Arctic ice ocean system for 45 years, I believe climate change positively is happening due to rapid extraction and burning of fossil fuels. However, whether we drill more in Alaska or cease drilling will make hardly any difference because of the scale of global CO2 production. Don’t give up hope, though: see my fiscal/climate plan on www.billhiblerforcongress.org.

Climate change is real and Alaskans see its effects everywhere — coastal erosion that forces villages to move inland, melting permafrost that damages infrastructure, acidification that affects our fisheries, and on rivers where early melting of ice prevents safe travel between villages. We must prevent further damage to our climate and continue to invest in renewable, sustainable sources of energy.

Special interest types (elitist) predicted a new ice age back in the 1970s, then they said global warming, and now they call it climate change. I support being caretakers of our environment, but anyone who believes that this current group in D.C. who can’t even balance a budget can therefore be in charge of the weather is a little gullible.

Climate can be modified by man, environmental dynamics, and the cycles of the sun. The science is important, but not incorruptible. Examples abound of results that are cherry-picked to support the “global warming” premise. This enables an international carbon tax scheme to defraud our citizens and shut down our fossil fuel industries rather than any actual concern for the environment.

Reproductive decisions are solely a private matter between a woman and her doctor. I support a woman’s right to choose and access to safe and legal abortions.

I am a pro life Alaska Libertarian, but I also respect another’s right to differ via an informed opinion. With a government that can’t even put together a balanced budget, who would truly want a government regulating the Pro Life and Pro Choice issues? This is a personal matter relying on personal and cultural morals and values for all involved.

I believe it can’t be made murder by law. No jury would convict. Millions in taxpayer funds could be wasted only for an acquittal. Do I believe an individual is being killed in this procedure? Yes, I do. I prefer voluntary solutions like trimming back government interference that makes adoptions cost way more than abortions, and adoption tax credits.

Yes, it should be removed from the chain of command. That puts way too much pressure on the command structure, which is not configured for really handling these issues. You need an external unbiased prosecutor. Better for everyone.

As the son of a Navy veteran, I have great respect for the chain of command. But a Defense Department study found that 75 percent of those in uniform who are sexually assaulted don’t come forward. The recent Alaska National Guard scandal reflects just how often cases are mishandled, and I support establishing an independent justice system to handle these cases.

I spent 22 years in the U.S. Air Force working for some great Air Force commanders. Still, it only takes one poor leader engaging in a high level of cronyism behavior that would negatively affect morale. So, due to my personal observations, training, and experience, I would lean toward trained military prosecutors.

I have performed duties as a first sergeant during my time in the U.S. Air Force. I have seen cases of this nature. There are already procedures in place for investigation and prosecution exclusive of the unit level chain of command that can be pursued by the assaulted individual.

ISIS was created by the Bush-Cheney Iraq war fiasco when all Sunnis were purged and had nowhere to go. Russia and the U.S. are aligned closely whether we like it or not. We need to stop insisting that Assad go, focus on ISIS, and insist that Turkey not attack the Kurds. This is a humanitarian crisis, not a religious war.

ISIS continues to threaten domestic and international security, and I support efforts to hunt down and destroy the terrorist organization. I believe that a coalition led by Middle Eastern nations and backed by U.S. airpower and intelligence efforts is the best approach to defeating ISIS, and I currently oppose sending additional U.S. troops to the Middle East.

ISIS: What a mess Don Young and his D.C. gang that can’t shoot straight have created. I don’t believe fighting perpetual wars is the answer. I believe in a strong homeland defense, bringing our sons and daughters home to protect our borders, and to be ready to rapidly deploy to respond to threats to our national security.

First, stop motivating recruitment through bombing campaigns that harm innocent civilians while leaving actual ISIS fighters alone. Then, stop supplying arms to “moderate rebels” that later join ISIS. In consideration of immigration and national security, screen for possible ISIS fighters attempting to enter the country or who are already here without “banning all Muslims” because of a few bad guys.

Neither Alaska nor the federal Fish and Wildlife Service has the capability to manage Alaska’s immense regions. Once these federal wildlife refuges are formed, however, the feds technically have the power. I would recommend more cooperation between the federal government and Alaska. In Washington I would push for a ‘live and let live’ policy similar to the federal marijuana selective law enforcement.

No. Historically, the state manages fish and game, including on federal lands, except for subsistence use and unless state management conflicts with federal law. We need a better process to help resolve conflicts between federal and state managers and a congressman who knows how to build collaboration. This includes ensuring that both hunters and non-hunters have a voice in decisions.

The question seemingly asks if the federal government ought to be allowed to manage federal government wildlife refuges. I have an idea: Go away federal government and allow Alaskans and our locally elected representatives to manage our own fish and game here in Alaska.

Going back to my support for the 10th Amendment, there shouldn’t be “federal” wildlife refuges in any state, especially Alaska. Alaska has abundant expertise available to manage our own fish and wildlife.

My gut reaction is yes as this respects Native rights to traditional lands. However, I need to take this matter under advisement and would have to counsel with my constituents, especially in the Native community, to formulate a defensible position.

No. Trust lands will give tribes a larger say in land usage, public safety, and economic development in places where past practices haven’t worked. I support policies that ensure Alaska’s tribes are self-determined, and believe the state and Native tribes can coexist without spending years in court. Alaska will be better off if Alaska’s tribes can benefit from trust lands.

Yes, under the leadership of the secretary of the interior, I can see a good argument that the Indian Reorganization Act ought to be applicable to all federally recognized Indian tribes, and regardless of when any Alaska Native tribes became recognized.

I believe Native American lands are sovereign nations. Conquest or “democracy” cannot justly erase that truth. I have spent time on the “Res,” primarily at Pine Ridge in South Dakota. Their lands accepted into federal control under this “trust” has been a history of forced dependence and betrayal. I would expend every vote I have to protect Alaska Native sovereignty.

Let’s skate around changing the law if possible. Constitutional religious freedom provides separation of church and state. The state cannot specify how you worship or what your beliefs should be. Approving a civil marriage says nothing about your religious views of marriage. It is not a religious function by the rule of separation of church and state.

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) is flawed in its current form. The RFRA can be a useful way to protect religious freedom. However, it should never be used to discriminate or as a tool to enable the government or employers to interfere with issues such as women’s reproductive health choices or the rights of LGBT Americans.

Simply stated, I don’t want the federal government bullying our religious organizations. Still, as a Libertarian, we do believe that government has a right to step in if someone could be harmed or let’s say victimized via religious discrimination. Yes, this is a tightrope topic requiring further analysis.

Private businesses, churches, or priests should not be forced by government laws to bake cakes, perform ceremonies incompatible to their beliefs, or other services in the name of political correctness. This does not constitute my endorsement of those behaviors, only the equal right to exercise them. In the end, bakeries and churches will close their own doors when forced.

Yes. People are making a mountain out of molehill here. There really isn’t a big problem to allow students to use the bathroom and locker room that fits their gender. We have bigger fish to fry. Let’s stop worrying about this ‘small potatoes’ stuff.

Every American has the right to use the bathroom in privacy and peace — without discrimination. While most people can take restroom access for granted, transgender individuals often face the burden of being confronted or threatened regarding which facilities they use. Everyone should be able to use the facilities that correspond with their gender identity.

There needs to be an effort to respect all our peaceful citizens. This topic crept into one of my college classrooms, and the majority of my students felt that maybe to satisfy everyone that there be a combination of restrooms. For example, along with men’s and women’s restrooms, there could be something like gender-neutral restrooms or additional individually locking restrooms.

As a Libertarian, I support each individual’s free right to identify however they choose. This does not extend to an imposition of this self-identification into the sphere of those who identify differently. Common areas hold common invested rights. One identification cannot be cast aside in deference to another. I recommend facilities open to all but accessed singly and privately.

I support it. Men and women stationed at Eielson provide an economic and cultural boost to Interior Alaska. Pretty peaceful since no one will invade or start shooting soon. By the way, since I think all this buildup of NATO along Russia’s borders is unnecessary provocation, I suggest we move some NATO divisions here. We are close enough to Russia!

Yes, the F-35 mission at Eielson is critical to our nation’s defense and essential to the economy, jobs, and livelihood of Alaskans and their families in the Fairbanks region. I grew up in a military family. I have great respect for the military’s role in Alaska and our country, and I will fight to protect funding for the aircraft project.

I am pleased to see our newest U.S. Air Force technology stationed at Eielson Air Force Base. This local F-35 housing will be an economic boom for our people living within the Interior of Alaska, creating many new local jobs where many will be high paying in nature. The F-35 aircraft are stationed within our homeland, and that’s a big plus.

Self-defense rightly extends to mutual defense. As I believe each individual has the basic human right of self-defense through the most advanced individual means, this extends to an entire nation of individuals. There has been some discussion on the cost vs. performance of this particular aircraft. I must leave such decisions to the military. I would support their (our) needs.

The best way to prevent abortions is by means of birth control. Planned Parenthood does this very well. On abortions, I believe they should be permitted, and safe and convenient access to health providers be provided. Moreover, no woman should be forced to make the terrible decision of a late-term abortion. Restricting abortion providers creates this conundrum.

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 7, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION 2016