2018 Alaska Primary Election Guide by Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 12, 2018

2018 ALASKA

PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE W H AT ’ S I N S I D E : • Q&As with candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, Legislature and U.S. House • District maps and polling places • Sample ballots

Election day is Tuesday,

Aug. 21

Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Don’t know your polling place? Call 1-888-383-8683

See this and more politics coverage online at newsminer.com/news/politics

THE VOICE OF INTERIOR ALASKA www.newsminer.com

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

2018 ELECTION DISTRICT MAPS

Bridgewater

Laze lle

Old

W ay rt

wy ple

Glass

rdson Hwy

Ric h a

t sS wle Co s

16th Ave

Gillam Way

wle Co W

600th St

Gaf fney

Air

Ave

Slater Dr

15th Ave

10th

Noble St

Old

Farewell Ave

F St

y St

6th Av

m an 17th Ave

Military

Air

W ay

C St

B St

3rd

Lathrop St

Davis Rd

E Cowles St

ll E

19th Ave

es Ste

A St

2nd

Cush

Peger Rd

1-A

n Dr

che Mit

Digger Dr

19th Ave

Ave

Lace

Wash ingto

g Rd Pikes Landin

Cla

2nd Av

Ruby Ave

Airport Way

elton Rd

Cranber ry St

Ste

Ham ilton Ave

Phillips Field Rd

as Dr Thom

Loftus Rd

Chief

Morian Dr

4th

Fro

N Cu shm

University Ave

Thomson Dr

Johansen Exp

12th

Park s Hw

s St

D St

p sen Ex Johan

Hanson Rd

Geist Rd

Illin ois

Deere St

Taku

2-A Noye

Pri

Shannon Dr

n Ta

Loo p

C ce la Pa

Oconnor Rd Gloria Ave

Co l

Tanana

d eR leg

ers Loop arm

Tanana

UAF

Alaska Way

Barn ette

4-B

Crea mer Ln

HOUSE DISTRICT 1

Ramp Old Richardson Hwy

Burns Ave

30th Ave

Ave Hughes

R/w

ty A ve. S

nd Po at

ver si

Flo

Bonnifield

Uni

Lakeview Dr

ershing Ct

Sanduri St

Lakeview Ter Lakeview Ter

Easy St

Braddock St

Macarthur St

S Cushm an

South Van Horn

Beck Rd

Trl

t Rd

Nordale Rd

Ste ese Hw y

net

Ownby Rd

Durango Tr

Rozak Rd

3-B

Benn Ln

Bradway Rd

Paige Ave

N Freeman

Lakloey Dr

Bradway Rd

Birch St

H wy

Markey Rd

5-C

Ownby Rd

Levee Wy

Rich ard son

North Pole

5-C

Rozak Rd

Military

North Pole

ce ran Lau

Hw y

Ex Rd

Laurance Rd

Old

Richardson Hw y

HOUSE DISTRICT 4

Repp Rd

Gordon Rd

Bonnifield Tr

Rich ard son Hw y

6-C

Mattie St

Badger Rd

Dennis Rd

Richardson

Endecott Ave

R son

Dr.

ter Pat

Homestead

Ste e

Patton St

Easy St

Holt Rd

S Lathrop St

Royal Rd

Ben

Jeep

Freeman Rd

Benn Ln

Alta Wy

Wiese Ct

Rd E Van Horn

ad Rd. N Homeste Rd ro o n Ca

p Rd Burgess Airstri

Micael Ln Badger Rd

Lakeview Dr

S Cushman St

Van Horn Rd

Macarthur St

Mitchell Exp

Chena Hot Springs

2-A Fairbanks Mattie St

Richardson H w

dg Ba

Sheldon Ave

Van Horn Rd

2-A

ey Rd

Lathrop St

Davis Rd

1-A

Gaffn

35th Ave

Standard Ave

Andromeda Rd

Canoro Rd

t yS

Airport Way

Cyclone Dr

or G ate R d

Cla

S Homestead Rd

Noye s

y Hw se Train

34th Ave

Beacon Rd

3-B

ll Sage Hi l Jeep Trai

Military

Shannon

Exp Oconnor en ans J oh

5-C

4-B

s Dr

Ram p

Bidwill Ave

HOUSE DISTRICT 3

E Bia

s Loop mer Far

Colleg eR

Beacon Rd

rdson Hw y

Sandu ri St

HOUSE DISTRICT 2 4-B

Ric ha

Rd Williams Gate

32nd Ave

Stay up-to-date on election news at www.newsminer.com/news/politics

Hwy

on Ramp/off Ramp

son New Richard

State Hwy 2

Mitchell Exp

Va lde

z Tr

HOUSE DISTRICT 5

Elliott Hwy

k Dr

6-C stac

Ste ese Hw y Sat

Farmers Loop

y Hw ks Par

tley

Lakeview Dr

l l H wy

3-B

2-A

1-A

ch e

Fox

Alaska Way

d ox R er F Silv

Goldstream

Dr kuk oyu N. K

Mi t

4-B

6-C

Hay

Ellio tt H w

Rich

Rd Chena Hot Springs

ards on Hw y

College Ester

ks Par

College Rd

Fairbanks

1-A 2-A

Gol

Nash St Yukon Dr d ill R

Chena Ridge

3-B

Badger

Parks Hwy

5-C

North Pole

5-C

FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH

Arctic Village

Nenana

Anaktuvuk Pass

Paxson

Wiseman Coldfoot

Beaver

Alatna

Stevens Village

Hughes Huslia

Rampart Minto Manley Hot Springs

6-C Eagle Village

37-S

LAKE AND PENINSULA BOROUGH

ANCHORAGE MUNICIPALITY

Tonsina

9-E

Gakona Glennallen Kenny Lake Chitina

10-E 32-P

Willow Creek

Chistochina

MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH

38-S

Tazlina Coper Center

Chicken

Dot Lake Tanacross Tok Tetlin Mentasta Lake Northway

9-E

McGrath

Valdez

KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH

Chistochina

McKinley Park

6-C

McCarthy Valdez

32-P

YAKUTAT CITY AND BOROUGH

HOUSE DISTRICT 39

9-E

MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH

10-E

Wainwright

Nome

Gambell Savoonga

Koyuk

Koyukuk Nulato Galena

Shaktoolik

Unalakleet

Point Lay

6-C 6-C

39-T Ruby

Kivalina

Kaktovik

40-T

Arctic Village

Anaktuvuk Passt

Noatak NORTHWEST ARCTIC BOROUGH

Nikolai

Grayling Anvik

Kotzebue

McGrath

Nunam Iqua Shageluk

Pikas Point Pilot Station

Valdez

NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH

Point Hope

Kotlik

Scammon Bay

9-E

Nuiqsut

Red Dog Mine

Stebbins

Alakanuk

Willow Creek

Prudhoe Bay

Atqusuk

Huslia

White Mountain Golovin Elim

Tazlina Coper Center

Barrow

Wales Teller Port Clarence

Glennallen

HOUSE DISTRICT 40

Diomede

Holy Cross

37-S

Venetie Noorvik

Selawik

Deering Hughes

Buckland

38-S

32-P

39-T

6-C Fort Yukon

Alatna

Hooper Bay

Huslia

6-C

Gulkana Chistochina

Lake Louise Gulkana Glennallen Trapper Creek Mendeltna Nelchina Tolsona Susitna North Eureka Roadhouse Glacier View Sutton-Alpine Chickaleon Willow Buffalo Soapstone Meadow Lakes Lazy Mountain Fishhook 9-E Big Lake Knik River Tanana Lazy Mountain Farm Loop Point MacKenzie Valdez ANCHORAGE 10-E 11-F MUNICIPALITY Palmer 7-D Gateway Wasilla Butte 12-F Whittier Cordova

40-T

Shishmaref

Gakona

Paxson

37-S

Healy Lake

DENALI BOROUGH

Gulkana

Glenallen

5-C Salcha Harding-Birch Lakes

Lake Minchumina

Ferry Healy

Cantwell

Gakona

BOROUGH

Anderson Lake Minchumina

6-C

5-C

Anderson

Chistochina

Circle Central

Steele Creek FAIRBANKS Ester NORTH STAR

Ruby Kaltag

6-C

Venetie

Evansville

39-T

3-B

HOUSE DISTRICT 9

NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH

Kobuk

6-C 2-A

6-C

HOUSE DISTRICT 6 40-T

1-A

5-C

Military

Old Nenana Hwy

NORTHWEST ARTCTIC BOROUGH

4-B

Beaver Stevens Village

Kenny Lake Tonsina

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 12, 2018

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

ABOUT THIS SECTION The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner sent a list of questions to candidates for U.S. House, governor, lieutenant governor and Alaska Legislature, whose names will appear on the Aug. 21 primary election ballot. Of special note for this publication is that Gov. Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott are included even though they are not on the primary election

ballot. Walker, an independent, and Mallott, a Democrat, are seeking re-election as a ticket and are aiming to go directly to the November ballot by securing the required number of signatures on a nominating petition. The News-Miner has included Walker and Mallott so that readers can compare the answers of other candidates to the incumbents. The same

approach was taken in the newspaper’s 2014 election publication when Walker first ran for governor. Candidates were allowed up to 100 words to respond to the first question and up 60 words to respond to each subsequent question. Answers were edited for spelling, punctuation and minor errors of grammar. Five candidates did not respond to the survey: Repub-

lican gubernatorial candidates Darin Colbry, Thomas Gordon and Merica Hlatcu; Republican lieutenant governor candidate Gary Stevens; and House District 1 candidate Wolfgang Falke. 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.

You can give us your comments about this election section by contacting Editor Rod Boyce at 459-7585 or at editor@newsminer.com. Comments 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.

POLLING PLACES Don’t know your polling place? Call 1-888-3838683

Election Day for the Alaska primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 21, with polling places open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots being returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day.

District 1

01-446 Aurora A g r i c u l t u ra l Mu s e um-Fairgrounds 1800 College Road

NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO

01-455 Fairbanks No. 1 Fairbanks North Star Borough Building 907 Terminal St. 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 03-135 Chena Lakes Santa Senior Center 101 Fifth Ave., North Pole

01-485 Fairbanks No. 6 Shoppers Forum 1255 Airport Way, Fairbanks

03-165 Newby North Pole Plaza 301 N. Santa Claus Lane, North Pole

01-490 Fairbanks No. 7 J.P. Jones Community Development Center 2400 Rickert St., Fairbanks

03-175 North Pole North Pole City Hall 125 Snowman Lane, North Pole

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 9

02-365 Fairbanks No.

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

03-183 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 L oop, 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

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

06-040 Healy Tri-Valley Community Center Usibelli Spur Road, Healy

06-150 Fox Turtle Club 2098 Old Steese Highway North, Fairbanks

06-047 Kenny Lake Kenny Lake Community Hall 06-050 Manley Hot Springs Manley Hot Springs Community Hall 06-053 Mentasta Mentasta Lake School

06-056 Nenana Nenana Civic Center

06-024 Clear* Anderson City Building Anderson

05-592 Shanly Beaver Sports 3480 College Road, Fairbanks

06-026 Denali Park Denali Park Community Center Mile 230 Parks Highway, Denali Park

05-596 University West Woodriver Elementary 5000 Palo Verde Drive, Fairbanks

06-145 Eielson B e n E i e l s o n Jr. / S r. High School 675 Ravens Way, Eielson Air Force Base

06-054 Minto Minto Lakeview Lodge

06-025 Copper Center Native Village of Kluti-Kaah Old Richardson Highway, Copper Center

06-060 Northway Northway Community Center 06-070 Stevens Village Stevens Village Council office 06-075 Tanacross Tanacross Community Hall

06-027 Dot Lake Dot Lake Village Council Office* 06-030 Eagle Eagle Public Library 06-033 Fort Yukon KZPA radio station

PRIMARY ELECTION DATES Saturday, Aug. 18

Regional elections offices open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for early and absentee in-person and special needs voting.

Regional elections offices open 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for early and absentee in-person and special needs voting.

Election day. Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee electronic transmission ballots being returned by fax must be received by 8 p.m. Absentee ballots being returned by-mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day.

Monday, Aug. 20

Friday, Aug. 31

Sunday, Aug. 19

5 p.m. Alaska Standard Time deadline to receive electronic transmission absentee ballot applications from voters

Deadline to receive absentee ballots returned by mail from voters from within the U.S., U.S. territories and overseas.

DIVISION OF ELECTIONS REGION III 675 7th Ave., Suite H3 Fairbanks 451-2835 Toll free: 866-959-8683

Fax: 451-2832 Toll-free fax: 855-977-3594 Jeremy Johnson, Region III elections supervisor

Email: jeremy.johnson@ alaska.gov *eneral ofoce email: electionsr3@alaska.gov

06-080 Tanana Tanana City Office

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 2 7 0 Fa i r h i l l R o a d , Fairbanks 06-180 Two Rivers* Two Rivers Community Center 7234 Anders Ave., Two Rivers

District 9

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

06-090 Tok Tok Senior Center

09-608 Delta Junction Delta Junction Community Center, 2287 Deborah St., Delta Junction

06-095 Venetie

* Denotes new location

06-085 Tetlin Tetlin Community Hall

Attention Voters:

requesting an electronic transmission ballot

Tuesday, Aug. 21

Vene tie Community Hall

06-035 Gakona Gakona Volunteer Fire Department 2.2 Mile Tok Cutoff, Gakona

06-023 Circle Tribal council office Circle

05-590 Richardson* North Star Fire Station No. 1 2358 Bradway Road, North Pole

0 5 - 5 9 4 Un i v e r s i ty Campus Patty Center Lobby University Alaska Fairbanks campus

East Third Avenue Fort Yukon

District 6

NOTICE OF POLLING PLACE CHANGE 2018 Primary Election, August 21, 2018 Permanent changes for all future elections:

District 05-590

Precinct Richardson

New Address Location North Star Fire Station #1 2358 Bradway Rd North Pole, AK 99705

06-024

Clear

Anderson City Building 1st Ave Anderson, AK 99744

06-180

Two Rivers

Two Rivers Community Center 7234 Anders Ave Two Rivers, AK 99716

Polling place hours are open from 7:00am – 8:00pm For more information, contact Region III Elections 675 7th Ave, Ste H3, Fairbanks, AK 99701 • (907) 451-2835

F14532675

01-480 Fairbanks No. 5 Pioneer Park Centennial Center 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

GOVERNOR Darrin Colbry Anchorage Republican

Mike Dunleavy

Thomas Gordon

Anchorage Republican

Wasilla Republican

Gerald Heikes Palmer Republican

QUESTIONS 1. Gov. Bill Walker signed legislation allowing Alaska Permanent Fund investment earnings to be used to help close the state’s projected $2.1 billion budget for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Still, the budget is expected to be short $700 million and budget gaps are expected for several years. What is your solution?

Did not respond.

1. All proposed fiscal plans will fail unless the growth of the operating budget is limited to no more than 2 percent per year. We have an amendment in the Alaska Constitution, Article IX, Section 16, known as the “Appropriation Limit,” that sets forth limits on how much the government can appropriate in any given year. The limit needs to be revised downward to cap operating appropriations to no more than 2 percent per year with a base starting budget of approximately $4.3 billion in state spending. If this is put in place, we have a reasonable chance of controlling our budget.

Did not respond.

1. There is a saying, “If your out-go is more than your income, than your upkeep will be your downfall.” Let’s start with paid state employees. Mr. Walker’s attorney general makes $500,000 a year. I would fire him and find someone for $90,000 and save the state $410,000 a year; that would just be the start. I would let go of any personnel making more than the CEO of the state. I would take Wisconsin’s Scott Walker approach and have the state employees invest in the health insurance policies and pension plans. I am a fan of right-to-work states.

2. Do you support or oppose placing into the Alaska Constitution the issuance of the annual permanent fund dividend and the method of calculating it? Why or why not?

Did not respond.

2. Yes. The method of calculating the PFD worked well for years. It was not until the government wanted to spend more money that it went after the PFD as a source of revenue. There was not a vote of the people. Politicians have demonstrated they will ignore the laws. Only constitutionalizing it will protect it.

Did not respond.

2. I oppose the new standards for the state to take what they want out of the permanent fund to finance their largess, and cut the budget enough to stop the theft of state government.

3. Name a specific program you would like to reduce or eliminate. Explain.

Did not respond.

3. I do not have a specific program I would like to reduce or eliminate. I do want to audit all programs to make sure they are delivering the services as promised in the most efficient way possible.

Did not respond.

4. Name a specific program you would like to expand or initiate. Explain.

Did not respond.

4. Public safety needs to be a priority for any state government. Under my administration it will be priority number one. I will increase the number of troopers, prosecuting attorneys, and ensure the court and corrections systems can handle the cases and increased prisoner numbers. We need to make Alaska safe again for all law-abiding citizens.

Did not respond.

4. The Alaska Republic Oil and Gas Co-op. It is my plan to lower gas and diesel prices to about a dollar a gallon in the Anchorage and Fairbanks area and lower electric prices, fund the state government and create a second permanent fund.

5. Growers in Alaska’s legal cannabis industry say the $50 per ounce flat tax they pay to the state needs to be revised because it doesn’t adjust as the price of their product goes down. What, if any, changes do propose in the state’s taxing of marijuana?

Did not respond.

5. I would lower the tax rate to $25 an ounce because business needs to be able to make a profit. Also it can be homegrown.

6. While the price of oil has increased slightly from recent years, the oil industry is not performing as it used to. What ideas do you have for diversifying Alaska’s economy and bringing revenue back to the state?

Did not respond.

6. Monetize our natural gas reserves in a manner that will not put the state’s finances at risk and will lower in state energy costs for Alaska residents. Stabilize our tax and regulatory/permitting policies to encourage more business investment. Reduce/contain healthcare costs to lower cost of living in Alaska. Look to other non resource-based industries to relocate to Alaska.

Did not respond.

6. Alaska Republic Oil and Gas Co-op

7. The budgets of the city of Fairbanks, city of North Pole and the Fairbanks North Star Borough, along with those of other Alaska municipalities, have suffered under the loss of state revenue sharing. Do you think the program should be revived and funded? Why or why not.

Did not respond.

7. Yes, provided we can increase our revenue from increased development of our natural resources.

Did not respond.

7. Too many people with their hands in the pot of gold and never enough to satisfy the Democrats or the RINO’s largess.

8. This past legislative session saw the departure of several legislators for sexual misconduct. How do you hope to address this issue within the Capitol and across the state?

Did not respond.

8. No one should feel his or her safety is at risk at any time, including the workplace. The issue of sexual misconduct is a nationwide issue and not limited to the Legislature. I will assure everyone that my administration will not tolerate such misconduct and will deal with any transgressions forcefully and swiftly. There is simply no excuse for such behavior.

Did not respond.

9. Do you support or oppose efforts in Congress to modify the 50-50 state-federal revenue share agreement from oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to give Alaska Native regional corporations 3 percent of the state’s share? Explain.

Did not respond.

9. After 40 years, our delegation and the Trump administration have opened the way for ANWR 1002 lease sales. I know they’re continuing to work for what is best for all Alaskans while recognizing the unique relationship which exists between the ANCSA corporations and the federal government. I am less sure the proposed 3 percent split is the right number or mechanism.

Did not respond.

8. What, you want me to make moral corrections in someone else’s soul? We are to live in a politically correct society, and my comments would offend, yet the Christian who has a moral compass and dignity is slandered on a daily basis. Elect someone who has a moral compass. As governor, I am not here to potty-train your elected representatives. 9. ANWR was a federal illegal land grab in the first place. If the federal government wants to share 3 percent or its revenue stream to the Native regional corporations, I don’t have a problem with that. As far as the state paying for it, absolutely not.

10. Should there be a “no wolf hunting” buffer zone on state land around Denali National Park to protect wolf viewing access for visitors to the park? Explain.

Did not respond.

10. Any decision regarding hunting, trapping, predator control, etc. should be determined by the Board of Game based upon sound science.

Did not respond.

11. Should a seat on the Alaska Board of Game be designated for a non-hunter? Explain.

Did not respond.

11. No. Any concerns from the non-hunting public can be addressed through the current configuration of the Board of Game.

Did not respond.

12. State funding for the University of Alaska increased $10 million for fiscal 2019. The amount is less than the $24 million increase sought by the university but is the first increase following four years of funding cuts. What priority do you place on university funding?

Did not respond.

12. I support the university. I received my master’s in education from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. While funding based upon oil revenue may be less than it was in the past, a portion of our extensive land holdings could be transferred to the university to increase its landholdings for the purpose of increasing its revenue base.

Did not respond.

5. No changes are planned.

3. All nonprofits would be trimmed and or eliminated until the budget is balanced.

10. Want to see a wolf, go to the zoo. They are elusive creatures anyway. Support your local zoo.

11. No. I am a not a hunter, but I have been hunting. Costco is easier, for my meat, and I don’t have to find it. I know where it is. Hunting should be left in the hands of those who hunt. Not some PETA twit. 12. Schools and universities never have enough money or resources at any time. When they found out they can use it as an election tool and unions can grab their piece of the action, because they control the vote, more money for the schools more money for the unions and woe unto the candidate that sees through the sham.

Mike Dunleavy, Mead Treadwell vie for third spot in Alaska election By Becky Bohrer ASSOCIATED PRESS

JUNEA — Republicans Mike Dunleavy and Mead Treadwell are vying to become the third person in what is shaping up to be a three-way fight for governor in Alaska. The winner of the Aug. 21 GOP primary will advance to

the general election. Waiting will be Gov. Bill Walker, an independent who is not participating in a primary, and former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, who is running unopposed on the Democratic side. Libertarian William “Billy” Toien also is running for governor. When Begich joined the race in June, there was some hand-

wringing among Democrats and independents who feared he and Walker would split the vote and hand the race to Republicans; Walker was elected in 2014 with Democratic support. Voter turnout will be key for the Republican candidates, with crime, the economy and the future of the oil-wealth

checks distributed annually to Alaska residents being big issues. Turnout in the 2016 primary was just 17 percent. It was 39 percent in 2014, a year that featured the governor’s race and a closely watched U.S. Senate race. Dunleavy and Treadwell are the highest-profile contenders in a GOP field crowded with

other candidates who have raised little or no money. Dunleavy is a former educator and state senator who has gotten help from a third-party group in boosting his profile. Treadwell is a former chairman of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission who served as lieutenant ELECTION » 13

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 12, 2018

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018 Merica Hlatcu Anchorage Republican

Michael Sheldon

Mead Tredwell

Petersburg Republican

Anchorage Republican

Did not respond.

1. Do not raid the permanent fund investment earnings but take the other half of the state’s oil revenue earnings that accumulated net royalties of 25 percent each year of which 12.5 percent gain by their half of $665 million times four years would equal $2.6 billion to pay off the next fiscal year and pay out dividends each year to the shareholders of Alaska We have budget plan called 81-09-10: 81 percent to operate state government, 9 percent competitive fund for building infrastructure that is divided equally between the House, Senate and administration, and a 10 percent cut to all agencies throughout the state.

1. First, let’s replace Gov. Walker with an experienced business leader. I can grow the economy. I do not support taxes. The budget should be limited to cash actually collected in the prior year instead of guessing what oil prices will be 15 months from when a budget is passed. I will cut expenses and control entitlements. We must help the helpless, but too much of our spending encourages helplessness. Seeking flexibility from the federal government through Medicaid block grants will help contain costs.

2. Do you support or oppose placing into the Alaska Constitution the issuance of the annual permanent fund dividend and the method of calculating it? Why or why not?

Did not respond.

2. Fully restored PFD, as established in 1981 and give back all money capped by the Legislature and governor in the past few years of the Walker administration with interest and restore the formula for the permanent fund dividend distribution by using funds with a five-year average formula. We will establish a constitutional amendment that protects any restructuring of the fund.

3. Name a specific program you would like to reduce or eliminate. Explain.

Did not respond.

3. Medicaid needs a serious overhaul as to clean up over prescribed medications to adults that contain habit-forming effects on our residents of Alaska. We need more generic drugs to replace expensive medication that one receives during medical treatments. Waste has accumulated through the healthcare systems and we need to streamline the healthcare system to lower costs to Alaskans.

2. A hard-to-get constitutional amendment will take at least two years to save us from PFD pirates. We should respect the 5-year rolling average formula with POMV (percent of market value), pay the full PFD after inflation-proofing, and use the other half to avoid taxes. I pledge here, now, and everywhere that your PFDs will be safe with me as governor. 3. The disastrous SB91 crime bill has failed to make us safer and needs to go. Our corrections programs aren’t correcting, and too many people are returning to jail. Catch and release is fine for fishing, but not for criminals! Alaska should be the best place to raise a family and the worst place to be a criminal.

4. Name a specific program you would like to expand or initiate. Explain.

Did not respond.

4. We would like to expand the word common of the land of Alaska to the rightful owners of state and give permanent fund dividend checks from all minerals royalties that come out of the ground. We will establish a four-year qualifying period that will eventually earn a full year dividends; 25 percent each year until you receive your full dividend.

4. I will institute an intensive study of our fisheries to determine the failures behind our low salmon returns. As former chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission and co-chair of UA’s State Committee on Research, I know how to fund and commission quality research. We must manage to get more fish back in our rivers!

Did not respond.

5. Tax a certain percentage of the gross income of product sold by businesses.

5. As lieutenant governor, I signed the current legalization of marijuana into law with the understanding that the Legislature could review its tax structure after two years. I am undecided as to whether a significant change is necessary, but I will meet with industry leaders and drug prevention programs for youth leaders to learn more.

Did not respond.

6. Speeding up the development of ANWR production and not taking 10 years to make that happen and build refineries in Alaska that produces a finished product such as lube oil, gasoline, kerosene, etc. Serve the People first with lower fuel prices and export the rest to markets abroad. Create industry and put Alaskans to work with great wages and retirement.

Did not respond.

7. Yes, we believe there is a lot of waste in all departments of borough governments that will need to be addressed. Budgets for boroughs need to be minimized to run very efficient. As an example, replace equipment in 10 years of service and not buy new equipment to extend the maximum benefit to every dollar spent.

8. This past legislative session saw the departure of several legislators for sexual misconduct. How do you hope to address this issue within the Capitol and across the state?

Did not respond.

8. All individuals in the capital building will have a male staff member with them in closed-door meetings to protect true or false allegations of certain parties involved. The freedom of speech will be conducted throughout the state, and if one involved with sexual misconduct the accuser in innocent to proven guilty and subject to a conversation with the law as to convict of crime or just let go because of lack of evidence.

6. We must keep our promises, period. New oil companies made major discoveries on the North Slope due to incentives but haven’t drilled out those finds because the state did not pay its bills. We must fill the pipeline and diversify by encouraging businesses that do value-added processing of resources. Exporting timber creates jobs; fiberboard or furniture production here creates more. 7. No, but as a former city official in Cordova, I understand the front-line role that local governments play in public safety, health, and education. While the state cannot currently afford a new revenue sharing program, there are other ways to help. The best approach is to encourage investment and economic growth, attracting industries that raise property values. 8. Sexual assault is an epidemic that must be stopped. The Choose Respect program we championed when I was lieutenant governor will return in force when I am governor. Over 170 communities were participating by 2014, but we can’t stop there. I support the most severe penalties available for offenders, including legislators, counseling for survivors, and capable shelters throughout Alaska.

Did not respond.

9. We do not support the 50/50 plan of the ANWR agreement but support the original 90/10 split as agreed by our national government that covers our state infrastructure as one independent state of the Union. Segregating one Native group to receive 3 percent royalties is not fair to all Alaskans unless it’s on Native land, then it would be appropriate to pay a royalty.

9. Why is the state share being cut? We were already cut from 90-10! I helped pass a constitutional amendment to defend 90-10 and the Statehood Compact. Though I support a 3 percent share consistent with ANCSA principles for Alaska Native and village corporations, Alaskans should ask the feds to share the cost.

See more Q&A online at www.newsminer.com/news/politics

Campaigns on their own as cyber threats roil midterms By Steve Peoples and Christina A. Cassidy ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Kamala Harris has been the target of social media misinformation campaigns since she became a U.S. senator. Every month for the last 18 months, her office has discovered on average between three and five fake Facebook profiles pretending to be hers, according to a Harris aide. It’s unclear who creates the pages, which are often designed to mislead American voters about the ambitious Democratic senator’s policies and positions. The aide spoke on the condition of anonymity, like more than a half dozen campaign officials contacted for this story, for fear of attracting unwanted attention from adversaries or scrutiny on the Senate office’s evolving cybersecurity protocols. Such internet mischief has become commonplace in U.S. politics. Facebook announced earlier this week that it uncovered “sophisticated” efforts, possibly linked to Russia, to influence U.S. politics on its platforms. Senior i n t e l l i g e n c e o ffi c i a l s declared Thursday that foreign adversaries continue waging a quiet war against U.S. campaigns and election systems. Still, one thing has become clear: With the midterm elections just three months away, campaigns are largely on their own in the increasingly challenging task of protecting sensitive information and countering false or misleading content on social media. The Democratic National Committee has worked to strengthen its own internal security protocols and encouraged state parties to do the same, according to Raffi Krikorian, who previously worked for Uber and Twitter and now serves as the DNC’s chief technology officer. But in an interview, he acknowledged there are limits to how much the national party can protect the thousands of Democratic campaigns across the country. “We’re providing as much assistance to campaigns as we can, but there’s only so much we can do,” Krikorian said. “For all the high-level campaigns I’m worried, but at least there are people to talk to,” he continued. “The mid-sized campaigns are at least getting technical volunteers, but the truly down-ballot campaigns, that’s where the state parties and coor-

CYBER » 6

F40532658

GOVERNOR

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

CYBER

GOVERNOR William ‘Billy’ Toien

Continued from 5 dinated campaigns can help, but there’s no doubt that this is an uphill battle when we’re dealing with a foreign adversary.” Officials in both political parties have intensified cybersecurity efforts, although the known cases of interference have so far overwhelmingly focused on Democrats. The DNC now has a staff of 40 on its technical team, led by Krikorian and other Silicon Valley veterans hired in the months after Russians hacked the party’s email system and released a trove of damaging messages in the months before President Donald Trump’s 2016 victory. Top U.S. intelligence and homeland security officials raised new alarms in mid-August about outside efforts to influence the 2018 and 2020 elections during a White House press briefing. Homeland Security chief Kirstjen Nielsen said: “Our democracy is in the crosshairs,” while Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats added: “We continue to see a pervasive messaging campaign by Russia to try to weaken and divide the United States.” Facebook said it removed 32 accounts from its site and Instagram because they were involved in “coordinated” political behavior and appeared to be fake. Nearly 300,000 people followed at least one of the accounts, which featured names such as “Black Elevation” and “Resisters” and were designed to manipulate Americans with particular ethnic, cultural or political identities. In many cases, House and Senate political campaigns said they’re just beginning to adopt basic internal security protocols, such as two-step verification for all email, storage and social media accounts and encrypted messaging services such as Wickr. There is no protocol in place for campaigns or national parties to monitor broader social media misinformation campaigns, however. Nor is there any sign that law enforcement is playing a proactive role to protect campaigns from meddling on a day-to-day basis. The FBI has set up a Foreign Influence Task Force and intelligence agencies are collecting information on Russian aggression, but campaigns report no regular contact with law enforcement officials. “At the end of the day, the U.S. government is not putting any type of a bubble around any (campaign). They do not have the authority, capacity or capability to do it,” said Shawn Henry, a former senior FBI official who now leads the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which works with political campaigns. “NSA is not sitting in the ISPs filtering out malicious traffic.” Henry added: “They’ve got to take pro-active actions themselves.” Earlier this month, Microsoft said it discovered a fake domain had been set up as the landing page for phishing attacks by a hacking group believed to have links to Russian intelligence. A Microsoft spokesman said this week that additional analysis confirmed the attempted attacks occurred in late 2017 and targeted multiple accounts associated with the offices of two legislators running for re-election. Microsoft did not name the lawmakers. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said Russian hackers tried unsuccessfully to infiltrate her Senate computer network in 2017. Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford of Nebraska also recently confirmed that his 2016 campaign emails had been hacked by Russian agents.

Mark Begich

Bill Walker

Anchorage Libertarian

Anchorage Democrat

Independent Anchorage

Unopposed in Democratic primary

Incumbent, bypassing primary election and seeking November ballot. See “About this section” on page 3.

1. In the whole picture there is no “fiscal gap.” The so-called state “budget” is a 20 percent corner of the state’s actual finances. The solution is outlined in item No. 2 of my pledge. (Private businesses hide their losses to their stockholders. The state government hides its profits.) Money historically destined for the general fund (budget) that have been diverted into off-budget cash pools are to be redirected back into the general fund to become available again to pay the day to day operating expenses of the state.

1. First, Using the Percentage of Market Value (POMV) formula, I would: • Constitutionally protect a sustainable PFD between $1,600-$1,800 a year. It will grow from there. • Dedicate remaining funds for pre-K-12 education, freeing up general funds previously used for education, this year estimated at $1.6 billion In addition, I would: • Reform delivery of government services. Maximize use of available resources. • Move away from paying cash for capital budgets, using general obligation bonds to provide a stable, structured approach. • Only after implementing the above plan, we may have to review, revamp, or add new revenues if we still have deficit.

1. I ran in 2014 on tackling the state’s budget deficit and I kept my word. We have overcome intense partisanship to close 80 percent of the deficit inherited. We have reduced spending to the lowest level since 2007. Thanks to the fiscal plan compromise, we no longer plan our budget around the price of one highly volatile commodity. Long-term, Alaska will require a simple, broad-base tax connecting our economy to the infrastructure we count on, forcing outside workers to contribute. Byron and I have committed to tell Alaskans the truth, no matter how “politically incorrect,” and this is a basic truth.

2. Do you support or oppose placing into the Alaska Constitution the issuance of the annual permanent fund dividend and the method of calculating it? Why or why not?

2. Yes. To ensure that the PFD is not tampered with. However, it will not be effective until Sec. 8 of Article 12 is purged from our Constitution.

2. I reduced the 2016 PFD because the Legislature’s spending rate would have killed the dividend outright by 2020 in the absence of a long-term fiscal plan. To be clear, I reduced the dividend in the shortterm to sustain the permanent fund and the dividend for future generations. Putting a constitutional floor under the dividend calculation rate would ensure this vision.

3. Name a specific program you would like to reduce or eliminate. Explain.

3. It would be out of context to single out just one. There needs to be an acrossthe-board reduction of dependency on government programs, and this would be done on a case by case basis; along with a phasing in of economic empowerment and self reliance of the Alaskan people.

2. I support constitutionally protecting the PFD as part of a fair and balanced approach to guaranteeing Alaskans the PFD they have been promised while putting us on track for a more stable fiscal future. My plan also includes constitutionally protecting education funding so our children’s futures are not subject to the whims of politicians every year. 3. I believe our focus should be on more efficient government. For example, I would propose moving from a one-year to two-year budget cycle to help create fiscal stability and free up government resources that are constantly focused on planning the next budget, which is both inefficient and wasteful.

4. Name a specific program you would like to expand or initiate. Explain.

4. None at this time. The ingenuity of the Alaskan people will astound you when they are allowed to thrive and are not obstructed from doing what they do best. My faith is in the Alaskan people, not government programs.

4. Education: As governor, I would prioritize funding universal pre-K without diminishing the current needs of K-12 education. Public Safety: The state needs to expand the Department of Public Safety, specifically ensuring they have the tools to recruit applicants in the 21st century. Currently, there are 40 vacant but fully funded positions, and only eight recruits in the recent academy.

4. We must address our $2 billion deferred maintenance liability, largely ignored during the Legislature’s ongoing fiscal debate. Because of the fiscal plan compromise, we can now bond for a deferred maintenance capital budget that would put Alaskans to work fixing our roads, schools, and infrastructure. This would inject money into communities across Alaska while simultaneously clearing liabilities from our balance sheet.

5. There will be no need to tax marijuana, or anything else for that matter, when income historically destined for the general fund is restored to the general fund.

5. As governor, I would work with the industry to develop the right tax structure. I would also work with them to create a state bank, so they can properly bank their money and reduce the risks of criminal activity.

5. The concerns of the growers seem reasonable and I am open to considering a tax based on percent of value sold rather than a flat tax. However, I am not proposing any changes at the executive level. I think it is most appropriate for the Alaska Legislature to take the lead on any changes to current marijuana taxes.

6. To have an entrepreneurial friendly environment for the creation of new and unique Alaskan value added industries, along with royalties from film and other industries. Also to open up remote area tourism and resource development by utilizing the re-emerging potentials of airships as described in House Research Agency Report 80-12, “Airships: Potential Alaskan Transportation Alternative.”

6. We must get back to the days where the state has a partnership – not a dependency – on the oil and gas industry. That means diversifying our economy and focusing on successful industries such as fishing, tourism, air transportation, health care, finance, etc. We must also identify new long-term growth potentials like renewable energy, our university system, small micro-businesses, and more.

6. We are working with North Slope producers to lower their production costs by partnering to build toll roads that could stretch the oil exploration season from 100 days on ice roads to potentially yearround. Through gas line negotiations we are opening unprecedented opportunities for Alaskan industries in the Asian markets, including agriculture, seafood, tourism, mining, healthcare, education, and direct flights.

7. No. There are alternatives such as lotteries to make up any perceived shortfall until viable value-added industries restore self-sufficiency. It is important to be weaned off of the habit of dependency.

7. Yes. As a former mayor, I know firsthand that communities see the greatest impact when they are partners in delivering services because they know their communities best. It is common sense that these communities should receive a fair share of the revenues from the services they are helping to adequately deliver to their own residents.

7. As a former mayor, I know how state revenue sharing enabled local governments to better meet the needs of their communities. Due to the fiscal crisis, the program was changed in revenue sharing to community assistance, resulting in reduced but more predictable funding. A long-term fiscal plan and a balanced budget are critical prerequisites to additional funding.

8. This past legislative session saw the departure of several legislators for sexual misconduct. How do you hope to address this issue within the Capitol and across the state?

8. There are laws against sexual misconduct. There is nothing to address, other that seeing that those laws are enforced.

8. There should be a zero tolerance policy when it comes to sexual misconduct – of any kind – both in the Capitol and when legislators are at home in their districts. If any legislator is found to have participated in sexual misconduct – during or before their term – I believe they should be expelled from the Legislature (or relevant office).

8. Our administration will not tolerate sexual harassment or abuse on the part of any executive branch employees. In the last year, all members of my Cabinet and senior staff have undergone extensive sexual harassment and workplace training. This training is being extended throughout the administration. We will investigate all reported incidents of sexual harassment or abuse in the executive branch.

9. No. Reinvigorate the Hickel lawsuit to recover our lands and our resources from the feds. Enforce the 10th Amendment. Non-adherence to the 10th Amendment is not constitutional or acceptable.

9. First, I would fight to get back the 90-10 split, which I believe was wrongfully reduced by politicians cutting deals. With any percentage, however, I would make sure that village corporations and tribes throughout Alaska receive the benefit, not just the regional corporations.

9. I support the action taken to date by Alaska’s delegation in Washington, D.C. Under the recent legislation passed by the House, Alaska’s royalty percentage has gone from one-eighth to one-sixth. Even with the additional 3 percent going to the regional corporations, Alaska’s total and net monetary share has increased.

10. Should there be a “no wolf hunting” buffer zone on state land around Denali National Park to protect wolf viewing access for visitors to the park? Explain.

10. Yes. Because tourism is an important part of Alaska’s economy other than oil income.

10. Yes, I support a buffer zone. Denali National Park is one of Alaska’s greatest treasures and a major economic driver for the state. A buffer zone is a common-sense approach to the balance between protecting our outdoorsman spirit, tourism, and wildlife industry.

10. Tourism is a major industry in Alaska and wildlife viewing plays a key part. Unfortunately, this has created conflicts between lawful and long-standing hunting and trapping practices. While balancing these different values and uses is the job of the Board of Game, I do believe that by working with all stakeholders, including subsistence hunters, we are approaching resolution on this issue.

11. Should a seat on the Alaska Board of Game be designated for a non-hunter? Explain.

11. No. I don’t think it is necessary when you pick the right people.

11. Yes, I believe the board should have the full representation of the impacted population.

11. I don’t think designated seats on either the Board of Fisheries or Board of Game is the best policy. I believe the wisest course is to appoint individuals who are capable of looking at the conservation and development choices for Alaska’s fish and wildlife and make decisions that balance the interests of all users and serve the broad public interest.

12. The costs and efficiency of operation of the university need to be examined before making such a determination.

12. As a former regent and chair of both the Post-Secondary Education Commission and Student Loan Corp., I know that without a strong university system we will lose the ability to keep young people here and train the next generation of nurses, pilots, and teachers. We need reform to build a university system that meets our needs and realizes our potential.

12. Adequate funding for education is one of my highest priorities, and that includes the university. I was pleased that in a time of overall budget reductions we were able to increase university funding. A vibrant and quality university system is vital to so many of our efforts to grow Alaska’s economy and non-negotiable for a high quality of life in Alaska.

3. Since taking office, I have reduced spending by $1.7 billion, closed 40 state facilities statewide, eliminated 3,000 state-funded positions and ended 100 state-funded programs. While we will sustain downward pressure on the budget, all departments have already taken a significant reduction, and we are seeing the effects in our schools, public safety system, and employment rate.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 12, 2018

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

Changes in state election law reflected on primary ballots ing and the ballot change:

Staff report NEWSROOM@NEWSMINER.COM

An April 2018 ruling by the Alaska Supreme Court overturned a state law requiring that candidates in a primary election be registered members of the party holding the primary. The Alaska Democratic Party, which sued to overturn the law, changed its rules in 2016 to allow unaffiliated candidates to run in its primary elections. The change is reflected on the August primary election ballots. Here is information from Alaska Division of Elections regarding the court rul-

• How does the Supreme Court’s ruling affect the Republican Party? The new ruling will not affect the Alaska Republican Party for the 2018 elections because the Alaska Republican Party’s bylaws do not allow non-affiliated candidates to run in its primary. • If someone runs in a partisan primary as an independent candidate and loses, can they run in the general election, just not under that party’s ballot line? Candidates who wish to have their names on the general election ballot

Instructions: To vote, completely fill in the oval next to your choice, like this: United States Representative Nelson, Thomas "John"

(vote for one) Alaska Republican Party Primary

Whittaker, Jed

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Young, Don

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Gattis, Lynn

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Grunwald, Edie

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Jackson, Sharon D.

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Meyer, Kevin G.

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Stevens, Gary L.

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Wright, Stephen

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Governor (vote for one) Colbry, Darin A.

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Dunleavy, Mike J.

State Senator District A

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Heikes, Gerald L.

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Hlatcu, Merica

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Sheldon, Michael D.

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Treadwell, Mead

Alaska Republican Party Primary

• Who can run in the Alaska Democratic Party primary? Any registered Democrat, undeclared or nonpartisan candidate who properly files for candidacy. • Who can run in the Alaska Republican Party primary? Any registered Republican who properly files for candidacy.

United States Representative (vote for one) Cumings, Christopher C. (N)

Alaska Democratic Party Primary

Galvin, Alyse S. (U)

Alaska Democratic Party Primary

Hafner, Carol (D)

Alaska Democratic Party Primary

Shein, Dimitri (D)

Alaska Democratic Party Primary

Governor

Alaska Republican Party Primary

Gordon, Thomas A.

• Can an independent candidate run in any partisan party primary? No. A non-affiliated (those registered undeclared or nonpartisan) candidate may run only in the primary of a politi-

cal party that has elected to open its primary to such candidates. Currently, only the Alaska Democratic Party has timely amended its bylaws to allow such candidates to run in its 2018 primary.

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

(vote for one)

must choose either the nomination petition process or the party primary process; they may not pursue both filing methods at once. If a candidate chooses to run in a party primary and loses, the candidate may still run as a write-in candidate in the general election. Such a candidate must file as a write-in candidate no later than five days before the general election.

(vote for one) Begich, Mark (D)

Alaska Democratic Party Primary

Toien, William S. "Billy" (L)

Alaska Libertarian Party Primary

(vote for one) Kelly, Pete

Alaska Republican Party Primary

State Representative District 1 (vote for one) LeBon, Barton S. "Bart"

Falke, Wolfgang

Alaska Republican Party Primary Alaska Republican Party Primary

Lieutenant Governor (vote for one) Call, Debra L. (D)

Alaska Democratic Party Primary

State Senator District A (vote for one) Kawasaki, Scott (D)

Alaska Democratic Party Primary

State Representative District 1 (vote for one) Dodge, Kathryn E. (D)

FRONT Card 2 SEQ# 1 English

Alaska Democratic Party Primary

FRONT Card 1 SEQ# 1 English

White House asserts ‘vast’ effort to protect elections By Zeke Miller and Deb Riechmann ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON

—

Responding to wide-ranging criticism that it lacked a clear national strategy to protect U.S. elections, the Trump administration put on a show of force earlier this month and said the president had directed a “vast, government-wide effort” to safeguard a cornerstone of American democracy. John Bolton, the national security adviser, also wrote in a letter to Senate Democrats that “President Trump has not and will not tolerate interference in America’s system of representative government.” The warning to American adversaries came as top U.S. intelligence and homeland security officials raised alarms about potential efforts to influence the 2018 and 2020 elections. Homeland security chief Kirstjen Nielsen said: “Our democracy is in the crosshairs.” “We continue to see a pervasive messaging campaign by Russia to try to weaken and divide t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ,” D i r e c t o r o f Nat i o n a l Intelligence Dan Coats said. Their rare appearance during a White House briefing came as a display of resolve, weeks af ter Trump publicly undermined the conclusions of American intelligence agencies regarding Russian interference. After suffering a bipartisan outcry, Trump

FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House Aug. 2 in Washington. AP PHOTO/EVAN VUCCI

Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats arrives for the daily press briefing at the White House Aug. 2 in Washington. From left, is National Security Adviser John Bolton, Coats and FBI Director Christopher Wray. AP PHOTO/ EVAN VUCCI

later said he accepted those findings. Along with National Security Agency D i r e c t o r Pa u l Na k a sone and FBI Director Christopher Wray, they appeared together at the White House on Thursday to try to reassure the American people they are doing everything in their power to address the threat. “We’re throwing everything at it,” Coats said. Nakasone, who is also the commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, said the command and the NSA are both tracking a wide range of foreign cyber adversaries and “are prepared to conduct operations against those actors attempting to under-

mine our nation’s midterm elections.” Nakasone did not divulge details of the U.S. cyber playbook or say what U.S. responses might have already taken place, saying the operations are sensitive and require confidentiality to achieve success. “I won’t discuss the specifics, except to state that our forces are welltrained, ready and very capable,” he said. At one of his confirmation hearings in March, Nakasone said his role was to provide a series of cyber options that might be used as a deterrent to Russian meddling, but he told Congress then that cyber or military options might not be the most effective. “In fact,

it may be less effective than other options that might be considered,” he said. Asked specifically if he had been ordered or authorized to conduct any offensive cyber operations in response to foreign meddling in the U.S., Nakasone offered a vague response. “So my guidance and the direction from the present secretary of defense is very clear, we’re not going to accept meddling in the elections. And it’s very unambiguous.” N i e l s e n , Wr a y a n d Nakasone had all gathered earlier in August in New York City with leaders of top finance, energy and telecommunications companies for a cybersecurity summit, where

they spoke of the urgent need for a collective, collaborative approach to security. At the event, Nielsen said the cyber threat now exceeds the danger of a physical attack against the U.S. by a hostile foreign group. Wray told reporters that compared to 2016, in 2018 “we are not yet seeing the same kind of efforts to specifically target election infrastructure,” but that other efforts to influence public opinion continue. He added that the FBI has active investigations on foreign influence across all 56 of its field offices. “ Ma k e n o m i s t a k e , the scope of this foreign influence threat is both broad and deep,” he said. But Nielsen said U.S. agencies have “seen a willingness and a capability on the part of the Russians” to attack U.S. election infrastructure. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers in both parties have pushed elec tion security toward the top of the fall agenda amid

heightened concerns about interference by Russians and others in the midterm elections. Both Republicans and Democrats have criticized the administration’s response as fragmented, without enough coordination across federal agencies. And with the midterms only three m o n t h s aw ay, c r i t i c s have called on Trump to take a stronger stand. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate i n t e l l i ge n c e c o m m i t tee, questioned whether Trump was serious about countering Russian interference. “Glad to see the White House finally do something about election security — even if it’s only a press conference,” Warner tweeted. “Now, if only it was actually backed up by anything the president has said or done on Russia.” Bolton said Trump is “leading unprecedented action to punish Russia” for its efforts to disrupt American elections.

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Lynn Gattis

Edie Grunwald

Sharon Jackson

Kevin Meyer

1. Gov. Bill Walker signed legislation allowing Alaska Permanent Fund investment earnings to be used to help close the state’s projected $2.1 billion budget for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Still, the budget is expected to be short $700 million and budget gaps are expected for several years. What is your solution?

1. First, determine if the budget has actually been reduced. Gov. Walker has used various figures throughout his tenure from 3 percent to 25 percent to 44 percent, and they confuse Alaskans. The simple act of moving money between different state budget categories is not a savings and is deceptive. We must continually lower operating costs and evaluate services and programs and determine if it is mandated by the state Constitution or in a statute. Is it a “nice to have or required to have”? The footprint of government has grown beyond its mission, and all services and programs need to be reassessed regularly.

1. As lieutenant governor, I will assist the newly elected Republican governor with his fiscal plan. I will be a trusted adviser. As a retired colonel in the military, I have carried out many critical missions. With $18 billion in the earnings reserve account and approximately $2 billion still in the Constitutional Budget Reserve: No balancing the state budget on the citizens’ back. No more raids on the statutory calculation of the permanent fund dividend without a vote of the people. No more taking away from hard-working Alaskans with an income tax. I represent efficiencies, waste reduction and accountability.

1. We must cut wasteful spending and over-bloated salaries, especially to consultants that live out of state. Example of waste: While I was campaigning, a young man told me he fell on hard times and qualified for assistance. When he regained employment he asked the state to stop paying him. Two years later, the state is still putting money in his account. Yes, he is smart enough to not spend it, but how many accounts are still being paid? Hotel in Bethel, need I say more?

1. In addition to restructuring the permanent fund earnings, the solution that the Senate Majority proposed, and I still agree with, is to continue downward pressure on state spending, streamlining and finding efficiencies in state agencies and programs, and increasing oil and gas production to bring revenue to the state coffers. There is much we can do to incentivize (or at least not penalize) responsible natural resource development, and there are many places the state can tighten its belt, and I intend to work toward those goals.

2. Do you support or oppose placing into the Alaska Constitution the issuance of the annual permanent fund dividend and the method of calculating it? Why or why not?

2. Yes, I support protecting it in the state Constitution. Using the historical calculation of 50 percent of the earnings reserve over a five-year average is the peoples’ share. The only way the PFD will be protected from the continuous and escalating appropriation by the Legislature and the grab by the governor is to place it in the Constitution.

2. I think that is a question for the people to answer. It was already a state statue, which means it was the law put in place by our legislatures. The law was broken. Why should we change our Constitution based on the unlawful behavior of a few. The decision the people make, I will support wholeheartedly.

2. The PFD is a statutory entitlement created by the Legislature in 1981. It can be changed to provide dividends and, when needed, restructured to fund our state government that all Alaskans benefit from. I don’t believe the dividend should be a constitutional right, but a statutory entitlement to share our resource wealth with every Alaskan and maintain the ability to use it in an emergency.

3. Name a specific program you would like to reduce or eliminate. Explain.

3. 1. Eliminate employee bonuses within DHHS. 2. The legitimate spending within the Department of Commerce that belongs in other more appropriate departments needs to be shifted and this department eliminated. It has become a dumping ground for spending excess that is used as a method to filter funds through to other departments.

3. Medicaid expansion. In my opinion, it has deflated our working class, hence the highest unemployment almost ever, in Alaska. We will always take care of people who can’t care for themselves, without question. We are paying for able working capable residents to not work, and we cannot fiscally sustain ourselves as a state. We will have more people in poverty.

3. I believe we still have substantial savings to be realized by restructuring the state’s healthcare plans that cover the various groups of employees. There are hundreds of millions of dollars that can be saved by consolidating these plans, according to a study completed by the Department of Health and Social Services in 2017.

4. Name a specific program you would like to expand or initiate. Explain.

4. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is underfunded. It is the smallest department in state government, and Alaska has the largest population of veterans per capita in the United States. We are underserving those who fought for our freedoms!

4. I would like to expand job services. Assisting people to find jobs empowers them as individuals. I would also like to expand our education to more trade/vocational schools. This will allow people to get the skills they need and able to apply these skills quicker. Students win and our small business wins. That’s what you call a win-win for our community and the state of Alaska.

4. I would like to see more funding to bolster public safety and criminal justice in our state. In addition, I have sponsored legislation in the past, and would still like to see established, a program where state employees can report instances of inefficient use of state resources including waste and fraud.

5. I don’t think that government should be in the business of legalizing marijuana or other recreational drugs in the first place. In effect, we have turned the government from the cops into the robbers by creating this taxing scheme and promoting the use of drugs for a tax advantage.

5. I believe there should be a percentage based on gross income across the board. If I understand it correctly, in some boroughs, marijuana businesses aren’t paying taxes. If that’s true, we need to change it. A flat percentage tax across the industry sounds fair, from what little I know, at this point.

5. I don’t have a position on revising the tax structure for the cannabis industry but would welcome research into best practices and an open dialogue, including how other states are doing in this area, so that taxes are fair and not overly burdensome to the industry.

6. We are poorly promoting the tourism industry that has statewide implications. We have a hostile regulatory environment that erodes the positive impacts of responsible development. Alaska must look to aggressively pursue companies like Amazon to locate their next world hub as we are perfectly situated as crossroads to the world.

6. Alaska is rich in resources and I consider the best resource of all is our people. I once attended a patent award ceremony at UAA. The innovative spirit and level of intelligence blew my mind. We need to inspire innovation and maybe go as far as rewarding them. With today’s technology and the respect of due process, our future looks very bright to me.

6. Alaska must have policies in place that do not disincentive oil and gas production. We also have vast resources (minerals, timber, tourism, military activity, etc.) that can be responsibly developed and used. The reality is, all other sectors of Alaska’s economy together will not make up for revenue we receive from the oil industry. We must make sure the oil industry remains robust.

7. I would support increases in revenue sharing to the Fairbanks area in exchange for a reduction in state services so that the financial decisions could be made and administrated locally for maximum advantage and not micromanaged at the state level.

7. Absolutely. When our cities and municipalities do well, our state reaps the benefits. We were always taught to share (I’m just saying)!

7. I have been supportive of state revenue sharing in the past for communities to be able to offset the high costs of energy mainly in rural areas. However, in times of scarce public funds such as we’ve had over the past several years, there has just not been the funding for this program. But that’s been because of low oil prices, which in turn, has been beneficial to local municipalities and utilities.

8. This past legislative session saw the departure of several legislators for sexual misconduct. How do you hope to address this issue within the Capitol and across the state?

8. The respective political parties in Alaska should be vetting their candidates better before putting them on the ballot, and if derogatory information is revealed they should be discouraged from running for office and at a minimum not financially supported. We must have a more vigorous system that conducts thorough background checks on ALL elected officials on an ongoing basis.

2. Because statutes and “We, the people” have been ignored, I would support a constitutional amendment to preserve and restore the PFD. We, as voters, created the permanent fund (1976); it ensures we have a stake in our governance. The formula has worked for 40 years and the fund has flourished. A constitutional amendment would ensure perpetuity. 3. I will improve processes within my responsibility: The Division of Elections, the state seal, and other administrative duties. I will update the voter database; streamline, invest, divest, consolidate, and utilize talent. Alaskans should not be the liability for the LNG pipeline. Consolidate staffs, reduce duplications: Help our new governor reduce the burden of government on the great people of Alaska. 4. I would like to make public safety a priority. We have demanded it and have been ignored. Law-abiding citizens, families, businesses, and law enforcement among others have absorbed the risks (lives, possessions, health, financial, liberty, justice, freedoms); victim numbers continuously rise. SB91 would work if criminals were honest. I would advocate for a senior citizen ombudsman. 5. As lieutenant governor, it will be my job to help the governor carry out his plans on items like this. Fundamentally, there are costs to regulating the cannabis industry; the initiative that voted it into existence was literally to “tax and regulate” this industry. It should be taxed to cover its regulatory cost like the voters asked it to be. 6. We are a resource development state and need to develop our resources, as per Article 8 in our state Constitution. I will support our new Republican governor and our Legislature to carry out their constitutional mandate and “encourage the development of its resources by making them available for maximum use.”Tourism, business, and private enterprise and industry are key. 7. State revenue sharing is possible when government spending is prioritized and responsible — at each level. We each must live within our means. This includes state and local governments. Each level of government needs to find and adjust to a sustainable size. Fiscal requests should be honest and results driven. No financial accounting tricks to get the desired outcome. 8. As elected officials, we should have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct. Tolerance of bad behavior is the fastest way to encourage bad behavior. Everyone deserves a safe environment in which to work.

8. A crime is a crime, punishable by law. No one should be exempted. A crime should be reported to the judicial branch. That’s why we have these separations. The legislative body should not investigate, especially their own criminal behavior. That is not within their jurisdiction.

8. It is my hope that the incidents over the past year regarding misconduct by legislators will be a wake-up call not only for legislators and staff but for all Alaska citizens. I am hopeful the policies recently put in place by the Legislature regarding reporting and investigating allegations will provide victims the resources needed to stop these actions.

9. Yes. Absolutely, at the very least we should be recognized and eligible as a state to be included in the Reclamation Act, which would return 40 percent of those funds to Alaska for infrastructure development. It would solve our capital budget and create economic opportunities that will reinvigorate the loss of the capital budget.

9. I oppose modification of the 50-50 plan. It is unconstitutional. Analogy: When a husband and wife dissolve their marriage, it is simply 50-50 within reason. Would it be OK to modify that ratio if they both invest equally? The federal government owns more than its fair share of Alaska already. Alaska is not for sale.

9. I support the 3 percent modification to the 50-50 state-federal revenue sharing in order to resolve historical inequities amongst Native corporations.

Wasilla Republican

Palmer Republican

Eagle River Republican

Anchorage Republican

QUESTIONS

9. Currently, I oppose modifying the 50-50 split. After 40 years, the efforts of Congressman Young and our senators led to opening of 1002 area of ANWR for development of natural resources, specifically oil and gas. The revenue split garnered the votes for Congress to pass this law. It means future energy security of our great nation. All Alaskans benefit.

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See more Q&A online at www.newsminer.com/news/politics

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 12, 2018

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Gary Stevens

Kodiak Republican

Stephen Wright

Debra Call

Wasilla Republican

Byron Mallott Anchorage Democrat

Juneau Democrat

Unopposed in Democratic primary

Incumbent, bypassing primary election and seeking November ballot. See “About this section” on page 3.

Did not respond.

1. Fully restored PFD, as established in 1981. We intend to give back the money capped by the Legislature and governor in the past few years of the Walker administration. We plan to restore the formula for the dividend distribution by using funds with a five-year average formula for consistency and stability as set in state law. Our Alaskan right and tradition “shall be restored.” We support the original statute not to be changed without a vote of the people. SB26 was a bad deal and the POMV needs to only be used on the 50 percent share that the Legislature must vote to draw upon.

1. We need a long-term, balanced approach that puts Alaska back on track. • Constitutionally protect the PFD to prevent it from being a political football every budget cycle. • I also support Mark Begich’s plan to dedicate remaining funds to pre-K-12 education, which this year could have freed up as much as $1.6 billion in general funds. • Find efficiencies, which we can identify through reforming delivery of government services and maximizing our use of available resources. Only after taking these common-sense first steps we may have to review or add new revenues if we still have a deficit.

1. We need the ability to grow Alaska again. That requires investment in our infrastructure to support a robust private sector. For that reason, I believe Alaska needs to embrace a broad-based statewide tax that would capture income earned in Alaska by seasonal and itinerant workers.

Did not respond.

2. Protecting your PFD, our government will move to work on a constitutional amendment that protects any restructuring of the fund by the legislators from the House, Senate and governor by placing protections on the fund. Restructuring must be decided by us as PFD shareholders of Alaska. The 50 percent people’s share is held in common voted in regular general election cycle.

2. Do you support or oppose placing into the Alaska Constitution the issuance of the annual permanent fund dividend and the method of calculating it? Why or why not?

2. I support this. Alaskans rely on the dividend to pay our bills, send our kids to school, and create a cushion to deal with unexpected events like a medical emergency. I believe there are concrete steps we can take to put Alaska back on track to long-term fiscal stability without undermining this promise made to Alaskans.

2. The dividend is an important economic engine in our relatively thin consumer economy. I believe that receipt of the dividend and its amount need to be certain — both fiscally and in the minds of Alaskans. I’m prepared to test the fortitude of the Legislature to hold to SB 26 but would consider a constitutional amendment if the Legislature failed to do so.

Did not respond.

3. We would like to reduce the overarching expansion of healthcare options. High reimbursement cost should be identified and reduced in Medicaid. We don’t need all the options and certain procedures should not be paid for by the state. Environmental overreach programs that limit our economic growth, like stand for this or that… The Constitution is clear: maximum benefit for the people.

3. Name a specific program you would like to reduce or eliminate. Explain.

3. We need to focus on reducing waste, eliminating inefficiencies, and promoting long-term planning to reduce costs and increase quality in delivery of services in the long run. Rather than focus on “big government” or “small government,” I believe we should be focused on smart government that works for Alaskans.

3. We should always be on the lookout for greater government efficiencies and potential consolidation, but we have cut services to the public enough.

Did not respond.

4. The Sheldon-Wright PFD restoration plan will also include interest earned during the time it was withheld from the people. We must keep our commonly held mineral rights common. Working to change recipient non-residence status by 25 percent until a new resident reaches a full dividend after four years. Add land options for all Alaskans to choose based for greater privatization.

4. Name a specific program you would like to expand or initiate. Explain.

4. High energy costs in rural Alaska mean people can’t start small businesses, expand existing businesses, or even save for workforce training. I would refund the weatherization program, which has been defunded for a few years, and expand funding for renewable energy in rural Alaska.

4. Climate change is happening around us — more so than in any other state. We need to invest in research and new technologies to adapt to this change.

Did not respond.

5. If a tax is necessary, it should be a percentage of the gross income of product sold by businesses. All resources of the state should be on a balanced equal footing. Generating more of a flat type tax would be better. Businesses should know the amount of taxes for their product up front.

5. We need to find a tax structure that is fair and makes sense over the long-term. We must also find banking solutions that help mitigate the potential for criminal activity and ensure that the state doesn’t lose revenue.

Did not respond.

6. Renegotiate fair contracts with oil companies. We will in good faith negotiate and develop proper measures to make sure the continued development and production of oil as the first and best option for Alaska. We will focus on production and not just exploration as previous administrations have done.

6. We must address the underlying structural obstacles to economic growth in Alaska. By diversifying our economy and investing in pre-K-12, vocational training, and technology, we can make Alaska a great place to start, grow, or maintain a business again. We need an environment that allows small businesses to thrive because they are the drivers of economic growth and diversification.

6. Key to attracting new or expanded businesses and enterprises in Alaska is a commitment to address deferred maintenance on our existing infrastructure and to build new infrastructure that will make Alaska competitive on a regional and global stage.

Did not respond.

7. Yes. Our 81-09-10 plan: 81 percent of the budget for state expenditures will be used for all state agencies under the umbrella running the state efficiently with this percentage value. 9 percent of the budget is a competitive fund to build state’s infrastructure and partner with federal dollars divided into three funds appropriated by values of 3 percent to the House, Senate and administration.

7. Yes. Integrated government is the key to good governance. Municipalities are subject to localized economic shocks that they are often not prepared to overcome without steep cuts to public safety, education, and infrastructure investment. With a larger economy and more diversified sources of revenue, the state plays a critical role in stabilizing municipal budgets.

7. It is at the local level that most citizens interface with their government. Some portion of Alaska’s wealth should be shared with local governments to help better serve our residents.

Did not respond.

8. We will set a policy of two or more staff members available at all times for ensuring the conduct of members at state offices are in par with our protection policy. Safe and effective rules protecting against the accusations of lobbyists. We will also reduced number of days in session by effective competitive budget plan.

8. This past legislative session saw the departure of several legislators for sexual misconduct. How do you hope to address this issue within the Capitol and across the state?

8. First, we need legislative policies for reporting, investigating, and disciplining claims of sexual misconduct. Second, we should mandate sexual misconduct training across government, so potential perpetrators have a better sense of the boundaries of acceptable behaviors and victims know their rights. Third, as leaders we need to inculcate the values of zero tolerance of sexual misconduct and thereby stop enabling perpetrators.

8. We must always model best practices based on values of human dignity and respect. Concretely, our administration has been updating policies and undertaking training and education to make sure that the executive branch meets the high standards expected of it.

Did not respond.

9. We oppose any change differing from the statehood compact. Additional easement and other opportunities must be explored with more federal dollars to connect the infrastructure to make this development happen. If a phased approach is needed, we hope to tap as many oil wells as possible to build our economy and infrastructure. Oil refineries are must as we increase production.

9. I strongly support modifying the revenue sharing agreement back to the 90-10 split that was unfortunately lost. I also believe village corporations should benefit from our natural resource wealth, not just regional corporations.

9. I support the efforts because I believe that the proposal will help re-establish the distribution equity originally envisioned in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Did not respond.

10. Yes. There should be a buffer zone and proper and appropriate management will need to happen out of season or as the park has too many predators, trapping will occur to offset any imbalance. We must ensure a balance is maintained and the people and nature are not prioritized one over the other. Our administration will protect the subsistence lifestyle in Alaska for generations.

10. Should there be a “no wolf hunting” buffer zone on state land around Denali National Park to protect wolf viewing access for visitors to the park? Explain.

10. Tourism is one of the most important industries in Alaska, and Denali National Park is one of our crown jewels. Visitors are excited to see wildlife such as wolves, and so some sort of buffer is important to preserve that experience. This also needs to be balanced with the needs of local communities who depend upon moose as a staple in their diet.

10. Animal viewing, not only in Denali National Park but around the state is an important part of Alaska tourism and the Alaska lifestyle. Predator control and other regulatory measures need to be implemented responsibly and with these interests weighing heavily in the decision-making process.

Did not respond.

11. No. I think that those who sit on boards like Fish and Game should be experienced and they should be good at managing the fish and allowing for the first run of fish to go to the subsistence folks. I think it is important to not have non-hunter involved, but have those hunters who work through an imbalance and protect the game.

11. Should a seat on the Alaska Board of Game be designated for a non-hunter? Explain.

11. I support the principle of inclusivity but also believe appointments to the board should be based on their knowledge, experience, and expertise in conserving and developing Alaska’s wildlife resources. Definitions of terns like “non-hunter” need to be clear and make sense.

11. All stakeholders should have their voices meaningfully heard by their government. The Board of Game is no exception.

Did not respond.

12. Our 81-9-10 plan will allow for agencies to rack and stack their budgets and compete for added funding. After a 10 percent cut, the Legislature in the House or Senate or administration can combine the total percentage of 9 percent as one large project or separate projects as an option to compete for 3 percent designated funds appropriated during the third quarter.

12. Fully funding our university system is a top priority for me. Quality education is the bedrock of a thriving society. A strong university system is essential to growing a local workforce, preventing the brain drain that comes from our children seeking opportunities Outside, and pursuing the research opportunities necessary to diversifying our economy.

12. I place a high priority on university funding. It prepares our present and future workforce; it is our incubator of innovation, and it provides the research that will guide government and private sector decision-making throughout Alaska.

See more Q&A online at www.newsminer.com/news/politics

5. None

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

Poll: Young people looking for younger leaders By Laurie Kellman and Hannah Fingerhut ASSOCIATED PRESS

WA S H I N G T O N —

Young people are looking for a change this election season — a generational change. A poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and MTV found that most Americans ages 15 to 34 think voting in the midterm elections gives their generation some say about how the government is run, and 79 percent of this group say leaders from their generation would do a better job running the country. The poll found young people eager to vote for someone who shared their political views on issues like health care and immigration policy. They expressed far less excitement about voting for a candidate described as a lifelong politician. “These older Congress people, they don’t understand the internet and they don’t know what they’re talking about,” said Greg Davis, a 29-year-old from Grandview, Ohio, who says he watched in exasperation last spring as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg easily handled what was supposed to be a Senate grilling on privacy policy. “The questions that he was getting asked about security and privacy were asinine. We need leadership that actually understands tech.” It’s true that the current Congress is among the oldest in U.S. history. At the beginning of the 115th Congress in January 2017, the average age of House members was nearly 58. The average age of senators was nearly 62, among the oldest, according to the Congressional Research Service. Political change is in the air in 2018. A record number of women are running. Young Americans who don’t remember a time without the internet are eligible to cast ballots. Some started paying attention in 2016, after Donald Trump upset Democrat Hillary Clinton and tensions in the U.S. escalated. About two-thirds of the young people in the poll say they are extremely or very excited to vote for a candidate who cares about the issues that affect them and their generation, including the economy, gun policy and equal rights, along with immigration and health care. Although most say they’d be at least moderately excited to vote for younger, nonwhite and female candidates, those characteristics don’t generate as much excitement as someone who shares their political views. By contrast, fewer than half are at least moderately excited about a candidate who is a lifelong politician.

ALASKA LEGISLATURE Scott Kawasaki

Pete Kelly

Click Bishop

Senate District A

Senate District C

Fairbanks Democrat

Fairbanks Republican

Unopposed in Democratic primary

Unopposed in Republican primary, incumbent

1. I opposed the Senate measure to use permanent fund earnings for the first time since the PFD began. It lacked any guarantee for future PFDs, and these cuts hurt seniors, children, those on fixed incomes but raised no revenue from someone who works on the North Slope and flies back to home to Texas. I support getting a fair share for our resources like oil, fish, timber and minerals first. I also support measures so that visitors to the state or workers who use our state help to pay for some of the services they receive.

1. That bill put a spending limit on any withdrawals from the permanent fund earnings reserve. It was a necessary action because the House Democratic Finance Committee, which included Scott Kawasaki as one of its senior members, literally raided the accounts of the permanent fund by funding a monstrously bloated budget entirely with money from the permanent fund reserve. This shocked Wall Street investors and forced an emergency meeting by the permanent fund board. By forcing a fire sale on investments it would have caused more than $500 million in investment losses. Fortunately, Senate Republicans unceremoniously killed the bill.

1. We should consider increasing the state motor fuel tax, including the highway fuel tax that has stayed at 8 cents a gallon since 1970. I would like to seriously consider re-establishing an education head tax, similar to the one from territorial days that ended in 1980. We should do an impact analysis of the cost and benefit of a statewide sales tax. We need to keep moving forward to develop an Alaska gas project and bring all assets to bear to bring online the Pikka unit and the Willow Nanushuk oil discoveries in a timely fashion.

2. Do you support or oppose placing into the Alaska Constitution the issuance of the annual permanent fund dividend and the method of calculating it? Why or why not?

2. I support protecting the PFD in the state Constitution and introduced a bill to put the issue to a vote of all Alaskans. As the size of the PFD has been cut by Senate leaders, it is the only way to protect the PFD for future generations. Many rely on their PFD for food, fuel, clothing and savings.

2. The current formula (“fully funding the dividend”) is fatally flawed. Recent use of that formula actually drove the dividend account down to a $100,000. The formula is too vulnerable to market fluctuations and without changes could end up in a zero dividend. Constitutionalizing it could prohibit the state from making future adjustments that could save the dividend.

2. I oppose placing the PFD in the Constitution because doing so would limit ways to balance the budget, especially during a fiscal emergency. It also would crimp the ability of permanent fund managers to invest and generate more revenues for Alaskans.

3. Name a specific program you would like to reduce or eliminate. Explain.

3. The state could save money by reducing the total inventory of equipment, offices and buildings, some of which are rarely or infrequently used. The total amount of maintenance on all public buildings/roads is over $2.5 billion. The state could utilize building space more efficiently and centralize functions in to one larger building.

3. I sponsored and passed SB74, a major Medicaid reform bill. Without punishing recipients, the bill created about $400 million in savings over a six-year period. More needs to be done, but if we continue to support administrations that seem to be frantic in their efforts to expand Medicaid the costs will eventually consume the rest of state funding.

3. None. The Legislature has cut billions over the past few years. We need to step back, wait and see what the repercussions are from doing that before we consider any more major reductions. We should always strive to find efficiencies in state services and continue to work toward balancing revenues with what Alaskans need.

4. Name a specific program you would like to expand or initiate. Explain.

4. Alaska is ranked near the bottom in pre-K and other early education availability for young families. While the state does have a pilot pre-K that has shown positive results, it is only available to less than 500 families. Pre-K education should be universal, affordable and voluntary and run through the school district or private schools.

4. Deferred maintenance, road money, research.

4. I support workforce development, K-12 and post-secondary education, and apprenticeship programs that support Alaska hire so that dollars earned in Alaska stay in Alaska to grow our economy.

5. Growers and the Marijuana Control Board have suggested changes to this flat tax, which does not consider quality or price fluctuations. This is a new, legal and growing industry that was overwhelmingly supported by voters only a few short years ago. The Legislature should consider easing taxes.

5. Usually a tax increases and decreases with revenue. It doesn’t seem unreasonable to do the same with marijuana.

5. I support the Alaska Department of Revenue’s current effort to restructure cannabis taxes so that mature buds would be taxed at $50 an ounce, immature and abnormal buds at $25 an ounce, and the rest of the plant at $15 an ounce. However, I want to hear how Alaskans feel about it after the public comment period, which ended Aug. 10.

6. We have a pipeline in our backyard, yet have the highest cost of energy. Alaska should revise the royalty statutes specifically providing for in-state use to lower the cost of energy. Lowering energy costs will benefit residents, but it would also reduce the cost of transportation and labor to help create a vibrant manufacturing base.

6. The question is confusing. Oil has gone from $26 to $80 per barrel – hardly a slight increase? Also, for the first time since 1988 we have production increases in consecutive years. In addition, Alaska’s oil is selling at a six dollar per barrel premium in comparison with other producers. We need to diversify, but let’s get our facts straight.

6. Alaska needs cheap energy, like Susitna hydropower, to help spur development for things like manufacturing and food production. We need to keep working hard to bring the Alaska gas project online as soon as possible.

7. Revenue sharing has worked for decades as a way to share oil wealth the state collects with local government. Local government is more nimble and efficient and is better equipped to address local needs than folks in Juneau. Revenue sharing is used to repair buildings, lower property taxes, provide for public safety in the city and it should be enhanced.

7. In FY 2016? The Senate Finance Committee, of which I was chair, redirected some of the money from an annuity designed to supplement rural power to a community assistance fund. I support these kinds of mechanism for a reliable flow of funds to help local governments.

7. We still have revenue sharing – now called community assistance – albeit at reduced levels due to tight budgets. The Legislature passed Senate Bill 210 in 2016 to allow a program established in 2008, when times were flush, to continue within budget constraints. When state finances improve, we should increase support for community assistance — just as we did in 2008.

8. This past legislative session saw the departure of several legislators for sexual misconduct. How do you hope to address this issue within the Capitol and across the state?

8. The Legislature should continue reforming and refining the existing procedures in place and then legislators and staff should have continuing education annually to ensure conformity with the rules. The rules should be clear, unambiguous and allow for anonymity. Punishment for violations should be swift, severe and ensure that there is closure for the victim.

8. By the way, all three legislators removed from office because of sexual misconduct were House Democrats. Another case from a few years ago also involves a House Democrat but has yet to come to light. Moreover, it is possible that potential crimes involving a cover-up by the House Democrat majority may also emerge. The press is sleeping on this issue.

8. Legislative Council approved new guidelines last April that spell out how to report sexual harassment; set a timeline to investigate misconduct; allow independent investigations; and, establish workplace conduct policy that also applies to non-work hours. We need to follow that. The Legislature now requires lawmakers and staff to undergo sexual harassment training. We need to continue to do so.

9. The original agreement was a 90-10 split between Alaska and the federal government. I support the higher split on oil that is on federal lands because so much of our land has not yet been ceded over to our state. The higher share we preserve means there will be more for our Alaskan corporations who also have inholdings.

9. The state Senate has no power in this issue. I’ll leave that one to Don, Dan, and Lisa

9. Support. Alaska Native corporations help the state grow and flourish. We should work with them as partners to develop Alaska’s natural resources.

10. Should there be a “no wolf hunting” buffer zone on state land around Denali National Park to protect wolf viewing access for visitors to the park? Explain.

10. I support a buffer zone near one of the best sites for visitors and Alaskans alike to interact with nature. I also support expanding state land for hunting opportunities whenever there may be land set aside for a buffer. We must protect our hunting and fishing rights to benefit all our future generations.

10. No. The park is a buffer zone. I do not support a buffer zone around a buffer zone.

10. No. Wolf numbers go up and down with prey populations, according to a state report on the history of wolf and ungulate populations. A boundary line is not going to keep wolves inside a designated area that lacks food. When prey is scarce, wolves are going to do what wolves do: They will travel outside the park to find it.

11. Should a seat on the Alaska Board of Game be designated for a non-hunter? Explain.

11. I consider supporting someone based on merit, and I oppose placing any restrictions on the Board of Game or the members. The governor should observe current state law and find volunteers who have a diversity of interests, and then the Legislature should ratify the candidate only after extensive review.

11. Alaska statutes require that the board adopt regulations “to provide for intensive management programs to restore the abundance or productivity of identified big game prey populations as necessary to achieve human consumptive use goals.”The board’s role is to provide for hunting, not viewing. Thereby, meeting both needs. More animals for hunting equals more animals for viewing.

11. No. The current system works within constraints set by the Alaska Constitution. The board changes with each new governor. Over time, non-consumptive users have been named to the board.

12. My entire family has graduated from UAF and I am a proud Nanook! The university is an economic engine that attracts millions from the private sector, federal government, military and even other countries that want to solve world problems. Smart investments will ensure that Alaskans of all ages have a low-priced, high-quality education right here at home.

12. I have always supported the university and have always been in a position in the Legislature to make that support count. Even in tough times I have sought to fight for UA funding and am most proud of the role I played in securing funding for the new power plant, which is critical for the future of UAF.

12. I support full funding for the University of Alaska. It’s an economic engine. It helps students tap and develop their potential. It generates research. It’s a cash magnet, attracting federal and private monies. It advances innovation – such as the new $250 million UAF power plant, one of the largest state civil projects that provides clean-coal energy to the campus.

QUESTIONS

See more Q&A online at www.newsminer.com/news/politics, including all the candidates’ responses, polling places and sample ballots. Don’t know your polling place? Call 1-888-383-8683

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 12, 2018

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

ALASKA LEGISLATURE Kathryn Dodge

Wolfgang Falke

Bart LeBon

Van Lawrence

Steve Thompson

House District 1

House District 2

Fairbanks Democrat

Fairbanks Republican

Unopposed in Democratic primary

Fairbanks Democrat

Fairbanks Republican

Unopposed in Democratic primary

Unopposed in Republican primary, incumbent

QUESTIONS 1. Given the recent rise in oil prices and stable throughput, the projected budget gap may have become smaller and be more manageable. Regardless, we must be ready to consider filling any resulting budget gap from a combination of sources: state savings (CBR; earnings reserve), reduced state spending (acrossthe-board discussion), broad-base tax (sales and/or income) and an adjusted PFD check amount. The final outcome of this discussion to fill any future budget gap depends upon who gets elected governor and whether or not a change takes place in the control and leadership of the Alaska House.

1. As stated in Article VIII of Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Constitution, the natural resources of Alaska should be used for the maximum benefit of its people. State royalties on all of the natural resources â&#x20AC;&#x201D; oil, natural gas, fish, timber, and minerals â&#x20AC;&#x201D; should be at least the average of what is charged worldwide. I will work across the isle to come up with the best alternative solution to dipping into the permanent fund or its dividend.

1. This is a tough question. Everyone has a different opinion on what the PFD should be used for. Back in our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, there is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hammond Plan.â&#x20AC;? In a 1979 memo from Gov. Hammond to the Senate President, Clem Tillion, the governor envisioned that the PFD earnings should be divided up with 50 percent to general funds and the remaining 50 percent divided for capital programs, with a minimum of 25 percent of that 50 percent for the PFD. Ideally, I would like to see every Alaskan receive a full PFD. Legislation passed this session limits legislatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fund withdrawal from the earnings reserve.

2. Do you support or oppose placing into the Alaska Constitution the issuance of the annual permanent fund dividend and the method of calculating it? Why or why not?

2. I support protecting the PFD so that Alaskans can continue to benefit from the resources that belong to all of us. As a legislator, I will support legislation that does this.

Did not respond.

2. I do not support placing into the Alaska Constitution any calculation method related to the PFD. Doing so would essentially â&#x20AC;&#x153;handcuffâ&#x20AC;? the legislative process and could potentially force bad financial decisions that limit future budget flexibility. The PFD is worthy of protection, but a â&#x20AC;&#x153;rigidâ&#x20AC;? calculation could result in a financial miscalculation that would not be beneficial long-term to Alaska.

2. I oppose attempting to craft an amendment to the state Constitution providing for the method of calculating the PFD amount until we have figured out how to adequately fund our state government. If we lock in a dividend without enacting new revenues to close the budget gap, the permanent fund and its dividends will disappear.

2. No, I do not support it. In lean years setting this up could expend all PFD earnings that could end the PFD checks completely.

3. Name a specific program you would like to reduce or eliminate. Explain.

3. I think this is the wrong question. The Alaska Legislature has been carefully going through department budgets looking for savings since 2015. That said, I always watch and listen for opportunities to do things smarter, better or cheaper. Contact me if you have a cost-saving idea.

Did not respond.

3. I have none under consideration at this time. Low oil prices from the last four years have led to significant reductions in state spending. The next legislative session should be one of balance and stability. I would enter office with a completely open mind regarding state spending and the various programs that receive state support, but I will always support eliminating inefficiencies and duplications.

3. How does one determine which programs to cut when so many have already taken a hard hit due to the decrease in state spending? I would not cut or reduce any programs at this time.

3. Medicaid spending should be reduced. It is the largest individual expenditure the state has.

4. Name a specific program you would like to expand or initiate. Explain.

4. Alaska recently established a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and I propose strengthening this program with an Opioid Prescribing Practices Task Force like the one in Washington state. It would be made up of representatives from the medical professionals that prescribe opioids and would develop opioid prescribing protocols and training.

Did not respond.

4. Three come to mind: public safety, K-12 education and the University of Alaska. However, I would not use the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;expandâ&#x20AC;? but rather the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;support.â&#x20AC;? Budget factors would mean that enhanced funding in these areas would likely be at the expense of other programs. The budget debate will likely be very â&#x20AC;&#x153;spiritedâ&#x20AC;? given the politics of protecting competing interests among state agencies.

4. We need to expand programs for Veterans. Programs currently exist to assist veterans once homelessness is imminent, but we need to provide gap programs to help catch them before they fall. These programs need to have the flexibility to provide case-by-case determinations. There is no reason any veteran should be turned away when seeking assistance.

4. I would like to expand capital spending for deferred maintenance. The state is behind over$2 billion on maintenance on state buildings. Spending money to take care of maintenance around the state would create jobs and put people to work and alleviate a major issue. If we delay maintenance any longer, the buildings will further deteriorate and cost more to repair.

5. Growers in Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal cannabis industry say the $50 per ounce flat tax they pay to the state needs to be revised because it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t adjust as the price of their product goes down. What, if any, changes do propose in the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taxing of marijuana?

5. I understand that the $50 per ounce is charged for both the top-quality bud and the trimmings that have significantly lower value. I would work with industry to understand their concerns and develop solutions that benefit the community, private sector and the state.

Did not respond.

5. A flat tax at $50 per ounce is easier and less expensive to administer versus tracking price changes, which could happen often. For now, I would not propose any changes to the current tax structure, but I am willing to listen to the industry argument for a future change once the time becomes appropriate for this debate.

5. The excise tax on cannabis should be periodically adjusted to maintain a reasonable ratio between the market price of cannabis and the state tax. If the tax becomes too large in proportion to the market price of cannabis, consumers are more likely to look to the black market.

5. I have no suggestions for change. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keep it at that price for now until we can do a more thorough review.

6. While the price of oil has increased slightly from recent years, the oil industry is not performing as it used to. What ideas do you have for diversifying Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy and bringing revenue back to the state?

6. We need to continue working to lower our energy and transportation costs so our businesses, entrepreneurs and families can thrive. This allows our entrepreneurs to develop their ideas, our businesses to expand, and increases the odds that we will have value added processing of our resources.

Did not respond.

6. Oil is still king and should remain our primary focus. Tourism, mining, fishing, natural gas and the military all should be appropriately supported. Diversifying the economy requires a combination of stable management of state resources, reduction of governmental interference in private business and lower energy costs. Look at what 50 years of low energy costs did for the Anchorage economy.

6. Providing broadband internet access to rural areas will connect rural residents and businesses to the world expanding the information, markets, and opportunities available to them. The science and engineering research conducted at the university of Alaska has generated promising inventions and discoveries. The state should create a loan fund for startup businesses which utilize or market these inventions and discoveries.

6. We need to increase resource development. There are many untapped minerals and precious gems that can be sold on the open market and bring revenue to the state. Additionally, we need to become producers, not users. If we produce, we can market our products.

7. This is the wrong question. The Legislature renamed Community Revenue Sharing Program the Community Assistance Program, it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eliminate the program. As a member of the Alaska Municipal League Board and the Borough Assembly, I have been actively involved in advocating for full funding for the Community Assistance Program. I continue to support full funding. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need revival, it needs prioritization.

Did not respond.

7. Currently, available state resources for a meaningful revenue sharing program simply do not exist. State revenue sharing was once a big part of annual municipal revenue. Those days appear gone for at least the foreseeable future. Local communities need to consider their own future revenue sources and not count on the state of Alaska to once again enact a meaningful revenue sharing program.

7. Yes. The state government collects the revenue generated from Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vast resources. However, decision-making on how those revenues should be utilized should be shared with the people through PFDs and local municipalities through revenue sharing.

7. We still have revenue sharing, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Community Assistance Programs.â&#x20AC;? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m in favor of revenue sharing. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s especially important to small or rural communities. They depend on the revenue stream to finance their local governments.

8. This past legislative session saw the departure of several legislators for sexual misconduct. How do you hope to address this issue within the Capitol and across the state?

8. The Legislature has adopted a new sexual harassment policy that is clear and easily understood. The process for filing a claim and the resolution timeline need additional work. I will treat everyone with respect and fairness, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll expect the same from my colleagues and fellow Alaskans.

Did not respond.

8. If elected, I pledge to always hold myself to the highest ethical standard. Sexual misconduct among any elected official is always inappropriate, and if proven to be true should result in their immediate expulsion from office. The risk of immediate expulsion from office should be enough to address this

8. Having helped to raise my daughter, I have zero tolerance for any person making unwanted sexual advances on another person. I will make that clear to my staff and my colleagues in Juneau. People need to model appropriate behavior and report inappropriate behavior.

8. The Legislative Council has imposed new ethics rules. In 2019 these rules will come before the Legislature for approval or modifications. There is no question that this is an important issue to address.

2018 Republican Primary

Hi, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Bart LeBon.

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1. Budget impacts must be balanced. Educating our children is a critical function of state government, along with post-secondary credential programs and degrees. Balancing educational needs with public safety and assuring that Alaskans have the services they need is an example of the critical thinking that has been missing from the discussion in Juneau. It appears that rising oil prices may help ease projected deficits in the short term, but we still must plan for our future. Additional revenue sources should come from those who arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t paying their fair share, like fishing fleets and workers from outside.

VOTE AUG. 21

1. Gov. Bill Walker signed legislation allowing Alaska Permanent Fund investment earnings to be used to help close the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s projected $2.1 billion budget for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Still, the budget is expected to be short $700 million and budget gaps are expected for several years. What is your solution?

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

ALASKA LEGISLATURE Tammie Wilson House District 3

North Pole Republican

QUESTIONS

Unopposed in Republican primary, incumbent

Grier Hopkins

House District 4

Jim Sackett House District 4

Kevin McKinley

House District 5

Adam Wool House District 5

Fairbanks Democrat

Fairbanks Republican

Fairbanks Democrat

Unopposed in Democratic primary

Unopposed in Republican primary

Unopposed in Democratic primary, incumbent

1. I proposed over 400 amendments in the past two years and none of the reductions were approved. The budget continues to grow faster than our population. No other state spends over $17,000 per resident for government services and neither should the state of Alaska.

1. With budget gaps looming despite drastic cuts by the Legislature, it’s time Alaskans plan for the future and solve our budget problems for the long term. As a legislator, I will find a way to use more oil and resource revenue for investments that earn income and end the fossil fuel roller coaster we’ve been on for decades. Earning income from resources instead of spending however much we receive every year will allow Alaska to plan as a state, create sustainability and, most importantly, limit how much Juneau can spend every year while avoiding draconian cuts whenever oil crashes.

1. Alaska is abundantly rich in natural resources. We’ve got to develop our natural resources to fund our government. If we can bring some of the newly discovered oil fields (Willow, Pikka, Horseshoe, and 1002) online pushing our pipeline throughput to over 900,000 barrels per day, that alone resolves the $700 million deficit at current oil prices. It boils down to increasing production, and when combined with higher oil pricing, a lot of problems go away. A responsible use of earnings reserve combined with keeping spending in check will also balance the budget.

1. The budget gap has rapidly dwindled over the past four years from $4 billion to the estimate of $700 million. The continued increase in oil revenue production and the steady climb in the price per barrel is the cause of this. To increase revenue, we must process permit applications and paying into new discoveries on the North Slope to put an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 more barrels a day into the pipeline. In three to five years, with appropriate budgets and the increase in revenue from these new developments, the state of Alaska will have a budget surplus again.

1. An easy solution to fill the expected budget deficit would be to see how much the permanent fund actually brings, then see how much oil revenue is generated and then close the gap by using savings in the CBR. This isn’t a long-term solution. More budget cuts would help but we’ve cut quite a lot in the last few years. We’ll eventually need more funds for capital spending and in areas such as education, public safety and health and social services. A broad-based tax has been floated before and it would be nice to be able to draw revenue from the outof-state workers that come to Alaska.

2. Do you support or oppose placing into the Alaska Constitution the issuance of the annual permanent fund dividend and the method of calculating it? Why or why not?

2. I support giving Alaskans the opportunity to vote on a change to the Alaska Constitution that would issue the annual permanent fund dividend and uphold the method of calculating it. These resources belong to all Alaskans not just for the government.

2. Currently I do not support placing the dividend into the Alaska Constitution because I do not believe that it’s needed. If we manage our resources well, the dividend will remain and will continue to provide Alaskans with their share of the resources that we as Alaskans own.

2. I like the way we’ve done it for the past 30 years leading to full dividends. With earnings around 5 percent on the permanent fund and controlled spending, we are able to pay a full dividend. Constitutionalizing the dividend limits options for future decision-making and the ability to deal with unforeseen circumstances, but I’d do it with a vote of Alaskans.

2. I support this. If we are to have and keep the PFD, we must take volatility of its distribution away from politicians. The current administration drastically reduced the dividend for the first time in Alaska history. Placing a structured dividend calculation into the Alaska Constitution takes away this process and allows Alaskans to budget the dividend.

2. I don’t feel that it is necessary to put the permanent fund in the Constitution. For almost 40 years the PFD check hasn’t had any issues with not being in the Constitution. We’ve had to make adjustments in these changing times, and as soon as we adapt to the new system I think it will be as smooth as before.

3. Name a specific program you would like to reduce or eliminate. Explain.

3. Office of Children’s Services needs a complete revamp. Their lack of following proper policies and procedures is tearing families apart. The priority should be to provide the necessary assistance while still preserving the family unit. All it takes to break apart a family is hearsay, and this is unacceptable.

3. I will reduce the high interest rates students pay on Alaska student loans. We as a state should not make a profit off our future entrepreneurs and leaders. Reducing the burden of heavy student debt so many must undertake to get ahead will stop the brain drain and help retain our best and brightest.

3. I recently heard that 10 percent of the population uses the Alaska Marine Highway System and that about 90 percent of Alaskans uses the road system. The funding for the marine highway system and for the road system is about the same cost. We are riding around on rough roads so that we can subsidize a marine system for only 10 percent of us.

3. Medicaid was expanded so fast and rapidly, the Health and Social Services budget has increased by more than $400 million per year. There is another unbudgeted $93 million owed to providers that the state of Alaska did not pay. The state expanded Medicaid so fast, it had to curtail funding to other state divisions.

3. I think efficiencies can be found in many areas of public services. As for complete programs I can’t think of one that should be eliminated; however, there are many that didn’t exist 10 years ago and we did just fine. Sometimes regulations are adopted that require extra enforcement and added expenses that should get more scrutiny.

4. Name a specific program you would like to expand or initiate. Explain.

4. At this time, we cannot afford any new programs or expansions. We are in a deficit and that must be solved first.

4. I will introduce legislation to give new mothers, who work salaried jobs, the right to privately pump their breast milk at work. Federal law grants this right to new mothers paid hourly, but mothers working salaried jobs aren’t given this right. We must stop penalizing women for being mothers. This would allow them an easier time returning to the workforce.

4. I’m a huge outdoor enthusiast, and I’m seeing our access to wilderness gradually being diminished. I would like to expand our access opportunities to wilderness areas, more trails, and more boat ramps with less restrictions. We live in Alaska because we want to get out and experience the wilderness around us, and I want to make that easier for Alaskans to do.

4. Funding to the U of A has received drastic cuts needed to fund the expansion of Medicaid. The U of A is a land grant university with only 125,000 acres of land, of which 30,000 is developable. It is the smallest land grant university in America. We must transfer 1 million acres from the DNR to give the U of A long-term asset income.

4. I think we need to figure out how to get cheaper utilities in places like Fairbanks. Anchorage area had subsidized natural gas for years. Rural Alaska has the PCE program. Fairbanks has some of the highest utility costs in the state, and if we want to attract businesses, we need cheaper energy and electricity.

5. The cannabis industry does not pay the $50 per ounce flat tax, the consumer does, and it was approved by the voters, so I am in full support of leaving it as it stands.

5. This tax limits the ability for this industry to diversify their crops and impacts the ability to flourish. Changing to a percentage of the negotiated price will allow more varied products to be equally taxed and create a system where businesses succeed or fail based on their own ability and keep government costs and licensing requirements out of the way.

5. I wouldn’t propose any changes at this time except perhaps allocating the cannabis tax to helping with the medical and rehabilitation cost society will end up bearing as a result of legalization.

5. This new program has been operating for just over 21/2 years. There will always be adjustments that will need to be made with such a new program. What cannot be done is to have the state put in place a retail sales tax. This would override and take funding away from the local municipal government.

5. Many taxes are assessed on a per unit price. This is how alcohol, motor fuel and cigarettes are taxed. However, there have been many big price changes in marijuana, so maybe it’s not unreasonable to look at a percentage tax for this new industry. If the flat tax is too high it may make it hard for some to stay in business.

6. The oil industry is performing even more efficiently than in the past; however, oil is finite and requires new deposits to be located. Alaska will only be able to diversify its economy if it stops agencies from overregulating. Every time a new regulation is approved, two others should be deleted.

6. One of the best ways to create new revenue streams is to reduce the amount Alaska requires college graduates to pay in their student debt. By reducing interest rates on Alaska student loans, we will free up hundreds of dollars a month that can be spent in local economies and to toward opening new businesses or buying houses.

6. We should increase oil production. Why are we trying to manage a decline when we could be managing a boom? We aren’t out of oil or any other resources. The average salary at the six large mines in Alaska is $108,600 annually. We need to encourage development projects in our state that provide good-paying jobs and boost our economy.

6. Expand exploration in the Tanana basin to bring affordable energy and gas into the Interior while encouraging the mineral development of the Livengood Mining District. There are exceptional gold mines throughout the Interior plus rare Earth mines that can be developed to bring jobs and revenue into the interior and the state.

6. Oil has provided so much revenue to the state for so long that the decline in price and production has been devastating. Even though tourism has increased lately, it’s still no match for oil revenue; same for mining, fishing, etc. Natural gas is the next resource that we need to develop. It’s the clean energy choice of much of the developing world.

7. The program has continued and was revised a few years ago. The amount of revenue sharing has decreased just as revenue to the state has gone down.

7. Yes. We should revive and fund community revenue sharing. This program helps cover a number of local services while keeping the burden on taxpayers low. Additionally, here in the borough this money is shared with numerous local nonprofits that provide both necessary and quality-of-life services.

7. The revenue sharing program (drawn from oil tax revenues) was renamed as the Community Assistance Program in 2017, and payments were reduced due to declining oil revenues. Dwindling oil revenues forced a change in action, or the fund would have been completely depleted. It wasn’t an arbitrary decision. The program is like a PFD for communities and is subject to earnings.

7. The program never went away; it’s just under a different line item in the operating budget. The Legislature still sends a stipend to each municipality and community in Alaska based on the population. I am in favor of keeping this program in place. It is a welcome revenue source. Let them decide how to spend state revenue on a local basis.

7. Even though revenue sharing is now called community assistance, it is still active. It’s just not as robust as in the past as its funding source has changed and no longer comes from general funds only from PCE surpluses. Municipalities are now going to have to find other means. There’s just less revenue to go around.

8. This past legislative session saw the departure of several legislators for sexual misconduct. How do you hope to address this issue within the Capitol and across the state?

8. There are laws in place for such conduct and when they are violated, legislators should be punished just like anyone else would be. These actions should have been dealt with swiftly and appropriately and I was extremely disappointed that this did not happen.

8. This is an unfortunate but important issue across the state. Alaskans experience sexual and domestic violence at many times the national average, usually by somebody the victim knows personally, and this is not acceptable. I’ll hold my colleagues in the Legislature to the highest standard, leading by example.

8. You can’t legislate morality, but you can try to influence behavior. There is very little incentive to attract high quality people to the Legislature. I will work hard to make our legislative body a group of elected Alaskans with a strong moral compass, with the goal of attracting the brightest and best of Alaskan leaders.

8. Personally, it’s something I don’t have to address. I have been happily committed to the same woman for 15 years. I will be a true citizen legislator as the state of Alaska Constitution envisioned. I have a business and charitable causes to attend while I serve in public office. I promise that I will work diligently for my community and the constituency.

8. Last session saw two legislators retire due to allegations of sexual misconduct. We recently went through more extensive training and I feel it was well conducted and much needed. This should be happening in many other organizations, both public and private.

9. I oppose the modification. State 9. Do you support or oppose funding goes toward programs for all efforts in Congress to modify the 50-50 state-federal revenue Alaskans and one group should not share agreement from oil devel- be singled out. opment in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to give Alaska Native regional corporations 3 percent of the state’s share? Explain.

9. If oil and gas development is occurring on Alaska Native land, either corporate or traditional, I would support the 3 percent to those whose land is impacted. I also believe that Alaska should receive more than 50 percent of any revenue if and when ANWR is developed as Alaska will experience more impact than the distant federal government.

9. Alaska should be receiving a larger royalty share from ANWR revenues, so if there were to be any new payments from this development, they should come from the federal share and not Alaska’s share. I oppose this idea and any idea that pits one ethnicity in Alaska against another. ANCSA settled the Native claims.

9. I do not. I support a 3 percent reduction in the modification of the 50-50 state-federal revenue share agreement from oil development in ANWR to go directly to the U of A. If you look at the top 25 corporations in Alaska, you will find the majority of them are Alaska Native corporations. This revenue share should go to the U of A.

9. I think the federal-state revenue ratio should be changed from 50/50. The Gulf states receive a higher percentage from drilling in their area; Alaska should receive more as well. I think the revenue should go to the state and not to individual groups.

10. No. Through proposed legisla10. Should there be a “no wolf tion the case was not made in comhunting” buffer zone on state mittee hearings to support a “no wolf land around Denali National hunting” buffer zone. Park to protect wolf viewing access for visitors to the park? Explain.

10. I believe there should be a “no wolf hunting” buffer zone on state land around Denali National Park. Economically, wolves are a valuable tourism attraction. I do not believe that this buffer should extend to other wildlife or areas. Protecting traditional uses like trapping and hunting on state land must be preserved. 11. The Board of Game’s main role, as described by the ADFG, is to conserve and develop Alaska’s wildlife resources and be guided by a diversity of interests. The interests of non-hunters should be represented on the board, but as there are no designated positions for any specific interests, I don’t believe that a position should be designated.

10. No. Sixty-five percent of all federal lands are already in Alaska, and locking up more land makes no sense at all. Denali National Park is already large enough that you can’t see it all in a lifetime of vacations. John Sturgeon’s experience has taught us to limit the Park Service as they have a tendency to overreach.

10. No. The Board of Game and Alaska Department of Fish and Game do a great job in monitoring the wolves in this area and closes areas surrounding Denali Park when a specific number of wolves are taken. If you try to put in a buffer zone, you’ll have a political fight over the boundaries of the buffer zone.

10. I am not opposed to a buffer area around Denali similar to what was in place in 2010. If it increases the likelihood of wolf viewing by tourists in the park, even better.

11. No. Absolutely not. As stated in the Alaska Constitution, the resources are specifically for consumptive use. We don’t need the influence of outside special interest groups through a non-hunting puppet. Hunting to feed our families is an integral part of who we are as Alaskans and always will be.

11. No. There should be no seat on the Board of Game designated for a non-hunter. Board members go through a very thorough and lengthy vetting process. Alaska is a very special place. The Board of Game is representative of different cultures, regions and economics. I see no reason to change its structure.

11. I think a non-consumptive seat on the board of game is a good idea. Many other boards have laypersons as members to give them balance and perspective. Most people enjoy the wildlife that is accessible in this state and want it managed well but aren’t hunters or consumers.

11. No. There is a process that 11. Should a seat on the Alaska Board of Game be designated allows any Alaskan a seat on the Alaska Board of Game, and I support for a non-hunter? Explain. keeping them available for any interested Alaskan.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 12, 2018

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

ALASKA LEGISLATURE House District 6

Dave Talerico House District 6

Fairbanks Democrat

Healy Republican

Unopposed in Democratic primary

Unopposed in Republican primary, incumbent

QUESTIONS 1. Gov. Bill Walker signed legislation allowing Alaska Permanent Fund investment earnings to be used to help close the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s projected $2.1 billion budget for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Still, the budget is expected to be short $700 million and budget gaps are expected for several years. What is your solution?

1. We can protect the PFD, the permanent fund, and balance the budget. It will take us standing up to the oil companies and demanding that Alaskans receive our fair share from our resources like our Constitution states. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a major giveaway to the industry and protect the PFD or balance the budget. We need to repeal SB 21 and restore ACES (Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clear and Equitable Share). Jay Hammond used to say â&#x20AC;&#x153;1/3, 1/3, 1/3,â&#x20AC;? with one cut for the companies, one for Uncle Sam and one for Alaskans. That equals about $4.5 billion each at todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volume and price. Sound fair?

1. We must continue to keep down pressure on the budget and improve our operations to provide cost effective essential services. I supported a bill that would transfer responsibilities from a department to three others virtually eliminating one to realize a cost savings. Everything should be â&#x20AC;&#x153;on the table.â&#x20AC;? Responsible resource development. Almost every Critical Minerals to the U.S. list Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen contains about 35 items, 28 of which have prospects in Alaska. In my opinion, we are many years behind in exploration.

2. Do you support or oppose placing into the Alaska Constitution the issuance of the annual permanent fund dividend and the method of calculating it? Why or why not?

2. I do support a constitutional amendment clarifying the issue of the permanent fund dividend. I have a great deal of concern that an unchecked Legislature will mismanage the permanent fund. We need to ensure that the fund is perpetual, and Alaskans need to be heard on the issue.

2. My constituents that have contacted me concerning this are overwhelmingly in support of letting the public vote on the matter and I will honor that. I have considered it and see other potential issues that could arise, such as a legal challenge due to the Constitution clearly stating appropriations are made from the treasury by law (Legislature) and line item veto power of the governor. Will a specific method of calculation stand the test of time?

3. Name a specific program you would like to reduce or eliminate. Explain.

3. I would like to eliminate the profit-based oil taxation method and reinstall an oil production tax similar to ACES. We need to balance the budget, protect the PFD and get our fair share from our resources. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s critical that we honor the Alaska Constitution and receive maximum benefit for Alaskans from our oil; the current system doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do that.

3. I would reduce some occupational/professional licensing. Example: Geologist Statute AS 08.02.001 â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Commissioner of Community and Economic Development shall certify an applicant as a professional geologist if the applicant is certified as a professional geologist by the American Institute of Professional Geologists.â&#x20AC;? I believe we should review the entire program.

4. Name a specific program you would like to expand or initiate. Explain.

4. I would like to require that all employers have paid maternity and paternity leave in Alaska. Alaska is rapidly graying as the young flee the state for opportunities elsewhere. We need to make our state supportive of young families wanting to build a life here. This could help reduce the stress on young families at particularly vulnerable and stressful times when a new child arrives.

4. Expand the Alaska Housing Finance Corp. Home Energy Rebate Program. I believe this is a wise investment for the future and there are still many homeowners that could see long-term benefits. Of course, like everything we do, it will be dependent on the budget.

5. I support legal cannabis, but I think adjustments in this young industry are premature at this point. An area of more critical concern is clearing the criminal records of prior non-violence connected cannabis crime. It makes no sense to keep criminal convictions on the record for something that is now perfectly legal. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t serve Alaskans well.

5. I would not propose any changes.

6. We need to work to address the rural banking crisis. There are many communities that have no access to working capital. We need entrepreneurship and business courses in high schools. Not all problems have government solutions, though; diversifying the economy is best left to the private sector. We shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put too much bureaucracy and taxation in the way of small business.

6. Responsible resource development, critical minerals, see question No. 1. We have only scratched the surface of our potential resource markets.

7. I support state revenue sharing. The state can and should work with communities to grow and meet their needs. There shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be a sharp disconnect between local and state governance. We should work together, and funding offers a clear path to do that.

7. The Community Assistance Program replaced Community Revenue Sharing in 2016, using basically the same guidelines and requirements. It will be dependent on the ability to replenish funds, but I support the concept and what level we can afford. It may be quite some time before we get back to previous levels, but I would like to keep the program in place.

8. This past legislative session saw the departure of several legislators for sexual misconduct. How do you hope to address this issue within the Capitol and across the state?

8. The Legislature updated the sexual harassment policy this past session, and purging offenders is a good step forward. This is a widespread problem in every community in Alaska. We need a cultural change. Many communities have no police or state troopers, which results in rape/sexual assault going unpunished. There is one Alaska, but two justice systems. We need change.

8. Sexual misconduct is a hostile act and cannot be tolerated. Management sets the example. When I was legislative staff I viewed all legislators as managers, whether I worked for them or not. If accusations are proven to be true, removal is necessary. We need more public education and need to address help for the victims.

9. I oppose drilling in the Arctic refuge, particularly on national security grounds. It is opposed by many Alaskans, and the majority of Americans, and slipping it into the tax cut bill is a poor method of governance. We should consider issues on their merits, not with parliamentary tricks that disenfranchise American citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ability to participate in the process.

9. I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t researched this thoroughly, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have an issue with it, I know some do. In my district the regional corporations are large employers that provide many with a living wage and additional services, particularly in rural Alaska. I think these additional funds could be beneficial for that reason.

10. Should there be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;no wolf huntingâ&#x20AC;? buffer zone on state land around Denali National Park to protect wolf viewing access for visitors to the park? Explain.

10. Denali wolves are a major draw for visitors to Denali National Park and for visitors in general to Alaska. We need to understand that wildlife serves as a major economic driver. A couple wolf hides arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worth hurting businesses across the state. I think understanding the needs of local communities is also important, and I do support common-sense trapping.

10. No. The latest proposed buffer was larger than Denali State Park and encompassed an area that I frequently visit during moose season and my own experience tells me there is a healthy population of wolves there.

11. Should a seat on the Alas11. Yes. A diversity of opinions ka Board of Game be designated helps craft good policy. We should for a non-hunter? Explain. welcome our residents to participate, not exclude folks from the processes.

11. What kind of â&#x20AC;&#x153;non-hunterâ&#x20AC;?? One who chooses not to hunt, or one who is anti-hunting? No, not designated. Any qualified Alaskan can apply. I view the boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary responsibility as providing data based decisions to manage a consumptive resource and maintain a healthy population.

Continued from 4 governor under then-Gov. Sean Parnell from 2010-2014. Treadwell most recently worked for a private equity firm. Dunleavy left the state Senate in January to focus on running for governor. During his five years as a senator, the fiery Wasilla conservative clashed with GOP leaders over limiting the size of Alaskansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; oil-wealth checks, which he opposed, and over what he saw as insufficient cuts in response to Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget deficit. Treadwell said he has a broader range of experience than Dunleavy and entered the race, late, like Begich, because he said people were dissatisfied with their options. He has sought to cast Dunleavy as a quitter who chose campaigning over staying in the Senate to fight cuts to Alaskansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; oil-wealth fund checks and repeal a criminal justice overhaul that critics said was soft on crime. Dunleavy said he understands government and the legislative process. He said he spoke with people in his district about hanging on for his last year or letting someone serve who could give their undivided attention to the district. The response was overwhelming, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The deal is, when you stay in office and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re running for a campaign, anything you do, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult for folks to separate that,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I were to stand up on the floor and make a statement, folks would say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;well, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s running for governor.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? State GOP Chairman Tuckerman Babcock said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confident primary voters will pick the strongest candidate and the party will unite behind its nominee. Mike Miller, CEO of the Santa Claus House in North Pole and a former state legislator, gave the maximum he could â&#x20AC;&#x201D; $500 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to Treadwellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign. He calls Treadwell an old friend who whom heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s philosophically aligned on economic issues. But he said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a conservative and would support Dunleavy, given his other options, should Dunleavy beat Treadwell. Amy Demboski, a radio host and member of the Anchorage Assembly, called Treadwell a â&#x20AC;&#x153;brilliantâ&#x20AC;? man and great candidate. But she said Dunleavy is â&#x20AC;&#x153;the right man at the right time.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you look at the environment we live in today, I think Alaskans are pretty tired of establishment kind of candidates,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think people are looking for someone who can connect with them, who understands the issues and does what they say.â&#x20AC;? Both Dunleavy and Treadwell are critical of the 2016 criminal justice overhaul that was aimed at addressing high rates of recidivism, a growing prison population and other problems. Both say people have lost faith in the law, which since its passage has been tweaked in response to public outcry. Both say the budget needs to be looked at more critically. Dunleavy sees room for more reductions and efficiencies, noting that while in the Senate he pitched consolidation of insurance for school districts as a way to save money. He wants to limit budget growth and prioritize where money is spent. Treadwell said a serious discussion is needed on entitlements and education, a regular source of debate at the Capitol with some arguing that schools need more money. Others have been reluctant to put more money toward a system they see as broken. Treadwell said he wants to look at the possibility of a constitutional amendment that would limit spending to revenues collected during the prior year, rather than base it on oil price and production forecasts, and look at privatizing assets. He said Walker lost credibility with Republican lawmakers by pushing taxes to help fill a budget deficit that exploded after oil prices went into a freefall in 2014. Walker allies in the House last year passed an income tax that was quickly rejected by the GOP-led Senate. The state burned through billions of dollars in savings amid gridlock over how best to resolve the deficit before lawmakers this year agreed to plug much of the hole with earnings from the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil-wealth fund, the Alaska Permanent Fund. Alaska has no state sales or personal income tax. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government to be trusted again, trusted by the people who believe that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re actually going to solve our problems and trusted by investors who believe we actually can solve our problems,â&#x20AC;? Treadwell said.

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Ed Alexander

ELECTION

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Christopher Cumings

Alyse Galvin

Ketchikan Nonpartisan

Anchorage Independent

Running in Democratic primary

Carol Hafner Box River, South Dakota Democrat

Dimitri Shein Anchorage Democrat

QUESTIONS 1. Alaska construction projects could be affected by President Trump’s tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. Alaska’s fishing industry has been hit by retaliatory tariffs by China as the president seeks to improve the U.S. trade imbalance. What is your position on the president’s trade policy?

1. While I agree with the idea that the trade imbalance needs to be addressed, I don’t agree with the president’s approach. The small dent he might have produced has been largely at Alaska’s expense. Tariffs are like a caveman’s club. Instead waging a trade war with tariff missiles, I propose focusing on our side, on making more things here. For example, almost all of my kids, toys are from China. They are entreating our toddlers.

1. The Trump administration’s reckless trade policies are an increasing threat to our already damaged economy. Alaska is already 49th in the nation for job growth, our state can’t afford to be a pawn in a trade war started by a leader with no clear understanding of the consequences of his actions. Even worse, our lone representative in Congress, Don Young, has done nothing to stand up to Trump and his dangerous policies. Alaska deserves a voice in Congress who will fight for our state and our industries, and I’m ready to be that voice.

1. The trade policy of Donald Trump has infuriated our closest allies, including Canada, Britain, and the European Union. This has harmed American business and workers. The people of the United States and the people of China are very interdependent these days, and Trump’s trade war is very reckless and counterproductive to our shared interests. We need a well-composed and thoughtful leader, not a crazed dictator like Trump. With BREXIT taking place, we should focus on building stronger trade ties with the United Kingdom, one of our closest allies, not making enemies out of friends, as Trump has done.

1. Our country should have sensible tariffs that benefit our economy and protect U.S. jobs. The Trump administration has initiated reckless trade wars with our European allies, Canada and China. The Chinese government’s retaliatory tariffs have hurt Alaska’s fishing industry and all the families that rely on this industry for an income. My own business has been adversely affected by Trump’s trade wars. A steel shortage on the West Coast has caused steel prices to spike, causing terminations of planned projects due to the high cost of material and the unpredictability of supply.

2. The U.S. House Budget Committee in June proposed a nine-year budget-balancing plan that includes changing Medicaid to a block grant system for the states or placing per-person limits on payments. Alaska Gov. Bill Walker opposes making Medicaid a block grant. Do you support or oppose changing Medicaid? Explain.

2. I oppose the proposed changes. I, of course support universal health coverage. I am on Medicaid right now because Gov. Walker decided to expand coverage. I would be crazy without the care I am able to access now.

2. Block grants for Medicaid would reduce healthcare for Alaskans and make it even harder to meet the needs of people who rely on Medicaid for care, including children, low-wage workers, and people with disabilities. Alaskans already pay too much for health care. These proposals would not reduce costs or improve the quality of care, so I cannot support these changes.

2. I support a system of Medicare For All, similar to Britain’s National Health Service. Care must be provided on an as-needed basis, with no limitations on how much care is provided to those in need of care, to ensure healthcare can be delivered based on the medical opinion of qualified doctors, not arbitrary limits imposed by self-serving politicians.

2. Funding health care for all Americans should be a priority of the federal government. I do not support changing Medicaid to a block grant system for the states or placing per-person limits on payments. I support a comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system by passing Improved Medicare For All and ensuring that every person has access to the best healthcare in the world.

3. Do you support or oppose efforts in Congress to modify the 50-50 state-federal revenue share agreement from oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to give Alaska Native regional corporations 3 percent of the state’s share? Explain.

3. I support this in theory, though I believe the feds should fund the 3 percent. ANCSA was an agreement between the feds and Alaska Natives. 3 percent of ANWR revenue is simply money that was not accounted for in 1971.

3. I support a 3 percent share to Alaska Native regional corporations but am disappointed it is coming from the state’s share. Under the Statehood Act, Alaska is guaranteed 90 percent of all revenues from mineral leases and royalties on federal lands, including ANWR. This is an issue I expect to pursue as a member of Congress representing the people of Alaska.

3. I oppose any oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge period. It would be an environmental disaster and must be stopped. If the environment is contaminated, the natural food sources and cultural practices of Alaska Native communities will be forever destroyed.

3. I support that effort. The 3 percent share will allow all Alaska Native regional corporations to benefit from the development. Village corporations rely heavily on 7(i) income to fund vital functions in rural communities such as purchases of bulk heating oil and the operation of grocery stores.

4. Does the nation need a fifth interceptor field at Fort Greely and a missile defense site on the East Coast as has been proposed?

4. Before funding additional missile sites anywhere, I propose funding to begin building a fleet of icebreakers and deep-water, Arctic Ocean ports. Arctic funding should be a Homeland Security/Department of Defense priority.

4. Yes, I support additional interceptors at Fort Greely. With the escalating threats from North Korea and Russia, Alaska (and all Western states) need the protection that comes from the Fort Greely facility. The current administration’s erratic foreign policy has only exacerbated the situation. We need a member of Congress who will hold it accountable for the safety of all Americans.

4. The United States already has a very strong defense system, and we need to focus on issues like healthcare, education, housing, equality, and jobs instead of wasting more money on the military-industrial complex. Through a foreign policy of peace and diplomacy, we’ll end conflict. The Department of Defense is the biggest polluter in the country.

4. The Trump administration’s abdication of responsibility on the Korean Peninsula has allowed Kim Jong-Un to accelerate the development of nuclear weapons capable of hitting large portions of the USA. The administration’s reckless foreign policy with regard to North Korea has only increased our need for an expansion at Fort Greely since the project was proposed. We must be fully prepared to address this threat.

5. President Trump’s administration has proposed eliminating the provision in the Affordable Care Act — ObamaCare — that prevents health insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Do you support or oppose the elimination of the provision. Explain.

5. I absolutely oppose this in the strongest way words can oppose something. That proposal is a crime against human rights, punishing people for being ill. My wife, my son, and myself all suffer from serious “pre-existing conditions.”The health insurance system we have now is killing people daily.

5. In Congress, I will fight efforts to take healthcare away from Alaskans. That includes protecting people with pre-existing health conditions so they don’t lose their insurance and prohibiting lifetime limits on insurance coverage. Don Young has voted repeatedly to make healthcare coverage worse for people with pre-existing conditions. It’s time we had a representative who does what’s right for Alaskans.

5. I support Medicare For All, but as long as we have the current system of the Affordable Care Act, as opposed to my goal of a single-payer system similar to Britain’s National Health Service, we must keep the common sense protections that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.

5. I strongly oppose the elimination of this provision. I support passing Improved Medicare for All to make healthcare a national priority and put funding for healthcare ahead of wasteful government spending that is used to start wars, build hate walls, and give out tax cuts to multinational corporations. The federal government must make a commitment to the citizens of our nation that clearly states that health care is a human right.

6. Under what circumstances, if any, should abortions be permitted under state or federal law?

6. I believe Roe v. Wade, and subsequent Supreme Court case law has struck a fair balance. I oppose trivial efforts to make abortion more inconvenient. That’s petty lawmaking. I believe, as a man and a politician, abortion is none of my business. It’s a medical decision. Quite frankly, I believe our government shouldn’t be regulating medicine like this.

6. We must ensure that women have full, unlimited access to reproductive health services. I strongly support a woman’s right to choose and will fight to make sure that contraception is available to all and covered by insurance. I also support age-appropriate health education, shown to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies.

6. Abortion must be available to all women on demand and covered free via Medicare For All. We must respect Roe v. Wade and expand women’s reproductive rights. Federal law must pre-empt any state attempt to restrict abortion rights.

6. I have five daughters, and my wife is a physician. I firmly believe that a woman’s right to choose is inalienable and essential to a free society and must not be infringed upon by state or federal law. The government has no place interfering in a woman’s personal decisions about her own body.

7. Do you believe global warming is affecting Alaska? If so, what role, if any, should the federal government have in reducing global warming?

7. Of course global warming is affecting Alaska. It’s asinine to debate the topic. We can all see it. I support a carbon tax as a way of recouping some of the costs burning fossil fuels creates. The feds should have a strong role in reducing global warming and mitigating its effects.

7. Alaska is ground zero for the negative effects of global climate change — rising temperatures, coastal erosion, melting permafrost, and broken ice on our rivers. In Congress, I’ll direct federal climate change and renewable energy research funding to Alaska’s universities. I’ll support incentives to accelerate the use of renewable energy in our homes, businesses and public buildings.

7. Global warming is not only negatively impacting Alaska but the entire world. The federal government must put an end to the use of fossil fuels and fully implement the United Nations Agenda 21. We must switch to renewable, eco-friendly sources of energy and criminally prosecute polluters.

7. In traveling to Newtok, I witnessed firsthand the destructive impact of climate change on the homes and traditional way of life of Alaskans. The federal government should be using all of its power to move our nation toward an economy that is powered by renewable energy. It is also the industry in which there is greatest amount of opportunity to diversify Alaska’s economy and create jobs.

8. The National Park Service reports that its deferred maintenance needs increased by $275 million, about 2.5 percent, to a total of $11.6 billion at the end of fiscal 2017. Some of that is at Park Service units in Alaska. What is your proposal for addressing this problem?

8. I support taking $11.6 billion from somewhere else in the federal budget; that’s a small drip in the almost $4 trillion total package. The military could afford the hit easily. Doing so would create a lot more jobs and general social good than a few extra jets would.

8. Alaska’s national parks are a critical component of our tourism marketing effort, as well as areas enjoyed by most Alaskans. The deferred maintenance backlog for the Park Service is a failure on the part of Congress to act as a responsible landowner. Alaska’s representative should join with other Western state reps in demanding increased funding to address this backlog.

8. The National Park Service is the caretaker of our national parks, one of America’s greatest shared national treasures. It is appalling that for a country that can always find money to go to war or build more prisons to lock people up for victimless crimes like cannabis offenses that we are not funding our national parks. Fund NPS!

8. We should repeal the reckless Trump tax cuts that put our children in debt and send our tax dollars to China. By ending this $1 trillion corporate welfare program, we can free up money to fund our National Park Service, education, and infrastructure projects across Alaska and the United States.

9. What, if anything, should Congress do about the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of net neutrality rules, which became final in mid-June?

9. I strongly support the idea of the open internet. Congress should reinstate the net neutrality rules that were repealed.

9. I oppose the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality rules and would support legislation in Congress to maintain open access to the internet. Internet access is critical in Alaska, especially in rural areas that are expanding into tele-health and web-based education opportunities. I would also work at the federal level to expand broadband access throughout Alaska.

9. Net neutrality must be enshrined in U.S. federal law. Net neutrality is a critical component of free speech, development of new technologies, access to education and healthcare services in rural communities, and entrepreneurship.

9. Whether you download movies, run a small business, or depend on the internet for rural healthcare and education, net neutrality is very important. The Senate passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) motion reversing the FCC rule. The House must approve, then it requires the president’s signature. In Congress, I will fight to restore and maintain a free and open internet.

10. Illegal immigration at the border with Mexico has become a top issue this election cycle. Is there a problem? If so, what is your solution?

10. There wasn’t a problem, there really isn’t a problem. The current administration has created an immigration issue. It’s been really good at creating immigration chaos. I will call it out in the strongest possible words: the Trump administration’s immigration policies are all based in deep-seated racism. The President is a racist. Actions speak louder than words here. And the actions have been disgusting.

10. Our national immigration policy is fundamentally broken. We need comprehensive immigration reform immediately. Numerous bipartisan efforts to significantly improve the current system have failed primarily due to efforts by an extreme wing of the current congressional majority. I will work to bring together those members of Congress looking for reasonable solutions to this growing national crisis.

10. Instead of allowing corporations to exploit Mexican workers, why not open the door to Mexico joining the United States with full representation in the U.S. Congress? We are stronger being united together than divided, and we can better organize labor unions as one country to lift up the working-class, as well as promote human rights. Abolish ICE!

10. We should not be caging and separating children at the Southern border. There are still many families who have not yet been reunited. As an immigrant, I have spoken loud and clear about the urgent need to reverse these un-American policies. I support comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform that involves improved border security, migrant seasonal worker visas, and a path to citizenship.

11. President Trump, in a speech to the United Nations in 2017, said, “The nation-state remains the best vehicle for elevating the human condition” rather than international entities such as the U.N. Do you agree with this position?

11. Again, I strongly disagree. International entities promote diversity of ideas, beliefs, and experiences. The U.N., in particular, has strongly succeeded in its primary reason for existence — preventing another world war. International cooperation works.

11. I don’t believe it is an either/or situation. Every country bears responsibility to take actions that will improve the lives of its citizens as well as others throughout the world. In addition, the past century has demonstrated that the United States is most effective in achieving its objectives when acting together with like-minded countries (generally democracies) in joint efforts.

11. We are one human race that all must work together to best serve the needs of humanity and put an end to war, colonialism, and poverty on a global scale. The United Nations provides a necessary diplomatic forum to prevent the horrors of war. Donald Trump is a dangerous idiot who does not care about humanity.

11. It depends on the state. A nation-state such as Russia is not concerned with elevating the condition of its citizens, only that of a few oligarchs. Only through responsible, effective governance can a state improve its citizens’ overall standard of living. Moreover, some global issues such as climate change can be most effectively addressed by international organizations like the U.N.

12. Do you agree or disagree with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s recent proposal to study whether the agency should give up its authority to veto permits — before they are applied for or after they are granted — from the Army Corps of Engineers or states to allow dumping waste into waterways? His action was reportedly prompted by the Obama-era EPA’s action against the proposed Pebble mine in Southwest Alaska.

12. First, he is finally gone. Good riddance. I oppose Pebble. As for the veto, the EPA should retain it. The veto is a tool of efficiency. If the project would already be denied, a veto prevents a lengthy process from going any further and frees up agency resources to work on legitimate projects. Pebble is dead.

12. I believe that all agencies should regularly evaluate whether they are properly carrying out their authority. I do not support the Pebble mine project due to its unreasonable threats to our valuable fisheries. I do support efforts to establish state primacy on federal regulatory issues where appropriate.

12. I strongly disagree with Trumpist EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s recent asinine proposal to rollback veto power over permits. Clean water is one of our most precious resources that we all depend on for survival. We need more environmental safeguards to ensure public health, not less.

12. I do not support the dismantling of the EPA’s regulatory authority, which was Scott Pruitt’s goal. The EPA is a very important agency that should be staffed by scientists and not the coal industry. It must retain the full authority to veto permits for dangerously destructive projects like the Pebble Mine before they are applied for or after they are granted.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sunday, August 12, 2018

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thomas ‘John’ Nelson Chugiak Republican

Jed Whittaker

Don Young

Anchorage Republican

Anchorage/ Fort Yukon Republican incumbent

1. While the short-term effects of the presidents’ trade policy may cause increased burden on manufacturers and consumers, it will have a positive affect by correcting a trade balance that is fair and equitable between countries. For example, tariffs with China are designed to punish China for forcing U.S. companies provide technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market. Tariffs are a much broader, longer-range strategy and we need to give it time to work.

1. Trump does not understand economics or free trade. American businesses and American consumers will pay higher prices and lose business because of Trump. Trump should be impeached, but failing that, Congress should grow a spine to prevent Trump’s ignorance from doing further damage to the economy.

2. I support a block grant system and changing Medicaid. Texas has shown positive results by opting out of Medicaid expansion. There are other areas of Medicaid to address as well. Long-term care costs in Alaska are the highest in the nation. This is a complex issue and my expertise as a financial adviser are ideal for addressing these issues.

2. Gov. Walker is correct to oppose Medicaid as a block grant. However, the real solution is single-payer universal health care coupled with price controls. I would introduce that legislation.

3. I support the 3 percent of the state’s share to Alaska Native regional corporations.

3. Statehood granted a 90-10 split. Our representation in Congress should stand for a 90-10 split. The proposed 3 percent for regional corporations is an example of how far the deep state swamp has grown.

4. Does the nation need a fifth interceptor field at Fort Greely and a missile defense site on the East Coast as has been proposed?

4. Yes! National defense is critical.

4. One day people will live in peace. Peace has never been tried (turn your swords into plowshares), but it should be.

5. This is a state Issue. I believe that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional and is overreaching on state Sovereignty. As a financial adviser, I am licensed in Alaska to provide healthcare insurance solutions to business owners and individuals. I have a solution! Instead of paying a for-profit insurance company, how about we just pay for healthcare?

5. Obamacare is flawed. It should be replaced with single-payer universal healthcare. Everyone deserves healthcare: pre-existing condition or not.

6. Under what circumstances, if any, should abortions be permitted under state or federal law?

6. This is a state issue. However, I am prolife and, in my opinion, abortions should not be permitted under any state or federal law.

7. Do you believe global warming is affecting Alaska? If so, what role, if any, should the federal government have in reducing global warming?

7. There is no doubt that the Earth’s climate is changing. As a young boy, I remember viewing Portage Glacier from the parking lot. However, I do not believe that humans are the only effect on the climate. I do not believe the federal government should have any business manipulating our weather.

6. Life begins with the first breath. Government should stay out of the womb: that is true conservatism. I am the true conservative on this issue. Additionally, and the reason I am running, is that Congress should extend the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Women are still not equal in America. 7. Global warming is real. The federal government should do all it can to mitigate global warming.

8. Work within Congress to transfer federal lands in Alaska to Alaska, as promised. Then utilize exports of timber harvests to pay for costs associated with managing land in Alaska.

8. Repeal the Trump “tax cut,” which adds to the deficit and puts unrealistic demands on the budget, including the Park Service. It is worth noting that Trump promised a trillion dollar infrastructure bill (that has not happened; he is too busy tweeting) and the Park Service maintenance budget should be in that bill.

9. What, if anything, should Congress do about the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of net neutrality rules, which became final in mid-June?

9. I am not in favor of federal regulation; however, when it comes to large companies unfairly monopolizing bandwidth, access and speeds, then we should be able to protect small business owners as well as consumers and should consider legislation to apply to all internet companies and ensures neutrality, transparency, openness, non-discrimination and privacy protections for all internet users.

9. I support net neutrality and would support it in Congress.

10. Illegal immigration at the border with Mexico has become a top issue this election cycle. Is there a problem? If so, what is your solution?

10. Protect our borders. Deploy the National Guard to secure our borders until a wall is built. If people want to immigrate into the U.S., then come in this country legally. Zero tolerance for illegal immigration. They break our laws simply by entering illegally. If foreigners want to work here, then they can apply for a work visa, legally.

11. I agree with President Trump’s position. We also need to protect state sovereignty.

12. Yes, The EPA shouldn’t be able to block a permit before it has been applied for. Additionally, if a company abuses its permitting rights, then we need to ensure that individuals/companies are acting in accordance to their permit with good stewardship.

10. When people are hungry or they seek justice they move or immigrate as they have done since the dawn of time. America should feed the hungry and support those seeking justice. I support Dreamer legislation to give citizenship to people who were children when they came to America. I do not support wasting taxpayer money on building a wall on the southern border. 11. Trump lies on a daily basis. I support his impeachment. We live in a complex world, and often solutions to complex problems require a multi-pronged approach. Unfortunately modern “conservatism” too often offers a simplistic solution to a complex problem. True conservatism is much more pragmatic: do what works, even if it is complicated. 12. Try drinking polluted water. Try breathing polluted air. Scott Pruitt should be removed from office; he is not protecting our clean water and our clean air.

1. Trade is a complex issue, particularly in Alaska. I have concerns over the unilateral ability of any president to make trade-related decisions without the requisite input I view as necessary under the Constitution, which gives Congress the power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations.”The Alaska delegation recently sent a letter directly to the president outlining support for prioritizing opportunities for American exporters and leveling the playing field but also speaking specifically to how retaliation against the nation’s seafood exports would be detrimental to the country, especially Alaska. I am hopeful we can forge an appropriate path forward. 2. We need to consider serious solutions for the entire healthcare system, including Medicaid. I do have concerns regarding block grants or per-capita caps and how the proposals could be implemented in Alaska given our unique challenges. The goal of the committee to work toward a balanced budget is critical as our debt represents a long-term threat. 3. I support the 3 percent share for Alaska Native corporations, which reflects the revenue-sharing principles established in ANCSA. I worked with the delegation to include the revenue-sharing language in the tax bill’s ANWR provision, but due to a Senate parliamentary rule it was not in the final legislation. Subsequently, the revenue sharing language was incorporated into an appropriations bill. 4. As our adversaries continue to improve their intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities, we must ensure that their weapons do not surpass the capabilities of our defense systems. The addition of a fifth missile field at the crown jewel of American missile defense, Fort Greely, will enhance our ability to stay ahead of, and counter, those global ICBM threats. 5. I support protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. That and some other provisions of Obamacare, such as no lifetime limits and allowing children to stay on their parent’s insurance, should be preserved. The individual mandate, in which the government mandates an individual to purchase coverage or be fined, needed elimination. Republicans accomplished that in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 6. My opinion on abortion has and always will be consistent. I have been prolife 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. 7. The climate is changing, and Alaska is witnessing the effects of climate change more than any other state in the nation. While there have been proposals, they seek a solution to a problem we do not fully understand and could result in drastic and unintended consequences for Alaska’s energy independence and economy. We must focus on community resiliency and adaptation. 8. I support robust funding for the Public Lands Maintenance Fund, voted on a bill to increase volunteerism to address the maintenance backlog, and supported the National Park Service Centennial Act that made the maintenance backlog a spending priority. While Congress works to find new funds, I’ve also encouraged NPS to work with states and private groups to reduce deferred maintenance. 9. Internet regulation deserves a bipartisan, permanent solution. I am focused on ensuring that this solution takes into consideration the unique needs of Alaska, particularly our rural and remote communities. Washington, D.C., bureaucrats must not forget that in rural Alaska reliable and accessible internet is severely limited. We must make closing the digital gap the highest priority. 10. Legal immigration adds value to our society and the contribution to our workforce is vital to the success of our economy. However, illegal immigration is an affront to all of those who followed the rule of law to come here. We must fully enforce our immigration law, as we cannot reward those who illegally cross our borders. 11. America has always been best suited to support the wellbeing of our citizens, and the majority of our foreign aid provides many important services overseas. It is our duty as a country, and as human beings, to help those in dire need. While the U.N. is an important forum for international cooperation, it is in significant need of reform. 12. I believe the EPA’s pre-emptive veto undermines the scientific process we rely on for development projects in this country. Any development that requires federal permits goes through the NEPA process and is subject to rigorous scientific scrutiny. The EPA should withhold judgment on projects until they have data to back up their stance.

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Sunday, August 12, 2018

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

PRIMARY ELECTION 2018

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