Candidates should explain
On July 12, independent candidate for governor Bill Walker wrote an article of about 1,000 words in the Alaska Dispatch News that he called "Why I am voting 'Yes' to repeal SB 21." According to a Google search I did just before I wrote this, no other candidate for governor has written a similar in-depth piece on why he is voting yes or no on the most controversial question to hit Alaskan politics in years.
Gov. Sean Parnell, Byron Mallott and all you other candidates, please break your silence and come forward with a clear statement of your position. Alaskans are entitled to know it and I'm sure the Alaska Dispatch News will grant you the space.
— Allan Adasiak
Anchorage
Legal pot will be problem
The idea of legalizing pot is a serious mistake for Alaska and the U.S. It is a real easy decision.
If something will create more problems for everyone including teenagers and adults it makes absolute sense not to legalize it. Legal alcohol problems is the perfect example why no one should even consider voting for pot's legalization.
— Don Ingraham
Chugiak
Legislators unbelievable due to votes on education
I read with disbelief the commentary on Ballot Measure 1 submitted by Sens. McGuire, Fairclough, Giessel and Reps. Costello, Gattis, Holmes, Hughes, Millett, Reinbold, P. Wilson, and T. Wilson on Aug. 7. They claim, "as women," to "make decisions with the best interests of children in mind," and are "working to improve our education system."
To claim that these legislators support education is ludicrous. With the exception of Rep. Holmes, who introduced an unsuccessful amendment to approach adequate education funding during the recent "Education Session," the rest of these "mothers, grandmothers, aunts, godmothers or guardians for many young people" voted time and again, in finance committees and on Senate and House floors, to continue underfunding Alaska's public schools. These women consistently opposed adequate increases to classroom funds and as a result school districts across Alaska still face dramatic teacher cuts this year and in the future.
Nearly all legislators claim to be education supporters, but far fewer actually vote to support public schools. Regardless of your views on Ballot Measure 1, if public education is important to you, make sure you know how your candidate really feels about education issues before you go to the polls.
— Alison Arians
Anchorage
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