Eric D. Treider, Non-Affiliated
Alaska Senate, District O
Why are you running for office?
I will never quit working for Medicaid expansion and universal health care, for jobs that pay a living wage and for a constitutional amendment rescinding "corporate personhood." In addition, I will work to implement rules changes that will prevent state senators from voting on legislation where they have a conflict of interest. And I want to prepare Alaska for a future beyond oil and gas.
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is
Our biggest problem is a culture of corruption and cronyism in state government: Our lawmakers are so busy looking out for their corporate benefactors and other special interests that they've completely forgotten about who they are supposed to be serving. Our legislators ought to be at least as concerned about promoting the success of Alaskan families as they are with guaranteeing the success of big business. And sadly, that's not the case.
Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy
We need to plan now for an Alaska beyond oil. Two things are certain: we'll still need energy and we'll need an industry to replace oil production. Because we'll need renewable energy, let's structure our economy around building the equipment we'll need to harness the tides, wind and sun. And we'll sell this equipment worldwide! Good clean, high-tech jobs that will last forever. Cheaper electricity will help consumers and birth new industries. And let's establish a network of time banks!
What amount of state spending do you believe is sustainable? If cuts need to be made, where should most of the money come from, the operations budget or the capital budget?
Current state spending levels are entirely unsustainable. Social service programs are easy to cut because they affect people too powerless to cause much of a fuss so I'm sure that this is where our wrongheaded legislature will look first for savings. We really need to be looking at the capital budget. And we need to revamp our social services programs so that they create genuine opportunities, and not sheer dependency.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
I'm not sure that the state really negotiated the best deal with all parties last spring. It seems to me that in return for all the risk we are taking, we deserve a greater equity stake. This is what happens when industry insiders are "negotiating" with their employers on our behalf. It doesn't work. Another outrageous example of the conflicts of interest that permeate our state government.
The voters have chosen Senate Bill 21 or the More Alaska Production Act to generate most of the state's tax revenues. How will you determine whether this tax structure is effective? Do you think any changes should be made to the law in the upcoming legislative session?
In the most basic sense, MAPA fails right off the get-go because it doesn't maximize our share of the revenue for each and every barrel of oil produced. We'll have to drill like mad in order to generate the same income levels we saw under ACES and we'll deplete the field early, cheating our children of their oil legacy. The Norwegians got it right -- they have produced about twice as much oil but their "permanent fund" is twenty times larger than ours.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
First, I think we should restore ACES in order to boost our revenue and then we should take a hard look at the capital budget. And possibly there is fat we can cut from the operating budget. A good way to really mess things up would be to take the short-sighted approach of cutting education, health care and other services designed to support families and help them remain independent. We'll save money this year but spend three times as much trying to salvage the wrecked lives in later years.
Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.
Of course not! Why this obsession with corporate welfare?? Let the free market do its thing! The same was true with the refinery subsidies. Let the free market determine the winners and losers. The current legislative majority cries "Socialism!" anytime someone suggests measures that can be taken to strengthen families but they literally salivate as they consider what they can do to lavish even higher profits on some of the nation's richest corporations.
Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
Generally lower than it should be
Taxation on other industries in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
Generally lower than it should be
Taxation on individual citizens in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
About right
What are your specific plans to address the serious problems of leadership, morale and accountability within the Alaska National Guard?
Having a new Commander In Chief would be the most important first step because he or she sets the tone for the entire organization. It would appear that reporting mechanisms were in place but as in so many things, Governor Parnell has a profound hearing problem when it comes to the things he doesn't wish to listen to. He also has a hard time hearing the cries of Alaskan families who are losing loved ones because he refused to expand Medicaid.
What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?
Stable funding for education -- this is essential to attract and retain good teachers. Ample funding for education -- we should take a second look at an education endowment to fund our schools after the oil is gone. Realistic performance standards -- holding teachers accountable for their students' test scores is unrealistic and unfair since instruction is one of many variables affecting students' performance.
What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?
School boards should be more open to input regarding how to make education relevant in each community's setting. Accreditation is important, but let's also teach job-hunting skills, personal finance, relationship skills and practical skills like gardening, fishing, hunting, food preservation and building using locally available materials. These skills are just as important as verb conjugation and many parents are too busy working to impart these needed skills.
Would you support a constitutional amendment that would allow public funds to be spent on private or religious K-12 education? If such an amendment were to pass, would you then support voucher or some similar grant to parents of state funds that they could spend on private or religious education for their children?
I would vigorously oppose such an amendment and if it were to pass, I would oppose vouchers. Voucher systems violate the spirit of the law separating church and state and there aren't enough safeguards in place to guarantee that children in private schools are receiving the quality education they need and deserve. Such systems are discriminatory and would weaken public schools.
What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?
Sufficient and stable funding. Lowering tuition costs through greater efficiency and through boosted state funding. Expansion of the community schools programs to entice those who aren't turned on by the traditional college programs. Offerings on alternative energy and alternative building methods, for example. Anything to get people learning and interacting with one another.
Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.
I strongly support the expansion of Medicaid. Numbers from a Harvard study suggest that 100 Alaskan families will lose loved ones due to "pro-life" Governor Parnell's attempt to score points with his political supporters and it's simply immoral. Beyond that, we need to begin exploring a statewide universal health care program to contain costs and make sure that no Alaskan goes without the life-saving care they need.
Are you confident that the current level of state environmental regulation and oversight of offshore oil and gas drilling and shipping is adequate to prevent a major spill in Alaska? If not, where are we deficient and what will you propose to achieve adequate protection?
I am a semi-retired oilfield worker and I have worked offshore along the North Slope. Though I am generally satisfied with environmental safeguards on land, on open water and on solid ice, we will have a big problem if we ever have a spill during the spring or fall when the ice is broken. Such a spill would be difficult to contain as would a spill under the ice. This should be our focus for moving forward.
What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?
On the peninsula, if you can't afford a car or you are unable to drive for other reasons, you are out of luck. CARTS meets some of those needs but we need a bare-bones, economical shuttle service that would travel a scheduled route from Sterling to Nikiski several times a day. This would be the single most important thing we could do to keep uninsured, illegal drivers off the road and it would really help low-income commuters make ends meet. This is a big need.
The Legislature has approved the use of state funds for four mega-projects: the Knik Arm Crossing, the Susitna-Watana dam and two gas line projects. Can the state afford all four, or should one or more be dropped? If so, which?
The Knik Arm Crossing is an extravagance we simply can't afford. It would primarily benefit real estate speculators and builders. This $1.6 billion dollars would be better spent building the infrastructure for our economy based around designing and building tide-powered turbines, small vertical axis wind turbines and solar panels. Set these industries up as workers' cooperatives so the profits stay in-state, strengthening local businesses and families.
State your position on abortion. When should it be allowed, and when should government pay for it? Do you anticipate pushing any legislation, policies or budget proposals that would change the status quo in Alaska?
Abortion is a terrible thing but there's one thing even worse -- giving birth to a child you know you can't care for and who will likely be abused, unloved and neglected. I support "choice" but I think it needs to be done early in the pregnancy and I think it's in the public's interest to help low-income women who make this difficult decision. The real focus needs to be on expanding family planning and educating men to think of women and sex in a more responsible and considerate way.
When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?
I can see the need for board or commission members to have some "skin in the game" by requiring that they be state residents. Expertise can always be bought. Loyalty can't.
Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.
I haven't really looked into this issue though I have heard stories from a reliable source concerning the integrity of certain judges. I'd rather not comment further since I haven't formed an opinion about this.
The number of Alaska State Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers is ____ (More than necessary, about right, less than necessary):
Less than necessary
If you answered more or less, what specific steps would you take to achieve the right level?
According to local troopers, the job openings are there but they have trouble finding qualified applicants. Options would include expanding recruiting efforts, offering more money, lowering standards or helping currently unqualified applicants become qualified somehow and each one of those options has a downside. Perhaps a judicious combination of all of these steps might restore us to our proper staffing levels. Nikiski does need its own troopers, however.
Bio
Age: 58
Occupation: Electronics Technician
Current employer: Contractor for Schlumberger Oilfield Services
Employment history:
January, 1982 - July, 1986: Schlumberger Oilfield Services, Electronics Technician
July, 1986 - August, 1987: Fairchild Semiconductor Corp. Production Supervisor, Military/Aerospace Division
August, 1987 - May, 1989: Schlumberger Oilfield Services, Electronics Technician
August, 1990 - May, 2011, Schlumberger Oilfield Services, Electronics Technician, Lab Manager
January, 2013 - Current, Elwood Staffing Services -- doing contract work for Schlumberger Oilfield Services.
Previous public offices held: N/A
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: N/A
Postsecondary education:
Social Welfare, Pacific Lutheran University, BA: 1978
Digital Electronics: Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, Diploma 1981
Teachers for Alaska Program (graduate program), UAF. 1990
Academy for Missional Wisdom, (graduate program) Perkins School of Theology, 2013
Military service: N/A
Spouse's name: Nelma
Children: Jason, Laura
Website: www.treiderforsenate.com