Phil Isley, (Non-Affiliated) Nominating Petition Candidate
State Representative, District 18
Why are you running for office?
I felt it would be un-American to let Harriet Drummond run unopposed. I am concerned that we are spending our future and the legislature does not want to stop the spending. I know one person outside of a caucus can't get a lot done, but I can voice the common citizen's point of view and perhaps shame them into budget reductions.
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is
The biggest problem is the size of the budget. The next thing is the economy. The government section in even with or larger then the private sector that is suppose to support it.
Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy
The legislature should steer clear of private enterprise. We should not tax every business that appears to be successful. It would help if new laws supported new business.
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?
They say $5 billion. I think we should plan for 90% of the previous year's revenue. Significant cuts can't be made all at once because so much of our economy is government. I think capital budget cuts could take a bigger hit then the operations budget. It should be a slow and continuous process down to manageable levels. ACES grew the government and downsized the private sector creating a lot of economic dependence on government.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
I do not believe we are ready for the gas pipeline. Business men are smarter then politicians. When the business men decide to build it, then it will be done quickly. Until then, we are just pouring money into a hole. You can call it studies or you can call it wasting money, it amounts to the same thing.
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?
To determine if a tax structure is fair, you should think about how you would feel if it was applied to you and everyone else across the board. If you thought ACES was good, then you should write a check to the State for 45% of your wages. Just about everything that you can say about oil applies to every other industry we have in the State. If you work for the State or local government, then you should remember that your wages are coming from all of these industries.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
The funny thing is that if we had started by saving all our oil money and living off the interest, then we would not have any financial problems. Everyone talks about new taxes. We bring people from all over the world to support. We give to charities, bonuses, raises and all kinds of other things. How about just cutting up the credit cards and saying," Sorry, folks the gravy is gone."
Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.
If we make a state subsidy program then it should have a time limit. I think a 4 year film program could be exploited if we had good leadership at the university. If Alaska could educate Alaskans to produce great films and bring the profits home, then it could establish a new local industry. If it is used to have local grunts for outside industry, then it is not worth a subsidy program. I don't consider a tax break a giveaway.
Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
livable for all parties.
Taxation on other industries in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
Could be reviewed
Taxation on individual citizens in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
Generally higher than it should be
What are your specific plans to address the serious problems of leadership, morale and accountability within the Alaska National Guard?
The Governor is the Commander and Chief of the Army and Air National Guard in the state. He needs to find someone that has the leadership capabilities, management skills, and experience to bring the units back to the high standards expected in the military and appoint them as the new AG. I don't think it would be wise to promote from within the current organizations.
What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?
1. Making students accountable for their education and stopping the free passes to the next grade.
2. Identifying standards for students and teachers and holding them accountable.
3. Paying for the current and retired school system medical costs.
What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?
I would like to see every student in every grade pass a competency test every quarter. No pass, no progression.
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?
When I began running for politics, I supported public schools. After meetings with school unions and reading the NEA-Alaska Mission Statement, I support vouchers and a constitutional amendment. From what I see, religious schools produce better students for less money and the parents have to pay for their child's education twice. What is fair and equal about that?
What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?
In my travels, I had a discussion with someone from the University Staff. She informed me that I didn't know anything about how the university worked. I expected some form of explanation on how it really worked, but she just implied that I was stupid and apparently unable to comprehend. This leads me to believe that the leadership isn't any better then the national guard and should be replaced at the earliest opportunity. Hopefully the new board will consider a focus on education.
Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.
I oppose the Affordable Care ACT. It is not a healthcare plan. It guaranties that you will pay insurance, but it really doesn't say you will be provided healthcare. Someone finally dreamed up a way to tax the poor and make them think they are getting a good deal. They also robbed the Medicare funds that I have paid into for four decades and say they gave them to the needy. I feel like I was just robbed and they got away with it.
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 think big oil are the experts in the field. I believe they understand the consequences and costs of a spill. If the government would have listened to the oil companies in the gulf, then less damage would have resulted. Either way, they are still paying and it is in their best interest not to have another spill. They know the environment and equipment better then the state people making the regulations. That means the state should pay attention and keep them honest.
What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?
We have an international port and airport in Anchorage along with a major highway and they are not connected by major lines of access. Our capitol can only be reached by air or water. Anchorage is divided by the major highway that can only be crossed in limited areas creating significant traffic issues. I don't think you can find a state that has a transportation system more broken then us. The good news is that we deal with it so it is not a major problem.
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?
At this time, we should drop all of them. The time to spend money is when the times are good. We need to recover from some of our other mistakes before we start new ones.
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?
I will never have to make a choice on abortion. It is up to a woman to chose. Since I will never have to make the choice, I should never have to pay for an abortion. Freedom comes with responsibility. Choose wisely.
When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?
Judging by some of the mistakes made in the past, it would be not only appropriate, but wise to appoint knowledgeable, experienced people to boards and commissions where Alaskans lack the expertise.
Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.
No, I think they should be term limited to keep them from losing touch with the people.
The number of Alaska State Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers is ____ (More than necessary, about right, less than necessary):
N/A
If you answered more or less, what specific steps would you take to achieve the right level?
This question is like a grenade with the pin pulled. With the number of cultures and attitudes involved and that does not even consider the vast distances or logistics to support any of the assets. This is something that will be determined on a village by village bases.
Bio
Age: 59
Occupation: Aircraft Mechanic
Current employer: Alaska Air Taxi
Employment history: See my website
Previous public offices held: None
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: Don't keep track of such things.
Postsecondary education: See website
Military service: Alaska Army National Guard. Started October 1972 as Private (E-2) finished 31 December 1994 as Major (O-4). Details on my website.
Spouse's name: None
Children: Grown
Website: www.philisley.us