Michael "Mike" Fenster, Democrat
Representative District 24
Why are you running for office?
My background as a professional engineer, as a high school teacher, and as a STEM education specialist in Alaska have given me a qualified and needed voice in the Legislature. The door to door interactions I have had assure me that the voters look forward to that expertise in contrast to what they have seen.
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is
Divisiveness. Alaskans have worked together before without undue influence from the Lower 48 and we can do so again. It's best if we avoid the partisan politics in other states and work together to make Alaska work well.
Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy
Gas pipeline for Alaska energy needs and for export.
Education PK-16.
Alternative energy development to induce businesses to invest at low energy costs.
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?
My best guess for a sustainable budget in this time is about 4 to 4.5 billion dollars. The capital budget must be cut. Mega projects other than the gas pipeline must be put on hold until our days of deficit spending are done. We can also find a few areas where the operating budget can be cut, but that has been already cut very much.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
Cease the studies. Gas prices are too volatile to make an informed decision. Fund a program at UAF and in the new Engineering Sciences Program at UAA to design it for Alaska and by Alaska.
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?
Changes within the next two years would be a slap in the face to the initiative process. In these next two years, we will look closely at how the tenets of SB21 are working in comparison to previous years and determine what changes will need to be made.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
The serious discussion begins now. Savings will be tapped within the next two years, even beyond what the constitutional budget reserve is doing to assist our downturn. I want to see the end of wasteful mega-projects and focus on the operation of our state. With a thoughtful change to SB21, if necessary, in two years, we will have more information to proceed on a more fiscally conservative path.
Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.
Yes, but at a reduced investment rate. This, like other good ideas, has shown that our investment is not paying off very well. In particular, we did better with films than with reality TV, which is the only program we're funding now.
Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
About right
Taxation on other industries in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
Varies; too low for mining.
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?
Hopefully the information which we are not currently allowed to see is forthcoming soon. With that, I plan to see the administration of the ANG convince us which of their leaders are qualified to remain. Any who knew the facts and hid them must be terminated without benefits.
What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?
1. Quibbling about teachers. Let us focus on the learning our students need.
2. Consistency of funding and funding in advance [forward funding]
3. Acknowledging federal education requirements and making certain the federal monies that come to Alaska are properly spent on the programs they are meant to address.
What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?
1. To make accountability of private schools the same as that of public schools.
2. To be consistent in graduation requirements.
3. To use a nationally normed test, NAEP comes to mind, and stay with it. New tests every few years show us very little.
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?
No. The Alaska Constitution clearly and wisely separated state from church. Were vouchers allowed, I would require all private schools to meet all the requirements that public schools must meet; same academic accountability, same acceptance of all who apply, and same adherence to federal regulations.
What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?
Alaska is beginning a time of being at the forefront of necessary scientific studies. Those studies should originate from the UA system. With that funding, we can expand programs to train our professionals in trades and in academics to remain in the Alaska workforce.
Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.
I support Medicaid expansion. More than 40,000 Alaskans have inadequate care without this expansion. Also, the expansion will fund more than 3000 added jobs in Alaska in an industry other than oil and gas.
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?
No, I am not confident in this. We have using many of the resources set up in this spill response for spills from buses, trains and the like. I would like some oversight to know that we are adequately prepared in the most common shipping and transporting areas.
What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?
Bridges need inspections and planned, consistent maintenance. Our marine system of barges and ferries does quite well to allow us to transport goods and people. Our roads continue to deteriorate and need consistent maintenance. Banning studded tires to use newer technology of stud-less winter tires may delay some upkeep expense. Our railway system works well, but we may need to consider moving portions of it from military bases for ease of transportation during high alert conditions.
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?
We cannot afford all four. I question if we can afford even one. The Watana Dam and the KABATA bridge need to be taken off the table until we are past the stage of billion dollar deficit spending. The Bradley Lake diversion project that was planned is much less expensive and still produce more power for the rail-belt. The highest priority is for a gas line, that will both fuel Alaska and make gas available for export.
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 trust Alaska women.
When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?
I cannot think of a situation when a resident Alaskan cannot manage a state board or commission. If others from outside Alaska are needed they can be temporary consultants or advisors.
Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.
Yes, I am.
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?
We need to train and fund more State Troopers and VPSOs in the remote areas to reduce the terrible assault and other violence occurring in the villages.
Bio
Age: 62
Occupation: Retired
Current employer: N/A
Employment history:
JUL 2010 - Jun 2013: Anchorage School District; STEM Curriculum Coordinator
Aug 2003 - Jun 2010: South Anchorage High School: Physics and mathematics teacher
Aug 1990 - JUL 2003: East Anchorage High School [School-Within-a-School] Mathematics and science teacher.
Jan 1983 - Aug 1990; Registered Mechanical Engineer: Crews, MacInnes and Hoffman [CMH] Consulting Engineers
Jul 1981 - Dec 1982: Mechanical Engineer: Alaska District Corps of Engineers
Aug 1975 - Sep 1979 and Dec 1980 - Jun 1981; Mechanical Engineer at various firms in the Lower 48.
Previous public offices held: None
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: None
Postsecondary education:
Master of Arts in Teaching
Certification in Secondary Mathematics and in Physics
University of Alaska Anchorage, May 1990
Mechanical Engineering graduate school: Montana State University. Did not complete the degree. Sep 1979 - Jun 1980
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering; General Motors Institute [Now Kettering University] Aug 1975
Military service: None
Spouse's name: Jeanne Meinert
Children: Elias Fenster
Website: democracy.com/MikeFenster4AKHouse