Politics

Max Gruenberg Jr., candidate for Alaska State Representative District 16, answers questions about the issues

Max F. Gruenberg Jr, Democrat

State Representative, District 16

Why are you running for office?

From when I was 16 at Boy Scout Camp in California and watched the new 49 star flag go up the pole, I wanted to go to Alaska and be a legal pioneer to would help make new laws in the new state. Looking back, I see now how very fortunate I've been to sit at the edge of history. I've come to appreciate how lucky we are in Alaska to have a great constitution, a great legal system, and an excellent set of laws.

The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is

Maintaining essential governmental services with declining oil production, dependent upon an industry dominated by multinational corporations.

Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy

First, by wisely developing our natural resources.

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Second, by growing our own domestic businesses and industries.

Third, by nurturing our pre-K through 12 educational system and by growing our state university system.

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?

With volatile oil prices, it's difficult to predict future budgets. Wasteful expenditures include: (1 ) excessive, expensive, and often futile litigation on political issues without considering the costs, (2) lax oversight of agencies like the National Guard, and (3)wasteful capital projects such as the Knik Arm Crossing.

What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?

Examples of things the state could do include: (1) encouraging competition among shippers by opening new oil fields to additional producers, (2) using the state's financial clout to obtain more competitive financing.

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?

The legislature must ensure that we get the best advice possible from the best neutral experts. The problem is that we may not know until it is too late whether MAPA is successful, and by then we may already have lost billions in revenue. Moreover, it may take years to pass corrective legislation and by then the state may be even further in the red.

The state's savings is being depleted. How low should the savings go before you begin to seriously discuss implementing a widespread tax, such as as a sales or income tax, or reducing Permanent Fund Dividend checks to help pay for services?

There are two issues here. First, there must be agreement about the triggering point to take action. Second, there must be consensus about the right remedy (such as some taxes, deeper budgetary cuts, or drawing down the Constitutional Budget Reserve). Usually it takes time to get this consensus, but without it, the legislature will likely not act in a meaningful way.

Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.

The subsidy program does not result in enough additional local hire or local training, except for personal services, local suppliers, and extras. For the subsidy program to be really successful for Alaska, there should be a commitment by the film companies to train and use locals as much as possible in important positions.

Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):

The taxing structure is too low when oil prices and profits are high. We deserve a greater share of the profits under those conditions because the value of our non-renewable resources is so much more valuable then.

Taxation on other industries in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):

I cannot comment on other taxes, but believe we should review Alaska's mining tax laws. The state receives little or no revenue from them. Legislation to do this was introduced several times, but died in committee.

Taxation on individual citizens in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):

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Too high. Revenue sharing and municipal assistance used to allow local governments to reduce property and sales taxes. Unfortunately, both were abolished a few years ago. This shifted the cost of local government onto local taxpayers. We should consider re-instituting both programs.

What are your specific plans to address the serious problems of leadership, morale and accountability within the Alaska National Guard?

The House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee should hold oversight hearings on the subject and also review existing state laws governing the Alaska National Guard to determine whether those statutes should be updated and made more effective. They are now largely toothless.

What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?

1. Attracting and retaining good personnel. A return to some form of defined benefits pension system would go a long way towards solving this problem.

2. Return positive incentives, particularly for Title I schools.

3. Inadequate and unstable operational funding. School districts need fiscal certainty.

What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?

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I believe that many people who say public schools are not accountable really mean that certain educators do not agree with them. Elected schools boards are in the best position to address such concerns.

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. This would only aggravate the current fiscal shortfall in public schools and cause even more students to flee the public school system, accelerating its descent into a dual class system, pitting the rich against the poor, and hastening the demise of public education.

What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?

I encourage expansion of the University tax credit program (legislation I authored in the mid '80's). This will decrease the University's dependence on state funding, while encourage its fiscal independence. We should provide the necessary incentives to attract the best faculty and students, probably by at least increasing faculty salary and benefits.

Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.

I support expanding Medicaid. We must do what we can to ensure that all Alaskans receive the health 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?

Recent studies show that, Shell, too, has caused serious environmental problems. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation should beef up its enforcement functions. The legislature should give it the resources to do so.

What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?

The Alaska Department of Transportation and related agencies (e.g. the Alaska Railroad) are trying to cover a huge state with inadequate resources. There is no easy answer to our transportation crisis. We must keep chipping away at the problem, reward efficiencies, and seek grants and federal funding.

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?

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I believe we cannot afford the Knik Arm Crossing and Susitna Dam now. We need to prioritize the two pipelines, also. As revenues decline; future legislatures will have to make a number of difficult decisions, this being one of them.

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?

This is a choice between a woman and her health care provider.

When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?

It is appropriate, if the position calls for someone with special expertise and there is no Alaskan with the qualifications readily available.

Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.

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Yes. We have an excellent, fair, non-political, well-established procedure to approve judges—one that is not easily susceptible to political manipulation, partisanship, or court packing.

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 must recruit, train, equip and adequately compensate more VPSO's. (The legislature, too, should participate, because VPSO's enforce state, as well as, local laws.) VPSO's serve alone and without back-up, often in remote villages, where situations can become very dangerous very quickly. The safety of entire villages sometimes depends upon them. Last session I supported the new law arming VPSO's.

Bio

Age: 71

Occupation: Family Lawyer (retired)

Current employer: Member, Alaska House of Representatives, 1985-92, 2003-present

Employment history:

1. Law clerk to Justice Roger Connor, Alaska Supreme Court, Anchorage, Sept 70-Sept 71.

2. Legislative assistant to Senator Ted Stevens, Washington DC, Sept 71 – Oct 73.

3. Private practice of family law, Anchorage, Jan 74 – Sept 05.

4. Full-time state representative, Sept 05-present.

Previous public offices held:

State Representative 1985-92, 2003-present (10 terms- currently most senior House member).

House Majority Leader, 1987-88, 1991-92, House Minority Whip, 2014-present

Previous unsuccessful runs for office:

1992-State Senate

1994-State House

Postsecondary education:

Stanford University – BA in Political Science with certificate in Public Administration (1965);

UCLA Law School. J.D., Editor-in-Chief, UCLA-Alaska Law Review (1970).

Military service:

U.S. Navy 1965-67, honorably discharged Lt.(j.g.).

Gunnery officer on U.S.S. Whitfield County (LST 1169). Awards,

Meritorious Unit Commendation and Vietnam Service medal with 3 combat stars.

Spouse's name:Kayla Epstein

Children:Bruce (Sionnon) and Daniel. Bruce's children: Beccan (10) and Delilah (3).

Website: MaxGruenbergForStateHouse.com

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