Samuel Duff Combs, Democrat
Alaska House, District 28
Why are you running for office?
Legislators should be one of the people, not career politicians. I'll work with all of my neighbors to help build a stronger and equitable Alaska we can all be proud to live, work, and play in. I will listen and respond to you. After all, it's the People's House. I will be a responsive legislator - I prefer the term Statesman, since I'm an Architect not a career politician and don't plan to spend the rest of my life in the legislature like my opponent would like to do!
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is _____
School Funding. Public schools are the foundation of our state. We must continue to build on that foundation – not tear it down by siphoning off funds to private schools – and fully fund our public school system. Our forefathers got the constitutional mandate right the first time: Public funds for public schools.
Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy
1. Stop sole source boondoggles for political chorines like the Legislative Information Office, aka the Taj MaHawker in Anchorage.
2. Reinstate the State of Alaska Student Loan Forgiveness that was voted out in 1987 to allow our children to remain or return.
3. We should encourage other industries, not just the oil industry. We should do this by establishing tax incentives for businesses.
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?
We are only taking in 4.5 billion dollars and spending 12 billion per year. That's not sustainable. The cuts should come from boondoggles like the Taj MaHawker. Additionally, my opponent as Chair of the Legislative Council rejected a legitimate bid from a respected contractor to give a contractor who bid a million dollars higher the Capital Building renovation project. Stop waste!
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
Stop studying the studies--haven't we had enough already? Build the large diameter pipeline as defined in SB138. If we didn't commit to a 10 year lease at an increase from $682,000 to 5 million dollars per year for rent, spend 7.5 million dollars minimum for renovations to a building we won't own in the end and purchase furniture sole source from a company in Germany at 4 time the cost of American furniture manufacturers, then maybe we could invest in a project that would benefit many!
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?
I believe that neither SB21 or ACES are fair to the state. We need to have a fair and equitable tax that is fair not only to the oil companies, but to the state as well. We should be partners and not adversaries and to do that, both side must be successful.
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?
I believe that we need to have a fair tax as mentioned previously for both the oil companies and the state before we look at either a sales tax or income tax. I would never vote for a state sales tax because it is a regressive tax that hurts our most vulnerable Alaskans. Before we reduce PFD checks, we should consider corporate taxes. We need a 5 year plan.
Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.
Those credits are actually filming reality shows, not movies currently. We need to ensure effectiveness of the money we spend and the investment in motion pictures is a much broader and effective investment in a diversity of sections in our economy Periodic audits need to be done. We need to encourage motion picture credits.
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 higher 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?
I think that the current Parnell administration will never provide accurate information on these atrocious problems with the ANG--they must be replaced so we can find out what truly happened and hold those responsible by prosecuting those who broke the law.
What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?
1. Establish pre-k classes, which is a proven source for improvement for our students.
2. Stop fiascos like the Legislative Information Office which is wasting 80 million dollars that could have been used to increase the Base Student Allowance and not fire hundreds of teachers.
3. Secondary education must be affordable with reasonable interest rates & loan forgiveness.
What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?
When the Legislature doesn't adequately fund our public schools and plays games with vouchers/religious schools, they have no right to judge our schools. Where is the accountability in our politicians? Where are our statesmen and stateswomen?
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. There must be a separation of church and state and to establish a voucher system goes against our state constitution. We have many options for our children for education through our ASD. Our daughter attended Polaris K-12 and is completing her Masters in Italy.
What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?
As the son of a UAA/ACC college professor, I believe that a strong UA system is very important and must be adequately funded. If i could have attended Architectural school in Alaska I would have. Our daughter would have attended UAA if her major or her minor had been offered. We need to increase the diversity of the programs and research which is part of a strong base for any university, unlike my opponent who gets a 0 rating.
Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.
I support expanding Medicaid. Unlike my opponent I believe that adding 1.6 billion dollars to our economy, increasing medical coverage to more than 40,000 additional Alaskans, and adding 4,000 jobs to our economy is a good thing. As a small business owner who has my office in our District, I've benefited from the ACA. In speaking to hundreds of constituents as I go door to door, other small business owners have benefitted as well.
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. The current administration and my opponent is so pro-oil, that they seem to think that the oil companies can do no wrong. Shell needs to stop running rigs aground, BP and Exxon needs to ensure that any spill can be successfully cleaned up contrary to their record. Paper towels and booms will just not suffice any more. Their are too many legislators with conflicts of interest that should not be voting on these issues and that includes my opponent.
What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?
Our bridges need to be reinforced to be made safe to current and future seismic regulations and done now. Our ferry system does well, but we will need to add boats in the future. Our roads suffer while 80 million dollars is wasted on political palaces such as the Taj MaHawker created by my opponent.
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?
When we arrived in Anchorage in 1955, politicians were talking about the Knik Arm Crossing and they still are. The dam has been talked of for decades and it, as well as the bridge are projects that can wait. The large diameter gas pipeline should go now. I'm an Architect. I believe in sensible, sustainable and environmentally sound projects. I don't believe in political palaces such as the one created by my opponent.
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 Alaskan women to make their own decisions when it comes to their own health care. These personal decisions should not be made by the State. I understand both sides on this issue, but the way you decrease the need for abortions is to increase sex education in schools and the accessibility and affordability of contraceptives to women who can't afford them.
When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?
Never. I am tired of the outside expert syndrome that has been prevalent in Alaska and voiced by my opponent. He stated in a recent HALO meeting that he was working with 3 outside consultants on the Base Student Allowance. We have the expertise in Alaska--there's no need to go outside..
Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.
Yes. The current procedure to select judges is unbroken and shouldn't be changed. Electing judges politicizes the process and allows the intrusion of special interests to donate to judicial campaigns, which is unacceptable.
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 have far less troopers and VSPO's than needed. Speaking with retired law enforcement officers in our district as I go door to door, they believe that we need to have well educated and trained officers that have a defined benefit plan that will encourage and keep these officers in Alaska. Our current system allows officers to get educated and trained, gain experience and head south for better benefits.
Bio
Age: 62
Occupation: Architect
Current employer: Combs & Combs, AIA
Employment history:
1999-Present Combs & Combs, AIA, Principal/Owner.
1993-1998 Karluk Design, Inc., Principal/Partner.
1991-1993 Koonce Pfeffer, Inc. , Architect.
1989-1991 Samuel Duff Combs, AlA, Architect, Architect and Owner.
1989-1991 Art & Architecture Gallery, Owner with wife-Jayna Lee
Combs.
1988-1989 GTde Weisenbach, Architects, Seattle, Washington, Lead
Architect.
1988 Merritt & Pardini, Architects, Tacoma, Washington, Architect and
Director of Historic Preservation.
1984-1988 Samuel Duff Combs, AlA, Architect, Architect and Owner.
1980-1984 Alaskan Preservationists, Anchorage, Architect and Owner.
1979-1980 Graham Associates, Architects and Planners, Anchorage,
Draftsman and Graduate Architect-1979; Office Manager-1980.
1978 State of Alaska Division of Parks, Office of History and
Archaeology, Anchorage, Architectural Assistant to the State
Historical Architect. [Leave of absence from CCC/HOK].
1977-1979 Crittenden, Cassetta, Cannon/Helmuth, Obata and
Kassabaum, Architects and Planners, Anchorage, Draftsman and
Graduate Architect.
1971 & 1972 Post Engineers, Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Draftsman
and Designer.
1968 Crittenden, Cassetta, Wirum and Cannon, Architects and
Planners, Anchorage, Office Assistant.
Previous public offices held:
Appointed by Mayor Mark Begich to the re-formed Anchorage Historic
Preservation Commission, 2007-2010.
Past-President of the Alaska World Affairs Council, 2007-2008.
President of the Alaska World Affairs Council, 2006-2007.
Vice President of the Alaska World Affairs Council, 2005-2006.
Executive Board of the Alaska World Affairs Council, 1992-2010.
Elected to the Executive Board of the Alaska Association for Historic
Preservation, 2002-2010;
Appointed by Mayor Mystrom to the Housing & Neighborhood Development Commission (HAND) of the Municipality of Anchorage,
1999-02;
President & Past President, Alaska State Chapter of The American Institute
of Architects, 1996-97.
Director, Alaska State Chapter of The American Institute of Architects,
1993-1994.
Juror for the Vermont Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
Design Awards, 1992.
Chairman of the Anchorage Section of the American Institute of Architects,
1992.
Secretary Treasurer of the Anchorage Section of the American Institute of
Architects, 1991.
Juror for the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Honor Awards for
1990.
Chairman of the Seattle Chapter American Institute of Architects Historic
Preservation Committee,1990-91.
The Columbia City Landmark District Architectural Review Committee,
1989-1991.
The Washington Trust For Historic Preservation Executive Board-1989-
1992, Elected and Appointed to the post of Executive Board Secretary,
1989-1990.
The City of Seattle Historic Landmarks Preservation Board, Appointed by
the Mayor for 1988-1991.
Public Service Award for Participation on the Historic Landmarks
Preservation Commission from the Mayor of Anchorage, 1986.
Anchorage Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission, Appointed by
the Mayor for 1986-1987.
President of Forum '49 of the Alaska World Affairs Council, 1984-1985.
Board Member of the Alaska World Affairs Council, 1984-1985.
Board Member of Forum '49 of the Alaska World Affairs Council, 1982-
1985.
Secretary/Treasurer of the Anchorage Section of the American Institute of
Architects, 1979.
Worker of the Summer, Ft. Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska, 1971.
Student Body President, Dimond High School, 1970-1971.
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: None
Postsecondary education:
Americans With Disabilities Act Seminar, Evan Terry & Associates,
University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 1992.
Real Estate Course, Central Seattle Community College, 1990.
Post-Graduate studies in Arctic Engineering, University of Alaska, 1977.
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Oregon, 1977.
High School Diploma, Dimond High School, Anchorage, Alaska, 1971 .
Military service: None
Spouse's name: Jayna Lee Combs
Children: Alexa Donn Combs