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House District 18: Mike Gordon (Republican)

Party: Republican

Age: 73

Occupation: Retired

Current Employer: N/A

Employment history: 60s New York Life, Hallmark Cards, Gillette Safety Razor Co., 1967-68 The Bird House Bar, 1970-2015 Chilkoot Charlie's.

Previous public office: 1971-1974 Anchorage City Council-Councilman; 1971-1974 Anchorage Borough Assembly-Assemblyman; Board Member and Chairman Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board appointed by Governors Cowper and Murkowski.

Previous unsuccessful runs for office: None

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Postsecondary education: 2011 BA in Political Science, Minor in Philosophy, University of San Francisco; 2014 MA in Writing, Alaska Pacific University

Military service: None

Spouse's Name: Michelle (Shelli)

Children: Michele and Michael

Website: Alaskansforgordon.com

Why are you running?

I love Alaska and am concerned about its future. I believe my education, experience in government and running a business — meeting a payroll of up to 200 employees every two weeks for 45 years — and my diverse life experience, make me uniquely qualified. I was encouraged by many friends inside and outside of my district.

What was the last book you read?

The Civil War, by Bruce Catton (again)

The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is _______

An ever-growing sense of entitlement. Leadership in Juneau needs to address this issue openly. Equally important is federal interference in our affairs and our inability to expeditiously develop our natural resources, exacerbated by an anti-business bias growing out of our perceived tremendous wealth. Wealth poorly managed doesn't count for much.

Describe three ways you think the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy.

Incentivize businesses, large and small. Be a reliable, honest governmental partner in our relationships with business. Expand, support and broaden our business base. A transportation infrastructure with rural hubs and reasonably-priced energy for all of Alaska is needed, without which we will never be able to develop rural Alaska. Right-size state government.

Unemployment in rural and off-the-road Alaska is a major issue. What are your ideas for growing a sustainable economy in areas of Alaska that are inaccessible by road?

We need to reverse the mindset that Alaska is a park to be preserved for the rest of the world. We need a functioning transportation network — read roads. Focus on providing a better education and better job opportunities, while lowering the cost of living in rural Alaska.  Developing natural resources in these areas enhances and expands infrastructure and provides high-paying jobs. Continue to emphasize and market our strategic polar location for transportation, shipping, research and military preparedness.

What's one idea you have for improving Alaska's schools?

A voucher system that gives parents more choice in how and where to educate their children.

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The current University of Alaska budget is:

About right.

The state's minimum public-school size of 10 students to receive state funding is:

 

Describe your vision of a long-term fiscal plan for Alaska.

First things first.  Right-size government to what we actually need rather than what we want.  Initiate a zero-based budget process. Create a sustainable draw from permanent fund earnings to stabilize our economy.  Uncertainty is the worst thing for any economy. Put more oil in the pipeline—like Caelus and Armstrong discoveries ASAP. Be a better, more reliable, forward-looking partner with our oil companies. Promote and support our other industries, such as mining, fishing and tourism.

Do you think that the state should make reductions next year from this year's $3.86 billion agency budget?

Yes

The Legislature's line-item operating budget for each agency program run by the state is here: http://www.legfin.akleg.gov/BudgetReports/LY2016/Operating/Enacted/Stwd-AllocationSummaryUGF.pdf. If you think the state budget should be reduced, tell us which three line items you'd reduce most, and by how much. (Use specific line items from the budget)

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This question is premature.

What sources of revenue, if any, do you support using to balance the state budget for the next fiscal year?

Our fiscal crisis is so dire everything has to be on the table. Taking half the dividend from every man, woman and child in Alaska regardless of age or income before right-sizing government spending was like using a sledge hammer rather than a scalpel. Create a sustainable draw to stabilize our budgetary process. Institute an income tax based upon a percentage of federal taxes; leave sales taxes to local governments. Privatize and consolidate. Reassess all labor contracts.

What will you do differently from our current Legislature that will get a workable budget passed?

Take a more pragmatic approach. Less posturing and more focus on results. Work with everyone: both houses, all elected officials regardless of party or position, including the administration. We're all Alaskans. We're all in this together.

Would you vote to use Permanent Fund earnings to balance the state budget?

Yes

If yes, what is the proper proportion between using fund earnings for state revenue vs. using fund earnings for dividends?

POMV into earnings reserve before paying dividends. I like the idea of tying dividends to royalty income and the budgetary issues to Permanent Fund earnings, which would help stabilize the budgetary process and put more of the volatility into the annual dividend, better reflecting local economic circumstances.

Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is:

About right

What is your position on oil tax credits?

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We need to pay the oil companies what we owe them immediately and create no new credits until our fiscal situation stabilizes. They are a useful tool. They solved the natural gas shortage in Cook Inlet and have created large new fields on the slope, however, their long-term usefulness depends in large part on whether the state is a reliable partner.

Taxation on other Alaska natural resource industries, like mining and commercial fishing, is:

Generally lower than it should be

Taxation on individual citizens in Alaska is:

Generally lower than it should be

What should state government do to reduce high rates of sexual assault and domestic violence in Alaska?

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Increase police presence in urban Alaska.  Strengthen and support VSOPs. A vibrant economy, more jobs and prosperous-looking future would help across the board. We need to promote individual responsibility.  Stop the culture of permissiveness from seeping into our schools, workplaces and institutions.

The number of Alaska State Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers is:

Less than necessary

If you answered less than necessary or about right to the above question, how would you pay for additions or for keeping the status quo?

We need more vigilance, not less; prioritize it in the budgetary process.

What is your position on abortion? 

I am morally opposed to abortion except in extenuating circumstances, but I do not support government funding and the decision, in the end, should always be the woman's.

Do you anticipate advocating any legislation, policies or budget proposals that would change the status quo regarding abortion in Alaska? If so, what?

No

Do you believe that humans have played a role in climate change or global warming?

 

If yes, what's humanity's role in causing it? If not, why is Alaska warming?

The climate on planet earth has been changing from the beginning of time. It wasn't long ago people were predicting a new ice age. "The sky is falling" is well-worn political expedient. Having said that, there is no question Alaska and arctic regions in general are warming and we should make preparations, for coastal communities in particular.

What measures should the state take to respond to climate change?

Pursue opportunities. Protect and enhance our Arctic resources. Promote trade routes and a west coast port facility. Get a modern ice breaker built and station it in Alaska.

Are there specific wildlife and fisheries management concerns that you intend to focus on as a legislator?

I have watched first-hand the decimation of fishery resources in Kachemak Bay due to over-harvesting by commercial interests. I don't want to see that done elsewhere. Every Alaskan should have access to our beautiful state and wonderful natural resources.

Who are you voting for in the presidential election? In one sentence, why?

Nobody's business but my own, but Hillary Clinton would be a disaster for Alaska.

What are you going to do about health care costs in Alaska?

We should focus on the medical carpetbaggers that are fleecing us because of our small population and lack of competition. There is no reason why a procedure should cost three or four times here what it costs in Seattle. Consolidate our user groups for greater bargaining power and enhance transparency.

How do you get your health insurance and what's your monthly premium?

Medicare with a United Health Care supplemental policy. My premium for both is around $550 per month. My wife has to shop the "marketplace" and her premium is $1,400 per month!

Should the state provide additional resources to help Alaskans with substance-abuse problems? If yes, what specifically?

We cannot afford more "feel good" programs. Users should pay for any new programs. We should promote individual responsibility.

Would you vote for legislation repealing, in whole or in part, the citizens initiative that legalized marijuana sales and consumption in 2014?

No

Does the Legislature's current organization of majority/minority caucuses work? Is there another way the Legislature could organize itself?

Yes. The democratic process is messy and frustrating, but far better than any alternative.

Should the law allow a lobbyist to buy you dinner if you are elected?

 
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