OPINION: All in for Suzanne LaFrance

Anchorage has faced incredible challenges over the past few years. Amidst political and economic turbulence, Suzanne LaFrance has been a pillar of stability, civility, and common sense. Confronted with deep policy divisions between the mayor and the Assembly, LaFrance charted a path forward for sensible municipal budgets and ensured there’s review and oversight of mayoral malfeasance. Her temperament, judgment, and ability to bring people together proved essential as chair of the Assembly, and are precisely the attributes we need for Anchorage’s next mayor.

It is clear Anchorage faces challenges: Homelessness, property crime, insufficient workforce housing, large swaths of vacant commercial real estate, unsafe transportation infrastructure that impedes growth. However, each of these challenges also presents an opportunity, and LaFrance’s record makes it clear she would oversee incredible progress as mayor.

As a member and chair of the Assembly, LaFrance helped expand APD’s police force and supported the launch of the Mobile Crisis Team. This is exactly the kind of balanced public safety approach we need to make our streets and trails safer and address homelessness. LaFrance also helped pass multiple ordinances making removal of illegal encampments more efficient, and expanded the number of supportive housing units. We need both more housing and more robust law enforcement if we’re going to address the crisis of homelessness and criminals who target vulnerable Alaskans in encampments.

Steep increases in rent and housing prices should motivate us to make workforce housing a top priority, and Suzanne LaFrance has a record of working with neighborhood leaders and the business community to build more housing. At a time when Anchorage needs to redevelop many vacant commercial areas and bring more mixed-use development to areas like Midtown and Downtown, LaFrance’s support for quality redevelopment and housing is exactly what would help Anchorage’s economy recover.

For years, Anchorage’s business leaders have urged municipal leaders to make our city the best place to “Live, Work, and Play” in America. Suzanne LaFrance has a long record of working to achieve those goals, including by supporting good schools, safer streets with sidewalks and bike lanes, and improvements to our parks and trails. In a world where many workers can live anywhere, we need to invest in quality of life. LaFrance has the experience in local government to understand how to drive policy reforms, and a record of supporting these kinds of pro-business quality of life investments. At a time of transformation in cities around the world, we need Anchorage to be a leader.

It should go without saying that the mayor should exemplify the ethics and moral character Alaskans demand of any elected official. Suzanne LaFrance has always lived those values. When former employees of Mayor Dave Bronson brought about serious allegations, she did everything in her power to ensure proper oversight and enforcement of the law, and sound stewardship of public funds. This is emblematic of her measured approach and sound judgment.

America and Alaska are changing. We live in a dynamic global economy where cities with great quality of life can grow and thrive. After years of turbulence, let’s restore common sense and sound judgment to the mayor’s office. We are enthusiastically supporting Suzanne LaFrance for mayor and look forward to years of prosperity and growth for Anchorage.

Rep. Calvin Schrage (District 12), Rep. Alyse Galvin (District 14), Rep. Jennie Armstrong (District 16), Rep. Zack Fields (District 17), and Sen. Forrest Dunbar (District J) are members of the Alaska State Legislature.

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