Party: Constitution
Age: 53
Occupation: Counselor
Current Employer: Kenaitze Indian Tribe
Employment history: Behavioral Health Consultant – Kenaitze Indian Tribe 05/2015-present. Human Services & Mental Health Consultant- Myers Consulting, 01/2015-Present. Behavioral Health Clinician III – Lynn Canal Counseling Services – Haines, AK, 2/2013-12/2014. Regional Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor – South East Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC)– Haines, AK, 09/2011 – 2/2013. Private Practice/Myers Counseling and Consulting Soldotna, AK, 07/2007-09/2011. Emergency Services Clinician – Central Peninsula Counseling Services, Lead Clinician – Kenai/Soldotna, AK, 11/2005-05/2011. Homestead Team Care Coordinator/Outpatient Therapist – Central Peninsula Counseling Services-Kenai/Soldotna, AK, 06/2004-11/2005: School Based Clinician & Team Leader – South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services-Homer/Anchor Point/Nikolaevsk, AK, 08/2003-06/2004.
Previous public office: Board Member, Haines Borough Fire Service Area #1, 2012-2013; Board Member, Kenai Peninsula Borough Central Emergency Services 2010-11.
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: Governor of Alaska 2014.
Postsecondary education: -Master of Professional Counseling, University of Great Falls, MT, 05/2001. -Master of Human Services (an administrative degree), U.G.F., 08/1997. -Bachelor of Science, Liberal Arts (Cum Laude), College of Great Falls, 12/1991.
Military service: N/A
Spouse's Name: N/A
Children: N/A
Website: jrmyers.org
Why are you running?
To provide servant leadership and restore the Rule of Law to Alaska.
What was the last book you read?
The Bible.
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is _______
Lack of accountability in our leadership, and lack of fiscal discipline.
Describe three ways you think the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy.
Follow the sustainable ISER/Goldsmith budget target. Restore the full PFD. Sell state lands for private development.
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?
Develop a better transportation system. Develop renewable energy sources. Utilize more cyber work strategies.
What's one idea you have for improving Alaska's schools?
Reduce bloated administrative funding and forcing more competition through alternatives to public education.
The current University of Alaska budget is:
Too high
The state's minimum public-school size of 10 students to receive state funding is:
Too low
Describe your vision of a long-term fiscal plan for Alaska.
Implement the budget target of the ISER/Goldsmith economic model. Reduce bloated government.
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)
Reduce all equally across the board.
What sources of revenue, if any, do you support using to balance the state budget for the next fiscal year?
Sell state lands, such as Mental Health Trust Authority and University system lands.
What will you do differently from our current Legislature that will get a workable budget passed?
Work diligently towards the ISER/Goldsmith sustainable budget model.
Would you vote to use Permanent Fund earnings to balance the state budget?
No
If yes, what is the proper proportion between using fund earnings for state revenue vs. using fund earnings for dividends?
None, until the state government is brought to a sustainable level of about $3.5 billion.
Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is:
About right
What is your position on oil tax credits?
They should be eliminated.
Taxation on other Alaska natural resource industries, like mining and commercial fishing, is:
About right
Taxation on individual citizens in Alaska is:
About right
What should state government do to reduce high rates of sexual assault and domestic violence in Alaska?
Treat the issue seriously. Work with families, including perpetrators to devise community solutions. Assist in the development of safe houses. Educate about DVSA. Support individual and family counseling.
The number of Alaska State Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers is:
More 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?
I would not. We must reduce government spending across the board.
What is your position on abortion?
I believe in defending innocent life.
Do you anticipate advocating any legislation, policies or budget proposals that would change the status quo regarding abortion in Alaska? If so, what?
I would do whatever possible to defend innocent life.
Do you believe that humans have played a role in climate change or global warming?
No
If yes, what's humanity's role in causing it? If not, why is Alaska warming?
Cyclical solar events.
What measures should the state take to respond to climate change?
We should strive for economy and energy efficiency. We should seek alternative, renewable energy sources.
Are there specific wildlife and fisheries management concerns that you intend to focus on as a legislator?
These resources exist for Alaskans first. The various boards and agencies concerned must be representative of Alaskans and our communities.
Who are you voting for in the presidential election? In one sentence, why?
Darrell Castle, the Constitution Party nominee and only candidate who actually understands the Constitution.
What are you going to do about health care costs in Alaska?
Encourage health savings accounts, prevention and wellness programs.
How do you get your health insurance and what's your monthly premium?
Through my employer. About $600.
Should the state provide additional resources to help Alaskans with substance-abuse problems? If yes, what specifically?
Treat SA problems as a mental health issue, not a criminal justice issue. Stop punishing people with arbitrary legal consequences. Release non-violent drug offenders from prison. Support treatment.
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?
No. All legislators should be allocated equal resources. There should be no back room deals.
Should the law allow a lobbyist to buy you dinner if you are elected?
No