Party: None
Age: 38
Occupation: Construction Surveyor
Current Employer: Scarsella Bros Inc
Employment history: 17 years in the same field
Previous public office: None
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: None
Postsecondary education: University of Alaska, no degree
Military service:
Spouse's Name:
Children:
Website: http://mrhalegoestojuneau.org
Why are you running?
I felt compelled to run by the Legislature's lack of a plan for our budget deficit.
What was the last book you read?
A Citizen's Guide to the Alaska Constitution
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is _______
The deficit
Describe three ways you think the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy.
It is not the State's job to stimulate the economy, however, we can smooth out the oscillations of our boom-bust cycle and provide some certainty concerning our tax structure and the long term viability of investment in our state.
Areas that I think the private sector would be interested in include: 3D printing/manufacturing of products for local sale, green energy projects, wood pellet production and the manufacture of hemp fiber building materials.
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?
Communities off the road system are, by their nature, subject to a subsistence way of life, and I'm not sure that the folks that live there would appreciate the State interfering in that. Improved internet access could help, as at-home employment is on the rise all over the place. Expanding the road system would also be a great benefit to our state.
What's one idea you have for improving Alaska's schools?
We should be investing in pre-K education. Studies show that it is the most efficient use of our education dollars. We need to instill a love of learning in our kids as early as we possibly can in order to improve our retention and graduation rates.
The current University of Alaska budget is:
About right
The state's minimum public-school size of 10 students to receive state funding is:
About right
Describe your vision of a long-term fiscal plan for Alaska.
Any plan we adopt needs to be fair and balanced, not singling out a single group or industry over any other. Most people that I have spoken to over the last several months are willing to give up a little for the future of our state, as long as the plan is fair, and the money is spent wisely. That is what I would like to work towards.
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)
Alaska Legislature – $20 million.
Oil and Gas Tax Credit Fund – $30 million
Department of Administration – $20 million
The budget is prepared by the Administration, therefore the onus falls on them to reduce overall state spending. Even if all of our revenue options were adopted we are still looking at a budget deficit of around $800 million
What sources of revenue, if any, do you support using to balance the state budget for the next fiscal year?
The "Jay Hammond Plan" for permanent fund earnings. New broad-based state taxes. Ending corporate welfare.
What will you do differently from our current Legislature that will get a workable budget passed?
I intend to submit a bill to lower our constitutional spending limit, found in article 9 section 16 of the Alaska State Constitution.
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?
50/50, as originally proposed by Governor Jay Hammond
Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is:
Generally lower than it should be
What is your position on oil tax credits?
Corporate welfare is not a free-market principle.
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?
Education, enforcement and rehabilitation are the keys to reducing the rates of sexual assault and domestic violence.
The number of Alaska State Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers is:
About right
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?
All of the measures I support for closing the deficit gap.
What is your position on abortion?
Matthew 7:1
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?
Yes
If yes, what's humanity's role in causing it? If not, why is Alaska warming?
Humans have always molded their environment to better suit themselves.
What measures should the state take to respond to climate change?
A thoughtful and measured response is required by all of humanity.
Are there specific wildlife and fisheries management concerns that you intend to focus on as a legislator?
Access to hunting and fishing grounds. Our open areas are getting more and more crowded every year. Opening up new areas would help with overcrowding and aid in our management of populations.
Who are you voting for in the presidential election? In one sentence, why?
No one. I am disgusted by our choices.
What are you going to do about health care costs in Alaska?
I am open to any and all ideas to drive down the cost of health care. Removing anti-competitive measures seems like a good short-term solution, but we need a real long-term plan.
How do you get your health insurance and what's your monthly premium?
Through my Local's Health and Welfare Trust. I contribute approximately $10 per hour of my wages
Should the state provide additional resources to help Alaskans with substance-abuse problems? If yes, what specifically?
We need more rehabilitation options in our criminal justice system. Jailing addicts does no good if they are not weaned off the addiction that drove them to criminality.
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?
"There is nothing I dread so much as a division of our Republic into two great parties, each arranged under it's leader and concerting efforts against the other." – John Adams.
A third caucus or a caucus of "the whole" would be a step in the right direction.
Should the law allow a lobbyist to buy you dinner if you are elected?
No