JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

• Invest in infrastructure, including broadband networks so everyone in the state can take advantage of high-growth internet-based careers and educational opportunities

• Ensure equal pay for equal work

• Strengthen vocational and technical schools so Alaskans can enter the workforce with the skills they need

PFD

I recognize that many Alaskans rely on their PFD checks to survive, and as your State House representative I am working to protect your PFD. Efforts to reduce the PFD are the most regressive choice to balance the state’s budget and puts the burden on the poorest Alaskans. We must identify revenue sources that are progressive in their impact and that spread the burden to those who can carry it.

RESPONSIBLE OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION

I support responsible exploration, development, and production of oil and gas in Alaska. Currently, the Alaskan economy depends on oil and gas production for jobs and state revenue, and it will continue to be dependent for at least the near future. I am encouraged by new on-shore discoveries and look forward to those projects advancing through the permitting and development process. I will strive to maximize Alaska-hire for any work done in the state.

Alaska has some of the most stringent requirements for oil and gas operations in the world; I support those requirements and believe they should continue to be reviewed to ensure that they are adequately protecting the environment.

I support the pursuit of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to market. I am working with the State and project proponents to find opportunities to advance this project to completion.

MINING

Mining provides an important economic development opportunity for Alaska, for local communities, and for Alaska Native Corporations. I support strong local input into a robust state permitting process. That’s why I am particularly concerned about transboundary mining and the role of Alaska’s communities in such permitting decisions.

Alaska is a natural resource state and mining is a key part of our economy. However, so are our fisheries. I am opposed to the Pebble Mine Project because I believe that with current technology it is the wrong mine in the wrong location and represents too big a risk to our vital Bristol Bay fisheries business.

FISHERIES

Alaska’s fish are one of our most important natural resources. With well-funded and wise management, fishing is a truly renewable resource-based industry. Our commercial, sport, subsistence, and personal use fisheries are fundamental to our way of life and our economy. Commercial fishing employs nearly 40,000 people and generates over $2 billion in labor income. Furthermore, over one-third of Alaskans purchase sport fish licenses. Finally, aquaculture provides a significant growth opportunity for Alaska's economy.

In-state commercial fisheries and federal waters in and off of Alaska annually account for more than one-half of the total volume and about one-third of the harvest value of all seafood harvested in the United States. Alaska’s fisheries provide vital sources of healthy seafood and cultural sustenance to our residents and are a critical component of Alaska’s tourism industry.

Key to sustaining our renewable fish resources are habitat protections and robust, science-based management systems. Changes in climate and ocean conditions are bringing many new challenges to fishermen and women, fisheries-dependent communities and fisheries managers. I will fight to ensure that state policies and financial resources provide the support needed to meet these challenges and sustain fisheries resources for all.

I support subsistence rights and am working in Juneau to uphold them.

INVESTING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY

Alaska can lead the world in new energy production and innovative energy conservation. Alaska should be at the forefront of new production, research, and technology whether wind, solar, geothermal, biofuel, hydroelectric or tidal - all of these resources would help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions and control high energy costs in rural Alaska.

As we move away from fossil fuel across the globe, Alaska can lead the world in new energy production. In the State Legislature, I am supportive of climate change and renewable energy research funding to Alaska’s universities. I support incentives to accelerate the use of renewable energy in our homes, businesses and public buildings.

We are the only Arctic state in the nation, providing the perfect laboratory for climate change study, mitigation, and ways to build homes differently using locally sourced energy. I advocate for policies and legislation that support these efforts. I want to see Alaska benefit from policies that encourage research and innovation in the development of alternative energy to reduce climate change. In addition, we are working to further enhance the funding for climate change research, not casting doubt on it. UAF is one of the most-cited research institutions in the world on climate change, and we should be steering more research dollars into our Universities. 

As noted above, Alaska should lead in creating jobs in energy conservation and climate-ready construction techniques. The Cold Climate Housing Research Center and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Fairbanks are leaders in this area. I want to be guided by science-based, data-driven information to help develop policy and legislative proposals that will help grow, and diversity Alaska's economy.