Mike Dunleavy, Republican
Alaska Senate, District E
Why are you running for office?
I was elected two years ago to the Senate. I am currently running for re-election. I am running to continue the work on long standing issues impacting Alaska. Even though we worked on dealing with the retirement issues, gas line projects, and education there is still more to be done.
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is
Developing a comprehensive energy plan to identify and develop energy alternative to diesel powered generation for Alaskans and Alaska communities.
Reducing the state budget including both the capital and operating budgets.
Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy
1. Develop a climate that that is conducive to attracting business including reasonable and stable taxation rates and regulations.
2. Continue to develop an educated and trained workforce.
3. Compel (including court action) the EPA and other federal agencies to live up to their agreements with the state of Alaska that will allow us to develop our resources.
What amount of state spending do you believe is sustainable? If cuts need to be made, where should most of the money come from, the operations budget or the capital budget?
We need to reduce our budgets to sustainable levels by not budgeting more than the we receive in revenues.
Reductions should come from both the capital and operating budgets.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
Follow the process outline in the LNG bill SB138 and make changes if necessary.
The voters have chosen Senate Bill 21 or the More Alaska Production Act to generate most of the state's tax revenues. How will you determine whether this tax structure is effective? Do you think any changes should be made to the law in the upcoming legislative session?
Within a two to three year period Alaskans should continue to see tangible results through greater investment in the North Slope fields. This investment should lead to more sustained production over time.
The state's savings is being depleted. How low should the savings go before you begin to seriously discuss implementing a widespread tax, such as as a sales or income tax, or reducing Permanent Fund Dividend checks to help pay for services?
Before Alaskans ponder a tax on its citizens, we need to reduce our spending to match revenues. If we do this, the discussion of taxing or tapping into the Permanent Fund will not be necessary.
Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.
All programs, including the film subsidy, should be scrutinized as to its impact on Alaska and whether it fulfills a public purpose. Everything is on the table.
Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
About right
Taxation on other industries in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
About right
Taxation on individual citizens in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
About right
What are your specific plans to address the serious problems of leadership, morale and accountability within the Alaska National Guard?
Investigate it thoroughly and hold those responsible fully accountable.
What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?
1. Continuing major cost increases in non-teacher positions such as escalating health care and energy costs are taking money out of the classroom.
2. We should position ourselves to take advantage of technological advances/opportunities while recognizing demographic changes in the student population. America as a country and Alaska as a state are no longer "single room schoolhouse" systems. Start-up funding and technical assistance must be provided to those districts etc.
3. The ever increasing mandates from the federal government do not address the real needs of Alaska's unique challenges.
What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?
We should really be asking the very people that the system impacts the most - students, families, and teachers this question. These are the people that can best guide policy makers in determining what accountability measures need to be put into place. Too many mandates under the mantra of school improvement and accountability have not had the intended outcomes and have cost the state in terms of funding and disappointing results.
Would you support a constitutional amendment that would allow public funds to be spent on private or religious K-12 education? If such an amendment were to pass, would you then support voucher or some similar grant to parents of state funds that they could spend on private or religious education for their children?
Yes, I would support such a constitutional amendment. I would do so because it would protect current practices such a post secondary scholarships involving private and religious universities as well as current practices within some of our public homeschool programs. With regard, to a voucher program, I would need to review such legislation to see what groups of students would be eligible for the program, how much funding would be proposed for the program, what standards are to be used to judge success, etc. before committing to such a program.
What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?
I believe that by supporting the University of Alaska in its strategic planning process that couples industry needs with university coursework is a good first step. By using industry feedback the university can better taylor its delivery of classes to meet the needs of its students who are majoring in particular fields.
Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.
Currently, I am opposed to the expansion. Alaska is already in the top tier of all states in providing additional "optional" benefits beyond that what is required by federal law. This is already being done at substantial and ever increasing cost. Is Alaska in a financial position to expand even further than we already do, and if so, at the expense of what other programs such as State Troopers, education, roads?
Are you confident that the current level of state environmental regulation and oversight of offshore oil and gas drilling and shipping is adequate to prevent a major spill in Alaska? If not, where are we deficient and what will you propose to achieve adequate protection?
Yes.
What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?
More attention needs to be given to the maintenance and operations of our roads and airports and not just in the capital outlays for the construction phase of such Infrastructure.
The Legislature has approved the use of state funds for four mega-projects: the Knik Arm Crossing, the Susitna-Watana dam and two gas line projects. Can the state afford all four, or should one or more be dropped? If so, which?
There would be no need to proceed with 2 gaslines when they can merge and handle the needs of Alaskans, particularly now that the AGIA transport limit of 500,000 mcf has been eliminated through legislation we passed last session.
The winnowing down to what is feasible, what is needed, and the ability to finance will be decided in the very near future. I am no naysayer and am determined to see our state grow and natural resource development is essential to that growth and related jobs.
State your position on abortion. When should it be allowed, and when should government pay for it? Do you anticipate pushing any legislation, policies or budget proposals that would change the status quo in Alaska?
I am against abortion in all cases. I will continue to work at protecting the life of the unborn.
When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?
This issue needs to be reviewed on a case by case basis. If a level of expertise is needed that cannot be found in Alaska, it may be appropriate to look outside the state.
Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.
No. I supported SJR21 which if passed by the people of Alaska would have restructured the Judicial Council to add more non attorney members to the council.
The number of Alaska State Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers is ____ (More than necessary, about right, less than necessary):
About right
If you answered more or less, what specific steps would you take to achieve the right level?
However, I would support a review of the number of troopers and VPSOs in terms of public safety adequacy to determine if numbers need to be increased or shifted in some communities and areas of the state.
Bio
Age: 53
Occupation: Educator
Current employer: State of Alaska
Employment history: Public School Educator, including teacher, Principal, and Superintendent
8/1984 to 5/2006
Consultant/Contractor 2006 - Present
2006-2012 Program Manager Alaska Statewide Teacher Mentor Project
2012-2014 Alaska State Senator District "D"
Previous public offices held: School Board Member Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: N/A
Postsecondary education: 1983 –BA History College Misericordia
1992- Master of Education degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, with an emphasis in Cross-Cultural Education.
Military service: N/A
Spouse's name: Rose
Children: Maggie-Lynn, Catherine, Ceil
Website: Re-Elect Mike Dunleavy (Facebook)