Chere L. Klein, Republican
State Representative, District 36
Why are you running for office?
Our current Representative is retiring and because of my experience, numerous people encouraged me to run. I bring a broad range of legislative & constituent experience, knowledge and relationships, a variety of expertise & business knowledge and actual businesses & long term relationships in the majority of the towns that are beneficial to all of us. Our district needs strong representation that understands not only the needs and people but knows how to get things done once in Juneau.
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is
Spending beyond our means. We have economic reliance on one main industry to pay our operating costs. We need to encourage more businesses to invest in Alaska and diversify our natural revenue portfolio to sustain our state and communities.
Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy
Number one - create a friendlier business climate in our state by removing or reducing those regulatory burdens which provide no benefit. Number two – enable and allow responsible development of all of our Alaska natural resources. Number three –provide access to affordable energy throughout all regions of our state in order to reduce high operating costs and affordability for our people and businesses.
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?
The operating budget must be reviewed in its entirety & reduced in order to live within our means. We first have to fund constitutionally mandated items in an efficient way then prioritize what is required vs what we may want. Cuts to both operating & capital budgets are necessary. These cuts take a lot of internal effort to make as many of our programs are tied to federal pass through monies. Our capital budget is over 58% federally funded so we run into the same issue.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
Continue to work with the Alaska LNG stakeholders.
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?
It will take several years to see the true impact of SB21 on production volume, revenue, and related improvements. I am convinced we will see more oil going through the pipeline. I also believe that refinements can and could be made over time by the legislature to improve upon it further as we learn more and see the results.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
Anytime we use savings we need to have a serious dialogue about replenishing those savings. This means developing a budget to match how we will live within our means—just like families & business must do. Everything must be on the table to honestly solve a deficit. We have to make hard choices, act now, and not assume there will be tax options to implement. I don't believe we can tax our way to prosperity and thus must prioritize our spending as a better way to approach this.
Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.
I believe in diversifying our economy and appreciate our fledgling film industry in Alaska; however it currently seems to have very limited benefits and not actually generating the revenues or jobs that we may have expected it to in the beginning. Although it is very romantic to film in Alaska, it is also tremendously more costly. Again I reiterate we must look at what Alaska is constitutionally mandated for spending versus the niceties.
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?
I would hold the Governor accountable to fix it, and a review of other departments where there are high levels of complaints, allegations of misconduct, or gender related turnover. This includes looking to other states that have dealt with similar problems to see what was done to correct the situation and ensure accountability.
What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?
Costs; Lack of student readiness in basic common sense skills when arriving to school which parents' provided previously; Graduation Rates.
More distance education for classes when possible for our small remote schools with few teachers & small populations; Involve entire community in preparing students, graduation rates will likely improve if more workforce related training and skills better matched jobs a majority of our citizens on average do when they graduate in AK.
What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?
More transparency and giving local districts more control to dictate regional curriculum focus to address needs specific to that area; and hold schools accountable at the local districts or lowest level possible with the State only as the last level.
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?
No.
Yes, if passed.
What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?
Ensure that classes taken and credits received in the system are fully transferable within the University system and the other schools. Press for more focus on vocational and certification programs that will match up with the actual types of jobs our state has available, and specific to the region for that branch of the University to better meet the needs of businesses and industry.
Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.
I currently oppose expansion until the administration can make a true determination of the costs and expected future costs in order to see whether we can afford to sustain the program. We are already in deficit spending. Only 27 of the 50 states have fully expanded at this point so I believe we have done the right thing in first determining if we can afford.
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 regulations are adequate. However, no amount of "protection & regulation" will help without supporting infrastructure to reach areas being developed in the event of an accident. For example we don't have ports or access to most coastal areas north of the Aleutians. We do not have a basic energy grid or access to a majority of our state so those are areas I would say we are deficient and need to look at addressing over the long term.
What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?
We need a stable, predictable program & fund source in AK for critical transportation for roads, ferries, airports & ports. It was in our constitution originally. Now transportation is paid primarily by federal funds which have costly national requirements unnecessary in remote areas & small populations. I hope we will see an AK Transportation Infrastructure Fund established because infrastructure drives the economy and it is difficult to get new industry if we don't have the roads needed.
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?
While all may be warranted, we must look hard at cost benefit & prioritization due to limited funds and size of our AK workforce. Assess statewide impacts vs benefits or restrictions to our debt, other programs, and state infrastructure as a system & look at Public Private Partnerships to leverage more flexibility & opportunities with our AK businesses & communities. We need to smartly plan, partner, finance, schedule, and sequence to our best advantage. Only 1 pipeline will proceed eventually.
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?
Pro-life. I believe our federal regulations on this have been well-tested and we should abide by those and or update if/when court cases change the conditions.
When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?
Rarely and only when there is a need to have the breadth or specialized type of experience or knowledge that we may not have available in AK due to our limited workforce opportunities and industries. We want to ensure we are providing opportunities for our own citizens and professionals first; we want them to stay in AK; give them incentives to be educated here; gain experiences; and have upward mobility here at home. But there are certainly times that it will be necessary to look outside.
Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.
Yes. It appears to be objective and vetted by professional peers in the field to provide a slate of candidates to the Governor for his or her final selection. It has worked well and is a model used by many other states.
The number of Alaska State Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers is ____ (More than necessary, about right, less than necessary):
Less than necessary
If you answered more or less, what specific steps would you take to achieve the right level?
We still have quite a lot of work and training up to do here to obtain adequate coverage across our state. We need to encourage and promote the field of public safety in Jr and Sr high schools. Create a program where city and boroughs partner to supplement training opportunities to meet their already required programs.
Bio
Age: 45
Occupation: Business owner
Current employer: Self
Employment history:
1999- current Wetlands Delineation & Design Services - Regulatory consulting, USCOE permitting
1/2013-5/2014 Alaska State Legislature, Rep Peggy Wilson Staff
7/2005-1/2013 Diversified Investments & Insurance - Finance & Health Insurance Agent
1992-2014 Critter Enterprises, LLC Owner
Previous public offices held: None
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: None
Postsecondary education: 1988-2013 Classes & Continuing Education classes at University of Alaska, SE
1988-2013 Variety of other Industry specific classes & certifications
Military service: None
Spouse's name: Loren Enright
Children: Courtney Enright, Morgan Enright
Website: www.chereklein.com