Harriet A. Drummond, Democrat
State Representative, District 18
Why are you running for office?
I am running for re-election to the State House seat I won in 2012 because I enjoy serving the public, my constituents appreciate the work I've been doing and many have asked me to continue to do this job. I am very interested in how our small part of Anchorage fits into the statewide picture and I believe I offer a useful perspective, considering my experience in local government. Education has been and will continue to be my focus.
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is
Revenue decline, intentionally created by SB21, has the most serious impact on public education.The legislature waited until the very end of the 2014 session to pass an education bill, after committing hundreds of millions of dollars to projects not at all certain of being built. Our children continue to move through our K-12 system statewide and I believe the FIRST obligation of state government is to properly fund public education, preferably in advance, so school districts can plan.
Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy
Our university district in Anchorage, in close proximity to three of the state's largest hospitals, could be the focus of a lively biomedical research industry. There is already a small center for renewable energy research and development that should be encouraged and supported as the need is huge statewide. The large diameter gas pipeline must be built so we can export gas and this will help build industrial activity in many parts of the state.
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?
Sustainable spending requires predictable, stable oil revenue. We don't have that now and we are spending far too much on capital projects we cannot afford. Alaskans cannot afford a small gasline that only serves us and the Susitna-Watana dam is superfluous considering current Cook Inlet gas projections.There are better and cheaper ways to move people and vehicles than building a $1.7B bridge across Knik Arm. The Juneau road extension does not eliminate ferries and adds millions in maintenance.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
Governor Parnell apparently missed several opportunities to market Alaska's gas to willing Asian buyers. Start by not ignoring potential buyers! The leaseholders are currently in charge, not the state. Eliminate competing uneconomic projects, such as the small diameter gasoline, which will transport only enough gas for Alaskans, gas that we will be unable to afford. Independent explorers and producers must be encouraged, the current climate doesn't provide for them.
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?
I'm still very interested in what the currently-secret Gaffney Cline report contains, hopefully the next governor will release that study. Promises were made for increased production prior to August 19's question on SB21, and I will be looking for those promises to be kept. I think changes could be made to the law but won't happen unless the current makeup of the legislature changes with November's election.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
Our savings were built up over decades of good returns from our oil. We need to return to a fair oil tax that produces surpluses, not spend down our savings. I would cut capital projects as much as possible without injuring communities or damaging the construction industry. I would stop studying or funding projects that have little likelihood of ever being built (see above re Knik Arm bridge, Watana dam) and I would like to see a fiscal plan for all this before considering any personal tax.
Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.
The subsidy increases economic diversity and jobs in Alaska and should continue, as long as it brings more spending to the state than the subsidy gives back. Reliability that such a program will continue will allow more feature films to be planned and filmed here. The recent schizophrenic approach to this issue exhibited by the 28th Legislature is frustrating to the in-state film industry as well as to educational institutions and trade schools that would like to expand to serve this industry.
Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
Too low when oil prices are high. Investments in the state should be encouraged through incentives.
Taxation on other industries in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
It's my understanding that taxes on mining may be too low. Non-renewable resources need to bring the state decent returns.
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?
Elect a new governor and make sure he fully investigates the issues recently exposed in the ANG and cleans house in the command structure. I would support any necessary changes to state law required to make sure these problems do not return.
What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?
We are in the middle of six years of non-inflation-proofed funding that will continue to cause staffing cuts, class size increases and elimination of vital services to students. As a result, attracting and retaining educators in every community is increasingly difficult because of cuts and discouraging benefit packages. Support career and technical training to help ensure that we can fill jobs with Alaskans. And help keep our graduates here by providing lower-cost student loans.
What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?
Accountability IS increasing. We need to stop decreasing funding when graduations rates are rising and attendance is improving. This makes it tough to attract and keep the best teachers and principals. Review carefully the number and types of assessments required at the state level. Trust local school boards to make curriculum decisions with their communities. Provide funding for voluntary pre-kindergarten throughout the state, a proven way to improve student outcomes.
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?
Absolutely not. In our current budget climate, there is not sufficient funding going to all our existing students. No one has been able to tell me where additional funds would come from to fund a voucher system, should it pass.
What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?
See above for biomedical research possibilities in U-Med district. Properly fund programs that produce graduates with skills required for them and our state to prosper. Expand programs like ANSEP to other areas of study--ANSEP is producing Alaska Native engineers by targeting students in elementary and middle school. Follow through on needed capital projects and maintenance.
Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.
Support. Disappointed that governor chose not to expand Medicaid despite request of chambers of commerce, health care institutions, etc. I am confident that if Medicaid had been expanded, health insurance costs would NOT have risen in Alaska because thousands more people would have been covered by Medicaid instead of getting care in ERs which hospitals are unable to collect for, and instead spread costs among those who CAN pay. Thousands of new health field jobs would have been created as well.
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?
No. Shell was not well prepared to explore offshore and the state was not prepared to provide any sort of emergency support. We need "best available technology" spill prevention equipment that works in difficult arctic offshore conditions and support services MUCH closer to exploration locations. I'm very concerned about how we are going to pay for the construction of support services in the region in light of much reduced revenue to the state from offshore drilling in federal waters.
What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?
More and better maintenance of existing roads is essential. Anchorage's roads are full of potholes right NOW and it's not winter yet! Ferry system is critical to coastal communities and needs to be as efficient as possible but still maintain service to every community. Railroad is not being utilized to the max--Southcentral AK is ready for commuter rail service. Improve transit in and between larger communities to help ease pressure on road system.
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?
We cannot afford all four. Alaskans will be unable to afford the gas carried by the small diameter gas line and we should not pursue that project. Knik Arm Crossing full buildout costs are being ignored. Until those costs are acknowledged and planned for, KAC cannot continue to suck up precious transportation dollars. Not certain of benefit of Susitna-Watana Dam in light of large diameter gas line with multiple take-off points providing local gas. Build the big gas line soon!
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?
A woman has the right to choose and it's been the law of the land for decades. Leave it alone please, and fund education on human reproduction as early as practical in schools. Medicaid expansion hopefully will happen with a new governor and will provide more access to reproductive health care and contraception to Alaska's women and prevent the need for abortions. Let's keep abortion legal, safe and as rare as possible.
When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?
A non-Alaskan's skills and knowledge, if needed by a particular board or commission, can be acquired by contract or via an advisory position. I voted against allowing non-Alaskans to be appointed to state boards or commissions.
Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.
Yes. Alaska's method of selecting and retaining judges has been held out as one of the finest in the U.S. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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?
Anchorage doesn't have enough sworn officers and not enough of our villages have even one VPSO. And major and petty crime is on the rise because of this lack of officers. I would prioritize funding and get a VPSO into every village that currently doesn't have one. I voted to support the training of VPSOs to carry guns. We need to support more responsibility like this in our VPSOs as well as adequate staffing in the cities to support community policing, which works well.
Bio
Age: 63
Occupation: Legislator/graphic designer
Current employer: State of Alaska, January 15, 2013/Self employed, May 1981
Employment history:
January 15, 2013-present: State House Representative, District 16, Anchorage and Juneau, AK
May 1981-present Drummond Design, self-employed graphic designer, Anchorage AK
1979-1981 Graphic designer, VECO Inc., Anchorage AK
1977-1979 Graphic designer, Lane + Knorr + Plunkett, Architects and Planners, Anchorage AK
August 1976-January 1977 Paste-up artist, Quality Litho, Anchorage AK
February 1976-July? 1976 Paste-up artist, printing apprentice, Ken Wray's Printing, Anchorage, Alaska
June 1974-January 1976: Product/graphic designer, Peter Schladermundt Co., New York, NY
Summer job 1970-1973: Reservations agent, Epirotiki Lines, New York NY
Previous public offices held:
Spring 1994-Spring 2003: Member, Anchorage School Board, Anchorage AK
Spring 2008-January 2013: Member, Anchorage Municipal Assembly, representing West Anchorage, AK
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: Spring 1993: Anchorage School Board
Spring 1999: Anchorage Municipal Assembly
Postsecondary education:
1974, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca NY, B.S. Design and Environmental Analysis
Spring Semester 2007 University of Alaska, Anchorage, Neighborhood Planning, Policy & Implementation, graduate level course
Military service: N/A
Spouse's name: Elstun Lauesen
Children: Alexander Drummond, stepdaughters Jenny Lauesen and Rachel Lauesen
Website: HarrietDrummond.com