Matt Claman, Democrat
State Representative, District 21
Why are you running for office?
I am running for State House because I have a passion for improving how our government serves the community and want to help end the partisan politics that have divided our country in recent years. With my experience gained as Acting Mayor, Assembly Member, husband-father-and-son, and active member of the community, I have the vision and values to help bring our community together.
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is
Our biggest challenge as Alaskans is effectively working together and setting partisanship aside. We need to find solutions that work for our community and move Alaska forward.
Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy
• Develop efficient, renewable energy projects
• Expand national and international markets for natural resources
• Increase local opportunities that employ Alaskans, including tourism, fishing, and technology
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?
Economists at UA-ISER and others have written about the State's economic challenges and offered opinions about a sustainable budget. We must develop a fiscally responsible economic plan that has broad public support. We must be more efficient about operations spending and make sound capital investments. Moving forward, we should be more balanced in the operations budget and more strategic in the capital budget.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
We need to continue looking for innovative ways to develop a natural gas pipeline tempered by realistic analysis of market conditions.
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 respect the voters' decision on SB21. For the next two years, we should continue to study the effects of the oil tax structure and obtain the kind of detailed information that was lacking during the recent campaign about SB 21. If we learn that changes are needed to the tax structure, we should approach those changes as adjustments to the existing structure rather than a wholesale modification.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
Economists at UA-ISER and others have written about the State's economic challenges and offered projections about future revenue. We must develop a fiscally responsible economic plan that has broad public support. If revenue proves to be an issue, then we may need to consider alternative revenue sources. The public strongly supports the PFD, and I would not support use of the PFD to pay for services unless there is broad public support to do so.
Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.
Alaska should have a program that helps develop an in-state film and television industry. The existing program needs to be modified to direct more of the benefits to businesses that develop more jobs in Alaska for Alaskans.
Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
Before making any changes, we should study the effects of the existing structure for at least two years and obtain the kind of detailed information that was lacking during the recent SB21 campaign.
Taxation on other industries in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
Currently, about right.
Taxation on individual citizens in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
Currently, about right.
What are your specific plans to address the serious problems of leadership, morale and accountability within the Alaska National Guard?
The emerging problems in the Alaska National Guard, which appear to have an extensive history, reflect a failure in leadership. The governor should develop a clear, transparent plan of action to appoint leaders who have the courage to address these problems. The plan must rebuild morale in the Guard and re-establish its accountability with our community.
What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?
• Providing stable funding with adjustments for inflation and population growth
• Training and retaining qualified, motivated teachers
• Increasing the high school graduation rate
We must develop a fiscally-responsible economic plan that includes stable education funding; support local school boards; and continue to incorporate innovations in programs so that students learn the value of education.
What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?
We must increase local control and accountability in our public schools by supporting school boards, which provide direction; creating structure for parents, which encourages engagement in their children's education; and removing obstacles for our teachers, so that they can focus on what they do best—teach our children.
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. Public school education remains our best investment. The framers of the Alaska Constitution recognized that private and religious schools must stay separate from our public schools.
What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?
At the University of Alaska, we must be more sustainable in the operations budget and more strategic in the capital budget. We should continue the University's success adding programs that draw students and meet community needs for training and education. The University should remain a resource to the community with performances, classes, and lectures, and maintain its commitment to strong programs in science, technology, engineering, the arts, mathematics, and the humanities.
Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.
I support Medicaid expansion consistent with the Affordable Care Act.
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?
The current level of state environmental regulation provides a reasonable regulatory structure to protect the state's water and natural resources. We must continue to support the oversight and enforcement of these laws and regulations.
What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?
Alaska's transportation system has deferred maintenance issues that need to be addressed in a strategic manner. We must be more sustainable in the operations budget, including a sustainable means to address deferred maintenance, and more strategic in planning and funding capital projects.
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 should drop the Knik Arm Crossing and the Susitna-Watana Dam because both projects are not economically sound. In addition, the Susitna-Watana Dam presents unreasonable risks to the Susitna River, its ecosystem, and its fisheries. We should continue looking for innovative ways to develop a natural gas pipeline tempered by realistic analysis of market conditions.
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?
Government should not interfere in the private relationship between women and their doctors. The Alaska Constitution guarantees the right to privacy, including privacy to make decisions about abortion. I trust women to make their own medical decisions.
When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?
Where provided by law. And no other time. In those cases I believe that the out of state members should ideally be just ex-officio or a non-voting member. I disagreed with the administration and many of my colleagues is past session on out of state appointments.
Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.
Nomination of independent candidates by the Alaska Judicial Council and appointment of judges by the governor from those nominated has served Alaska exceptionally well since Statehood. We should not amend the Alaska Constitution to change this successful process.
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?
Public safety is one of government's essential functions. Recent deaths of Troopers and VPSOs in the line of duty raise concerns about whether staffing levels and training are adequate. We should consider the advice of law enforcement professionals in determining the appropriate staffing levels for Troopers and VPSOs.
Bio
Age: 55
Occupation: Attorney
Current employer: Lane Powell 2007
Employment history:
Counsel to the Firm, Lane Powell (2007-present)
Owner, Claman Law Firm (1992-1993; 1996-2006)
Law Clerk, Federal District Judge Harry Lee Hudspeth (1987-1988)
Previous public offices held:
Acting Mayor, Municipality of Anchorage (2009)
Assembly Member, Municipality of Anchorage (2007-2010), Chair (2008)
Board of Governors, Alaska Bar Association (2002-2008), President (2007-2008)
Heritage Land Bank Advisory Commission (2005-2007), Chair (2006-2007)
Previous unsuccessful runs for office:
Assembly, Municipality of Anchorage (2005 & 2010)
Mayor, Municipality of Anchorage (2009)
Postsecondary education:
University of Texas School of Law (JD, 1987)
Colorado College (BA History, 1981)
National Outdoor Leadership School (1979)
Military service: None
Spouse's name: Lisa Rieger
Children: Maia & Benjamin
Website: www.mattclaman.com