Mike Hawker, Republican
State Representative, District 28
Why are you running for office?
To continue serving our community with Leadership, Experience and Vision. I have the experience to understand today's complex issues and have a respected record of Straight Talk, Hard Work, and Proven Results for my district, our community and our state.
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is _____
Declining oil production and the consequential reduction in unrestricted revenues as world-wide market prices decrease.
Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy
Complete a North Slope natural gas pipeline.
Continue to develop other resource bases that contribute to either the state treasury or to employment and communities.
Take a globally leading position in the development of Unmanned Arial Systems research and technology development.
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 depends on whether viewing our economic future as closed to new development, such as a gas pipeline, or open and growing with new sources of wealth being developed. Most closed economy analyses speak of $5 billion in Unrestricted General Fund spend being "sustainable."
Budget reductions begin with capital budgets. Note, the 2015 GF budget was $1 billion less than the 2012 budget.
Further, per capita and inflation adjusted agency budgets are equivalent to 1979.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
Continue the course we are on with continuity of leadership and commitment to the process set forward with the independent agency Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, established by my legislation, along with the procedural agreements negotiated with the producers by the Parnell administration.
Specific project agreements will be brought before the legislature in late 2015 for approval. We need legislators, such as myself, with the experience to understand and evaluate those agreements.
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 is well documented that SB21 is providing the State significantly more income under today's market prices than had it been repealed. Likely in the range of $100 million or more. That is evidence of effective.
Changes should always be evaluated in the context of the facts and circumstances of each situation.
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?
The public has spoken very loudly that our government responsibility is to increase the economic wealth of the state, and not turn to broad based taxes or using Permanent Fund earnings. This is why getting a real North Slope Natural Gas pipeline started with the full collaborative participation of the State, the producers, and the end market place, is critical to Alaska's future.
Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.
This is one of the first subsidy programs that should be cut as less revenue becomes available to meet essential government service requirements.
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?
This issue is being well handled under the constitutional responsibilities of the Parnell administration, who judiciously pursued investigations mindful of the possible destruction of innocent careers while identifying and then decisively terminating the guilty.
The legislative role will be detailed review and oversight of this situation and the development of state budgets for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs consistent with our findings.
What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?
I have a long record of supporting funding increases for K-12 education. Formula funding for Anchorage has increased at 2.6 times the rate of inflation since 2004, and the District still cannot make ends meet. We have a school administration problem here, as much as a funding problem.
I am convinced that our current system of funding is not working as it should for all schools across our state and it is time to seriously consider investigating alternatives to the entire formula system.
What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?
Performance is a better term than accountability. Our schools are accountable for what they spend, but there is a strong public perception that performance needs to be increased. I think success stories such as through out South Anchorage High should be role modeled to other urban schools. Rural schools need to seriously consider boarding school options, combining some of the many single school districts, and changes that promote longevity of employment in individual schools for teachers.
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, I do not support a constitutional amendment allowing public funds to be spent on private or religious schools. I do not believe such a measure will pass the legislature, and if it did, it will not be approved by the public.
What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?
The University needs to stop squabbling among the three campus facilities, Juneau, Anchorage, and Fairbanks like separate competing colleges and operate like a unified university system.
Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.
No. It is not a good idea to take the "free" federal money now, knowing that we know we will have to supplant it with State money in the near future as the "free" money goes is taken away from us in times of increasing state budget constraint.
I have been a leader in expanding Medicaid for targeted populations such as adult dental and disabilities waivers. Such targeted commitments are the appropriate route to take over blanket increases that we cannot sustain.
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, I believe our state oversight and regulation is adequate. There can be no absolute assurance there will not be an accident of some sort, but we have dedicated personnel at both the state and industry level working diligently to identify, assess, and minimize every risk.
What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?
Within our budget constraints we need to keep improving the quality of roads and highways across Alaska. Maintain what we have and look to expand our infrastructure where it can expand our state economy with access to further economic development.
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?
Energy projects are critical to our future.
We have one gasline project moving forward with the producers that may or may not happen depending on ultimate economics. Our in-state back-up project is economically viable and critical to communities in Alaska should the producer project falter again. Gaslines pay for themselves.
The Knik Crossing is the least critical proposal. Fortunately, its possible development is now under the qualified management of the Department of Transportation.
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 respect the wide difference of opinion among my constituents on this issue. Personally, I am morally opposed to abortion and the death penalty. Consistent with current legislative budget policy, I do not support government funded abortion. Fact is, we live in a world where the court system, and not the legislature, is the branch of government that ultimately determines access to elective abortion.
I have no illusions of changing the status quo in Alaska. This is in the hands of the courts.
When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?
When they are the best person for the position and there is no statutory prohibition against appointing a non-Alaskan. Such appointments will always be scrutinized in particular detail by the legislature prior to confirmation.
Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.
Yes, I am comfortable that the system defined in our State Constitution is satisfactory.
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?
You can never have enough public safety officers in a state as broad and with as many community challenges as Alaska. We need to put up as much money as we responsibly can to maximize the number and quality of those ranks.
Bio
Age: 58
Occupation: CPA-Retired
Current employer: State of Alaska - Legislator
Employment history:
1979-1991 CPA Price Waterhouse, Self
1991-1995 CPA Partner, Hawker and Raleigh
1995-1997 Corporate Financial Officer, Security National
1997-2002 Accounting and Reporting consulting
2003-date Alaska State Legislator
Previous public offices held: Alaska State House 2003 to date
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: None
Postsecondary education: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) 1979
Military service: None
Spouse's name: Carol Carlson
Children: None
Website: www.mikehawker.org