Neal T. Lacy, Democrat
State Representative, District 10
Why are you running for office?
I am running because our state is in peril. At the rate we are headed we are going to be broke. Industry and ALEC are influencing state government policy and it has to stop. The state has a policy of leaving no consultant or corporation behind and shortchanging the citizens in the process.
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is
Runaway state spending, the state is two billion in the hole and we spent 1.2 billion on studies and this doesn't take into account the tax incentives.
Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy
1. We need to develop our resources without destroying the environment.
2. We need to promote our fishery resources and quit polluting our water
3. We should promote more value added products manufactured in Alaska.
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?
At the current rate the governor and the legislative majority are spending money, we are going to be broke in no time at all.We need to balance the budget. I invite everybody to do a Google search on Alaska 2014 budget and look at what our money is spent on. There are a number of items that I think are a questionable use of state funds. If we spend money, the projects should have lasting public value and employ Alaskan's.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
How about we open up the process to public comment instead of swearing legislators and public officials to secrecy.
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?
This is a subject that I have been researching for quite sometime and more research is necessary. YES, I am committed to making sure the citizens of the state get their proper value for our resources.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
The first step is to stop runaway spending of the governor and legislative majority.When the state gives tax credits to industry, this is money that is not going in state coffers.
Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.
No, giving tax credits to any industry is bad fiscal policy. If your business model requires governmental subsidies or tax credits to be profitable, maybe your are in the wrong business. Look at Washington state, they gave Boeing a billion dollar tax credit and guess what, Boeing is sending jobs out of Washington state.
Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
Generally lower than it should be
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?
The organization needs an overhaul in both attitude and management.This process needs to start with the commander in chief. To allow this behavior for this amount of time is reprehensible. Given the track record of the administration, it would be interesting to see if other state departments have this problem.
What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?
1.Stable funding: The current method of school funding is flawed. Districts can't make financial decisions for long periods of time, just year to year.
2.Teacher retention: Alaska has a high turnover rate for teachers and it needs to be stopped. I can't answer this question in less than 500 words.
3. No Child left Behind: No Child Left Behind is a mistake and needs to be scrapped.
What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?
Alaska's schools are performing very well despite the legislative majority's efforts to ruin it by under funding and trying to privatize the system. The Mat-Su District should be the state's model for accountability and student achievement. Our district has an educational option for every student, whether special mission, Stem, home schooling, college prep and vocational programs. The local school board is responsible for student achievement.
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
What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?
The university has a spending problem and is top heavy in management.It is becoming too expensive to go to school there. Scholarships should go to Alaska students. The college has no business buying the HARP project from federal government. The college needs to be more proactive in student offerings instead of reactive.
Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.
I support expanding medicaid under the ACA. The federal government pays for 90% of the program. This program will benefit forty thousand Alaskans. We should make sure doctors get paid in a timely manner so seniors have more health options.
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, The state still allows cruise ships to dump waste in our waters,large mining operations would rather pay a fine rather than clean a mess and the oil industry still has leaky pipes, spills, fires and runaway ships. We as society need to decide whether the risk of development out weighs the environmental consequences. I am not impressed with the track record so far in exploring offshore for oil especially in bad weather.
What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?
We have a good system of transportation. How about fixing the existing roads before we build more new ones. The road I live on has not been resurfaced since it was paved in the early eighties. The Glenn Highway should be six lanes all the way to Wasilla and four to Palmer. We have a number of bridges that could not stand up in a good earthquake.
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 need one in state gas line that provides natural gas to all residents and then sell what we don't use.The state has spent close to one half billion dollars to study the Susitna dam and this year 20 million more. This dam is a real bad Idea and a money pit. The bridge is a waste of money. There are more cost effective ways to alleviate traffic congestion than this bridge.
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 Pro-Choice
When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?
Never
Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.
Yes, we have more immediate problems than worrying about how we appoint judges.
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?
Last years bill to arm VPSO's is a good start, but we need more Troopers and VPSO's. We need to hire law enforcement who are comfortable with long term residency in bush Alaska.
Bio
Age: 54
Occupation: Semi-retired public educator
Current employer: none
Employment history:
Alaska Dept.of Public Safety Public Safety Tech II 2006-2011
Burkeshore Marina LLC Service Manager 2005-2006
Mat-Su Borough School District Vocational Teacher 1990-2005
Alaska Mobile Marine Service Owner 2000-2005
UAA-Mat-Su Adjunct Vocational Teacher 1987-1992
Burkeshore Marina Line Mechanic 1984-1989
Previous public offices held: Mat-Su Borough School District 2010-2013
Previous unsuccessful runs for office:
State House 2006
School Board 2007
Postsecondary education: UAA Mat-Su AA 1987
National Labor College BA 2013 Safety and Health
Military service: None
Spouse's name: Cheryl
Children: Kendall
Website: www.democracy.com/neallacy