Patti Higgins, Democrat
State Representative, District 25
Why are you running for office?
I want to help change Juneau. For 3 years my opponent voted NO increase in BSA funding for public schools, less than half needed for inflation this election year, and flat funding for the next two years.
That results in 1,000 lost positions, mostly teachers. We must have a long term fiscal plan that funds education, balances the budget, and supports growth of businesses that will add good paying jobs for Alaskans.
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is
The legislature puts special interests ahead of Alaskan's interests. Declining oil production is impacting revenues and we need a long term fiscal plan. Our Constitution states that funding public education is the State's top priority, but my opponent has for four years underfunded education and voted to flat fund education the next two years. Juneau needs to a plan that prioritizes funding for education, law enforcement, and infra-structure to diversify and grow our economy.
Describe three ways in which the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy
A long term fiscal plan reassures businesses we won't drastically increase taxes as oil revenues decline. We are the MOST expensive state in healthcare & increasing faster faster than other states: discouraging employers from coming to Alaska. The Legislature must work with public & private sector employers to reduce this cost. Alaska needs to aggressively recruit new businesses by ensuring schools produce a well-qualified work force & providing incentives when necessary.
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?
Revenue projections have been historically wrong so a precise number isn't possible. Some cuts should be made in the operating budget, but the capital budget will be impacted the most if large reductions are required. A long term fiscal plan needs to explore more options and be more proactive. For example, the State should fully fund the Educational Endowment Fund. This would reduce local property taxes by half and State operating budget by almost 30 percent.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
I would support reasonable steps by the state to help facilitate construction of a gas pipeline. All independent produces need to have fair access to the gas pipeline. The state must receives a fair share for any financing that we provide. We need to be an equal partner in the process.
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?
The voters narrowly defeated a repeal of SB 21 based on promises from the oil companies that it would result in more production. Two weeks later Exxon said there would be NO increased production in the foreseeable future, then BP announced 750 layoffs of Alaska jobs. I believe we must evaluate SB 21 to ensure it protects Alaska's fair share and to include changes that will promote development.
What additional steps can the state take to promote construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope?
We need to develop a long term fiscal plan that include options to cut state expenditures, diversity our economy, & create new revenue sources. This is necessary to protect the Permanent Fund Dividend program & avoid large tax increases. We could transfer inflation proof funding from the Permanent Fund into the State's Educational Endowment Fund. When fully funded, it would reduce the State's operating budget by 30% & local property taxes by half.
Should the state subsidy program for films and reality television programs continue? Explain.
The State offered subsidies to the film industry because it would create new jobs for Alaskans, the film industry would buy goods and services from Alaskan businesses, and it would generate more interest in Alaska for tourism. I believe Alaska must diversity and grow our economy, and investing in subsidies to attract new businesses is sometimes necessary to compete with other states.
Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
If the oil industry was required to invest the savings from SB21 in Alaska, the amount may be appropriate. However, the Oil Industry has now indicated that won't happen, so a change is needed
Taxation on other industries in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
We need to look for an even playing field and that all are paying equitably.
Taxation on individual citizens in Alaska is ___ (Generally higher than it should be, About right; Generally lower than it should be, other):
Higher than necessary property taxes. Municipal Revenue sharing & support for schools is down.
What are your specific plans to address the serious problems of leadership, morale and accountability within the Alaska National Guard?
Two steps the Legislature can take are 1) Update the Coast Guard's Military Code of Conduct. The current Code is outdated and provides only administrative remedies (removal from the service) for serious crimes, such as sexual assaults. 2) the Legislature should exercise its power to hold hearings when serious allegations are raised. The men and women who serve deserve our respect and support.
What are Alaska's three biggest education challenges? What is your plan to address each of them?
Alaska needs to 1)) successfully implement higher educational standards to compete favorably in the US and world. 2) Alaska also needs to expand career technology opportunities. The ability of local school districts to meet these challenges is being impacted by a lack of inflation proofed funding causing the elimination of hundreds of positions every year. 3) recruit and retain high quality teachers. Salaries and benefits for education staff are becoming less competitive.
What are your suggestions to increase accountability of public schools?
The State needs to support high academic standards. The academic outcomes for all schools needs to be provided to parents and the public in a comprehensive and easily understood manner. While academic outcomes should not be the sole basis for evaluating teachers or schools, it is an important factor.
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 for vouchers. Private schools have the ability to discriminate against students based on the ability of their parents to pay additional money and to exclude children with special education needs. I believe religious education should be a personal family decision without involvement of the government.
What are your plans for improving the quality of education offered through the University of Alaska system?
I support providing adequate State funding and forward funding. I support efforts by the Anchorage School District to expand the opportunities for high school students to take more classes at UAA in conjunction with their high school. I believe Alaska needs a medical school to help meet medical staffing needs throughout Alaska and to lower the cost of medical care.
Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Explain.
I support expanding Medicaid under ACA. One of the major factors contributing to high medical insurance costs in Alaska is the number of families without insurance. These families do not have access to preventive care that would prevent serious illnesses. The cost of healthcare provided to individuals without ability to pay is passed to all of us in higher insurance premiums every year. Alaska should not refuse additional federal funding for Medicaid that other states are accepting.
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 probability of a major spill can be reduced with greater regulation and oversight, but it can't ensure it will never occur. I believe the Legislature should hold regular hearings on the concerns raised by employees working in the oil industry and how those concerns have been resolved by regulatory agency staff.
What is your assessment of Alaska's transportation system? What, if anything, would you change?
Alaska is a huge state and we need to do more to maintain existing infrastructure. 133 of our bridges are deficient and need work. The Seward, the Parks, the Knik/Goose Bay Road, and the Sterling Highway are dangerous and at capacity needing major planning. The marine highway system has added new faster ferries in the recent past that have improved transportation to communities. The State has made significant investments upgrading airports, but port improvements are poorly designed.
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?
With declining revenues we need to tighten our belts. The local community in north Anchorage does not support the Knik arm crossing. I cannot support the dam until findings of environmental studies are released and earthquake concerns are satisfactorily addressed. I would support a pipeline provided the State receives a fair return on its investment.
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 do not believe the government should be involved in medical decisions. Reproductive decisions should be between a woman and her doctor. I would not support any legislation to undermine this basic right.
When is it appropriate to appoint a non-Alaskan to a state board or commission?
Never. When expertise is required from outside Alaska, that should be provided to the board or commission by a consultant. Only Alaskans should be appointed in a decision making board or commission.
Are you satisfied with the process by which judges are selected and appointed in Alaska? Explain.
Yes. Alaska was the first state to make selections based on merit, and not political or social connections. Thirty other states followed Alaska using this approach. Candidates are screened based on qualifications, and the governor gets to select judges from the list provided by the Alaska Judicial Council. The public has the right to periodically vote to retain judges. This systems keeps the judicial branch from being a political tool of either party.
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?
Law enforcement should be a high funding priority for the State. I would support restoring prior VPSO cuts and increasing Alaska State Trooper staffing to a higher level.
Bio
Age: 62
Occupation: Realtor
Current employer: Self - 1998 Jack White
Employment history:
2/1998-Present Realtor Jack White
4/1996-4/1999 Anchorage School Board
9/1989-4/1993 ADS substitute teacher
4/1990-9/1990 Genwest Systems Data Tech
9/1988-5/1989 Migrant Ed Tutor ASD West High School
09/1987-05/1988 Booth Memorial Home
01/1987-05-1987 Substitute teacher Juneau
4/1975-01-1983 U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Tech
Previous public offices held: 1996-1999 Anchorage School Board
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: 1999, 2001, 2012 State House
Postsecondary education: B Ed Emphasis Science/Math
Military service: None: Proud daughter of US Army helicopter pilot.
Spouse's name: Patrick Higgins
Children: Gavin, Rachael, Tara
Website: pattihiggins.com