Party: Democrat
Age: 64
Occupation: Retired Iron Worker
Current Employer: Retired
Employment history: Iron Worker since 1971, State House legislator from 2001 to 2011
Previous public office: State Representative 2001 to 2011
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: Primary for State Rep. 1996, General election 1998 for State Rep., US Congress 2010, State Senate primary 2012, State Senate general election 2014
Postsecondary education: LSU 1970, 1979-81
Military service: N/A
Spouse's Name: Gwen Perry-Crawford
Children: Beau, Clarissa, Andrew, Trevor
Website: crawfordforalaska.com
Why are you running?
To build and diversify Alaska's economy, balance Alaska's state budget and invest in our children's future through improved educational opportunity.
What was the last book you read?
The Future of Capitalism by Lester Thurow
The biggest problem facing the state of Alaska is _______
Our unbalanced budget. It is currently unsustainable.
Describe three ways you think the state should try to grow and diversify Alaska's economy.
Fill the oil pipeline by investing in small explorers to find more oil (such as was done recently by Caelus and Armstrong); Build a smaller gas pipeline than the governor has proposed, in order to provide energy for Alaskans and Alaskan businesses; and Invest in educating our kids for the changes coming this century.
Unemployment in rural and off-the-road Alaska is a major issue. What are your ideas for growing a sustainable economy in areas of Alaska that are inaccessible by road?
Continuing to transition rural Alaska away from high-cost diesel energy and towards electrical generation and heating from renewable forms such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and biomass.
What's one idea you have for improving Alaska's schools?
Smaller class sizes for K-3 and early education for non-English speakers and at-risk children. Such policies have been shown to lead to better outcomes later in school, as well as substantially reducing costs over the long run.
The current University of Alaska budget is:
Too low
The state's minimum public-school size of 10 students to receive state funding is:
About right
Describe your vision of a long-term fiscal plan for Alaska.
My vision is all sectors of the economy pulling together to share in the responsibility of providing the opportunity for the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness that we all expect from living in this great state.
Do you think that the state should make reductions next year from this year's $3.86 billion agency budget?
No
The Legislature's line-item operating budget for each agency program run by the state is here: http://www.legfin.akleg.gov/BudgetReports/LY2016/Operating/Enacted/Stwd-AllocationSummaryUGF.pdf. If you think the state budget should be reduced, tell us which three line items you'd reduce most, and by how much. (Use specific line items from the budget)
I think instances of waste can be found in certain areas such as what we pay for healthcare, but I believe that what we save from ferreting out waste should be redirected towards restoring the cuts to K-12 education, the University, and public safety
What sources of revenue, if any, do you support using to balance the state budget for the next fiscal year?
Everything must be on the table for discussion, but I believe a far oil tax is a must.
What will you do differently from our current Legislature that will get a workable budget passed?
I would advocate for doing away with the majority/minority system and instead going to a committee of the whole with all work done in the open and on the record. No majority and minority caucuses.
Would you vote to use Permanent Fund earnings to balance the state budget?
If yes, what is the proper proportion between using fund earnings for state revenue vs. using fund earnings for dividends?
The dividend should be constitutionally protected at a minimum of 2.5% of the market value of the fund.
Taxation on oil and gas production in Alaska is:
Generally lower than it should be
What is your position on oil tax credits?
Credits should go to explorers for oil discoveries, rather than towards old-oil legacy fields.
Taxation on other Alaska natural resource industries, like mining and commercial fishing, is:
About right
Taxation on individual citizens in Alaska is:
About right
What should state government do to reduce high rates of sexual assault and domestic violence in Alaska?
85% of Alaska's offenders committed their crimes under the influence of alcohol, or drugs and alcohol. Repeat offenders should be barred from legally obtaining these.
The number of Alaska State Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers is:
Less than necessary
If you answered less than necessary or about right to the above question, how would you pay for additions or for keeping the status quo?
By prioritizing public safety as a must-fund section of the budget.
What is your position on abortion?
Safe, legal, and rare. More education and access to birth control will result in fewer unwanted pregnancies.
Do you anticipate advocating any legislation, policies or budget proposals that would change the status quo regarding abortion in Alaska? If so, what?
Yes, universal access to birth control.
Do you believe that humans have played a role in climate change or global warming?
Yes
If yes, what's humanity's role in causing it? If not, why is Alaska warming?
We continue to alter the landscape, disrupt natural systems, and put tremendous amounts of carbon into the air (and, subsequently, the ocean).
What measures should the state take to respond to climate change?
Move to a renewable energy future to the extent possible. Stop altering the landscape where possible.
Are there specific wildlife and fisheries management concerns that you intend to focus on as a legislator?
My focus is always on the health of the resource.
Who are you voting for in the presidential election? In one sentence, why?
What are you going to do about health care costs in Alaska?
Expand the community health clinic system, such as Anchorage Neighborhood Health, in order to provide low-cost competition to bring down the overall cost.
How do you get your health insurance and what's your monthly premium?
As a retiree, and I have no premium.
Should the state provide additional resources to help Alaskans with substance-abuse problems? If yes, what specifically?
Yes; increased access to residential and outpatient treatment.
Would you vote for legislation repealing, in whole or in part, the citizens initiative that legalized marijuana sales and consumption in 2014?
No
Does the Legislature's current organization of majority/minority caucuses work? Is there another way the Legislature could organize itself?
The Legislature should move to a committee of the whole and do away with separate caucuses and closed-door meetings, and instead do everything on the record in the open.
Should the law allow a lobbyist to buy you dinner if you are elected?
No