As a supplement to the statewide voter guide, KCAW, KFSK and KRBD posed a short list of supplemental questions to Southeast candidates touching on issues of regional significance. We will list their responses below, as they are received:
House District 2:
Incumbent Rebecca Himschoot (Nonpartisan)
Southeast’s population of working age residents has declined. Meanwhile, the number of jobs has increased. What should the Legislature do to address the growing gap between workforce supply and demand?
Reversing the decade-long outmigration of Alaska’s working age families is the key to retaining families in Southeast and across the state. One of the main reasons working-age Alaskans are leaving is the failure of the Legislature to fund schools properly. When children have the same supports and opportunities as their parents received, it is easier for families to stay.
Addressing affordability through improved state services, such as ferries and support for renewable energy will also help families stay. Finally, addressing the lack of housing in every community across House District 2 must remain a priority.
What specific methods do you endorse for addressing the state’s school funding situation?
In this year’s budget, the Legislature is averaging the previous three years of energy costs for school districts and funding 30% reimbursement, with a commitment to fund 100% of energy costs in the FY 28 budget. Targeted support for energy takes pressure off the formula funding intended to go into classrooms.
As co-chair of the Task Force on Education Funding I have spent the past two years receiving input from education stakeholders and school funding experts. The report from the task force will be finalized before the 35th Legislature begins, and I will continue to work to fulfill the recommendations. An important first step is to begin budget discussions with an adjusted base number, just as all state agencies do. This simple step costs nothing and supports a more honest discussion of how much funding to direct to school districts.
Fishing and seafood processing are a cornerstone of this district’s economy. How should the Legislature prioritize the industry to support Alaskans in District 2?
A key support for fisheries is infrastructure, whether it’s the harbor matching grant fund or renewable energy projects to bring down costs of processing in islanded coastal communities. Additionally, ensuring the Department of Fish and Game has the resources they need to maintain the gold-standard research that allows for sustainable management is a key function of the Legislature. Finally, maintaining a balanced Board of Fish shares the burden of conservation while also making sure Southeast commercial, sport, and subsistence fishermen have a voice.
What, if any, change would you make to state law to support communities with limited healthcare access?
The Legislature has already granted receipt authority for the Department of Health to distribute funds through the Rural Health Transformation Program. A goal of this program is to pilot ideas, find what works, then allow a transition to state support for the most beneficial projects.
Additionally, ensuring a productive and geographically diverse Board of Nursing helps to process nursing licenses efficiently in a field with national staffing shortages. I am committed to supporting funding for a replacement medical center in Petersburg, and for airport maintenance and improved ferry service to assure access to care for outlying communities.
A survey a few years ago shows Alaskans are frustrated with the state-run ferry system for a lot of reasons, including lack of service. What would you do as a legislator to address this? Please be specific in your response.
The Legislature must continue to fund the Alaska Marine Highway (AMHS) and provide backstop funding for instances of federal funding gaps, which have been more frequent under this administration. Supporting the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board as they provide guidance to AMHS leadership and maintaining a focus on the Long-Range Plan are priorities. The service is on track to upgrade shoreside facilities and build replacement vessels for the ships currently sailing, which are up to 60 years old. Rebuilding the service is a slow process, but if future governors follow the Long-Range Plan, within a decade reasonable service will be restored in most communities.
Kenneth “Kenny Karl” Skaflestad (Republican)
Did not respond
Alston C. Evans (Undeclared)
Did not respond
Senate District A:
Incumbent Bert Stedman (Republican)
Did not respond
