Chamber hosts candidate forum for House Districts 34, 35, 36

KUAC appreciates corrections to typos and misspellings in the transcription.

Donald Burgess: 2024 forums sponsored and presented by Denali State Bank. Special thank you to Denali State Bank for supporting these very informative luncheons. Please join me in a round of applause to thank the staff and volunteers for their help with today's program.

And another round of applause for our executive partners for their generous financial support.

Partners are proudly displayed on the banners to my right. These members go above and beyond with their financial support. allowing us to fulfill our mission, which is so important to the Fairbanks community. And of course, I would like to recognize our elected officials and candidates for office. Aside from those who are here with me on stage, um, I'm gonna ask those of you elected officials and candidates for office in the audience, please stand and introduce yourself.

And I've seen a few of you here. Yes.

Our moderator today needs no introduction as it happens to be me. But if we haven't met as yet, I'm Donald Burgess, and I'm the president and CEO of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce. Now it's time to introduce our candidates.

From left to right, and for Alaska House District 34, we have Joy Beth Cottle, Representative Frank Tomaszewski. And for House District 35, Representative Ashley Carrick and Ruben McNeil. House District 36, Brandon Kowalski and Rebecca Schwanke. Pamela Goode is also running for District 36 but sends her apologies. She had intended to join us today but, um, you can imagine weather conditions have been really tricky since our storm.

Thank you so much for joining us and as with all our forums so far, and to come, we will focus on issues that matter most to Alaskans, particularly those affecting our business community. We aim to help our audience make an informed decision as they vote in on election day in November. With six candidates, we may not have enough time for audience questions, but in the event that we do, please write them down on the question cards on your table.

Hold them up, and a member of the chamber staff will come around and collect them from you. If we have time, questions on topics relevant to the business community will be prioritized. Please help us respect our candidates and the chamber by refraining from responses other than your applause at the conclusion of today's program.

This allows us a maximum time to hear from the candidates. And now candidates, you'll see a countdown clock in front of you here. Please aim to finish your statements when the time runs out so I won't have to step in. Trust me, if I have to step in, it's going to hurt me more than it hurts you. So. Please spare me the pain.

I'll alternate with candidate questions, with who's asked a question first. And with that, let's get started. We'll begin with a 60 second response to our opening question. And we'll start with Ms. Cottle first. If elected, what specifically will you do to ensure that Alaska's tax structure remains favorable for economic growth and good for business?

60 seconds. 60 seconds.

[00:04:13] Joy Beth Cottle: So, oh my gosh. That mike is sensitive. Um, the small businesses here are what make Fairbanks such a great place to live. Um, it's what drives our economy forward. Um, I have experience actually growing up, um, supporting my father's small business. He had a sawmill, uh, logging, and firewood business. As a kid, I, uh, I got to participate in that and make sure that we could put food on the table.

So I understand what it's like to try to make ends meet, take the check, put it in the bank, and buy food. I'm here to support you. That's it.

[00:05:05] Donald Burgess: Representative Tomaszewski.

[00:05:12] Frank Tomaszewski: Thank, thank you for the question. So with like with any industry, uh, taxation is, is a vital, important part of it. And, uh, we need to make sure that we are absolutely supporting our small businesses, um, and, and large businesses, and making sure our tax structures are fair and competitive. Uh, we need to, uh, address all the different issues within that tax, uh, base and, uh, make sure that we are not.

Overly burdening one industry over the other. It is very important that we, uh, that we utilize our collective knowledge together and, um, and, and do what's right for the, for the businesses themselves. It's It's imperative for the small businesses, uh, like myself. I've, I've had small businesses for, uh, 22 years.

I've been self employed, so I have lived within my means and I know what it takes to pay taxes, balance a checkbook, and that's, that's what I'll do for the state.

[00:06:14] Donald Burgess: Thank you.

Representative

Carrick.

[00:06:18] Ashley Carrick: First, I just want to thank the chamber for hosting this forum today and everybody for coming out. I really appreciate the opportunity to address you all.

I do think that we need to have a fair tax structure and a good business climate, especially here in Fairbanks. We have a lot of small business owners, and I've been fortunate to work with a lot of them. But I also think we need to have a long term fiscal plan for Alaska. And a lot of folks have said that, but I've put a lot of action into this.

I helped lead a freshman caucus retreat this last session focused on fiscal planning and long term fiscal planning, including talking about taxes, but not exclusively about taxes. And I think that's really important. I also introduced House Bill 266, which would exchange our current dividend formula for a royalty dividend.

So looking at outside the box solutions to stabilize our dividend program, stabilize our tax structure for businesses, and have a solid fiscal climate for our state government is really important to me, and I think we have to look at it holistically.

[00:07:18] Donald Burgess: Thank you. And Mr. McNeil.

[00:07:21] Rueben McNeil: Yeah, I'm about as a pro pro small business as you can get.

I'm not a, um, chase tax revenue. I'm not. I wouldn't support additional taxes on small businesses. I believe that the best thing that we can do for small businesses is to decrease the footprint of government on them and to actually work on, um, doing bold budgeting and getting the, uh, And getting the size of government down such that appetite doesn't have to be satiated, um, by additional revenues.

So, uh, um, but we need to do things like, you know, remove barriers to entry for small businesses as far as permitting and licensure and things like that. Um, but, um, chasing new taxes, uh, in this economic climate I would not be supportive of at all. Um, so thank you. Thank you,

[00:08:17] Donald Burgess: Mr. Kowalski.

[00:08:20] Brandon Kowalski: Yeah, um, I'd like to start off by again, thanking the chamber for putting this on and everyone for being here.

Um, it's, it's an excellent opportunity to tell y'all what we're about. Um, so I, what I want to see is more money in our family's pockets. Um, and that means, you know, incentivizing a tax structure that allows for folks to live here, work here and retire here. And part of that is being able to pay for those things.

Um, Really, I mean, more money in our family's pockets ultimately means more money flowing through our local economies. And so if we can promote that, promote good jobs, local hire, um, and a strong PFD, I think we can, we can go a long way in, in promoting the Alaskan economy and stabilizing our economy.

[00:09:04] Donald Burgess: Ms.

Schwanke.

[00:09:08] Rebecca Schwanke: Yeah, um, thank you for the question. So I want to recognize the fact that this room is filled with small business owners, just like myself. Two things that I would look at if I was elected. I think it's really important to understand that our costs have gone up. All of our costs have gone up. The cost of government has also gone up.

Hence, everyone wants to know what legislators are going to do with taxes. Um, I, I recognize number one that, especially when small businesses get started, there are a lot of startup costs and taxation is not really part of that equation. We have to let new businesses get into, um, into the workforce. We need, we need them to, be able to grow.

Um, secondly, I want to make sure that any conversation that we have about taxes includes all the business owners from the smallest all the way to the largest business owners in the state of Alaska. Because at some level, we are all responsible for paying for state government services. So, I'm going to have an open door and I hope to learn more from all of you.

[00:10:11] Donald Burgess: Thank you. On to the next question. And we're going to start with Representative Carrick on this one. If Ballot Measure 1 passes on November 5, it will raise the minimum wage by 3, require paid time off for employers of any type and size, and limit employers free speech rights. We believe the measure will impose new and unnecessary restrictions on employers and hamper economic development and job creation.

Where do you stand on Ballot Measure 1? BallotMeasure1. com Please explain. And you have 60 seconds.

[00:10:51] Ashley Carrick: Thank you. You know, I do support Ballot Measure 1. And I've heard from a lot of small business owners and large business owners alike on issues related to employment and, um, working conditions as a member of the House Labor and Commerce Committee these last two years.

And frankly, what I hear from most business owners currently about Ballot Measure 1 is we're already paying those. Uh, wages or higher. And so I, I think this is a fairness issue for our workers. It's gonna help ensure and potentially grow our current workforce. And so, I, I support it and, um, I also think that the sick leave is really important for our workers.

And, um, I will respect the will of the voters, however. I think that's one great benefit of having this as a ballot measure, is we get to hear directly from Alaska's working and business population on the issue. And so I'll respect the outcome of the ballot measure either way.

[00:11:45] Donald Burgess: Okay, thank you. Mr. McNeil.

[00:11:49] Rueben McNeil: Yeah, once again, um, I'm very pro small business and I do not believe this ballot measure is pro business at all. Uh, I'll be voting no on one. Uh, um, I don't think we need to put more burdens on small business. Uh, I've worked in the private sector my entire career in the healthcare field here in Fairbanks.

Uh, 17 years at the hospital and then I've currently worked with private, you know, privately owned companies. in the outpatient medical field. And, uh, um, I believe that you, you know, you provide a service and it's essential, uh, to the profitability of that company. Um, then you'll get paid for that service.

And, uh, putting these government mandates to do this and to do that on small businesses is just a barrier of entry, uh, into, uh, into a, a new small business startup. And I, I stand on the street corner, and I hold all my signs, I'm sure a lot of you have seen me, and uh, that's one of them that I proudly hold, so I'm definitely a no un one.

Thank you. Ms. Schwanke.

[00:12:50] Rebecca Schwanke: Yeah, I am definitely a no un one. Um, and the reason is, um, multi pronged. So, I think we can all agree that every, every worker in Alaska deserves some form of actual living wage. And I understand that. The problem that I have with ballot measure one is that there are three topics that were lumped into it.

Um, and I feel like the, the second and the third do put additional burdens to the point where, um, for me as a, I'm a, I'm a lifelong Republican. I have voted in every election since I was 18 years old, except when I was in the mountains guiding one year. And I really, truly believe in a small government.

Small government footprint, small government telling businesses how to run things. When a business is profitable, if they want to keep employees, they will increase pay and benefits accordingly. So, I am a no.

[00:13:44] Donald Burgess: Thank you. And Mr. Kowalski.

[00:13:50] Brandon Kowalski: Yeah, so I support ballot measure one. Um As I said before, um, I'm pro putting more money in our family's pockets so that they can patronize the economy, or your businesses, and support the economy.

Um, ultimately, you know, as, as been mentioned, you know, most everyone's paying above that wage already. Um, it's, I, I believe people who, you know, need to take a day to get healthy, um, should be able to do that without worrying about whether or not they have a job the next day. Um, and, and ultimately, you know, the loss of.

You know, someone coming in sick, um, gets your workforce sick, and there's a loss of production there as well, and I think, you know, the, the benefit of, of keeping a healthy workforce and a productive workforce outweighs the cost of, of a day or two of, of pay. Um, but as, as Representative Carrick has said, um, this is great because it's a ballot measure, um, it's going to the people, and I, I will also support the, the will of the voters on, on this measure, no matter the outcome.

[00:14:49] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Representative Tomaszewski.

[00:14:52] Frank Tomaszewski: Yes, thank you for the question. Uh, ballot measure one, I am a hard no on ballot measure one. It is, is about anti free market as, as you can possibly imagine. Uh, you know, the, the wages in this town right now are higher than, than what the ballot measure is calling for.

But it's, it's, it's, that's the carrot, right? There's a carrot and a stick involved in this, in this, uh, ballot measure. And the carrot is, hey, look at this, everybody's gonna get a, a. A pay raise, but the stick is there's all kinds of, uh, other things in this ballot that crush small businesses. Sick leave is just one of them.

These are going to crush small businesses. It is going to be, uh, very hurtful for our economy. It is absolutely against free market principles and I am adamantly against a ballot measure number one. I think it's terrible for the state and really terrible for small businesses.

[00:15:49] Donald Burgess: Thank you, sir. And Ms.

Scottel.

[00:15:53] Joy Beth Cottle: Yeah. In my job as a fire captain, I supervise multiple people who start out making minimum wage. They work 56 hours a week before they hit overtime. Even then, several of them are eligible for Medicaid and are on Medicaid. So this shifts the burden from the employer, from the individual, to the state to take care of them.

I think people should be able to take care of themselves. Also, um, as part of my job, I get to go into people's homes and there have been times doing like welfare checks where we found people frozen because they ran out of fuel, ran out of electricity, or the electricity got shut off. Um, I think people here in Fairbanks are in fragile states a lot of times and all it takes is missing one paycheck.

If you don't have sick leave, you miss that paycheck, run out of electricity or fuel, and you could die.

[00:16:53] Donald Burgess: Thank you. And we're gonna test your arms right now. Before you, you have some yes no cards. This is not the actual yes no section of the program, but we're gonna use this as a, um, as a test to make sure that you understand how it works.

And just to make sure the audience fully understands how each of you feel regarding ballot measure number one, please use these cards to indicate how you would vote on ballot measure number one. Just raise them up. Alright. Thank you very much. And as a reminder to the audience, the chamber has taken its own position opposing ballot measure number one, and we're encouraging you to join us and vote no on one when you cast your votes.

Alright, back to the candidates. You each have 60 seconds to respond to the next question, and we'll hear from Mr. Kowalski first. What reforms on accountability measures would you advocate for to ensure that the financial investment in Alaska's education system leads to better results and improve student performance?

One minute.

[00:18:08] Brandon Kowalski: Yeah, so something I care, uh, deeply about, um, is workforce development. Something I've been hearing from a lot of folks, um, and business owners is that we don't have the skilled labor that we need to fill the jobs that are available. For more information, visit www. fema. gov Um, a major way we can do that is investing in our schools, investing in programs like, uh, trades, welding, Bowtech, stuff like that.

Um, when you look at a school's budget and, you know, the cost of electricity to run a welding class, that opposed to, you know, a creative writing class is much more expensive. So when you look at what's on the chopping block, these valuable trades are, are on the chopping block first. Um, additionally, um, in order to, to, uh, A lot of these, uh, VOTEC and, uh, job development programs pick up where schools leave off.

If we, uh, have our students, uh, falling behind at the end of that, that's more that these programs have to pick up. So if we can invest in those, and invest in these programs and our students, we can pick up the slack and help them get ahead so that they have a easier job, or easier time getting trained up.

Thank

[00:19:10] Donald Burgess: you. Thank

[00:19:10] Brandon Kowalski: you.

[00:19:12] Donald Burgess: And Ms. Schwenke?

[00:19:15] Rebecca Schwanke: So I just served my last day, um, on our local Copper River School District Board of Education, um, a few weeks ago after serving two terms. One of the things that I learned being on a school board is that there's a lot of autonomy to our school districts. We have 54 of them around the state.

Every school board gets to set policy and hire a superintendent. That superintendent is then responsible for what happens in their district. Um, one of the things that I very specifically want to see changed is not incentivizing failure. DEED offers what are called improvement grants to every district in the state of Alaska.

When you fail on test scores, when you fail on truancy, the Department of Education gives school districts more money. We need to flip that around. We need to offer incentives in a financial way for districts that are doing better.

[00:20:12] Donald Burgess: Thank you, Ms. Scott.

[00:20:15] Joy Beth Cottle: Yeah, to start, to start out with, um, an increase in the BSA past both the state or the House and the Senate and Representative Tomaszewski initially supported it and then when the governor vetoed it, he sustained that veto.

I think an increased BSA that the school districts can count on to fund their education. It's really essential so that they know what's going on the next year and teachers have incentive to stay, right? Also, we need to update the retirement system for our teachers so that we have experienced teachers.

Institutional knowledge is so important, not only in the public, um, safety sector, but also for teachers. And then thirdly, um, parental involvement. I know there's been, parents care a lot about the curriculum that their students are, are getting. And there's a vacancy on, um, the, on the board for curriculum here locally.

So get involved in your kids education.

[00:21:18] Donald Burgess: Alright, thank you very much. And Representative Tomaszewski? Can you repeat the question? Sure. So our question is, What reforms or accountability measures would you advocate for to ensure that the financial investment in Alaska's education system leads to better results?

I think that's a, that's what I thought.

[00:21:41] Frank Tomaszewski: Thank you. Uh, thank you for the question. So, uh, the Republican majority in the House actually took on education really early in the session this year, and we were really fought at every turn by the minority And, um, so one of the things that they really, uh, advocated against was, uh, teacher bonuses and also, um, other, other incentives, accountability incentives in the, in the, uh, in the bill that we, that we passed.

What we need to do for accountability is, is advocate for money for things like the READS Act, which is what the Republican majority put into the House operating budget, which the minority, uh, voted against. Uh, we advocated for a lot of accountability. We put in a 680 BSA one time. We advocated for transportation funding.

All those things are approved also for free lunches. Kids who are hungry, uh, are Aren't, aren't able to, uh, learn as well as those who are fed. Thank, thank

[00:22:44] Donald Burgess: you representative Mr. McNeil. Oh,

[00:22:49] Rueben McNeil: yeah, I, um, to improve outcomes, I actually think we need to challenge these students, uh, in the areas of, of the, of the, of the core areas such as, uh, English and reading and writing and, and math and US history.

I think we should, uh, um, um. Uh, put a little pressure on these kids and, uh, uh, and, and, uh, and make them do the work. I mean, they're headed for a, a really tough world out there with what is happening with China and things like that. So let's prepare these kids. I'm a, I'm a huge fan of what Brandon was saying.

These vocational learning, uh, these trade learning schools and these opportunities to these kids, huge. It's where we need to go, especially in Alaska with, uh, with, uh, the potential of, its of our natural resource development, uh, uh, careers that, that will be available. Um. But we need to get the money directly to the classrooms.

We need to give teachers classroom support aids and assistance, and we need to work on their on their benefits. As far as our medical insurance, I hear that that is an issue out of pocket expense. So thank you, sir.

[00:23:53] Donald Burgess: And Representative Carrick.

[00:23:55] Ashley Carrick: Um, thank you for the question. I think this issue came up a lot last session, and I recall in my very first term, uh, very first year, I took a tour of one of our elementary schools in my district, and the principal sat me down and showed me the data on our students, how they're performing in different areas, and our school district has lots and lots of data.

About how individual students, different schools are performing. So the data is there. We do have accountability measures and our school districts across the state are utilizing them. The key piece is funding though. I believe in funding the Alaska Reads Act. Um, And I do believe in funding the BSA as the most direct and equal way to support our students.

I offered an amendment to increase to the FNSV request of 1, 413 for a permanent BSA increase, and our majority members voted against that amendment. Um, I voted to override the Governor's veto of that critical funding, and I'll continue to be a stalwart supporter of funding those accountability measures, whether it's through the Alaska Reads Act or direct measures like the BSA.

[00:24:58] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Now we're going to hear questions from candidates. This is our first candidate who can get round of direct exchanges. Running from house seat 35, Representative Carrick. You'll ask a question of your opponent first. You'll have 30 seconds to ask this question and your opponent will have 60 seconds to respond.

If you are not satisfied with the answer or want your opponent to clarify, we will offer you another 15 seconds to redress and your opponent will then have 30 seconds to close. So, Representative Carrick, do you have a question for Mr. McNeil?

[00:25:41] Ashley Carrick: Sure, and first I just want to thank you for running, Ruben. I think in our democracy, competition is important.

Um, in 2022 at this forum, I asked you about the budget compact that was signed by the University of Alaska in 2019. You said you didn't know much about it at the time, but said you would look into it. So what have you learned about the budget compact in the last two years?

[00:26:05] Rueben McNeil: Well, Ashley, uh, you got me. Um, I tell people a lot of stuff, and sometimes I fail on doing follow ups, so, um, I'm, I'm ill prepared to answer this question even two years later, and I'll admit that, so.

[00:26:22] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Representative Carrick, um, any follow up?

[00:26:28] Ashley Carrick: Yes, so the budget compact was signed under duress by the university administration and required 70 million dollars in cuts over three years. So my follow up is how will you support the reversal of those cuts in investing in workforce development at our university system?

[00:26:45] Rueben McNeil: Well, I believe that there is a, uh, that, uh, there's cut, there's cutting potential in all agencies and departments statewide to a certain degree. Um, I do not run to attack workforce development through the UAF through those type of spending cuts. Um, um, but, uh, I, I'm running on, on a, uh, a spending cut type of agenda because I think there's potential to be more, uh, to utilize our monies a little bit wiser and put it where it really has impact.

Thank you for that. Appreciate that. Honestly.

[00:27:19] Donald Burgess: Okay, thank you. And we're gonna reverse the process. Mr McNeil, you have 30 seconds to ask a question. Representative Carrick will have 60 seconds to respond.

[00:27:29] Rueben McNeil: Yeah, I actually mulled over multiple questions for you, Ashley. Um, from some of the legislation that you sponsored in regards to protecting women's sports, safe storage of guns and the uh, And things like the, uh, uh, the increased fees and things on, on weight limits on trucks.

But I'm going to actually ask a really simple, uh, um, layup of a question. I'm curious, uh, who do you, who do you plan on supporting in the 2024 general election for President of the United States?

[00:27:59] Ashley Carrick: Um, well, I appreciate the question. Um, You know, I think everybody has the right to vote for the candidate they feel best represents their values.

And even if that candidate's not perfect, um, I will say I was not the biggest fan of Kamala Harris when she ran as, uh, part of the ticket with Biden a few years ago. But I am going to be voting for Kamala Harris in this election. But I will just pivot and say, I really appreciate and respect everyone's vote.

And I've met a lot of voters knocking on doors. Senators who are both voting for President Trump and also voting for me. They might be voting for Mike Cronk or Savanna Fletcher for the State Senate, but they're also voting for me. And I think that comes back to, I want to build community connections. I want to help work with folks, solve problems, practical issues in our community, and so those are the kinds of qualities I look for in candidates, and I respect people's decision to vote for candidates they feel also represent those values and will offer those opportunities.

[00:29:03] Rueben McNeil: Mr. McNeil. Yeah, you know, it's your, it's your answer and that's, that's exactly true. Uh, I will be supporting Donald J. Trump and J. D. Vance for president. Uh, I believe they are the, the absolute best choice for promoting business in, in America and uh, turning this economic climate around. Thank you.

Donald Burgess Didn't sound like a question. Which is what it should have been. But, we're gonna, we're gonna move on. All right, so, moving on to our next prepared question. Hearing first from Representative Tomaszewski. And this is for a 60 second response. Given reliance by Fairbanks on coal, diesel, and natural gas for heat and power, and the impending natural gas shortages in South Central Alaska, what's your How do you plan to ensure that Fairbanks has access to affordable, reliable energy in the coming years?

[00:30:03] Frank Tomaszewski: Thank you for the question. So, uh, as part of the, uh, uh, last session, um, we actually, uh, contributed some capital funding project money to the IGU for mainline distribution. So that's going to increase the number of households that are able to get onto natural gas. Uh, the IGU is going to be shipping, um, Trucking gas down the hall road, uh, and that's going to start, uh, relatively in the near future and, um, but I'm, I'm all in for coal.

I'm all in for, um, you know, our cheapest energy source is the Brad Bradley Lake in, um, in Homer area and, uh, that the Golden Valley owns about 17 percent of that power generation. The Dixon Divergent is going to be a, a key player to add more water to that, and so we can actually get more electricity out of, out of that dam.

But, um, we need to look at all aspects of energy, and that's a big thing for Fairbanks. It'll help small businesses.

[00:31:07] Donald Burgess: Thank you, sir. And Ms. Cottle, uh, before you respond, I've been getting indications from the audience that they're not hearing you so well, so if you could move closer to that microphone, please.

[00:31:18] Joy Beth Cottle: It's a balance. All right. Um, yeah, I'm excited about hearing some of the, some of these projects that are coming through. The Dixon diversion is definitely going to help us get some of that. The cheapest energy in the state up here. Also, the, um, upgrades to the intertie and, um, transmission system are going to make it.

So it's, um. able to get all that energy up to us where we're paying the highest, um, costs in the state. Um, yeah, the trucking, trucking gas down the hall road is also exciting. But while I've been out, um, door knocking, I keep seeing solar panels and people. We're, we're so independent Alaskans, um, we want to have security on our own terms.

And so seeing people invest in their own. Types of renewable energy is exciting to me. I have my own battery backup system at home because Fox energy electricity is Unreliable at best and I get a lot of power outages. So

[00:32:23] Donald Burgess: thank you and Mr. McNeil

[00:32:28] Rueben McNeil: Yeah, I am a all all options on the table for getting a cheaper energy into into the interior Um I'm excited for the natural gas potential, but I think where it's at is in the coal burning power plants that we have.

Because there's a dual power you can get power, you can get heat out of it. We have I think the largest clean coal mine in the world. Two hours down the road. Um, we can get the coal railed in and I think we're missing an opportunity, um, to not expand that wherever possible. Certainly statewide. We probably have built the last coal power plant in America, for a while, up at UAF, but I'm, I'm all options on the table, even renewables, as long as it, as long as it's more beneficial than not, uh, um, to generate, um, that cheaper energy, uh, uh, why not?

Uh, put it all on the table, let's all do it. I'll, I'll be a team member with that. Thank you.

Donald Burgess: Thank you. Representative Carrick.

[00:33:32] Ashley Carrick: Thank you for the question. You know, I have a campaign slogan being all in for Alaska and I'm also all in for energy, which is affordable, reliable, sustainable, and ideally, which incorporates renewables, but I'm also All in approach on energy.

So my grandfather worked for his entire career at Usibelli Coal Mine, and we do have the coal plant up at UAF, and it powers a lot of Alaska. I supported the IGU build out funds that the legislature allocated this last session, and I also supported transformational investments in our energy grid. Whether that was supporting HB 307 to upgrade our transmission lines, and Or, and avoid pancaking rates and kind of improve the daisy chain on our system.

Or whether that was supporting 32 million a start on the matching funds for the Grid Resilience Innovation Project that our congressional delegation secured. In addition, I have supported renewable projects including Community Solar and Shovel Creek Wind Farm and I hope to incorporate those sources as well.

[00:34:33] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Mr. Kowalski.

[00:34:34] Brandon Kowalski: Um, yeah, so, I mean, Alaska's long been an energy leader. Um, globally, and I think in order to stay that way, um, not only do we need to build out our carbon infrastructure, um, I think, um, IGU's done a great job with the, the trucking of natural gas. Um, I think we can take it a step further and promote the, the, um, natural gas pipeline.

Um, that'll provide a lot of good jobs, um, and it'll also help provide and deliver cheaper energy and heat to Alaskans. Um, I also think a key part of remaining an energy leader into the future is to incorporate and build out these, um, these, uh, renewable, uh, systems for energy, um, and, and also make them local specific.

So, you know, if you have, uh, a location, um, like the Copper River Valley that has, um, you know, a great potential for hydroelectric, um, utilizing that if you have a place that has a lot of wind. Um, like the Delta area, having some wind farms might be a good option, but also some household projects like solar panels, I think would also go a long way to deliver cheaper energy.

Thank you.

[00:35:40] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Uh, Ms. Schwanke?

[00:35:42] Rebecca Schwanke: Would you repeat the question, please?

[00:35:43] Donald Burgess: So, given the reliance by Fairbanks on coal, diesel, and natural gas for heat and power, and the impending natural gas shortages in south central Alaska. How do you plan to ensure that Fairbanks has access to affordable, reliable energy in the coming years?

[00:36:06] Rebecca Schwanke: Thank you. I think one of the, the problems that we face right now is the fact that natural gas is quite abundant. Um, across the world, and it's very cheap. Unfortunately, we don't have the infrastructure to move it around our state, even though we have a lot of it. So, the legislature has obviously been wrestling with this for a while, and unfortunately, I do think that the short term solution is going to be trucking, uh, down the haul road.

But I do want to make sure that we are not losing sight of the long term solution. We need to make sure that everything that we do in the state of Alaska is set up for the benefit of our kids and our grandkids. So I do want to make sure that we don't neglect the long term outlook when we're trying to solve the short term.

I do honestly want to thank Golden Valley as well. I think they're looking into some really good opportunities to, um, store and bank energy like, uh, their thermal project, their water project right now. So there's an awful lot of opportunities out there to make what energy we have go further.

[00:37:06] Donald Burgess: Thank you.

Moving on to the next question, and we're going to start with Representative Carrick on this one. Is the state's budget too lean, too bloated, or appropriately sized? Please explain your position. 60 seconds.

[00:37:24] Ashley Carrick: Whew, that's a tough one to answer in 60 seconds. Um, you know, there's areas of our budget where we still can use a scalpel and make really targeted decisions.

cuts. Um, I supported a few amendments and sponsored them to make some cuts, but I think, largely, our budget has been cut down to the bare basic bones. And we've seen some really big inefficiencies related to lack of funding. A good example that I, uh, helped solve the problem on this last year was our state's payroll division.

All of our contractors and state employees are struggling to get their paychecks on time and they come to find out the payroll division doesn't even have adequate computer monitor equipment to process payroll. So a 70, 000 targeted investment that survived the governor's veto pen this year is allowing monitors to be installed for the payroll division so we can process payroll on time.

That's promoting government efficiency, so sometimes it's not all about cuts, even though I will support cuts where they're warranted, sometimes it's also about investments to create those efficiencies too.

[00:38:26] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Mr. McNeil.

[00:38:29] Rueben McNeil: Yeah, this is a softball here. I absolutely believe government is, uh, government spending and the budget is bloated.

And you don't have to look any further than the PFD and what's happened to it over the last several years. Um, so, uh, but I do believe that Ashley's right. There are certainly, uh, surgical targeted cuts that we can do probably in every department and agency and state government. And I'm all on board for doing that.

You know, it's gonna, it's gonna take, it's gonna take legislators that with a little bit of a spine to, uh, to, to do things like, um, stop funding, stop funding unfilled positions. You know, Rob Myers had had a good bill that didn't go far enough or didn't go anywhere. Um, that would have eliminated some of that bloat.

Uh, and that that held monies that could be diverted into things like education, things where we can really have an impact for the future of this state. So yes, bloated. That's what I believe. Thank you.

Thank you. Miss Cottle.

[00:39:31] Joy Beth Cottle: Yeah, I think you balance a budget by making sure that the money coming in Equals the money going out.

And, uh, we can't, there is definitely wasteful spending that we can take a look at. Um, as I'm out door knocking, I talk to lots of families that are, their number one concern is the PFD. The bigger the family, the more impact it has. And, especially this time of year when people are filling up their fuel tanks, they're concerned about their ability to keep those kids warm, keep them fed, that sort of thing.

So, the PFD. To them is the number one concern. Um, recently I found out about, uh, as I was door knocking out in two rivers, one of the residents brought up the fact that there was an upgrade to the Horseshoe Downs, um, area that Frank had made happen, and it was not requested by the commission, the Road Service Area Commission.

Um, the residents didn't have any complaints except for that they could use one more plowing. But when you throw a million dollars at something that's not a problem.

[00:40:38] Donald Burgess: Thank you, Representative Tomaszewski.

[00:40:42] Frank Tomaszewski: Just for a quick answer to that. It was actually the borough that requested that capital improvement project that goes into caps as there's a whole process for that actually came to my office to advocate for road service commissions, monies for different road service commissions.

So that was completely on the borough. Maybe you can ask Mayor Ward about that. But, uh, back to the question, uh, is government too bloated or too lean? Um, I think there are obviously efficiencies that need to happen within state government. There are things like, um, unfilled positions in the state. And we, uh, we tried to get a bill through to sunset, uh, unfilled positions.

So there's about 200 million worth of unfilled positions. So their, their position is budgeted. But there's nobody in them and sometimes for three to four seven years even so you have a hundred and forty dollar forty thousand dollar Position first unfunded for seven years or unfilled for seven years.

Where does that money go?

[00:41:46] Donald Burgess: Thank you Good question and Ms. Schwanke.

[00:41:52] Rebecca Schwanke: Yeah, this is a really tough question I honestly believe that there are several departments within our state agencies that that could take very significant cuts. In years past, we've had conservative governors that have handed down, um, requests to their commissioners to cut 5 percent across the board.

Figure it out. We've had divisions that have been cut and combined. I think there are opportunities. I think that a lot of our state workforce suffers from, on one hand, too much money in some time, in some situations. We have analysis paralysis, I can name more than a dozen studies that need to go tomorrow.

I honestly believe we need to be focusing on the really core issues, safety, education, and roads.

[00:42:50] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Mr. Kowalski.

[00:42:53] Brandon Kowalski: Yeah, um, I certainly, uh, support, uh, targeted measures to improve efficiency. Um, I, I do also think that the state has gotten to a point where it's budget is so lean that it's failing to meet some constitutional obligations such as providing an education for our students, which is our future workforce.

Um, so I, I do believe that the, the state needs to have some targeted funding, um, and some increases to areas to meet it's constitutional obligations. Um, and I don't believe I need more time with that one. Thank you.

[00:43:23] Donald Burgess: Thank you. All right. And you are still up because it's time again for candidate to candidate questions.

And as a reminder, you have 30 seconds to ask your opponent a question who will have 60 seconds to respond. And if you need redress clarification, 15 seconds to ask a follow up questions and your opponent will have 30 seconds to close. So Mr. Kowalski, proceed. Yeah.

[00:43:49] Brandon Kowalski: So, um. From our, our, we have a large district, um, and there was a quite vocal, um, group, um, a majority of the district, uh, asking for, um, again, the, the legislature to help meet the state meet its constitutional, uh, requirements to fund education.

Um, and, uh, I was just wondering if you, um, in the last session would have, uh, voted to sustain or override Governor Dunleavy's veto of education funding.

[00:44:18] Rebecca Schwanke: That's a great question. I would not have voted to override it because it was so early in the session as a Republican. I want to say it was really odd for me.

I spent a lot of time last year working with my legislators asking for increased education funding in targeted situations. Yes, the BSA increase at 6 80 was very helpful and I would have liked to see it. Um, be considered as a permanent increase, but I understood that the, what the House passed actually included accountability measures in school choice, and the Senate stripped those things out.

That was why the governor vetoed that, that bill. I honestly felt that legislators had time to go back to the drawing board and come up with a better, full fledged, robust piece of legislation. They did pass some temporary funding. Um, which did help my district significantly, and I'm sure it helped Fairbanks North Star Borough as well.

I do look forward to working on education again, um, in coming years, and I think targeted funding, um, very specifically will help us a lot.

[00:45:20] Donald Burgess: Thank you. You have 15 seconds for another question. Oh, definitely. Follow up. Follow up question. Yes.

[00:45:26] Brandon Kowalski: Uh, that's all. Thank you.

[00:45:27] Donald Burgess: That's all? Okay. Time to reverse. Ms.

Schwanke, you may ask Mr. Kowalski a question. All right.

[00:45:35] Rebecca Schwanke: 30

[00:45:36] Donald Burgess: seconds, and he has 60 seconds to respond.

[00:45:39] Rebecca Schwanke: Uh, so one of the really great things, um, about Brandon and I is we actually share some goals, and, uh, we have some top priorities. We, we have education, we have economic development, and subsistence. And Brandon, my question is, how would you improve subsistence opportunities, not just in rural areas, but also urban?

Yeah,

[00:46:00] Speaker 18: Brandon.

[00:46:01] Brandon Kowalski: Thank you, uh, for that question. Um, yeah, subsistence is very near and dear to my heart. I grew up in Kontzebue, um, a rural village, um, just north of the Arctic Circle. Um, to, to, to much of our district, subsistence isn't merely a way to fill the freezer, it's a cultural way of life. Um, and, and as such, it's, it's an absolute priority for me that, that those places also can get to practice their cultural practices.

Um, there's a few things I think we can do, um, we can advocate for, uh, better representation on the Board of Fish and the Board of Game, um, we can also, uh, implement measures, uh, that improve act, that prioritize subsistence for, for Alaskans over, um, over sport and commercial use. And we already have those measures, but we need to make sure they're actually being enforced, um, and that the policies that are put forth actually represent that, um, and I think the state has been failing to do so.

Um, and that, that's what I would like to see. Thank you. Okay.

[00:46:59] Donald Burgess: Thanks. And Ms. Schwenke, you have 15 seconds for a follow up question.

[00:47:04] Rebecca Schwanke: Um, yeah. Thank you for that. Um, out of curiosity, on the fisheries issue, especially the Yukon, Tanana, um, salmon returns, how would you propose that the legislature address the record low chum and Chinook returns?

[00:47:22] Brandon Kowalski: Yeah, thanks. Um, so much of, much of the problem, uh, can be attributed to, um, there's a huge call to, to reduce the trawl fleet. Um, that's a federal issue. Um, the trawl bycatch, sorry. Um, that's a federal issue, but we can also lean on our congressional delegation. Um, I've been, I've met with our current, uh, congressional representative and I believe I'd be, uh, vocal in here trying to make sure we can get change on that.

Um, I also think we can implement measures on the state level. Um, but I am, I'm running out of time.

[00:47:54] Donald Burgess: Thank you both. Okay. Back to questions for all candidates. And this time we're starting with representative Thomaszewski and 60 seconds for response with the launch of a new commission dedicated to Alaska's military affairs.

What should be the commission's top priority? How would you ensure that this commission effectively supports the needs of Alaska's military communities and strengthens the state's role in national defense?

[00:48:26] Frank Tomaszewski: Thank you for the question. So the Military Commission was a great addition to our state. We formally, we've been using a meeting, it's called the Tiger Team, that's been looking at a lot of different issues with the military.

I think one of the most pressing and urgent Uh, issues, uh, that are affecting our military, uh, especially in the, uh, Eielson area is housing. So we need to, um, look at effective ways of, uh, incentivizing, uh, opening up, if it's opening up lands, uh, on places like Eielson Farm Road or in the military zone. Uh, those are, that's one really critical issue that we need to address.

And, um, also, uh, there's, uh, there's a lot of emphasis in, uh, in education, of course. And, um, uh, we really need to, uh, help the, direct the school board into helping the military with their, uh, with their funding.

[00:49:29] Donald Burgess: Thank you.

[00:49:29] Frank Tomaszewski: Ms. Cottle?

[00:49:31] Joy Beth Cottle: Yeah. We talk a lot about natural resource development. People are our most precious resource.

Um, I want to ensure access to family assistance for deployed members. A lot of times the spouses will actually leave the state because they don't feel supported while their spouse is deployed. Um, and I have some ideas for initiatives to get active duty military members to get out and enjoy the state and fall in love with it like the rest of us have.

Um, we can do that. Deal with struggles all day long, but the reason that we stay here is because there's something in Alaska that we've fallen in love with, and there's a reason that we are in this state. So, supporting, um, the spouses, because a lot of times they're the decision maker in whether, uh, people come back when they get out of the military, or if they even stay.

So, um, making sure that those families are supported is really important.

[00:50:26] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Representative Carrick?

[00:50:29] Ashley Carrick: Thank you. I really like this question. I want to start by shouting out Representative Stapp for helping get this across the finish line. It's been a priority for a really long time, and it's a great thing for our community and Alaskan communities in general.

You know, I think the few things the Commission could be focusing on is first that licensure issue that, Ms. Cottle just mentioned, as a member of the Labor and Commerce Committee, I was really focused on reducing barriers to licensure, whether through the Nurse License Compact or Spouse Reciprocity and Licensing.

Secondly, I think focusing on housing for our military community, increasing in the construction trades, making loans more available to military families. And then thirdly is that access to education. Ben Eielson was the alma mater of my opponent, and I will I know that the closure has impacted many families.

It may impact many families in being able to make a life here and keep a life here after military service in Alaska. So I want to see investment in education and I want to see the commission focused on that issue as well.

Thank you, Mr McNeil.

[00:51:31] Rueben McNeil: Yeah, thank you for that, Ashley. It's a It's a little sad for me that Ben Eielson is closing.

I graduated high school there. Uh, some of the happiest moments of my childhood was as a, uh, as a Air Force dependent child growing up on the Air Force base at Eielson. Um, but as far as what we should emphasize is families and education and housing. about it. But we also need a job market that can employ these, uh, these new families and spouses.

And, uh, that's very important. You know, the nurse license compact. I work in the health field. That's very important to me. I will absolutely support moving forward with that to make it easier for these people to transfer in and not have to, you know, do the goat rope of trying to get new jobs. Get what is necessary to start working, but we need to we need to Take some of Frank's ideas regarding housing.

We get it. We get it these people They may want to live off base and we need to do the things that that uh that increase housing inventory for sure.

Thank you Mr. Kowalski

[00:52:40] Brandon Kowalski: Yeah, I think it's it's critical that we care for our military members that that are calling our state home Um Um, and I mean that starts with making sure that them and their families are taken care of.

Um, they have affordable housing, um, and they have access to the things they need like child care and education for their children. Um, and I believe, you know, if we can get the commission to focus on those, that'll, that'll help. Um, and if, if we can get them to, uh, really, um, listen to the needs of our community members and, and address the issues that are, that are important to them.

Um, that, that's, that's what I would like to see.

[00:53:19] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Ms. Schwanke.

[00:53:23] Rebecca Schwanke: I think one of the things that we have to recognize is that the military is extremely important not just to interior Alaska, um, but our bases are really important to the state of Alaska. And the families that come up here, um, we want to make sure that we invite them into our community with open arms.

And I do know that there are an awful lot of spouses that have a really hard time adjusting to interior Alaska winters. Having lived here my entire life. I own a dozen headlamps. I'm outside all winter. It doesn't bother me or you guys, but these people have, in many cases, not been in the dark for long periods of time, and I just, I would love to see more opportunities for them to be invited into the community.

One of the things that we can do is to try to bring Spouses out potentially into the schools, um, we would love to have more volunteers in our schools. We would love to have more opportunities for child care. The more that we can engage these families in the community, the more likely they are to stay in our community after they end their time in the military.

[00:54:23] Donald Burgess: Thank you very much. Next question will be answered first by Mr. McNeil, and again it's 60 seconds. The university continues to have a deferred maintenance need. That statewide is 1. 4 billion dollars. Many of the deferred maintenance projects are in Fairbanks, the flagship university in the system, and a campus that is relied upon to provide a workforce in Alaska.

How much of a priority will you place on obtaining deferred maintenance funding for the university?

[00:54:59] Rueben McNeil: Yes, most know I'm a graduate of UAF and I believe there was the money that was that was a set aside in the budget this for for for the Next fiscal year for deferred maintenance. I don't think it's anywhere near enough to get the work done.

Um, but, um, we have to do that stuff, guys. We have to find the funds and we have to get that stuff done. I'm a little concerned with being able to If we can fund it, uh, with the way our workforce situation is. But, absolutely, you won't, uh, you'll find me working double hard to, to do the, do the things to keep the university, our flagship university of Alaska school, uh, afloat.

And, uh, and, and, uh, um, You know, educating, you know, you know, the, the, you know, educating for the future, uh, and that's what UAF does, and I'm very proud of that, and you won't find me opposing that too much. Thank you. Thank you. Representative Carrick.

[00:56:00] Ashley Carrick: Well, thank you. Addressing the University of Alaska's deferred maintenance need is probably one of my very top budget priorities, and it's certainly the top budget priority for me regarding the university.

You know, 40 percent of the state's overall deferred maintenance is in the University of Alaska system, and 40 percent of that amount is actually at our flagship campus at UAF. And when you look at the Constitution, Article 9, Section 16 requires at least a third of Third of our annual budget to go towards capital budget investments.

That's a requirement. The state legislature hasn't actually been meeting. So I'd like to see us start doing that. And I would like to see us really make progress on deferred maintenance. These things only cost more the longer we wait to address them. And we have some really significant and critical. Uh, improvements we need to make.

This last year I was really proud to help support, uh, 5. 4 million for, uh, the Paddy Pool, Cutler Apartments, and Campus Safety improvements at UAF. And so I'm just going to continue to be a stalwart advocate for deferred maintenance and our university system in general.

[00:57:03] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Ms. Schwanke.

[00:57:06] Rebecca Schwanke: I would like to actually agree with Ms.

Carrick on one point. We do need to spend more on our capital budget and probably a lot less on our operational budget. Every dollar that goes out from the state legislature needs to give us a return on our investment. I, too, graduated from UAF and I understand the deferred maintenance needs there.

Unfortunately, we have deferred maintenance needs across K 12 schools. We have deferred maintenance across state buildings. There's no easy answer as to what gets the priority with the limited funding that is available. I will ask very specifically that the U University system stop building large buildings with glass because it is not economically viable in the in when you're looking at your energy budget.

There are a lot more buildings up there than there were when I graduated. The larger they get, the larger the budget is to maintain it. So we have to be smart with our money.

[00:58:08] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Mr. Kowalski.

[00:58:11] Brandon Kowalski: Yeah. Um, it's, I think it's critical that we address the deferred maintenance, um, across the state. Um, the longer we put off maintenance, the more expensive it's going to get in the, in the end.

Um, ignoring, uh, maintenance issues only will bring, uh, more costly repairs and shutdowns. Um, With UAF specifically, um, I'm also a graduate of UAF, um, and, uh, it's, the, we, we need to address, we need to address the deferred maintenance there, we need, we need to get those done, um, and doing so, we'll, we'll get more jobs, we'll get more jobs, we'll get higher paying jobs and, uh, can recruit more people to the workforce.

Ms. Cottle.

[00:58:52] Joy Beth Cottle: Yeah, UAF is really important to me. I have three degrees from UAF here locally. Um, I worked there as a student firefighter, and I work there now, actually, preparing students to enter the workforce. It has multiple different, um, trade school sorts of programs, certifications, and it prepares, uh, workers to come work at businesses like yours.

So UAF as a whole is something I wholeheartedly support. I am working full time, like I said, and so I can't necessarily make it to all the meetings, but I have been listening in on the staff meetings and UAF is doing its part. Um, I hear them talking about minimizing capital budget requests in an effort to, um, put all the money and really emphasize this from their end.

Um, so that. We're not seeing a whole bunch of different requests come in from capital and deferred maintenance. So they're doing their part, I think we can do ours and support

[00:59:48] Donald Burgess: the effort. Thanks. Um, Representative Tomaszewski.

[00:59:53] Frank Tomaszewski: Yes, for the question. Thank you for the question. Um, so when you talk about deferred maintenance, it's really every business owner knows that deferred maintenance is just a part of doing business and it really should be built into the operating budget of that particular operation.

Any business knows that if you don't maintain your vehicles, they're going to break down. If you don't maintain your buildings, they're going to fall down and you're going to be out of business. So it really needs to be a focus on on how they can add that Particularly to operating that university, uh, any new construction, the maintenance cost should be uh, built into that budget.

And so they know how much money it's going to cost to, to uh, operate that building, but not, and also how much it's going to cost to maintain that building. So it's really a philosophy on trying to get that done. Last session, we put a lot of money into the deferred maintenance, uh, of the university, and I think it's going a long way, but there is a lot left to do, so.

[01:00:58] Donald Burgess: Thank you, sir. All right. Now, we're going to move into some rapid fire yes no questions. Mandative Tomaszewski, this is for you to answer first. Actually, no. All right. Your turn now for candidate to candidate questions. And you go first. 30 seconds to ask your opponent a question, 60 seconds for her to respond, and you'll get 15 seconds for a redress question.

And, go.

[01:01:34] Frank Tomaszewski: Thank you. So, uh, with all the negative campaigning that's been happening throughout many different campaigns, uh, throughout the state It's, uh, is why I, uh, operated my, uh, candidacy in a positive light, in a positive way, always being positive. So my very difficult question for you, uh, Mrs. Cottle, is, uh, what is your favorite ice cream flavor?

[01:02:09] Joy Beth Cottle: Honestly, I'm, I'm partial to mint chocolate chip, and, uh, I appreciate that. However, um, there have been lies spread about me. So you're, you're entirely right about some of the negativity being spread, um, across the state and politics. And, uh, I don't support that. So thank you.

[01:02:33] Donald Burgess: Okay. Thanks. Is there a follow up question?

[01:02:37] Frank Tomaszewski: Yeah, I, I, Well, certainly, uh, nothing has come from me, from my campaign, and, um, so, uh, I've run very positive, all of my ads, very positive, all of my speaking's been very positive, so, uh, thank you.

[01:02:52] Donald Burgess: All right. Ms. Cottle, we're reversing the procedure now. You may ask Representative Tomaszewski a question, 30 seconds to do so, and he has 60 seconds to respond.

[01:03:05] Joy Beth Cottle: Yeah. In my work as a supervisor, I have an open door policy to encourage employees with complaints to address me. Your actions have concerned me as I watched you walk away from tough conversations posed by your constituents this summer. This is not appropriate when representing a district as diverse as ours.

Is this the behavior you intend to continue if elected to a second term?

[01:03:31] Frank Tomaszewski: Cool. So, can you be specific on what, uh, When I did this action, you just, you just accused me of an action of walking away from it. Can you, can you please give me one example?

[01:03:43] Joy Beth Cottle: There were several people at the Selch Affair.

Several people at the Selch Affair were attempting to talk to you, and when you lost your temper, you walked away rather than continue the conversation.

[01:03:59] Frank Tomaszewski: I disagree completely. I have never walked away. I have an open door policy. I, many people come to talk to me. I am a very agreeable guy. I have no problem talking to people who write negative, uh, community perspectives to me.

I've talked to many people and I can't think of one out in two rivers. Um, that has come to me and had a difficult conversation. I talk to everybody and I, I expect, um, and that's how I learn and that's how I, uh, talk to everyone. Thank you.

[01:04:36] Donald Burgess: And Ms. Cottle, you can ask a follow up question.

[01:04:40] Joy Beth Cottle: These questions were specific to the Orr Hall and people that were concerned about the safety of it.

Um, so if that helps jog your memory a little bit.

Do you recall now?

[01:04:56] Frank Tomaszewski: Hang on. Yes. Go. Oh, so, um, the ore haul people, I have, uh, you know, the Advocates for Safe Highways, your, um, campaign manager, um, who started that group, um, obviously, um, has had many meetings, which I have attended and I have, uh, and I have discussed, in fact, with the Interior, uh, Delegation.

We have come, we were at the uh, the fairgrounds and they had their cameras rolling and they asked us all very difficult questions and I was very open and honest with all of my answers. So, uh, I'm concerned that you would, you would bring up some random conversation somewhere.

[01:05:36] Donald Burgess: Thank, thank you representative.

[01:05:37] Frank Tomaszewski: Not very fair.

[01:05:37] Donald Burgess: Yeah. So, let's go back to prepared questions and we're going to start with Miss Cottle first. 60 seconds to respond. The Alaska Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, STIP, a mechanism for funding state transportation projects, was delayed for approval this year, causing uncertainty about future projects. What can be done to get things back on track?

[01:06:08] Joy Beth Cottle: Yeah, our roads, um, are the only thing connecting us, um, to many parts of the state, and I'm excited to learn about the northern rail extension. That was since it's been delayed for so long. That was actually kind of news to me. So, I've done some research and it looks like it could have a significant economic impact on our natural resource development and provide an accessory pathway between Delta Junction and Fairbanks.

So, I'm excited to support that project. Um, and we need to make sure that we get our applications for funding in so that we get our federal matches. Uh, it's inexcusable not to do our part when the federal government's trying to help us, um, increase our transportation here in the state.

[01:07:07] Donald Burgess: Representative Tomaszewski.

[01:07:09] Frank Tomaszewski: Yes. Thank you. So, uh, the STIP is actually an important part of, uh, how we get federal funding, and as my, when I had, uh, when I was on the borough assembly, I was one of the members of the FAST planning, and we went through all of the different projects. It's a very thorough public process. I think the state needs to work, uh, more closely with FAST planning and making sure that, uh, those particular projects slated for construction, um, meet all the proper, uh, requirements, uh, make sure that they meet all the proper, um, uh, uh, public interactions with them. And, uh, and I think that's gonna be the, the biggest issue is actually having the state work more closely with, uh, the FAST planning for, for our district, um, here in the northern area.

Uh, it's, uh, it's. Definitely something that I'll be looking at, uh, in the, uh, when we go through finance again, the, uh, DOT finance subcommittees. Thank you.

[01:08:14] Donald Burgess: And Ms. Schwanke.

[01:08:17] Rebecca Schwanke: Well, I don't know why the stip was late. Um, I too am disappointed that the state dropped the ball on, um, on receiving federal match funds that were available.

I do know from talking with Interior DOT folks that the cost of bids that came in, particularly from my district, from rural Alaska, were significantly higher. Thank you for your time. And I know that some projects dropped off of the list because of that. Copper River actually has the very first rural planning organization that advises DOT, and I would like to see some additional rural planning organizations put together.

With those rural community inputs, I think we can better plan ahead. There were a lot of improvements that were made to the Alaska Highway and the ridge this year because of the ore haul, and I think we need to plan ahead a little bit better, but I just hope we can, um, figure out how to get that in and receive the federal money that we need.

[01:09:22] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Mr. Kowalski.

[01:09:25] Brandon Kowalski: Yeah, so, um, it is disappointing that we lost out on federal dollars, um, to help maintain our roads. Um, Interior Alaska is connected a lot by road. Um, a lot of District 36, uh, is connected via the Richardson. Um, A lot of businesses do business on our highways, um, and you know, when we, when we neglect our highways, that increases, uh, damage to vehicles, um, and increases operating costs for businesses.

And, and, uh, you know, if, if we can get our, our, our highways, um, fixed and maintained well enough, um, commerce will flow more easily. Um, and, and, uh, you know, our, our, our Alaskan economy will thrive. Thank you.

[01:10:10] Donald Burgess: Thank you. Representative Carrick.

[01:10:13] Ashley Carrick: Well, thank you. I mean, the loss of these STIP funds, these federal highway dollars, is absolutely devastating for our entire state and for our interior communities who would have benefited from these funds.

There was a now infamous Senate Finance Committee hearing this last session where members of that committee asked the administration, are we on track? What needs to happen to get us on track? And the commissioner and the members of the department swore up and down, they were gonna get it on track, and look what happened.

We need to see the legislature hold our administration more accountable on some of these issues. We also saw this with the maintenance of equity funding from the federal government this last session, and our administration again dropping the ball. We also need our administration to work closely with local communities as, uh, Mr.

Kowalski mentioned. And I, I want to be a part of that process. I want to be a part of getting things back on track and supporting the administration to get critical federal funding into Alaska and starting on these projects as soon as possible.

[01:11:15] Donald Burgess: Thank you, Mr. Mcneil.

[01:11:18] Rueben McNeil: Yeah, I'm not, uh, I'm not able to, to speak on ma uh, on what happened, uh, with the STIP funding match.

And, uh, that was a lost opportunity. I certainly would've, uh, uh, helped the, uh, the interior here with some of the, the, the road maintenance and projects that, uh, that we could have been benefited from, you know, uh, possibly a failure in, uh, in, in, in leadership, um, um, prioritization. I mean, you can go down the list of, uh, of reasons, but we do need to prioritize keeping our roads, uh, maintained, uh, new constructions and, and, and that infrastructure project.

But it's gonna, it's gonna take some really hardcore, serious budgeting, uh, to, to, to make sure we, um, um, we hit those, uh, uh, those opportunities and, uh, um, and the, the step funding was a little bit of a missed opportunity. I hope we learn from it and we do better going forward. Thank you.

[01:12:12] Donald Burgess: Thank you very much.

All right. I want to thank the audience for hanging in there with us and for submitting some very interesting questions. We do have time to take at least one and this is for all the candidates and I'm going to start to my right with Ms. Schwanke. And 30 seconds to respond. We have time. Let's make it one minute.

What types of legislation would you introduce to ensure financial literacy makes its way back into our schools? Would you introduce or support financial literacy initiatives? 60 seconds.

[01:12:58] Rebecca Schwanke: Well, I want to thank the legislature last, um, you know, session. They, they did, they did spend a lot of time on trying to improve literacy.

And the Alaska Reads Act is something that I know is going to improve reading opportunities and outcomes across the state. I honestly am a little bit worried. I know I saw a transition in resources within my own district from older age groups down to that K 3. But I do think that it offers an opportunity for school districts to hold parents accountable.

And I think that that's a really important aspect of it. I'm not sure additional measures at this point need to be introduced on specifically on literacy. But we absolutely cannot neglect math and other disciplines. Personally, I would really like to work closely with DEED in order to try to get competency-based learning engaged back into our school district.

[01:13:57] Donald Burgess: Thank you, Mr Kowalski.

[01:14:02] Brandon Kowalski: Yeah, so, um, It's a joke, but there's some truth to it. You know, we have kids leaving high school that know that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, but they don't know how to do their taxes. Um, it's, it, schools are supposed to help prepare you for, for life as an adult. Um, and a major aspect of that is financial literacy.

I would certainly, uh, support measures that increase financial literacy and promote financial literacy among students. Um, and I believe if we can get some targeted funds towards that, that would go a long way. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. McNeil.

[01:14:39] Rueben McNeil: I love it. I'll be honest with you, I, uh, um, you know, we have to prepare these kids for, uh, uh, for the future and it's, it's bleak, uh, on the path that we're going.

You know, I learned how to, uh, balance a, a checkbook as a, uh, as a, as a teenager. Uh, uh, I learned about. I learned out about credit cards, not only in, uh, mostly from my parents. You know, if you you make a charge on a credit card, you pay it off at the end of the month. And then and I explained to me what interest was.

And, uh, I did my I did my own taxes, uh, early on in my in my You know, my professional career. Um, but I don't think you can give enough. I don't think you can give kids enough tools for what's coming when they get out of school, get out of college. I'd be a big supporter of financial literacy. But let's do what Rebecca said.

Let's not forget reading and writing and math and U. S. History. Let's make good citizens of our students, uh, and then teach them responsibility and accountability with this financial literacy. I love it.

[01:15:40] Donald Burgess: Thank you, Representative Carrick.

[01:15:43] Ashley Carrick: Well, thanks for the question. Um, you know, I am really keen to not put unfunded mandates, additional curriculum requirements on our schools, but I also fully recognize how important many of the points that have been made up here are about the need for financial literacy and for our students to have those skills.

I'm also careful about growing our budget, and I want to do it in a way that makes sense. So, as an example, related to civics education, which I also think is super important, I offered an amendment in my first year to provide funding for existing evidence-based programs. Alaska History Day, We the People, and Kids Voting, which serves K-12 on civics education already.

We're not reinventing the wheel. We're already doing it. Just adding a little bit of extra support to existing programs in our schools. So, if there's some sort of equivalent measure we could do for financial literacy, that's the kind of thing I would be looking forward to supporting, because it is really important.

I just want to do it in a way that's fiscally responsible.

[01:16:44] Donald Burgess: Thank you, Representative Tomaszewski.

[01:16:46] Frank Tomaszewski: This is a great question, and I really, uh, do believe that it is so essential and important to putting this type of education in our education system. Uh, I believe it was the Senate president who had a bill, um, for this particular, uh, issue.

And I, I don't think it ma it didn't make it through, but there was a lot of good points to it. Uh, when I was in school, one of my favorite classes was economics and, and I learned that there is no such thing as a free lunch, but. And also I had that same professor at UAF, uh, coincidentally in the same, basically the same class, but, and I really love that class, but kids today, they don't, they graduate and they don't know what they're getting themselves into.

They don't know when they take the student loan, you gotta pay it back and you should pay it back. Whenever you take out a loan, you need to be able to pay that back. And that's something we need to teach. And whether it's something like a READS Act, make it a Financial Literacy Act, I am all for it. Thank you.

[01:17:50] Donald Burgess: Uh, Ms. Cottle.

[01:17:54] Joy Beth Cottle: You know, when schools are figuring out which programs or which, um, courses to cut, usually it's things like HomeEc, extracurricular shop class, those sorts of things that are gonna get the kids ready to come work in different businesses for you guys. I think one thing we can do is increase the BSA and make sure that schools aren't always on a shoestring budget and that they can maintain home ec classes where kids learn to cook, garden, and balance their checkbook.

All these skills are life skills. There are things that I learned growing up, but out in Two Rivers, which is a school that is actually on the chopping block if we continue with shoestring funding. Um, they have an incredible program where they're teaching kids how to garden and, and just all these homestead activities.

Um, they're looking at a small engines repair class out there. Things that you want your kids to know, especially if you live out in Two Rivers. And, um, seeing that school close would be tragic for the community.

[01:18:56] Donald Burgess: Thank you very much. Alright. All good things must come to an end. And here we are, I know we're having fun up here, but time flies.

So, closing argument time. And we're gonna start once again.

[01:19:16] Rueben McNeil: I have a request. Can I go first on this question? I actually have to get back to work. I'm sorry.

[01:19:26] Donald Burgess: I can grant that request.

[01:19:26] Rueben McNeil: Thank you so much.

[01:19:29] Donald Burgess: So Here we go. Given your experience and knowledge, please tell us what sets you apart from your opponent and why voters should cast their vote for you.

[01:19:43] Rueben McNeil: Yeah, you know, I ran two years ago and uh, um, and then I'm running again. Um, I am, I'm about as grassroots as you can get. Um, I've never held public office. I, uh, never worked in a legislative office, but I bring core conservative values, uh, to this seat that I hope I win in Juneau. Uh, I want to represent common interest, the common folk.

I want to do it with a with a with a with a true heart. And I want to represent what I believe is best for Alaska. I want to tackle this Goliath. That is big government. Um, and I want to, uh, work on issues with legislators across the aisle that are To impact Alaskans and their livelihood and their lives here in Alaska in a very positive way and I bring fiscal conservatism a social conservatism that I think serves American values and Alaskans very well, and that's what I intend to do.

Thank you very much, and I'm sorry I got to step out Thank you and representative

[01:20:48] Donald Burgess: Carrick

[01:20:49] Ashley Carrick: Well, thank you all again for being here today and to the chamber for hosting. I'm Ashley Carrick. I'm a lifelong fourth generation Alaskan with deep family connections in the interior and across the state, and I'm passionate about our long term future.

I believe in promoting Alaska's economic future, preserving access to education and higher education, and protecting the health, safety, and well being of all Alaskans across our communities. I hope today that what I've demonstrated is that I have experienced and energized leadership. My door is always open, and I truly mean that.

Over this first two years, as a freshman member of the House Minority Coalition, I passed five pieces of legislation, two with my name as the prime sponsor. I responded to dozens of constituent cases from PFD to getting people business licenses and held 12 constituent meetings and two town halls. I'd rather be in Alaska on its worst day than anywhere else on its best day.

And that's why my campaign slogan is All In For Alaska. So I hope you will vote and be All In For Alaska with me.

[01:21:54] Donald Burgess: Thank you.

[01:21:57] Rebecca Schwanke: Well, um, when it comes to Being a successful legislator, I'm very much hopeful that people see my length of time in Alaska, my longevity. I was born in Fairbanks, I was raised in Toke, and I've spent the last 22 years in the Copper River Basin.

I have worked for the state of Alaska for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as a wildlife biologist. I've served on a non profit board for almost 20 years. I'm a business owner. I have been for about 10 years and I've served on the local school board for six I have a broad background I really truly feel like our state is is at a crossroads We are not bringing in the revenue that we need to cover the current level of government services I hope to bring a common sense perspective to the legislature I am a huge education advocate.

I want to see our Alaska kids grow up and come into the Alaska workforce. I just feel like I have a little different path to offer.

[01:23:00] Donald Burgess: Thanks. Mr. Kowalski.

[01:23:03] Brandon Kowalski: Yeah. Um, so thank you all for coming. Um, I'm Brandon Kowalski. Uh, I've spent a lot of my working life in a lot of different areas. Um, I've worked in the trades, um, I was a driller's helper up at Red Dog Mine, um, I was in grad school.

Um, and, and something that I've learned, uh, throughout, throughout that experience, um, in talking with people from wildly different backgrounds than mine, is that no solution comes from, there's no one solution to complex problems. Um, it takes coming together, talking about it, finding common ground to stand on and to push forward from.

Um, I believe Alaska, and I believe we all want the same thing for our state, to thrive, for our children to have opportunity, and for our economy to grow. Um, I, I believe that, you know, I, I will work my best to get that done, um, and I believe I offer a, uh, moderate, um, approach to all of it. Thank you.

[01:24:06] Donald Burgess: Representative Tomaszewski.

[01:24:07] Frank Tomaszewski: Yes, thank you. So, uh, my main difference is, uh, between the My opponent, you know, I really don't know much about her. I've never actually had a conversation with her. Uh, I don't believe she's ever called or tried to talk to me. Um, so all I can, all I can say is what I have, you know, I've, I've been in Alaska for 45 years.

I've been married for 30 years. I am a stable, um, committed father and grandfather. I own two, I have run two businesses. My electrical contracting. Uh, and my, um, syrup business. I have balanced my checkbook, I have paid my bills, I am, um, focused and, and committed to doing what's right in the state, in this, with the state, uh, government and, um, being a, a fiduciary, it's our fiduciary responsibility to do what's right in the state government and we want to make sure that that is done correctly.

Thank you. Thank you. And Ms. Cottle.

[01:25:12] Joy Beth Cottle: Thank you for having this forum today and taking time out of your busy days, uh, schedule to hear what we have to say. I really appreciate it. It's people like you that drive the community forward. I'm committed to making data-driven decisions and actually hearing everyone's concern, even if they're different from my own.

As a moderate Republican, I see the values I hold dear. Small government, personal freedom, fiscal responsibility, and privacy. Reflected in you, my friends and neighbors. I'm an everyday Alaskan, and it would be my honor to continue my 25 years of service into the interior and represent you in Juneau. Win or lose, I will continue to work hard for hardworking Alaskans.

[01:25:57] Donald Burgess: Thank you. And Thank you, candidates, for joining us today and letting us hear your viewpoints. As a reminder for the audience, and you guys, our last forum in this series for this election cycle will be held tomorrow, right here in the Gold Room at the Westmark, starting at 12pm. So I'm hoping that you can all join us.

Nominations are open for the chamber's annual awards. Please check your emails for the link to nominate your choice for business of the year, volunteer of the year and education advocate of the year. And thanks once again to Denali state bank for presenting or sponsoring this series of, uh, forums for us and final round of applause for our candidates.