Governor begins conversations with Alaskans at Chugiak High

CHUGIAK — Gov. Mike Dunleavy engaged with over 100 residents at the first of his ‘Conversations with Alaskans’ town hall series at Chugiak High School on Monday.

Dunleavy spoke to the crowd with Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum before making brief statements and listening to dozens of citizens who had come to voice their opinions. In a crowd that sat scattered across the seats in the Chugiak auditorium, many who spoke to Dunleavy and co-host Dave Stieren gave him praise and were in favor of his policies.

“We have a very diverse state we have folks that have different views on how to solve the issues but we’re going to have to come together,” said Dunleavy.

Dunleavy said that his main takeaway from the listening session that lasted two hours was the state’s diversity. While many of the members of the public familiar notes, Dunleavy also played the hits. Provided at the town hall were copies of a budget overview from the Department of Revenue and bills Dunelavy has either sponsored or taken interest in.

“During my conversations with alaskans” town hall series I want to hear your thoughts and ideas on how the state should tackle our short-term fiscal challenges, so that together we may build a fiscal plan that is both permanent and sustainable,” wrote Dunleavy.

Following a lengthy discussion about what was being done to prevent the spread of coronavirus to Alaska and what preparations Dunelavy’s administration are making in communications with the Federal government, Dunleavy gave a brief history lesson to begin the town hall as he has done to gathered crowds frequently this year. Dunleavy reviewed how the oil price drop after his election in 2018 accounted for $2.3 billion in unrealized revenue and that his team decided to forego their step-down approach to reducing government spending and instead opted for a display of what the budget would look like with $1.6 billion in reductions.

“We didn’t want to have a repeat of that this year. We wanted to be able to have a conversation with the legislature and the state of Alaska,” said Dunleavy.

Dunleavy said that his budget took the air out of the conversation which was why he opted for a flat budget in 2020. Among the Dunleavy sponsored bills on his literature at the entrance was an overview of his sponsored legislation which includes his three constitutional amendments to require a vote of the people of Alaska for new taxes (SJR 4, HJR 5), a vote in order to change the PFD (SJR 5 HJR 6), and a constitutional amendment to establish a new spending limit and savings plan (SJR 6, HJR 7). Dunleavy also promoted his PFD payback bill, the DNR lease sale paired with the PFD land voucher program, the Alaska lottery and the Alaska Reads Act. Legislation Dunleavy is interested in that he did not sponsor includes the motor fuel tax, Alaska school maintenance and construction and the PFD earnings reserve appropriations in HB 300. Dunleavy noted the spending limits passed by the legislature in 1981 and 1986 that are not followed. Stieren noted that oil prices are not likely to rebound in the near future.

“Oil prices are flat at $50 a barrel so there is no $90, $110 cavalry coming over the hill anymore. Now it’s just us,” said Stieren.

Dunleavy heard testimony from citizens who mostly agreed with his ideas and a few who had additional plans. John Roberts suggested that the state create new revenue from charitable gaming and listed off fundraising numbers from organizations statewide, many that exceeded $100,000. Dave Maxwell told Dunleavy he used to work at the Palmer Correctional Center before he was fired for being a whistleblower and eventually set up a meeting with DOC commissioner Nancy Dahlstrom. Maxwell was frustrated with the response to his meeting and got an immediate response from Dunleavy, who directed him to retrieve a business card from his staff and set up a meeting. The gesture was met with great applause, and Dunleavy continued to make this suggestion to testifiers who presented ideas during their time, including one man who suggested Dunleavy become familiar with the Denali Borough’s forward funding method.

“Alaska’s a diverse place. Not everyone in here agrees with some of the decisions I’ve made, some do,” said Dunleavy. “It’s good to be working together with the audience.”

While no date has yet been set for a stop in the Mat-Su Valley, Dunleavy’s staffer said one would be scheduled as soon as possible dates would be released shortly.