Non-affiliated, Republican candidates find differences at Chamber forum

WASILLA — A pair of state races that have been running since before the August primaries have finally hit the stretch run, as the Republican and non-affiliated candidates from House District 11, and Senate Seat F, concluded a whirlwind run of three forums in seven days Tuesday afternoon at the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Moderated by newly sworn-in Wasilla Deputy Mayor Stuart Graham, Senate F candidates Shelley Hughes and Tim Hale and House District 11 hopefuls Bert Verrall and DeLena Johnson, began to show some significant differences in their policy plans and visions for Alaska’s future.

The first question to show significant separation was Graham’s request for two examples of how each would make ‘significant and substantial cuts’ to the state budget.

Hale, whose first foray in politics was preceded by a career in construction of roads and oil rig infrastructure, led off by taking aim at oil companies.

“The first thing is to cut the refundable oil exploration subsidies,” Hale said. “We’re (going to lose) $250 million this year, and in fiscal year 2017 $500 million, and by 2018 we’ll be making $1 billion payments to private entities.”

Time expired on Hale before he could get to his second example, and in retort, Hughes tried to pump the brakes on the anti-oil rhetoric.

“We need to be careful we don’t kick the Golden Goose when it’s down,” the house member incumbent said, adding that significant cuts to those subsidies have already been made.

Hughes chose for her two items Medicaid and education.

As for education, Hughes said the state spends more than any other, as a percentage of its expenses, and that having 54 districts for a population well under one million is problematic.

The next question asked candidates to set a minimum capital budget number, and asked what projects, both large and small, they would support most.

“We really won’t have the cash for anything really big until oil gets back to the $70 range, and that could be 2022 or 2024 before that happens,” Hale said, adding that wish would be an overall road improvement investment. “But one thing we could do is build a road to Nome. That would open the entire state (to business investment).”

For his second project, Hale suggested a gas-fired power line system on the north slope.

Hughes came back quickly with building up the rail spur.

“We could bring in a rail line from Canada and that would be a huge boon for south central Alaska,” she said. Her second was smaller scale road fixes, highlighting Knik Goose Bay Road in Wasilla, which she described as a “life safety issue.”

Johnson said the first thing the state should do is complete infrastructure projects that can be federally funded, pointing firstly to the traffic congestion in Palmer at the Gateway exit to the Glenn Highway.

Verrall said local roads are his No. 1 priority, and if he had a ‘Christmas morning present’ under the tree it would be for the development of a large-scale dam.

“Just for cheap, renewable power to the entire Railbelt,” Verrall said. “It would provide power to companies to do business. We could attract businesses to make huge server buildings you don’t have to cool except in the summer.”

Graham then asked the candidates to hold up either a ‘no’ or ‘yes’ sign in response to six questions, and when that was over, each gave a one-minute summary of their candidacy two weeks ahead of election day.

Verrall began his closing by lowering election day expectations.

“I believe the Republican candidate has won 11 straight elections in this district, so I understand it’s an uphill climb,” Verrall said. “But the Chicago Cubs are in the World Series so anything can happen.”

The other political outsider, Hale, closed with a pair of Juneau promises, should he upset his Republican opponent.

“I will not let a lobbyist buy me dinner and I will not serve more than two terms,” he said.