PLATFORM, PRIORITIES, and VOTING RECORD
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Utilizing, enhancing, and encouraging Alaska-grown resources whether wildlife, fish, or agricultural will strengthen Alaska’s future. We must work to improve Alaska's wild food abundance, our ability to process and distribute what we produce, and work to fortify the supply-chain for foods we must import. I will continue to do what it takes to bring together State, Federal and Tribal governments to successfully restore abundance of our big game populations and fisheries that Alaskans rely on. Each works under a different set of guiding principles, and Alaskans are caught in the middle. The State of Alaska has the Constitutional responsibility to utilize, develop, and conserve our natural resources for the maximum benefit of its people. I will do what it takes to fight federal overreach and promote State active management policies. If we can build and maintain healthy and abundant fisheries and wildlife populations, we all benefit from these highly nutritious renewable resources. If we can produce food here at home from wild stocks to locally-grown meat, vegetables, and dairy sources, we will be much better positioned for the future.
Related bills and votes during the 34th Legislature ~ Representative Schwanke:
Sponsored HB297 "An Act establishing a preference for the taking of fishery resources by residents for personal and family consumption; adding to the factors the Board of Fisheries may consider in allocating certain fishery resources; and providing for an effective date."
Co-Sponsored HB203 "An Act relating to the use of certain trawl or dredge fishing gear in state water; and providing for an effective date."
Supported HB117 “Relating to electronic monitoring of fishing vessels using trawl gear in a finfish fishery; relating to administrative areas for regulation of certain commercial set net entry permits; and providing for an effective date.”
Opposed the House Finance Committee Substitute for SB174 which included several amendments, including a new feral cat trap-neuter-release policy. The bill was titled "An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game; relating to management of invasive species; and providing for an effective date."
Supported SB29 "An Act establishing an executive administrator position for the Board of Dental Examiners; and relating to an executive administrator for the Big Game Commercial Services Board."
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The State of Alaska has been on an unsustainable fiscal path over the last decade. Alaska’s annual spending is no longer connected to the health of our economy, creating a gap in understanding of what the proper spending levels are. We have to balance our checkbooks at home and it’s time for the State to balance theirs. It is time to cap spending and increase private investment in Alaska. Adopting clean AKLNG enabling legislation would be a significant move in the right direction bringing in thousands of good paying jobs and millions in State royalties. State spending must be prioritized to maximize our return in terms of our workforce, resource conservation, and responsible development. A significant portion of our statutory PFD is being spent for services for some and grants for others, at the expense of all Alaskans including children and elders. It is time for accountability. We cannot continue to ignore the Permanent Fund Dividend Alaska Statute. There is a formula in place for a reason; it was a promise to Alaskans as a share of our shared mineral rights retained by the State. I will continue to fight for common sense solutions in Juneau where essential services are prioritized and excess is cut. Alaskans deserve transparency in this process, and they need to have a choice where and when their money is spent. By removing excess spending and adopting policies that improve the State’s revenue outlook, we can ensure meaningful Permanent Fund Dividend payments.
Related bills and votes during the 34th Legislature ~ Representative Schwanke:
Sponsored HB327 "An Act relating to dividends for state residents; relating to the dividend fund; and providing for an effective date." This bill would rename the Permanent Fund Dividend the Resource Dividend, refocusing the discussion on the source of the funds.
Sponsored HJR40 “A Resolution supporting the Alaska Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2022 - 2027; supporting public and private sector investment, economic opportunities, and development in the state; supporting the prioritization of healthy and sustainable wild food and renewable resources; encouraging the private and public sectors to collaborate on educating students about the state's economic reliance on sustainable resource development; and supporting payment of an annual dividend.”
Co-Sponsored HB1 “An Act relating to specie as legal tender in the state; and relating to borough and city sales and use taxes on specie."
Co-Sponsored HB11 "An Act relating to contributions and donations from permanent fund dividends."
Co-Sponsored HB83 "An Act disapproving the recommendations of the State Officers Compensation Commission; and providing for an effective date."
Co-Sponsored HB161 "An Act relating to minimum paid sick leave requirements; and providing for an effective date." This legislation would allow small business exemptions.
Co-Sponsored HJR 18 "A Resolution supporting and recognizing the importance of a natural gas pipeline project in the state; and urging the federal government to take all necessary actions to expedite the state natural gas pipeline project.”
Brought several significant Operating budget cutting amendments to House Health and Social Services Sub-Finance Committee and to the House Floor.
Voted against every PFD cutting amendment within Operating Budget legislation.
Voted against HB 78 "An Act relating to the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; and providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system." Upheld the Governor’s veto.
Voted against SB 113 "An Act relating to the Multistate Tax Compact; relating to apportionment of income to the state; relating to highly digitized businesses subject to the Alaska Net Income Tax Act; and providing for an effective date." Upheld the Governor’s veto.
Voted in support of HB381, reasonable AKLNG legislation, and against the Senate version of AKLNG legislation following the addition of unworkable additions including Pass Through Entity income taxes and prescriptive apprenticeship requirements that would hurt qualified Alaskan workers.
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I have long been committed to ensuring Alaskans all have the rights, liberties, and freedoms that our country was founded on. These include rights to Free Speech, to Bear Arms, to practice one’s Religion, and to peacefully assemble. Amongst the most important, I will always fight for parental rights. It has never been more important to support parents in their right to guide their children in personal and family values. Just as we protect our families, we must also be vigilant about protecting our property. Nearly half of Alaska and the majority of District 36 is unorganized. With this reality, we freely own our property, though our public services are limited. I will continue to defend the right to establish local government from the ground up, though any attempts to force borough creation and annexation will be met with opposition.
Related bills and votes during the 34th Legislature ~ Representative Schwanke:
Sponsored HB279 “An Act relating to the power of the commissioner of health to require certain immunizations; relating to immunizations required to participate in youth athletics; relating to immunizations required by the University of Alaska; relating to the provision of vaccine information to the parents of minor patients; and providing for an effective date." This legislation would prohibit the State or the University of Alaska from requiring any immunizations under Emergency Use Authorization.
Sponsored HB307 "An Act relating to court-ordered compensatory visitation with a child; and providing for an effective date."
Co-Sponsored HB143 "An Act relating to the privacy of firearm transactions; relating to discrimination against firearm retailers by financial institutions and payment networks; relating to the disclosure of financial records by financial institutions and payment networks; and amending Rules 65 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure."
Co-Sponsored HB147 "An Act relating to the practice of naturopathy."
Opposed HB232 "An Act relating to the examination and treatment of minors; relating to consent for behavioral and mental health treatment for minors 16 years of age or older; and providing for an effective date."
Opposed SB 64 "An Act relating to elections; relating to voters; relating to voting; relating to voter registration; relating to election administration; relating to campaign contributions; relating to write-in candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States; relating to the crimes of unlawful interference with voting in the first degree, unlawful interference with an election, and election official misconduct; relating to voter registration on permanent fund dividend applications; relating to the duties of the commissioner of revenue; and providing for an effective date." Upheld the Governor’s veto.
Brought amendments in Health and Social Services Committee and to the House Floor to create an “Opt-in” instead of an “Opt-out” rule for SB272 “Relating to the electronic health information exchange system; and providing for an effective date.”
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Alaska prospers when our people work hard, watch out for their neighbors, and build strong relationships with law enforcement, military personnel and veterans. We have some incredibly committed men and women in uniform in rural Alaska that work hard every day for each and every one of us. Stopping the flow of illegal drugs into our rural communities and into our schools is essential if our kids are to have a future. Together we are stronger.
Related bills and votes during the 34th Legislature ~ Representative Schwanke:
Supported HB17 "An Act relating to retirement benefits and military service."
Supported Legislative Resolve No. 4 “Encouraging the United States Congress to award Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War the Congressional Gold Medal.”
Supported Legislative Resolve No. 17 “Commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.”
Supported Legislative Resolve No. 34 “Expressing gratitude for the United States military and supporting increased defense readiness through infrastructure development and public-military partnerships.”
Supported HCR 9 “Honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States of America.”
Supported numerous amendments to re-establish an Alaska State Trooper post in Talkeetna.
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Alaska is a leader in energy development, yet we are being priced out of heating our homes, paying for electricity, traveling to hunt and fish, to seek medical services and even to go to work due to the high cost of fuel. Local fuel prices in our rural communities are through the roof. Oil, gas, and coal development projects built our state, and they are still helping build a better future for all of us. As renewable energy technology and affordability improves, it too brings new opportunity to Alaska. While on a large scale, I will continue to support Alaska’s gasline development, clean coal, and new coastal hydroelectric opportunities, I will also continue to support creative energy solutions for our rural communities. With new targeted energy infrastructure development and continued attention on major maintenance, our future has never looked brighter. I will continue to fight for common sense energy, resource development, and infrastructure projects that effectively balance our needs today with those of tomorrow. Sustainable and responsible energy development projects are critical to providing affordable energy to our rural communities for years to come. It is important that we work to establish stable new energy infrastructure as well as increase transmission potential. The more we can connect Alaska’s communities, the more we maximize safety, affordability, and resilience. There will always be challenges to development, but we must work together to balance the cost, the impact, and the return. We cannot burden our children and our grandchildren with debt, nor can we destroy the natural resources they will rely on for generations to come.
Related bills and votes during the 34th Legislature ~ Representative Schwanke:
Sponsored HJR40 “A Resolution supporting the Alaska Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2022 - 2027; supporting public and private sector investment, economic opportunities, and development in the state; supporting the prioritization of healthy and sustainable wild food and renewable resources; encouraging the private and public sectors to collaborate on educating students about the state's economic reliance on sustainable resource development; and supporting payment of an annual dividend.”
Co-Sponsored HJR7 “Supporting and expressing gratitude to President Donald J. Trump for the Executive Order titled "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential" and for the president's recognition of the role of the federal government in revitalizing the state's economy, energy production, and resource development.”
Co-Sponsored HJR18 "A Resolution supporting and recognizing the importance of a natural gas pipeline project in the state; and urging the federal government to take all necessary actions to expedite the state natural gas pipeline project.”
Co-Sponsored Legislative Resolve 26 “Supporting the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; encouraging a renewed commitment by the Alaska Railroad to a community-minded approach to future rail expansion; and encouraging the development of critical Arctic infrastructure.”
Supported HB388 “Relating to loans made from the bulk fuel loan account; and providing for an effective date.” This legislation increased the bulk loan cap, a program used by rural communities to purchase fuel in bulk.
Voted in support of HB381, reasonable AKLNG legislation, and against the Senate version of AKLNG legislation following the addition of unworkable additions including Pass Through Entity income taxes and prescriptive apprenticeship requirements that would hurt qualified Alaskan workers.
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I have always been a strong proponent of quality and transparent educational opportunities. Alaskan families deserve access to exceptional education by exceptional educators. Whether in public school, at home, or in a private institution, students learn best from motivated highly skilled educators. We need creative and engaging educational opportunities so that our students will choose excellence and strive to exceed national standards. Rural Alaska has some incredibly resourceful and talented young people. It is time to take a step forward in education, providing all students quality educational opportunities and career-path immersion. Our kids are the future, and it’s on all of us as parents, community members, school board members, and legislators to do everything we can to work together on this issue. Though we may not always share the same values, we all want our children to succeed. We want them to graduate with impressive skills, respect, and have the confidence to conquer anything. Our state is facing significant inflation and it’s time to get serious about the ramifications on school districts, especially the excessive rise in heating and utility costs that are paid out of the Base Student Allocation. With appropriate and targeted fiscal support, our schools can once again focus on exceptional academics, while building on our children’s natural talents and abilities. If our children are inspired to learn, together with parents and positive family and cultural guidance, they can truly accomplish anything they set their mind to. This affects all of us.
Related bills and votes during the 34th Legislature ~ Representative Schwanke:
Sponsored HB223 "An Act relating to special needs and intensive services funding for correspondence study programs; and providing for an effective date."
Co-Sponsored HB29 "An Act relating to group insurance coverage and self-insurance coverage for school district employees, employees of the University of Alaska, and employees of other governmental units in the state; and providing for an effective date."
Co-Sponsored HB39 "An Act relating to public school students who are deaf or hard of hearing."
Co-Sponsored HB219 "An Act relating to a tax credit for career and technical education; and providing for an effective date."
Co-Sponsored HJR5 “Urging the United States Congress and the President of the United States to reinstate the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 and make the funding mechanism in the Act permanent.”
Supported HJR39 “A Resolution urging the federal government to waive the new H-1B Visa fees for teachers in the state.”
Supported HJR45 “A Resolution urging the United States Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.”
Worked to ensure that HB12 "An Act relating to free breakfast and lunch in public schools" was fiscally responsible and focused on private contributions to achieve the goal.
Worked with the House Education Committee to bring forward HB383 "An Act creating building management specialist positions in the Department of Education and Early Development; and providing for an effective date." This legislation, as well as a corresponding Operating Budget amendment would have supported two building maintenance specialists in the Department of Education. The positions would support school districts statewide with major maintenance planning. The new positions would help districts in planning for Major Maintenance capital improvement projects and to avoid costly catastrophic infrastructure failure.
Supported final concurrence on HB28 "An Act relating to education; relating to reimbursement of school district energy costs; relating to correspondence study program materials; relating to substitute teaching; relating to the qualifications of school board members; relating to school consolidation; relating to the required local contribution made by a city or borough school district for public school funding; relating to reemploying retired members of the teachers' retirement system at regional resource centers; establishing a teachers' student loan repayment pilot program; and providing for an effective date."
Opposed HB57 "An Act relating to maximum classroom sizes in public schools; relating to education reports; relating to charter schools; relating to student transportation funding; relating to secondary school vocational and technical instruction funding; relating to the base student allocation; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; relating to the use of tax revenue from highly digitized businesses; relating to the duties of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; and providing for an effective date." This legislation provided broad funding with no accountability measures, it duplicated efforts already underway statewide, it set goals for class sizes without accountability, and it tied education funding to a completely unrelated tax revenue bill, ignoring constitutional guidance on dedicated funds. Upheld the Governor’s veto.
Opposed HB69 "An Act relating to the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date." This legislation was not targeted, it had no accountability measures. Upheld the Governor’s veto.
Supported HB380 "An Act relating to funding for residential schools."
Supported SB23 "An Act relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an effective date."
Supported SB143 "An Act relating to ethics and budget training for school board members; relating to the terms of office of municipal school board members; relating to the size of the city council in second class cities; and providing for an effective date."
Supported SB178 "An Act relating to early intervention services for certain children; relating to optional services under the medical assistance program; and providing for an effective date."
Proven leadership and experience for House District 36
