What Alaskans want to hear from Gov. Walker

At Juneau’s legislative welcome reception on Wednesday, I asked attendees what they wanted to hear from the governor in his State of the State Address amid the tough financial times. Here’s what some of them said.

Mildred Parker, Anchorage

Mildred Parker

“I would like to hear him address the budget cuts for AK pre-K, as well as any early childhood education programs that are in the state of Alaska. … I’m concerned because I’m an advocate for early childhood education and with the budget cuts, it’s going to affect a lot of children, especially children that are in low income areas, that need AK pre-K.”

Janet Kussart, Juneau

Janet Kussart

“I’m hoping that he’ll start using the PFD … because that’s what it’s for — we’re in a crisis. And that is our rainy day — and we are in the rain literally and figuratively, when it comes to our oil being $27 a barrel now. So, that’s where I’m at.”

Bonnie Ayojiak, Manokotak

Bonnie Ayojiak

“Many of the things that rural Alaskans need are health care, education, VPSO program, and a whole lot of things that, you know, we take for granted, like, the Fish and Game.”

Emil Mackey, Juneau

Emil Mackey

“You know, I’d like to hear more about his plan on reforming the PFD in order to, balance state services and revenue. I also would like to hear what he has to say about public education. We’ve been flat-funded for quite a few years. And as a result, we’ve really, really felt the pinch here in Juneau.”

Travis Lewis, Hoonah

Travis Lewis

“I would like to see some more options on how we can can keep the ferries going. Every school district in Southeast Alaska depends on it. (For) most of us that grew up in Southeast, it’s a point of pride to us. It’s like our state troopers — it’s very uniquely Alaskan. There’s no place else in the world that has this system like that.”

Andrew Kitchenman

State Government Reporter, Alaska Public Media & KTOO

State government plays an outsized role in the life of Alaskans. As the state continues to go through the painful process of deciding what its priorities are, I bring Alaskans to the scene of a government in transition.

Sign up for The Signal

Top Alaska stories delivered to your inbox every week

Site notifications
Update notification options
Subscribe to notifications