Sara Hannan

Budget

What are your priorities for the state budget?

I will fight to get a long-term fiscal plan in place. I will work to see that we don’t spend down our savings and continue to cut services for the public. My priorities are: balanced state budget, affordable accessible health care, renewable energy, and public education.

I will fight for education. Our future lies in a quality education for our children. I will work to bring down health care costs in Alaska so senior citizens can afford to stay in Alaska. I will build an economy that keeps Alaskans in sustainable jobs. I will make sure Juneau remains the capital. I will defend our natural resources.

PFD

Do you agree with using a portion of Alaskans' PFDs to fund state government? If not, what government services would you propose cutting or taxes would you propose raising to pay for it?

I believe we will continue to need to use a POMV (percent of market value) as a part of our long-term fiscal plan.

Funding health care

Do you support the state paying health care providers less? If not, how would you limit state spending on health care?

I will be a strong advocate for health care reforms that address economic and geographic access to health care. I want reforms to allow communities to support healthy outcomes, not simply treatment of symptoms. I believe we can limit health care costs by paying more attention to preventative and community-based services.

Criminal justice

Where do you stand on the criminal justice reforms enacted by SB 91 and what changes (if any) would you like to see?

I support public safety for all Alaskans and funding for our public safety personnel. I would like to see increased funding at the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention. I would like to see the state address the drug epidemic and substance abuse issues via community-based programs.

I will support expanding the Village Public Safety Officers and Village Police Programs. We also need an increasing staffing at the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Law, Office of Public Advocacy. I support the diversion and pretrial monitoring programs that began in 2018.

Ferries

Would you commit to continue funding the fast ferries as other vessels join the fleet?

I absolutely support the Alaska Marine Highway System, which is our region’s transportation system. I support the fast ferries, but the AMHS says that it is not a funding issue that is taking them out of service, but ongoing maintenance issues.

Fiscal gap

We know that the state has a significant fiscal gap, particularly if you consider the Permanent Fund Dividend. What are your plans for closing the fiscal gap for the state of Alaska?

Essential state services

What do you consider the essential services the state should be responsible for, and is there anything the state is doing now that you think it should not be doing?

Cuts

Is there anything the state is doing now that you think it should not be doing? Is there anything you would cut?