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"Investing in our children is the best investment we can make in our state!"
As a father with two children in the public school system, I can say unequivocally that investing in education is the most important investment we can make in our state.
As a State Representative, I have fought for increased funding for education. Every new dollar into the classroom means smaller class size and individualized attention to student’s academic needs. As the Chairman of the Department of Education and Early Development Budget Subcommittee for six years, I was instrumental in securing critical funds for early learning programs. We need to encourage an early start for our young minds and these programs have shown to give our kids a huge step up.
In a competitive global economy, our children need the skills and knowledge to succeed. Our students deserve high quality teachers and a first class education system. I support traditional programs of study, as well as encouraging our students to explore vocational technical opportunities. I also recognize that parents should have a choice in the education that their children receive. I support school choice and I have seen the benefits that charter schools, correspondence programs, and home-schooling have made in preparing our children for a bright future.
"A strong workforce and a strong economy-the building blocks to a strong state."
With the largest construction project in state history on the horizon, we must ensure that Alaska has a trained and available workforce. But we also must not forget about the jobs that are available today!
As a State Representative, I have been a lead advocate for vocational technical training programs, as well as programs that promote on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities. Building a collaborative system between K-12 education, post-secondary education, business, industry, and unions will be beneficial to all and will ensure that Alaskans fill jobs that are available and that quality jobs are available to Alaskans.
As a state leader, I have worked with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Alaska Works Partnerships, Associated General Contractors, the Association of Builders and Contractors, and other leading industry groups to ensure that training opportunities are available throughout the state. Successful programs such as the Alaska Youth First Initiative and the Alaska Construction Academies are great examples of our success in building a workforce development program. State and private funds have gone into this effort, and I look forward to continuing the initiative of putting Alaskans to work.
"Giving our public safety officers the tools that they need to keep our communities, neighborhoods, and families safe."
There are positive and negative aspects to living in a growing city. One of the negatives is crime.
As your State Representative, the most important work that I have accomplished is in the area of providing our public safety officers the tools that they need to keep our neighborhoods and families safe.
I have sponsored and co-sponsored numerous pieces of legislation aimed at deterring underage access to alcohol, keeping drunk drivers off of our streets, increasing criminal penalties for offenders convicted of the most serious crimes such as rape and murder, protecting our children from online predators, and holding adults responsible for contributing to the delinquency of minors. I also won passage of legislation that removes the statute of limitation on the most serious sexual assault crimes.
The efforts to keep our community safe do not stop at passing tougher laws. As the Co-Chairman of the House Finance Committee, I have secured critical funds for the Anchorage Police Department and the Anchorage Fire Department; putting the resources into place to train our officers and ensure that they are ready to protect and serve the citizens of Anchorage.
Please visit these links to learn more about Kevin’s accomplishments:
HB 12 Harassment by Electronic Communication
http://www.akrepublicans.org/meyer/23/spst/meye_hb012.php
HB 19 Limited Drivers License/Ignition Interlock
http://housemajority.org/spon.php?id=25hb19-481
HB 116 Liability for Alcohol Violations
http://www.akrepublicans.org/meyer/24/spst/meye_hb116.php
HB 118 Prohibit Allowing Minors to Have Alcohol
http://housemajority.org/spon.php?id=25hb118-63
HB 210 Statute of Limitations: Sexual Assault
http://www.akrepublicans.org/pastlegs/22ndleg/spst/spsthb210.shtml
HB 214 Civil Action Against Minors in Bar
http://www.akrepublicans.org/pastlegs/22ndleg/spst/spsthb214.shtml
HB 281 Civil Liability for Providing Alcohol
http://www.akrepublicans.org/pastlegs/22ndleg/spst/spsthb281.shtml
HB 326 Use of Lewd Material as Harassment
http://www.akrepublicans.org/meyer/24/spst/meye_hb326.php
HB 334 Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor
http://www.akrepublicans.org/meyer/23/spst/meye_hb334.php
HB 428 Civil Penalty: Underage Access to Alcohol
http://www.akrepublicans.org/meyer/23/spst/meye_hb428.php
"The development of our resources must be done in a responsible manner that maximizes the benefits to the people of Alaska."
Since statehood, Alaska has relied on the development of our resources to provide for the people of our state. It is no wonder that resource development is also the lead private sector employer in our great state.
We are blessed with an abundance of oil, natural gas, timber, fish, and minerals. In the twenty-first century, we are also blessed with the ability to develop these resources in a responsible manner.
Ensuring that resource development projects meet federal and state permitting standards is of paramount interest to all Alaskans.
"By improving public health we are, in turn, improving our quality of life."
Public health and access to quality healthcare are important concerns for Alaskans.
The impending doctor shortage in Alaska led me to introduce and win passage of legislation that expands Alaska’s medical school program-WWAMI. The WWAMI program offers Alaskan students with the opportunity to attend medical school and return to practice in Alaska. I have also supported funding for community health centers, which play an important role in providing affordable access to healthcare for so many Alaskans.
Working with my colleagues, I was able to win passage of legislation that requires public notice and description of chemicals used when applying pesticides in commercial quantities. I also worked to ensure that children with prescribed medications have access to these medications under the supervision of a school nurse.
Working with the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health and Social Services, we were able to put into place procedures that will allow Alaska to respond to and protect Alaskans from animal diseases that may spread to or harm humans.
Please visit these links to learn more about Kevin’s accomplishments:
HB 18 Postsecondary Medical and Other Education Programs
http://housemajority.org/spon.php?id=25hb18-4
HB 19 Pesticides and Broadcast Chemicals
http://www.akrepublicans.org/meyer/24/spst/meye_hb019.php
HB 81 Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspections
http://www.akrepublicans.org/meyer/23/spst/meye_hb081.php
HB 85 Prescribed Medications for Students
http://www.akrepublicans.org/meyer/24/spst/meye_hb085.php
HB 380 Animals and Animal or Agricultural Products
http://www.akrepublicans.org/meyer/24/spst/meye_hb380.php
"Sharing state wealth with communities reduces the burdens on local taxpayers."
When State coffers are flush with the wealth we receive from our natural resources, the State should share this with our communities that may be feeling the pinch from high energy costs and high property taxes.
Under my leadership in the House, the Legislature was able to approve a community revenue sharing program that is fair and that communities can rely on from year to year. Local governments will be able to uses these funds for reducing property taxes, addressing serious road and infrastructure issues, and assisting with energy costs.
I have taken the lead on extending the school bond debt reimbursement program which has allowed the Anchorage School District to start and finish major construction projects on some of our oldest schools. Under this program, the State assumes 60-70% of the cost of the construction. This is a better alternative than placing the full costs of these important projects on taxpayers.
"State government exists to provide essential services to our citizens-we must continue to be diligent in reviewing state operations, finding efficiencies, and keeping government growth down."
As a working Alaskan, I know how important it is to save for the future and maintain a tight budget.
I am proud to be part of the leadership that saved over $5 billion. While we are experiencing a time of great wealth, history indicates that it will not always be like this. We must continue to save our surplus revenues and make wise investments.
I had the privilege of serving as Chairman of three budget subcommittees. This has given me the experience of scrutinizing how the State is spending funds. We do have large formulary programs that drive growth, but we still must continue to measure our programs with desired outcomes and look for efficiencies where we can.
"Keeping our kids involved in activities will provide them with a lifetime of memories and healthy social skills."
Programs such as Campfire, Boys and Girls Clubs, and youth athletics provide our children with amazing opportunities and experiences. I am a proud supporter of keeping our kids healthy and engaged in activities that will broaden their horizons.
With community leaders, coaches, parents, and kids, I championed funding for parks, recreational programs, after school programs, and cultural educational programs. The Abbott Loop Community Park is a great example of collaborative work that will make a great difference in the lives of our children.
At a time when the municipality was looking to close down our swimming pools, I stepped forward and worked with swim clubs, parents, community councils, athletes and others to advocate for our pools and to secure the necessary matching funds to keep our pools open.
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