Val Baffone
For State House - District 28
Issues
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Energy
High energy costs are making life difficult for all Alaskans. As a resource state we deserve affordable energy for our homes, businesses and at the pump. Now is the time to work for solutions to provide energy relief to Alaskans in both the short and long term. Our resources should be developed in a responsible manner that maximizes the benefits to Alaskans, as provided for in our state constitution.
Renewable energy development holds much promise and needs to be aggressively pursued if we are to meet the energy challenges ahead. Our leaders must work together to develop energy solutions with both common sense and vision. We need to focus on projects that will produce long term savings. We must spend prudently and be sure we are not throwing money at ill-conceived projects that will not meet our needs.
I'll be new energy in Juneau working for-- Building a gas line that provides good jobs for Alaskans, a fair share for Alaska and affordable gas for our homes and communities
- Home energy conservation programs
- Exploring renewable energy options for rural and urban Alaska
- Additional hydro energy
- Advancing the for Fire Island Wind Project
- Supporting the University of Alaska's energy related research
- Partnering with the private sector on projects that will produce long term savings
Our communities and families need energy relief today and a smart plan to build our energy future. Together we can work to develop all of our state 's energy resources. This means continued responsible investments in development of oil and gas resources. It also means smart and cost effective investments in wind, hydro, geothermal and bio fuels. Corporations are working hard for their shareholders, I'll be working hard for You!
Alaska's future is bright and we need to work across party lines to secure affordable energy today and build long term energy jobs, infrastructure and solutions. -
Health care
We face many challenges and exciting opportunities to improve Alaskans access to and ability to afford quality health care. It's time to work together across party lines for practical health care solutions for Alaskan families and businesses.
Access to affordable and quality health care is more and more difficult for Alaskan families. Costs are going up for working Alaskans while benefits are going down. The legislature must step up its efforts to improve access, reduce costs and ensure quality health care.
The problem is not so much what we spend, but how we spend it. As a former member of the Health Care Cost Management Corporation of Alaska, I've worked extensively on these issues. We must turn the tide of cost shifting (those with health coverage essentially paying for those who do not) by getting more Alaskans covered and focusing more on prevention and early detection. I believe the following strategies will begin to reverse the trend of runaway costs and provide better health care:- Implement evidence based prevention.
- Increase utilization and support for community health centers.
- Improve incentives for employer provided coverage.
- Create better coverage pooling options for small businesses, non-profits and individuals.
- Promote healthier lifestyles, such as P.E. in schools, good nutritional education, etc.
- Maximize the use of federally available funds, such as expanding coverage for Denali Kid Care.
- Improve partnering with private and public sector to ensure continuing dialog for improvements.
Alaska partnered with the private sector is ready to move beyond studying our broken health care system and ready to start implementing meaningful change. Alaska can be a leader in real and fair health care reform. -
Education
All Alaskan children deserve a quality education. A superior education system will ensure that Alaska's youth will be able to meet the needs of our citizens and businesses by meeting the needs of a robust economy. We're fortunate to have great schools and hard-working and talented teachers. But they need our support and representatives working in the legislature so they have the resources they need. As taxpayers we deserve fiscal responsibility, accountability and wise investments in our children's and communities future.
I'll be new energy in Juneau working for:- Smaller class sizes
- Safe and healthy schools
- Drop out prevention programs
- Support measures to improve teacher recruitment and retention
- Forward and full funding of education
- Responsible funding for the University of Alaska
- Support programs addressing workforce readiness and technical education connecting school to employment.
- Affordable options for Alaskans to obtain a college education or access to vocational programs
Working together for Alaska's schools and children will provide them with the opportunities needed to become productive citizens who will keep our future vibrant.
