Alaska House Bush Caucus
House Bush Caucus Guiding Principles and Priorities
The following are the principles and priorities that the House Bush Caucus has agreed will help guide its members during the 28th Alaska Legislature. PDF available.
Revenue and Budgeting
- Support Fiscal Planning and development of a comprehensive Fiscal Policy.
- State budgets must be sustainable, but spending restraint should not fall disproportionately on rural Alaska.
- Support investments to develop and diversify economies all across Alaska.
- The resource wealth of Alaska rests in rural Alaska; the legislature’s decisions on any adjustments to the state’s oil and gas tax system must take into account the needs of rural/coastal Alaska.
Energy
- Support regionally based approaches to provide affordable energy for all of rural Alaska.
- Continue to support programs such as PCE, the Home Weatherization and Rebate Programs, and the Renewable Energy Grant Fund.
Gas Pipeline
- A pipeline project must proceed hand in hand with development of affordable energy alternatives for rural/coastal Alaskans.
- The project must have an adequate number of in-state take-off points at locations that would allow the widest possible use of gas or gas products in rural regions.
The Health, Safety, and Wellbeing of All Alaskans
- Support effective programs to promote behavioral, physical, and mental health in rural communities.
- Support strategies to reduce and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault.
- In the event the state chooses to expand Medicaid coverage, make certain that safeguards are in place in case federal funding falls short of levels originally promised.
- Oppose a requirement for photo identification for Alaskan voters.
Resource and Economic Development
- Increase linking Alaskan communities and economies by road, rail, water, air, and broadband internet systems.
- Support resource development that protects the environment and renewable resources.
- Support efficient permitting processes that include satisfactory opportunities for local communities to provide meaningful input.
- Support federal revenue sharing with the state of Alaska on revenues derived on federal waters off the coast of Alaska.
Education
- Support adequate, sustainable funding for Alaska’s K-12 school system.
- Support stronger opportunities for distance education.
- Support strengthening the rural campuses of the University of Alaska.
- Do not support a constitutional amendment that would allow state funding for any religious or other private educational institution.
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