Source: http://web.archive.org/web/20060617231644/palinforgovernor.com/issues.html
I look forward to building a team that will serve all Alaskans with integrity. I believe in fairness and inclusion, and will call on the public to work together for Alaska's common good. I refuse to use divisive tactics that polarize individuals for political gain. As Mayor of Wasilla, the fastest growing area of Alaska, then as Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, I approached issues in a non-partisan way. I believe in hiring and appointing the best people to serve with me. I will bring this same approach to the state as Governor of Alaska. My commitment to my homestate is to never allow special interests to take advantage of Alaskans. I will always put Alaska first!
"Local government is the best government, so I'll work to restore municipal revenue shares... trickle down the State's wealth to relieve local property tax burdens as we acknowledge the plank in our platform that preaches truth: the most effective, responsible, and responsive government is government closest to the people... so tie strings to the revenue if you must, allow it only to be used for basic public safety or education needs if you must, but trickle it down!We afforded the program when oil was $9 bucks a barrel, yet can't afford it at $60 bucks? C'mon! The nature of the beast of state government is top-heavy growth, so share state wealth with local government, relieve property tax burdens and chip away at state government growth!"
- Sarah Palin at GOP Convention, Fairbanks
(April 2006)
Efficiency in Government
Wasilla has a Strong Mayor form of government, so as CEO of the city Sarah was able to encourage investment, business expansion, teamwork and efficiency in government. This led Wasilla to become the heart of the fastest growing community in Alaska. Sarah believes it's time to apply this common sense approach to every region in the state. Private sector growth flourishes when government makes it easier for Alaskans to do business. Sarah knows government has its place. Education, public safety, infrastructure and good transportation corridors are critical components of any successful community. Sarah is strong in her belief that they all are funded adequately, and all public services are provided efficiently and effectively.
Permanent Fund
In light of recent oil prices, Sarah recognizes state government has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Sarah strongly opposes tapping the Permanent Fund without a vote of the people and will stand up to those who see the fund as a temporary account that would pay for government's spending sprees. She believes our children and grandchildren should share the benefits of the Permanent Fund, not just this generation.
Small Business
As Mayor, Sarah's team reduced property taxes, eliminated personal property taxes, repealed the business inventory tax and business license renewal fees. Sarah recognizes that Alaska's small business owners are the backbone of our regional economies. Entrepreneurs absorb a great amount of risk, they employ Alaskans and vitalize local tax bases. It's Sarah's goal to make it as easy as possible for Alaska's small businesses to grow. Collectively, small businesses are key economic engines that drive Alaska.
Education
Sarah is proud of her family's commitment to education. Sarah is a product of the Alaska education system and her parents have spent more than 40 years working in Alaska's schools. She understands how critical a role education plays in the future development of our state and knows first-hand the commitment required of teachers. Sarah believes every child deserves a good education, be that through parents' choices of traditional public, charter, correspondence, cyber or home schools. Sarah will make sure this includes outstanding vocational/technical training so our students who choose this path are prepared to work in Alaska's industries. Sarah knows that parental involvement is absolutely essential!
Fiscal Plan
Sarah will resist the push to implement a fiscal plan with higher taxes on Alaskans or tapping our Permanent Fund. She supports parallel paths of aggressive spending reductions and equally aggressive economic development. She will pinpoint services deemed absolutely essential to government and do away with frivolous spending. Oil taxes pay the bulk of state revenues and if we maintain a competitive environment in our oil fields and move forward on a gasline, we can ensure sufficient revenues to operate state government without new taxes on Alaskans. Sarah believes efficiency in government should be employed at all times, not just times of budget shortfalls. Sarah knows reining in government and creating a stable environment will encourage long-term commitments from investors. Much of our surplus revenue should be taken off the table, saved and invested, before it is spent by politicians unmindful of the need for sustainability.
Gasline
Sarah prefers an All-Alaska project. She supports our Constitution's provisions mandating resource development for the benefit of all Alaskans. Using our gas in-state, hiring our local workforce for construction and operation of the gasline, and capitalizing on spin-off industries from our gas are Sarah's priorities. Sarah will stand up to the oil industry when their interests conflict with the best interests of Alaska.
Fishing is a vital apart of Alaska's overall economy, and for many communities it is our lifeblood. Fishing has always been an important part of my family; we commercial fish in Bristol Bay and we enjoy the great Alaskan pastime of fishing for personal use.
As I travel around the state I am reminded that state government must do a much better job in listening to those on the front lines of our precious fisheries. Our state is at a crossroads with fishing issues and the path we take could determine the viability of our coastal communities.
As governor, I will fight for the fishermen
who live and fish in Alaska.
I do not support processor shares for fisheries when they remove choices and opportunity from the hands of those who harvest our valuable resource. Concerns expressed over proposed fisheries management changes solidify my commitment to listen to our fishermen and community members before continuing down any path that doesn't lead to a brighter future for those who fish. Concerns so passionately expressed by affected Alaskans are valid and will be addressed.
I understand the arguments for a safer fishery with higher quality fish, but I can't support proposals to give quota shares to entities that systematically change fisheries whereby shares could be bought out from underneath a community and collapse their economic base. My administration's role in providing guidance and leadership in the proposed rationalization of Alaska's fisheries will be critical for our fishermen and fishing communities.
When our fisheries were hit hard by competition from farmed fish we knew not to simply take for granted the supremacy of wild Alaskan fish in the market any more. Through aggressive marketing campaigns (successful ideas initiated by fishermen!), we've made a strong rebound. I am committed to continuing and expanding efforts to market our fantastic wild fish.
Subsistence
Sarah is a strong supporter of personal use of our fish and game resources. She is "Pro-Subsistence for All Alaskans" and has hunted and fished all her life. Sarah respects the equality clause in the state Constitution. In due deference to our founders who wrote our Constitution to ensure Alaskans shall all be treated equally, Sarah believes in retaining that language. Alaskans agree that those who need resources most, in times of shortage, should be given first opportunity to harvest. She is committed to dealing with predator control issues and management based on sound science so Alaska won't face shortages. As commercial fishermen, Sarah's family understands the importance of commerical harvests in Alaska, and also knows that personal consumption of fish and game resources is an inseparable part of Alaskan culture and lifestyle.
Health Care
High costs are hurting Alaskans. Nationwide we see soaring costs adversely affecting our families and businesses. In Alaska, our Medicaid budget has quadrupled in the past 10 years. It's a vicious cycle caused by fewer people being able to pay for services, which forces more government subsidies, resulting in even higher costs. Too often the driver of rising costs is a lack of competition. Sarah supports consideration of legislative and regulatory changes allowing competition that's good for the consumer. She also supports the right of patients to have access to their medical billing information.
Workforce Development
Sarah believes Alaska residents deserve the good jobs emerging in construction, transportation, mining, education, health care, commercial fishing and tourism. Job training is critical in meeting this goal and fair access to limited public resources is a priority. Sarah will work in collaboration with the Alaska Workforce Investment Board, employers, union and non-union apprentice programs, industry consortia and training professionals to ensure we meet the rapidly growing need for trained workers in today's labor market. Sarah will increase and leverage job training dollars through efficiencies in government, private sector partnerships, and responsible investments in job training that result in good jobs for Alaskans.
Pro-ANWR, Pro-Environment
Alaskans prove everyday that we can responsibly develop our resources in an environmentally sound way to fund our future and help protect our country. Sarah will stand up against Outside interests protesting development and will prove Alaska's commitment to environmental excellence. Sarah knows we must be ever vigilant in utilizing outstanding development practices as we make use of our resources.
Gun Rights
Sarah is a life-time member of the NRA and is an avid hunter and shooter. She supports our Consitutional right to bear arms and is a proponent of gun safety programs for Alaska's youth.
Pro-Family, Pro-Veterans, Pro-Seniors, Pro-Life
Sarah respects all Alaskans, at every age. She honors those who have fought for our freedoms. Sarah knows our veterans and State elders have given us the opportunties we're so blessed to enjoy today. She believes in showing that respect by making sure we return to our veterans and seniors the necessities they deserve for all they provided as they built up this Great Land. Sarah respects the sanctity of life, and she appreciates the rights and responsibilities that parents have to raise their children.
“Government's role is to protect the resource for all users and to provide the best people, tools and resources to Alaska's Department of Fish and Game to properly manage the resource. Achieving a fair balance between commercial and personal use fisheries is a fundamental task of the Boards of Fish and Game. I'll put Alaska's interests first.”
- Sarah Palin, Commercial and Sport Fisherman
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