• 2001 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
• AKPIRG
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• MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER OF AK
• OILWATCH
• REPUBLICAN MODERATE PARTY OF ALASKA
• RICK RYDELL RADIO PROGRAM
• U.A.A. LADIES VOLLEYBALL

OPEN INTRODUCTION FROM NICK

Hello, my name is Nick Begich and I’m running for the Alaska State Legislature for District 17 in Eagle River. I was born in Anchorage just before statehood and grew up in south-central Alaska. I have a background in government, business, education and politics, which I believe can contribute to resolving many of the problems that our District, and state, now face. At forty-five years old I believe my experience, education and ability can be a good contribution through public service in this office. It is time for a change and I want to be a part of that change.

Growing up in Alaska and spending most of my adult life in the state has made me aware of our complex problems and solutions. I am running now because I believe that I offer my District and all Alaskans the kind of leadership we need to meet our future challenges.

In the early days, just after statehood, I remember what compassionate politics was all about. In those days there were vigorous public debates about the direction the state could take, and would take, in the future. The debate between the political parties was intense but dignified and put Alaska’s people first, in front of the political establishment. In those early days people could disagree with the intensity of prizefighters yet, at the end of the day, the combatants could still break bread together as friends and respected foes. In the last two decades we have seen this degrade into the gutter politics that now distinguishes Alaska as one of the most politically corrupt states in the country. This is not the Alaska most of us expect or deserve.

It is time to rise out of the ashes of our apathy and meet the challenges of the 21st century in Alaska. It is time to demand a government that is truly of the people, by the people and for the people as opposed to a government that only serves special interests. It is time to put special interests in back, behind the public’s interest. It is time for a change and I want to be a part of that change.

Over the years we have seen what the politics of greed and power gets us in Alaska, corruption and the biggest hijacking of public resources since the railroad barons of the 1800s. Special interest politics has created a fragmented political agenda that results in poor public policy development and wasted dollars. The joke for political insiders has been that the Alaska legislature is the best legislature that money can buy. Is this the government we want? I don’t think so.

What has emerged over the years is the invention of new words and concepts to cover up the truth. It used to be that when someone spent money on a politician to get influence, access and political outcomes it was known as a “bribe” now we have institutionalized this practice and gave it a new name – the new name is “political contribution”. What’s the difference? There is none. They both buy the same thing – access, influence and outcomes. This is the root of cold-hearted politics. Today this is highlighted by the meltdown in integrity of the mainstream political parties. I left the Democratic Party almost a decade ago looking for integrity. I was alienated from that party much in the same way as many real Republicans are alienated from the Republican leadership today. Real leaders are respected because they understand service, they understand commitment and more importantly they can still disagree but at the end of the day, real leaders legislate in the public’s interests first and worry about the long-term health and security of our people, our economy and our resources – not the next election.

There are several concerns that must be dealt with in the coming days by those elected in this year’s contests. I want to make my position clear on some of these issues today:

• I was twice elected president of the Alaska Federation of Teachers and the Anchorage Council of Education. I also worked for the Anchorage School District as an administrator for eight years. I understand educational issues better than most because of this experience. Education represents the largest discretionary portion of the state budget and is one of the most important areas of government. I believe that our system of education can be greatly enhanced by innovative thinking and improved delivery systems in part by applying technology to the problems. I believe that competition in public education through charter schools, private organizations and Internet delivery systems could actually improve quality and reduce costs. We need innovative leadership and a focus on students, parents and teachers in this critical area if we are to compete in a global economy and I believe I can offer that level of leadership and concrete solutions.

• I believe that the state needs to reassess the quality if our relationship with the oil industry. It is clear that decades of tax dodging and huge tax settlements in favor of the industry at our expense has created much of the fiscal crisis we now face. Significant tax incentives and deals that result in zero income to the state through royalty–free so called “partnerships” with the same big companies that are behind too many of Alaska’s politicians, a practice that should not continue. It has become a revolving door for past leaders who give the oil industry deals that cost Alaskans BILLION of dollars while these so called leaders trade this state’s future for a few pieces of personal silver. The oil belongs to all Alaskans and is leased to these outside companies on our behalf – the partnership is no longer fair and needs to be reviewed in light of the examples set by other producers of similar size in the world. We have the safest political environment in the world to do business in – the USA – yet we get significantly less than other similarly situated international producers like Venezuela, Indonesia, and over half of the major oil producing regions of the world. Why is this? It is because of bad public policy in Alaska. The leases of these resources were on terms favorable at much lower oil prices and the numbers worked well for the industry. Now we give huge incentives that are best described as “giveaway corporate welfare payments” at all of our expense. We can be fair and encourage ongoing responsible development but recognize that the share of the resources left to Alaskans has to better reflect a just balance that benefits all parties, not just oil producers and politicians at the expense of the citizens of Alaska. The industry has received plenty of risk reduction through state giveaway’s and sacrifices with an expectation of long-term benefit, and now that time has come. We shared the risk and now need equity between the industry and the people of Alaska if there is to be a real partnership.

• I believe that the state is missing great opportunities to develop a strong diversified economic base that requires coordinated local planning efforts that bring out the best possibilities for our district and throughout Alaska. Anchorage and Eagle River are situated to take advantage of what can happen throughout the state. We are the community in which most goods and service businesses are located. We have an impact on all regions and should not just rely on a few concentrated extractive industries that deplete our resources and then leave the state. Though such activities can contribute in the short-term to our transition into a diversified, innovative and durable economy it must be under more favorable terms to Alaskans. We have the opportunity to build our economy on the success of not just what happens in our district but on what happens throughout Alaska. We need to be part of the solution, a solution that includes and benefits all of us rather than dividing rural and urban Alaskans. I hope to be a part of that solution.

• I do not favor a state sales tax or personal income tax. I favor tobacco and alcohol taxation at a level equal to the real costs associated with these substances. The real measurable costs of these substances should be reflected in their price through fair use taxes. Why should others subsidize these personal choices?

• I support gun ownership and the rights of gun owners. I am an advocate for privacy rights and am a published author in the area of privacy and related evolving technologies.

• I believe that commercial, sports and subsistence seafood allocation issues can be resolved. We can and should increase the percentage of the state resources allocated for sports and subsistence use. Reducing the number of commercial permits through buyback programs funded by the industry and others so permits could be reduced, fish prices could be raised, and subsistence and sports users could receive a larger portion of the allocation. At present only about 3% is allocated to subsistence and sports users while 97% goes to commercial interests, most of who are not even from Alaska any longer. By reducing the number of permits we can increase the value of the commercial harvest so that it can again be profitable, while at the same time returning food to the average Alaskan’s table in a way that benefits the people who live and work here and not mainly outside interests. An investment now would reduce the future impact of fluctuating unstable regional fishing economies and the Anchorage suppliers who share the risks with these enterprises. We need a strong value-added locally owned industry that fairly addresses the resource allocation.

These are not all the issues but some of those that most of us are concerned with throughout District 17 and Alaska. I will continue to create clarity through my campaign in where I stand on all of the issues facing us this year and into our shared future.

To this end today I am announcing my candidacy for the Alaska State House District 17. I also want to announce today the formation of my advisory committee that represents every major political faction of the state of Alaska including my party the Alaska Independence Party, Republicans, Democrats, Republican Moderates, Libertarians and even Greens. This team of advisors will help guide my campaign and advise me on the issues so that I can effectively represent the real interests in this election – the interests of working real Alaskans. I am running because I believe it is time to put integrity, ethics and the people of this state in the center of public policy instead of on the sidelines. It’s time for a change. I’m Nick Begich. I am asking that you to give me the opportunity and privilege of serving you in the Alaska State Legislature.

Nick's resume can be downloaded or viewed here: