Senate District S Candidate Questionnaire Responses
Below are candidate responses to the non-partisan, candidate questionnaire sent by United Tribes of Bristol Bay, Bristol Bay Native Association, and Bristol Bay Native Corporation.
To give voters a clear picture of where candidates stand on important issues, we asked all candidates to answer questions based on issues that affect the long-term sustainability and well-being of our communities.
This questionnaire is a nonpartisan voter education effort. The participating organizations do not endorse, oppose, rate, rank, or recommend any candidate. All candidates for Alaska House District 37 and Senate District S were provided with the same questions, the same deadline, and the same opportunity to respond. Responses are published as received, without revision except for formatting purposes related to publication.
Participating Candidates: Bryce Edgmon, Wassilie P. Guy, Wayne A. Morgan, Richard Robb
Candidates that did not reply to questionnaire: Darren Morgan Deacon
Question 1: Please describe what has motivated you to run for and serve in public office. What is your vision for the long-term sustainability of the rural communities in the district you seek to represent?
(In the Bristol Bay Regional Vision, sustainability is defined as: the ability of our future grandchildren to live in healthy communities with respect and balance on our ancestral lands and waters, as our people have since time immemorial.)
Bryce Edgmon: It's no secret that Rural legislators are vastly outnumbered in the Alaska legislature. I will continue to make sure rural Alaska is not "just at the table" but at the "front of the table." As a long-term legislator, I will do this by utilizing my seniority and knowledge built around years of developing trust and mutual relationships with legislators and others in state government.
Wassilie P. Guy: I am an Alaska Native born in a rural village along the Kuskokwim river and as you defined the regional vision sustainability, I have been raised to have respect of our ancestral lands and waters which provide our subsistence since time immemorial. The unregulated subsistence before statehood was in fact our grandparents enjoyed and now since statehood we are being much more regulated and hunt with permits. It will be important to have a voice in State legislative seat to advocate and serve as a steward of Trust Responsibility.
Wayne A. Morgan: My motivation is that I have always been a public servant throughout my career and I believe I can better serve the public throughout rural Alaska as a State Senator. My vision like other sovereign nations, has always been "never forget our past, always plan for our future generations"
Richard Robb: I believe Southwest Alaska needs effective representation in Juneau. I am running as an Independent. I will not be committed to a political party, special interest, or the "Juneau elite". I am here to listen to the concerns of and represent the people of District S. I will always put the people before politics. I have lived in Bethel for 38 years. I have made my home here and raised a family. I love the life in Rural Alaska, including fishing, hunting, and trapping. I have a career helping people in Behavioral Health. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and bring over 30 years of experience developing and implementing programs that help people in need. I have worked for Bethel Community Services, Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, and now the Bethel Family Clinic. This work reflects my ongoing commitment to helping others. I have a passion for l public servant, and was on the Bethel City Council for 9 years, 4 as Mayor. I believe I can bring new ideas and energy to Juneau. District S in a huge geographic area with many communities and cultures. It stretches from the upper Kuskokwim to the end of the Aleutian Islands. I don't pretend to know everything about our vast area. I want to hear from you all. Each of us knows our own community best and can provide insight into what we need. We have great challenges as well as great opportunities. My vision is to work with the Tribes and communities in our great district to protect traditional way of life, protect subsistence, enhance our fisheries, improve education, promote responsible resource development, improve public safety, and pass on our legacy to future generations.
Question 2: In our rural communities, basic groceries can cost up to double the national average. What policies will you support to address the high cost of living in rural Alaska?
Bryce Edgmon: I will continue to prioritize important programs in the operating and capital budgets that help alleviate the burden for rural Alaska residents who pay the highest food costs in the country. There are many programs, like SNAP, Senior Benefits, contributions to Food Banks, among many others that are a vital part of the social safety net. I will work with the federal delegation to ensure that Bypass Mail stays intact well into the future.
Wassilie P. Guy: In our Kuskokwim and Yukon delta Villages I have seen more of regulations to subsistence fishing in summer I have made a resolution to support our people with SNAP which has since double the amount of Food Stamps. As long as I am in the ANCSA Village Board I do not hesitate to act on our behalf. If I am seated to Senate I will be active and continue to steward the Trust Responsibility of our Congress toward America Indians and Alaska Natives.
Wayne A. Morgan: The high cost of fuel is affecting all our basic needs in the community. We know our price of fuel goes up because of a world conflict and it never goes back down after a conflict is over, why is that?. I would request a study or audit of our boards and commissions in charge of regulation of price of energy in rural Alaska.
Richard Robb: This is a difficult problem with no easy solution. Many of us struggle with the high cost of living. Wars, fuel prices, and tariffs compound the problem. The state should be a leader in advocating against tariffs and unnecessary wars. This year the governor proposed a state sales tax. I strongly oppose a state sales tax as this will disproportionately hurt us in rural communities. If elected I will always oppose a state sales tax. This will hurt us, not help us. The PFD helps us. For a decade, we have not been getting the statutory PFD. The current legislature has been "throwing us a bone" instead of following their own law. I understand the statutory formula was written before the State government used PFD earnings to fund operations and the formula needs to be adjusted. We deserve a PFD based on the earnings of the fund that will grow over time, based on law; not a PFD based upon legislative handout.
Question 3: The current cost of fuel is unsustainable for the people and communities in the region. In the short term, what role do you think the state should play in addressing the erratic prices of fuel in rural Alaska? In the long term, what is the role of renewable energy (wind, hydro, solar, etc.) in lowering rural Alaska's dependence on imported fuels?
Bryce Edgmon: Unfortunately, the state plays little to no role in fuel supplies or pricing. There has been talk about building another refinery or two, but they are incredibly expensive to construct and operate. This past session, we doubled the amount of Bulk Fuel Loan program, capitalized the AK Home Heating Assistance Program, fully funded PCE, and made $29 million available for K-12 schools to cover energy costs. I recognize that this is a drop in the bucket if the high fuel prices continue but I will continue exploring every possible way to help people pay their bills.
Wassilie P. Guy: With our depleting oil and gas development in Alaska I have seen our revenue sharing declining as well with higher fuel cost. With wars going on in the middle east it has effected the fuel prices to soar at the rate unsustainable. In a long term the renewable energy development needs to be the priority for all rural villages in Alaska.
Wayne A. Morgan: If elected, I would want an updated independent study on the rising cost of fuel in rural Alaska to see if a potentially monopoly on gas prices. On renewable energy, I would champion that where we are not so relying solely on diesel generation. We can have various projects throughout rural Alaska.
Richard Robb: This year we are facing unprecedented rise in fuel costs due to world events beyond our control. Families and communities are facing extreme hardship to heat our homes and fuel our vehicles. This can negatively impact on our way of life and even survival. As we depend on barge fuel delivery, we get locked into prices all winter until the next barge season. The current legislature did not provide a full PFD that would have helped us. As a short term, emergency solution, I will propose a supplemental appropriation of $1000 for each household for heating fuel in communities that are trapped into a high price of fuel. Long-term solutions include promoting renewable energy that will work in our areas. This can include wind, hydro and solar. The State needs to be supporting and promoting these solutions. As of this writing, the legislature and the governor were not able to pass a bill to provide tax incentives for the Gas Pipeline. Legislation was not worked on until the end of the legislative session. This project can supply LNG for Railbelt Alaska. Our representatives need to insure we in Rural Alaska are included in potential benefits of this project.
Question 4: Alaska has significantly higher rates of substance use disorders than the national average, affecting more than one in five (over 21%) residents. Bristol Bay's suicide rate is also about double the national average. If elected, how would you work to address these behavioral health challenges impacting our communities?
Bryce Edgmon: I will continue to stress the importance of funding state programs that support behavioral health efforts. Mental health challenges are on the rise and I'm grateful for the progress being made as we learn more about it, however, the legislature needs to do more to combat it.
Wassilie P. Guy: Job employment should be the priority to help communities suffering from substance use.
Wayne A. Morgan: Support the recruitment efforts and funding for our rural VPSO's and ALASKA STATE TROOPERS. Will also ensure that our Federal agencies are working with our State Local law enforcement to Stop the Drug / Human trafficking that is destroying our Families. Our Indian Health service have the resources needed to help combat these drug addictions and work to help prevent suicides.
Richard Robb: I have worked in Behavioral Health over 30 years. I have worked extensively in prevention and treatment of substance use disorders as well as suicide prevention. I will support funding for behavioral health services, and look to leverage state funding with other sources (federal grants, foundations, etc.). Behavioral health care has extensive administrative burden that can limit access to care. I will work to reduce administrative burden to implementing behavioral health services and work to reduce "red tape". People need prompt and friendly access to services. When people are in crisis, they are often transported to out of area hospitals. Instead we need crisis care in our local communities. We need regulations that will support community driven crisis care. Our behavioral health system needs to better incorporate prevention of substance use disorders and suicide. I believe Prevention is best when we embrace and promote traditional values and lifestyles. Traditional modalities need to be considered effective care and should be reimbursed by Medicaid and other payers. I will support legislation to reduced administrative burden, improve efficiencies, and incorporate traditional practices. About 25% of Alaskans depend on Medicaid for health insurance. Medicaid is under attack at the federal level, and by some at the state level. I will always fight to provide Medicaid to those who need it. Being insured helps people access behavioral health care and other health care.
Question 5: How will you support rural schools facing declining enrollment, teacher retention, and funding challenges?
Bryce Edgmon: I am a strong advocate for our public schools. The best thing the legislature can do is provide the funding necessary to keep pace with increases in inflation and fixed costs. We also need to stay out of the way of local school boards who know their schools the best. I am a strong supporter of returning to a defined benefit program to provide educators with a stable and predictable pension plan.
Wassilie P. Guy: Education is a priority and the support in our village. School teachers and parents need to help one another with students in need of help and support. To benefit schools with funding is our priority.
Wayne A. Morgan: I do and support forward funding of Alaska School Districts so we can keep schools open and keep / retain quality teachers. I will support maintenance funding to repair existing schools to keep them open and the construction of new schools in our rural area.
Richard Robb: We need to have stability and predictability in our school funding. A primary responsibility of the state is to fund our REAAs. This funding should be stable and predictable, not a whim of the legislature. I will support forward funding of our school districts. I support the idea of an Educational Endowment fund to help assure stability into the future. We also need long range plans for school maintenance and construction. We need to support our teachers and other public employees. I support providing a defined benefit for teacher and public employee retirement as long as we can adequately fund it and avoid the mistakes of the past. Our salaries and benefits need to be competitive. We can also provide incentives for our young people to consider education as a career goal. It would be better to grow our own future educators instead of relying on bringing in teachers from outside.
Question 6: How will you support meaningful government-to-government consultation with Tribes, Tribal compacting, Tribal self-governance, and state–Tribal partnerships in areas such as child welfare, public safety, transportation, fisheries, education, and community infrastructure?
Bryce Edgmon: I believe tribes are critical not only from a governance standpoint but also as a provider of services. As Speaker of the House in 2019, I created the first ever House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs. It has helped in terms of legitimizing tribes in the eyes of urban legislators as a form of local government even though they are not officially recognized in the Alaska constitution. It is my strong hope that a constitutional amendment can be adopted in the foreseeable future.
Wassilie P. Guy: Knowing the Trust Responsibility of our Congress to American Indians and Alaska Natives with Consultation and Tribal self-goverance and the State/Tribal partnerships, I will definitely be a support of Tribal Priority Allocations to benefit tribes with the listed above.
Wayne A. Morgan: I would sponsor a bill in having the State of Alaska Legislator recognize Tribal Sovereignty and powers that come with that sovereignty. Regional Tribal Governments might be the answer.
Richard Robb: I will always consider Tribes as independent governments and support government to government consultation and decision making. The state, feds, cities, and other entities should always consult with and work with tribes as equal partners. The people who live and work in our communities and villages know best what the communities need and what will be more effective in that community. This is especially true in addressing gaps in services that state government has been unable to fill. Tribal and state partnerships is what will work best in addressing our issues and improving the quality of life.
Question 7: Many Bristol Bay communities face serious housing and infrastructure challenges that affect workforce recruitment and retention, public safety, education, healthcare, transportation, and overall community stability. If elected, what state policies, funding priorities, or partnerships would you support to improve rural housing capacity and strengthen essential infrastructure in the region?
Bryce Edgmon: While the issue is vexing and clearly multi-dimensional in terms of its scope, it can be viewed as largely a capital budget issue in the legislature. Among other needs, the legislature needs to continue prioritizing funding for AHFC programs. As the capital budget co-chair for the House in 2024, I was instrumental in including money for the actual construction of new homes, which Governor Dunleavy unfortunately vetoed. Should there be a major bonding package that emerges next year or beyond, funding for new housing units needs to be in the mix.
Wassilie P. Guy: I will be in support of all listed above provided with benefits for you.
Wayne A. Morgan: Forward fund School funding, Fund Medicare and Medicaid, Increase funding for law enforcement.
Richard Robb: As we all know, there is a great housing shortage in Rural Alaska. This impacts our lives and affects workforce recruitment and community stability. No one can solve this problem alone. The State needs to work with the Feds, Indian Health Service, Tribal Governments, Native Corporations and others to leverage resources for rural infrastructure. This includes building more houses and providing adequate water and sewer services. We need to support policies and agencies that will explore innovative building solutions appropriate for Rural Alaska. A barrier to recruitment is there may be nowhere for a new employee to live. I will champion a state policy that will require state agencies expanding rural workforce to provide housing solutions that do not burden existing community shortages. As your State Senator, I will fight every day to leverage every available resource, build meaningful partnerships so we can deliver the housing and infrastructure our communities deserve.
Question 8: Alaska's infrastructure is facing immediate threats from thawing permafrost and coastal erosion, while the state simultaneously relies on fossil fuels for revenue and its own energy needs. How do you plan to balance mitigating these urgent climate impacts while supporting the state's economic and energy security?
Bryce Edgmon: Alaska is a resource development state with the long-held mentality of overlooking climate change. There is no denying that we are in an era of more extreme weather events that can bring wildfires, flooding, landslides and storms like the Halong typhoon. While I support fully funding the Disaster Relief Account, I've also got my fingers crossed that our next governor will be someone who will give climate change the legitimacy it deserves.
Wassilie P. Guy: I will continue to support fundings for these urgent climate impacts.
Wayne A. Morgan: Climate change is affecting all of Alaska, especially our coastal communities, we need to expand our State resources to be ready for emergency response to storms, and utility power outages.
Richard Robb: Climate change is a real issue and we are seeing its impacts. From coastal erosion to increased intensity of storms it is affecting our communities. Last October we witnessed the devastation of Typhoon Halong on coastal communities, wiping out Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. The state needs to work with coastal villages to have prevention and response plans for future storms. Each village knows best what it needs, and the state needs to listen and prepare prevention and response plans. We can and need to enhance and promote green energy that will work in our local communities. The state can work with communities, Tribes, and utility companies to promote green. This may eventually reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and lower energy costs. At the same time, we need and depend on responsible resource development, including oil and gas extraction. Oil revenue fuels our state government and a large portion of the economy. We need in state refineries to produce gasoline and oil for our communities to use to reduce dependence on outside sources. The gas pipeline may provide additional energy sources for us.
Question 9: What is your position on long-term protections for the Bristol Bay watershed, including protections related to large-scale mining proposals such as Pebble? Please explain how you would balance salmon, subsistence, Tribal concerns, and economic development opportunities?
Bryce Edgmon: I'm a fish first legislator. It's a core belief of mine that subsistence needs should aways come first. Development activity should not be allowed to happen if it harms the natural environment. Plain and simple. I'm firmly on the record as a strong opponent of the Pebble Mine.
Wassilie P. Guy: I have heard about a proposed large-scale Pebble Mine Development and natives in opposition due to its subsistence salmon fishing. I will be your support if you elect me. Our National Federal/State land have NEPA and EPA which Mining Developments must go through and I doubt with strong organizations such as NEPA and EPA no permits will be issued in our National Wildlife Refuge.
Wayne A. Morgan: I would respect and support the overall regions decisions on large scale resource development on potential projects. I would recommend that tribes should still be involved in the process if there is a large project is approved like hydro and mineral resource development. Have tribal representation in the process or planning.
Richard Robb: Fisheries, especially Salmon, is the lifeblood of District S. Subsistence needs must always be the priority. I believe we can prioritize subsistence and still support robust commercial fisheries. This is especially true in Bristol Bay, home to the biggest salmon run in the world. But our salmon and watersheds need protection. We have seen the collapse of fisheries on the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers. We do not want to see this spread to Bristol Bay and other areas. Protecting fisheries means protecting the watersheds. Large scale mines such as Pebble and Donlin are a direct threat to our fisheries. We need to stop them. If elected, I will work to stop them. The Alaska Constitution names the legislature as the governing body of the unorganized borough, with powers including zoning. I will introduce zoning legislation to protect these areas form large scale mining. I do support responsible resource extraction that does not threaten our waterways. Subsistence and commercial fishing can co-exist. We have seen that in Western Alaska for many years. I have a Kuskokwim fishing permit (although now inactive) and practiced both commercial and subsistence fishing.
Question 10: What changes, if any, would you support in state fisheries management for sustaining salmon and other key fisheries?
Bryce Edgmon: I support the appointment of a responsible and qualified commissioner of Fish and Game in the next administration. The department has been flat funded for many years and is experiencing a loss of talented state employees in large part because a defined benefits pension plan doesn't exist in Alaska. I am a strong proponent of fully vetting board of fish and game members during the legislative confirmation process.
Wassilie P. Guy: I will not oppose what there is now in the management if it benefits Bristol Bay. I will be in support of changes the Bristol Bay people propose.
Wayne A. Morgan: I would question the the State Board of fisheries and game at the Legislative committee meetings level to follow up on their past decisions include some science with Traditional local knowledge. I would find and request answers from these committees or commissions
Richard Robb: Fisheries, especially salmon, is the lifeblood of District S. Protecting and enhancing our fisheries is of highest importance. I have fished commercially and still subsistence fish on the Kuskokwim. It is part of my life too. I have witnessed the collapse of commercial fishing on the Kuskokwim and Yukon, and don't want to see that spread here in Bristol Bay or other areas. Subsistence needs to always be the highest priority. People getting food to feed their families is important. I support having a rural preference for subsistence fishing, something the State does not. We need to address trawling. We have seen the decline of salmon on the Kuskokwim, and even worse on the Yukon. Out of state trawlers are dragging the ocean bottom and wreaking havoc on salmon, halibut, and crab stocks. It has been reported midwater trawlers spend up to 80% of their efforts dragging the bottom. I fear this will impact Bristol Bay and other fisheries. If elected, I will propose an outright ban on trawling in State waters. I will propose efforts to work with the Feds and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to reduce and limit trawlers. We need to ban bottom trawling entirely.
Question 11: Many rural communities still don't have local law enforcement. To fill the gap, more Tribes are developing Tribal Courts and Tribal law enforcement agencies. There is great potential for more effective partnership between Tribal governments and the State to ensure impactful public safety services are available in rural Alaska. How will you work to address equitable public safety for all communities in the region?
Bryce Edgmon: We have increased funding for the VPSO program and need to continue doing it. I'm pleased that a Division in the Department of Public Safety was formed to help support the program. To repeat earlier comments, we need to continue recognizing that tribes many times are better equipped to provide services at the local level.
Wassilie P. Guy: I will support funding public safety of our State and Tribal entities in every memorandum of agreements to benefit the members of the community.
Wayne A. Morgan: I would work with the legislator to recognize Tribal Sovereignty. Tribes know what needs to be done so that we can have a safe drug free community.
Richard Robb: Public safety is a great concern in Rural Alaska. I support local communities and Tribes developing Tribal Courts. The Alaska Court system and the legislature should support the development of and work with Tribes and communities in developing local solutions. As we all know, Alaska Native Women are often the victims of crime. Murdered and Missing Indigenous People is a real issue affecting our communities and families. I will advocate and fund the State putting more resources into Rural law enforcement. This includes assigning more Troopers to Rural Alaska, better funding and training for VPSOs, VPOs, and TPOs, and not letting "cold cases" lie dormant.
