Contributed by Michael D. Sheldon
The big question for a gubernatorial candidate for Governor of Alaska is, “What is your budget plan for Alaska in the years to come?”
First, let me introduce myself, my name is Michael D. Sheldon, who is running for Governor of Alaska in the Primary August 21st Election, 2018.
My education was completed in my hometown of Petersburg, and after graduating from the local high school in the 70s, I attended Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Washington; there I learned the highly skilled trades of automotive mechanics and welding. Being educated and skilled in the welding trade, I was given the opportunity to put my skills to work in the oil fields of Alaska. I joined the 302 Alaska Operating Engineers, worked on several camps using my skills as a mechanic, and put my welding skills to good use on the Alaska Pipeline in the 70s.
After working years on the pipeline, I made my way back to my hometown of Petersburg, purchased my first commercial fishing vessel starting my own business in one of the hardest and most dangerous careers a man can take up in the unforgiving Alaskan waters, the commercial fishing industry. Fishing the waters of Alaska for 22 years as the owner and operator of my own vessel, I decided it was time to retire, giving up my sea legs spending days and nights on the waters of Southeast Alaska and well-known Bristol Bay, planting my feet back on land in 1998. Retirement wouldn't last long before I was putting my skills back to work for the Alaska Marine Highway System, spending some time there I eventually settled down into my business of the last ten years as a Handyman serving my community, helping Alaskans.
My friend and running mate, Stephen Wright, is running for Lt. Governor and lives in Wasilla, Alaska. Stephen has a masters degree in finance and healthcare, which he received while in the Air Force for 22 years retired. I picked Stephen because of his skills in finance, but also because he is from Interior Alaska and with the combine efforts we can join southeast and interior Alaska together as one and build our state back to a force that is reckoned with for years to come.
One of our major platforms for the governorship of Alaska is building a strong budget that will bring stability and strength to our economy for generations to come by a management plan implemented by our new administration this coming December 2018 when elected governor.
We will establish a sustainable budget that will support a balanced fiscal budget. We intend to build a budget that will show the current population base and reign in the excess spending that we now have, which is a burden on our economy. From the top of our state to the bottom, we will seek fewer expensive ways of doing business from extending the life of equipment to eliminating unnecessary positions and bringing the funds back too sustainable or better than practical fiscal plans of government.
Our budget plan is called the 81-09-10 plan. Starting with 81% of the budget, our state expenditures will be used for all state agencies under the umbrella as to run the state efficiently with this percentage value. The 9% of the budget will be set as a competitive fund to build the state's infrastructure and partner with federal dollars which will be divided into three funds and be appropriated by a value of 3% to the House, Senate and Administration. The legislature in the House or Senate or Administration can combine the total percentage of 9% as one large project or separate projects as an option to compete for the 3% designated funds appropriated during the third quarter of the fiscal year. The 10% will be a cut to all department agencies under the State’s direction of authority and will be directed to each commissioner to make these cuts as efficiently as possible. All 10% cuts will be rolled into the CBR fund as a protected emergency fund that can only be used by a 75% vote of the House and Senate to draw on these funds.
In closing, we feel as many Alaskans agree that it’s time to elect a governor and lt. governor who is not a politician or layer, but an Alaskan for Alaska with common sense for the everyday people of our state. When elected, your new governor, Sheldon will be the last opportunity to stop legislation that is bad for Alaska as to protect the rights of the citizens of this state.
Michael D. Sheldon, Republican Candidate for Governor and Stephen Wright, Republican Lt. Governor candidates for Alaska.
Committee to Elect Michael D. Sheldon and Stephen Wright for Alaska:
Michael D. Sheldon
P. O. Box 1285
Petersburg, Alaska 99833
http://www.sheldonforalaska.com
(907) 518-1121
Stephen Wright
P. O. Box 8215
Wasilla, Alaska 99629
http://www.wrightforalaska.com
(907) 341-4445