At Alaska governor candidate forum, Gara and Walker advocate tax changes

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Thursday, September 22nd, 2022 9:27am

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

Independent Alaska governor candidate Bill Walker (right) and Democratic candidate Les Gara (left). (Photo by James Brooks)

Fairbanks, Alaska (Alaska Beacon) - If elected, the challengers to Gov. Mike Dunleavy say they would send a variety of proposals to the Legislature.

In a Wednesday candidate forum hosted in Fairbanks by the Alaska Chamber, Democratic governor candidate Les Gara and independent candidate Bill Walker said that if elected, they would seek new state revenue to pay for a variety of projects and reverse years of cuts to state services.

Both men are seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who has advocated service cuts and opposes taxes not approved by a statewide vote. Also competing in the Nov. 8 general election is Republican candidate Charlie Pierce.

Neither Dunleavy nor Pierce appeared at Wednesday’s forum. Pierce did not respond to invitations from the Alaska or Fairbanks chambers, and Dunleavy was touring storm damage in western Alaska.

Gara and Walker have repeatedly criticized Dunleavy for failing to attend candidate forums and events but withheld criticism of his absence on Wednesday, saying that his decision to focus on the aftermath of Typhoon Merbok is appropriate.

Dunleavy finished first in the Aug. 16 statewide primary, followed by Gara and Walker. The incumbent’s absence left his challengers with an open forum.

Read more here.

More from News of the North

• Coast Guard Cutter Stratton crew meets with local leaders in Savoonga

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - During their current Arctic patrol, crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Stratton met with leaders in Savoogna, Sept. 22.

• Annual Crime in Alaska report shows 14.5% decrease in crime

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Department of Public Safety has released the 2021 Crime in Alaska Report, its annual publication detailing crimes reported in Alaska, which reveals a 15.2% decrease in Alaska’s overall crime rate.

• Fund for Western Alaska storm recovery raises over $1 million

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Since The Alaska Community Foundation established the Western Alaska Disaster Recovery Fund on September 17th, over 2,400 individuals, families, small businesses, local foundations, statewide associations, Alaska Native organizations, and corporate sponsors have contributed.

• New coding program available statewide for Alaskan students

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development announced Monday statewide availability for a program that uses the popular game Minecraft to teach coding.

• Alaska Legislature’s new social media policy nixes banning and blocking

  (Alaska Beacon) - If Alaska’s state legislators remove constituents’ comments or block them on social media, they may forfeit state-paid legal protection, according to a new social media policy adopted Friday.

• It's flu vaccine time and seniors need revved-up shots

  (AP) - Doctors have a message for vaccine-weary Americans: Don't skip your flu shot this fall.

• Municipal Election Day is tomorrow in Juneau

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Voting in the 2022 Juneau city election ends on Tuesday night.

• Public comment open on request to withdraw Mendenhall Glacier land from mineral exploration

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The public comment period is open to provide comments on a Forest Service request to withdraw 4,560 acres adjacent to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area from mineral exploration and mining.

• Governor Dunleavy establishes Office of Energy Innovation

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy signed Administrative Order No. 340 last week, creating the Office of Energy Innovation aimed at addressing evolving energy needs in Alaska.

• Sen. Murkowski unveils 'Working Waterfronts Framework'

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski publicized a legislative framework Monday seeking to address working waterfront project needs in the state.

• National Weather Service Juneau wraps up September trends

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Rick Fritsch, one of the lead forecasters and the climate focal point for Southeast Alaska, National Weather Service Juneau summarized one of the wettest months of the year, September, with temperatures, rainfalls, and trends.

• 'Healing' totem, Native screens unveiled on Saturday

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Tlingit master carver Wayne Price unveiled his healing totem, Kaasei Satú on Saturday afternoon.