Alaska needs a business-minded vision from Kelly Merrick

To John Sims

Has been updated: 1 an hour ago Release: 6 by the time

Alaska Representative Kelly Merrick (left) speaks with Rep. Burt Levon in Juneau, Alaska, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

As a businessman born and raised in Alaska, I have worked hard to develop long-lasting relationships in the Alaskan business community. By leveraging relationships and working together, we can be agile, respond quickly to changing market conditions, and become stronger as an entity. I have watched with concern as national politics cling to rhetoric, leaving less work to support economic growth, jobs and other issues that affect people’s lives on a daily basis.

What makes Alaska strong is, first and foremost, being Alaskan. Political parties come second. There is no stagnation experienced in our country’s capital. And we cannot allow these partisan stalemate to interfere in Alaskan politics. Fortunately, our state legislators, for the most part, are effective and keep the state moving forward. An example of this is my representative, state senatorial candidate Kelly Merrick.

Kelly Merrick represents common sense leadership. Having watched Congress for the past several years, I appreciate the strength of cooperation and communication and appreciate elected officials who put partisan squabbles aside. and Rep. Kelly Merrick is a member of that coalition. She co-chaired the House Finance Committee, a powerful committee in Congress, and used her position to invest in important state and national projects to benefit her Eagle River constituency. I was. For example, she has ensured that Alaska will provide matching dollars to capture federal funds available for strategic investments like the Port of Alaska.From a state perspective, this is just common sense. . It’s about using state money to raise available federal dollars to make Alaska and its residents safer.

Every year, Congress debates whether and where to spend more money. Through bipartisan leadership of people who want the best for Alaska, Congress has managed to keep the budget under control and fund essential services without raising taxes. Businesses need this kind of fiscal policy and stability in order to grow Alaska. At the same time, we need to provide adequate funding for our schools and university systems. These actions do not score points for any political aspect, just Alaska and its residents.

We understand that individuals will be elected as either Republicans, Democrats, or independents, but once elected and accepting the responsibility of representing us, we must first think of ourselves as Alaskans. I have to. Legislators need to work together as a collective group to find common ground while keeping the interests of voters in mind.

Kelly Merrick works with everyone to advance the needs of the state and its voters. Put Alaska on a stable financial trajectory with predictable funding for essential Alaskan constitutional services — without increasing taxes. This election season, support candidates who advocate for good policies and productive partnerships, and who understand that decisions made today will affect the people of Alaska for many years to come.

John Sims President of Enstar Natural Gas Co. He lives on the Eagle River. .

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