harrisforalaska
I’m Carrie Harris, and I’m running for the State Senate seat currently held by the retiring Senator Gary Stevens. As your future Senator, I will fight to ensure the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is fully paid using the original statutory formula. I also support full PFD back pay for Alaskans. It is entirely reasonable for the state to issue these retroactive amounts in twice‑yearly installments until paid off. Crucially, this funding must not come from the Earnings Reserve Account; instead, it can be funded by cutting politicians’ pet projects.To protect our fisheries, I will work to eliminate trawl gear from state waters and from the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). I have a targeted plan that will make it financially and operationally difficult for most trawl operations to continue in the EEZ. While this state‑level strategy will completely remove trawl gear from state waters, it won’t stop every vessel in federal waters — but it will stop many of them. I will continuously push federal regulators to ban trawlers from the EEZ entirely.In our skies and on our streets, I am dedicated to establishing extreme, next‑generation privacy laws to safeguard your identity. I will fight for strict frameworks that limit security identification through surveillance imagery while permanently banning the technological capacity to map facial features, scan irises, or harvest biometric data. A security camera or traffic cam can take a clear, identifiable picture of you; it does not need to capture your iris scans, map your face, or sell that data.It is time to move the state capital to Anchorage. I live in Anchor Point and am not a personal fan of Anchorage, but it makes the most practical sense. Anchorage has the hotel capacity if a large portion of the state shows up at once, public transit, and resources like Costco
allowing Alaskans from across the state to travel, secure affordable lodging, stock up on supplies, and directly participate, testify, or protest in their government.There is a tremendous amount of state spending that can be cut. Alaska has layers of wasteful spending built into the budget far too much to list here. If you’d like to talk through it in detail, or report wasteful spending, feel free to email me. I’m happy to discuss it, and I can share my phone number with you then.Never let any politician gaslight you. The people of Alaska are the state.
A state consists of a border, a population, and a government. Because the population defines the border and creates the government, the people are the state itself, and we are the rightful owners of our state’s vast resources. We are not a separate entity from the state. Government is just the paperwork.If you have any questions, email me at
[email protected] or [email protected]
Here is the glimpse of the policies that i will pre-file bills for
Questions answered
Protecting Families, Not Bureaucracy Alaska’s Budget cuts
Our coastal ecosystems are the heart of our fisheries, our coastal economies, and our way of life. When we talk about protecting them, we’re really talking about protecting the future we want our kids and grandkids to inherit.
That’s why this policy takes a simple, positive step forward: banning the use of ALL trawl gear in Alaska’s state waters so our fisheries can thrive with the same strength and abundance that define a new morning.Trawl gearBottom trawl and midwater trawl sweeps huge areas of ocean floor and water column. It brings heavy bycatch of salmon, crab, halibut, rockfish, and other species our communities depend on. It disturbs corals, sponges, nursery grounds, and the habitats that make Alaska’s waters so extraordinary. And midwater trawling has repeatedly been documented making bottom contact, causing the same kinds of impactsHere’s the hopeful part: we don’t have to accept that.
Alaska’s coastal communities have always relied on sustainable fisheries, not industrial extraction that takes more than the ocean can recover. We have the authority to protect our waters and we’re choosing to use it.Alaska has always been a place of abundance salmon running strong, crab pots full, halibut on the cleaning tables, families feeding families. And the truth is, we can get back there. We can bring that abundance home again.We’re not trying to go backward we will to go back to abundance.
Back to strong runs.
Back to healthy habitat.
Back to a future where our kids and grandkids can fish the same waters we did.
Statutory PFD Back‑Pay Recovery
This policy creates a structured, guaranteed system to repay Alaskans for every dollar of Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) money withheld since 2016. For multiple years, the state underpaid the statutory PFD, and this policy treats that shortfall as a debt owed to the people.The Permanent Fund was built with Alaska’s resource wealth, Alaskans are the beneficiaries of those resources and the earnings they generate.
Article 8
The legislature shall provide for the utilization, development, and conservation of all natural resources belonging to the State, including land and waters, for the maximum benefit of its people.How Back‑Pay Is Calculated
Back‑pay is determined using the actual statutory formula, not political estimates.
For each year since 2016:
Back‑pay = (Statutory PFD) – (Actual PFD paid)Every eligible Alaskan has an individual balance owed.How Back‑Pay Is Funded
Back‑pay is funded using 25% of the state’s half of the statutory 50/50 split. This ensures:
*The people still receive their full statutory PFD every year.
*The state still retains its half and 25% is taken.
*The 25% of the state’s half is deposited into a Back‑Pay Recovery Fund until the debt is fully repaid.
This approach is responsible, predictable, and fair and it honors the principle that Alaskans are the beneficiaries of the Permanent Fund.How Payments Work
Back‑pay payments:
*Are issued annually
*Continue until every balance is paid in full
*Cannot be reduced or delayed Cannot be redirected to government spending
*Are protected from political interference.
This is not a one‑time payout. It is a structured repayment plan just like any other debt owed to rightful beneficiaries.Why This Matters
This policy acknowledges that debt and pays it back. It restores trust, restores fairness, and reinforces the expectation that our public servants understand their role: the state is the trustee of Alaska’s resource wealth. As trustees, they must be diligent in ensuring that when our resources are developed, Alaskans receive the maximum benefit — and that the “public interest” truly reflects the interests of the public as a whole, not just a select group or few.Constitutional Amendment for the PFD
When Alaskans talk about “putting the PFD in the Constitution,” they mean creating a constitutional amendment that locks the Permanent Fund Dividend formula into the state’s highest legal authority. A constitutional amendment cannot be changed by a governor, cannot be vetoed, and cannot be altered by a simple legislative majority. Only a vote of the people can change it which is why many Alaskans see it as the strongest possible protection for a benefit meant to go directly to the people.How the Amendment Process Works
•A legislator introduces a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment.
•The Legislature must approve it with a two‑thirds supermajority in both the House and Senate.
•It appears on the next general‑election ballot.
•If a majority of Alaskans vote yes, it becomes part of the Constitution.No governor signature. No veto.
The people make the final call because the people are the beneficiaries.What Formula Would Be Added
The formula under discussion is the traditional, pre‑2016 statutory PFD formula the one Alaska used for decades before the 2016 veto and the court ruling that followed.
It uses a five‑year average of Permanent Fund earnings, with half of those earnings going to the dividend.
It was simple, predictable, and widely understood.
Putting this formula into the Constitution would remove it from last‑minute negotiations, veto threats, and appropriation fights. It would restore a stable, rules‑based system and any future changes would require a vote of the people, the true beneficiaries.Why This Matters
The PFD is part of Alaska’s identity. But more importantly, it’s a check by the people on the Legislature — a reminder that Alaskans stay involved in how their government spends public money. It shows us who truly represents the people and who prefers to rule over them.A constitutional amendment keeps the PFD formula consistent, transparent, and protected no matter who is in office. It reaffirms that Alaskans are the beneficiaries of their resource wealth, now and for generations to come.
A New Day for Alaska’s Marine HighwayAlaska’s coastal communities deserve a ferry system that reflects the strength, resilience, and pride of this state. For years, we’ve asked aging vessels to carry the weight of modern needs. Now we’re stepping into a new era one built on reliability, innovation, and confidence in the future.Modern Ferries Built for Today and Tomorrow
We need to invest in vessels that deliver dependable service, lower operating costs, cleaner and more efficient propulsion, better comfort and accessibility, and stronger performance in Alaska’s waters. These ferries aren’t just replacements; they represent a renewal of our commitment to every community that depends on the Marine Highway.Stronger Connections Across the Coast
A modern fleet means students can reach school without cancellations, workers can get to their jobs on time, families can stay connected, businesses can plan with confidence, and tourism can grow with reliable schedules. Every sailing strengthens the coastline and the communities that make Alaska unique.Smart Investments That Pay Off
Modern vessels reduce emergency repairs, fuel consumption, maintenance downtime, budget surprises, and service interruptions. This is responsible stewardship — building a system that saves money over time and delivers stability for decades to come.A Bright, Confident Future
This is Alaska’s moment to build a Marine Highway that reflects our values: resilience, innovation, and pride in the place we call home. We’re not just maintaining a ferry system — we’re renewing it, modernizing it, and opening the door to a stronger future. It’s a new day for Alaska’s ferries, and we’re ready to move forward.
Biometric Data Protection in Alaska
Alaskans deserve to move through their communities without being tracked, scanned, or analyzed by technology they never agreed to. That’s the heart of the Alaska Personal Privacy & Anti‑Surveillance Act. A straightforward, no‑nonsense approach to protecting people from biometric monitoring. This framework lays out clear definitions, closes loopholes, and sets firm limits on what cameras and sensors can do in public spaces.Clear Definitions, No Wiggle Room
We start by defining the basics so there’s no confusion.
*surveillance camera is any device that records or transmits images where the public might appear.
*Biometric data includes things like facial geometry, iris patterns, gait, heartbeat signatures, voiceprints — anything that can be used to identify a person.
*We also define “biometric‑grade imaging,” “public‑capture zones,” and “intentional handheld capture,” so everyone understands exactly what’s covered and what isn’t.Setting Real Limits on Camera Hardware
This is the core of the Act.
*Cameras that capture the public must stay below 1080p and below 0.7 megapixels of facial detail.
That prevents facial mapping, iris capture, license‑plate readability, and AI‑driven biometric extraction.
*If a camera can read a plate at any distance, capture enough facial detail for mapping, or generate a biometric template, it’s not allowed, unless it’s a handheld device being used intentionally by a person.
*We also ban biometric‑grade sensors outright. That means no infrared illumination, depth sensors, LiDAR, time‑of‑flight sensors, HDR tuned for facial mapping, or night‑vision designed for biometric extraction.These are the technologies used in systems like Flock, Ring, and various commercial and government surveillance tools. Under this Act, they’re not permitted in Alaska.Private Cameras Must Follow the Same Rules
If a private camera; Ring, Nest, Arlo, or anything similar, can capture the public, even incidentally, it must follow the same pixel and biometric restrictions. If it can collect biometric data, it cannot be used in public‑capture zones like sidewalks, streets, parking lots, shared hallways, or apartment entrances. Businesses must follow these rules both inside and outside their buildings.Commercial Surveillance Must Be Sub‑Biometric
Large retailers and commercial operators such as Walmart, Fred Meyer, Costco, and others, may not use cameras capable of facial recognition, facial mapping, license‑plate capture, voiceprint extraction, or heartbeat/gait detection. Their surveillance systems must operate below biometric thresholds.Government Cameras Are Not Exempt.
State, municipal, and tribal governments must follow the same rules. That means no Flock cameras, no high‑resolution traffic cameras, no biometric‑grade drones, and no AI‑enhanced surveillance systems. All government cameras must comply with the pixel cap and biometric ban.Strict Limits on Data Collection and Storage
No public or private entity may collect, store, analyze, or transfer biometric data from any person. Surveillance systems also may not record or analyze voices, speech patterns, or audio signatures. Sensors capable of capturing heartbeat signatures, gait analysis, or neural activity are prohibited in public‑capture zones.Real Penalties for Violations
Violations carry a $25,000 fine per person, per incident. That includes capturing, storing, transmitting biometric data, using biometric‑grade cameras, or operating banned sensors. This applies to everyone, commercial entities, private users, municipalities, state agencies, news organizations, investigators, drone operators. There are no exemptions. Alaskans whose biometric data is captured have the right to sue the operator, the owner, or the data recipient. They may seek statutory damages, actual damages, and attorney fees. Any entity caught violating the Act must publicly disclose what happened, how many people were affected, what type of biometric data was captured, and how long the capture occurred.Common‑Sense Exceptions
Handheld, intentional photography, phones, DSLRs, GoPros, is fully allowed, so long as all people consent to their biometric data being collected, This protects tourists, reporters, personal photography, and social media creators. Medical imaging devices are exempt. Wildlife and scientific research involving non‑human subjects is also exempt.Local Control Matters
Municipalities can adopt stricter rules if they choose. That includes complete bans on surveillance cameras, bans on commercial surveillance, or bans on private cameras facing public areas, Communities get to decide what level of protection fits their needs.
SPEAKING OF NEW BEGINNINGS
It’s time for the Legislature to move to the road system.Kodiak served as the early administrative center under Russian rule, then Sitka became Alaska’s first official capital, followed by Juneau. Each city has played an important role in our history, and Juneau will continue to hold its place as one of Alaska’s historical capitals. But the time has come for legislative work to happen where Alaskans can reach it.The Legislature should meet in Anchorage. Anchorage is the state’s transportation and service hub, and residents from every region already travel through it for medical care, business, supplies, and air travel. Holding legislative sessions in Anchorage allows people to participate in their government during trips they’re already making.Anchorage also has the infrastructure to support large public involvement public transportation, winter‑ready facilities, and hotel capacity for statewide turnout. Most importantly, the state already owns the Atwood Building. The space is there to hold full legislative sessions, and the building already has the necessary security and support systems in place because it currently houses state offices. It is a modern, accessible facility ready for legislative use.
A fresh start, New faces. Two Terms,
Ensuring Fresh representation Every day in Alaska starts clear, bright, full of possibility. That’s the spirit behind a simple idea: two terms, then make room for new representation. This isn’t about pushing anyone out. It’s about opening the door to new voices, new energy, and new ideas, before the previous representation gets stale. Its Stepping forward to serve the people. When we limit any one office to two terms, we make sure that public service stays fresh, responsive, and connected to the communities it represents.
It’s about opening the door.
And keeping our government moving forward, not stuck in yesterday’s patterns. It protects the idea that representation is a responsibility we share, not a seat someone keeps forever.Fun Fact:
In Alaskans for Legislative Reform v. State, 887 P.2d 960 (Alaska 1994), the Alaska Supreme Court confirmed that voter initiatives can’t be used to impose term limits on state legislators. The court held that term limits count as new qualifications for office — and under Alaska’s Constitution, only a constitutional amendment can create new qualifications. Does that stop us? Absolutely not.
The path is clear, and we’re taking it: a joint resolution for a constitutional amendment is ready to file. Real reform doesn’t stall it adapts and moves forward.
No Geoengineering in Alaska
Alaska’s sky belongs to Alaskans. We don’t need private companies, outside groups, or experimental programs spraying chemicals, releasing aerosols, or trying to modify the weather over our state. Geoengineering, cloud seeding, atmospheric spraying, and solar‑radiation experiments are not things Alaskans asked for, and they’re not things we should allow.
But we do need firefighting aircraft. When Alaska is burning, we rely on tankers, helicopters, and emergency crews that drop water, foam, or retardant to put fires out. That’s not geoengineering that’s emergency response. So this policy makes a clear exception: spraying is allowed only when it’s being used to fight a wildfire or protect life and property during an active emergency.
Outside of fire suppression, Alaska under my policy we will not permit intentional atmospheric modification. That means no chemical release, no aerosol dispersal, no cloud seeding, no stratospheric injection, and no private or corporate weather‑modification projects. If someone wants to change the sky over Alaska for any purpose other than putting out a fire, the answer is no.
This policy doesn’t interfere with normal aviation, scientific observation, or communications research. It simply draws a clear line: no spraying, no seeding, no atmospheric manipulation unless it’s being used to stop a wildfire.Alaska protects its land and water. Now it’s time to protect our sky, too with one commonsense exception for firefighting.
HEALTHCAREWhat steps will you take to ensure everyone living in our state has access to quality and affordable health care?
Everyone in Alaska deserves access to quality, affordable health care, no matter where they live. Today, more than a quarter of Alaskans live in federally designated medical‑shortage areas, and rural communities are hit the hardest. We cannot solve this with small adjustments; we need a structural fix that brings doctors to the communities that need them most.
I support creating a State Rural Physician Contracting Program, built around a revolving fund that allows Alaska to directly contract doctors to serve in rural clinics and hospitals. This model treats medical access the same way we treat essential infrastructure: if the private market cannot meet the need, the state steps in to ensure Alaskans receive care.Under this program, the state would offer doctors a five‑year contract that includes up to $600,000 in student‑loan payoff, a $220,000 salary, malpractice coverage, and a $30,000 housing allowance for rural placement. In exchange, the doctor must work in a rural community, serve in both clinic and hospital settings, and cannot refuse care to anyone. Because these doctors are state‑contracted, insurance companies would reimburse the state directly for the doctor’s services—including Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, VA, Tribal health, and workers’ compensation. This ensures the state recovers its costs.Based on current reimbursement patterns, the state should recover most or all of its upfront investment by the end of the second year. After that point, the doctor becomes net‑positive revenue for the remaining three years of the contract. Those funds would flow into a revolving account dedicated solely to contracting additional rural physicians. This creates a sustainable pipeline of doctors without permanent new taxes or long‑term budget growth. To protect taxpayers, any doctor who fails to complete the five‑year obligation would be required to repay the state for all student‑loan assistance received.This approach strengthens rural hospitals, reduces emergency medevac costs, expands access to primary and specialty care, and ensures that no Alaskan is turned away because of geography or income. It also stabilizes communities by providing consistent medical staffing instead of the current patchwork of temporary providers. My goal is simple: every Alaskan should be able to see a doctor when they need one. A rural physician revolving fund is a practical, fiscally responsible way to make that happen, with the added benefit of recovering some Medicaid fees.HOUSING:
Limiting municipal and HOA authority over basic home design and removing minimum size requirements is one of the fastest ways to reduce housing costs. Families are often pushed into building or buying more house than they actually need, and those rules make affordable starter homes impossible. Eliminating property taxes for everyone would provide immediate relief to current homeowners and lower the barrier for anyone wanting to buy or build. Alaska will always face high construction costs because nearly all building materials are imported, but property tax is one cost the state can actually control. Considering it is one of the most unjust taxes, removing it would let families keep more of their income, strengthen local economies, and make homeownership more achievable. For many Alaskans, property tax is one of the most unjust and burdensome expenses, and eliminating it would directly reduce monthly housing costs for both homeowners and renters.Property taxes also drive rent increases because landlords pass those costs directly to tenants. Removing property tax would stabilize rental prices, reduce turnover, and make long term housing more secure for families who cannot afford to buy.CHILDCARE:
Child care in Alaska is extremely expensive partly because state subsidies pushed rates higher. Parents have no choice but to work, yet infant care can cost one thousand two hundred dollars a month while minimum wage income is barely double that. Lowering the barrier for in home childcare to CPR and first aid certification plus a background check, and creating a small home category for up to five children, would expand supply and introduce competition into the state payment system. Licensed homes and centers charging premium rates should be required to provide basic early learning activities with measurable outcomes to keep their license.
High childcare costs also force many parents, especially mothers, out of the workforce entirely. Lower cost small home childcare would help employers keep staff, reduce turnover, and support families who are barely breaking even after paying for care.ENERGY:
Alaska’s high energy prices are, I believe, by design. If we are kept in a constant energy crisis, we pay crisis prices. Politicians should not give away all incentives before a project is built, because that removes any leverage to keep prices low. Alaska needs statute guaranteeing residents first access to resources, first in volume and lowest in price. Right now, sixteen dollars per thousand cubic feet is discussed for residents while preferred customers negotiate six dollars per thousand cubic feet, and that is not acceptable. Alaska must also expand reliable fuel options, including coal, because it is reliable and available. I know people have concerns about coal and global warming, but massive data centers are being built. It is hard to take global warming messaging seriously from the groups building them.
Alaska also needs long term price stability, not crisis driven negotiations every few years. Clear statutory protections for residents would prevent sudden spikes, protect fixed income households, and ensure Alaskans are not paying premium rates while outside corporations receive discounts.
Taxes on Energy
Alaska’s resource tax structure changes too often a that creates uncertainty for everyone. Companies should pay for the resources and they should pay a tax, but the tax code should not drain them dry or depend on special deals for certain operators. When taxes shift with every new development, it becomes impossible for companies to plan and impossible for Alaskans to know whether we are getting the best value for our resources. It is time for a flat, consistent tax structure that cannot be gamed and applies equally to every company. That way, when a developer looks at Alaska’s resources, they see a clear, stable tax system and know exactly what they are dealing with from day one. Alaskans deserves the price of mind that our politicians not doing backroom deals and selling votesGROCERIES:
Alaska imports most of its groceries, and that keeps prices high. Cold nights and short growing seasons limit what residents can grow, even in midsummer. Better harbors help freight reliability, but grocery stores have limited storage, so imported food will always be expensive. Long term food security depends on nature’s grocery store: fish and local farming. More high tunnels, cold climate crop research, and local meat processing reduce what we must ship in. Poultry should be encouraged in every yard, with six birds per family member. Every pound grown here is a pound we do not have to import. Alaska’s food supply is also vulnerable to storms, shipping delays, and rising fuel costs. Strengthening local production reduces dependence on outside supply chains and keeps families fed even when freight schedules break down or prices spike.Real food security comes from fish. Alaska’s Constitution reserves fish to the people for common use, and management must reflect that. Residents should be able to catch enough fish to feed their families for a full year without relying on a grocery store. To rebuild those stocks, trawl gear must be banned so fish populations can recover and sustain long term food security.
These cuts hurt. They affect people we know. But the alternative hurts every single family in our district. If we keep every redundant position, we are not protecting jobs. We are taking from the entire community so a handful of people can keep high paying government roles. That is not fair to the families who make far less.Good governance means not creating positions that are not necessary, because eventually those positions will have to be cut. We are dealing with the consequences of years of building administrative structures that we do not need. I am not willing to take the PFD or create taxes on thousands of working families so we can preserve jobs that should not have existed in the first place. My responsibility is to protect the whole community, not just the people who work for the government.This is a necessary start.Alaska currently has 53 school districts. That means 53 superintendents, 53 HR departments, and 53 payroll departments. Consolidating down to 10 regional districts keeps cuts out of the classroom while saving millions in duplicated administration and unlocking bulk purchasing discounts.University of Alaska CutsA. End In Person Lectures for Non Lab Classes
If a class does not legally require a physical lab, such as history, math, sociology, or humanities, it becomes fully online. This frees up as much as 40 percent of campus classroom space, allowing the university to mothball, consolidate, or sell buildings and reduce heating, maintenance, and facility costs.B. No Live Online Meetings
All online GER classes become Online No Set Time. There are no live Zoom lectures. Faculty are not paid to repeat the same introductory class many times. One standardized prerecorded course shell serves the entire state.C. Strict 30 Student Minimum
Every class, online or in person, must have at least 30 students. If a section has 29 or fewer students 14 days before the term, it collapses automatically. Students are merged into larger mega sections. Online classes can scale to 60, 90, or even 120 students with automated grading tools. Any class that fails to reach 30 students loses its physical classroom assignment.UA Workforce Housing DevelopmentUA owns large land holdings. Using AIDEA backed workforce housing loans, UA can act as a master developer. It can build Class A condos and high density townhomes, use construction trades programs for hands on training, sell the buildings at full market value, keep the land under a 99 year ground lease, and charge 200 dollars per month space rent indexed to inflation.Developing 100 acres into 2,500 units generates a large upfront windfall, 6 million dollars per year in recurring profit, and much needed housing for Alaskans. This eliminates long term financial risk for UA.Rural Medical Provider PipelineTo fix the rural doctor shortage and recoup Medicaid funding, the state hires 10 physicians directly.Compensation Package
220,000 dollar salary
30,000 dollar housing stipend
State backed malpractice coverage
Up to 600,000 dollars in student loan payoff
Five year contractBecause they are state employees, all insurance billing revenue goes to the state. High patient volume means the state recovers all costs within 24 months. After that, the program becomes a profit engine that allows the state to recoup Medicaid funds and supports a revolving fund to hire more doctors.Clawback Protection
If a doctor breaks the contract early, they must repay all loan payoff and onboarding costs.Citizen Waste Reporting PlatformA simple, mobile friendly system for reporting waste that spreadsheets hide.A. Three Step Report Form
Target: Choose the agency, school district, UA branch, or municipality.
Evidence: Upload photos, PDFs, invoices, or geo tagged images.
Identity: Choose Verified Voter or Absolute Anonymity with metadata removed.B. Public Waste Feed
A Facebook for Waste and Favors. Each post receives a unique ID such as AK WASTE 4091. Users tag posts with labels such as Ghost Project, Nepotism, or Idle Equipment. Public comments add local context.C. Legislative Pressure Tracker
This is where accountability happens.
Find My Lawmaker: Auto displays phone, email, and social media for your district.
Citizen Action Ledger: Log calls such as Called Rep. Smith on 07 22 2026 about AK WASTE 4091.
Lawmaker Leaderboard: Tracks who responds and who ignores the public.We need to examine every bureaucracy and ask whether it is a genuine need or simply a want. Then we need to look again and ask how big that need really is, and what reasonable alternatives exist that could serve the public just as well or better.