Alaskans have overcome many challenges over the years by working together. To overcome our current fiscal challenge, we need representatives with good intellect and judgment, with the courage to work across the aisle to make the tough decisions. Justin Parish is that candidate.
Justin was born and raised in Juneau; his family has deep Alaskan roots. He attended Juneau schools and is a graduate of two Alaskan universities: UAF and UAS. He has worked with disabled adults, and is currently a para-educator teaching students with special needs.
Justin believes educating Alaska’s youth should be our community’s highest priority. Rep. Cathy Muñoz and her majority party leave education funding until the last days of the legislative session, using education funding as a pawn in Alaska’s budget decisions. Justin will work to make education funding first and foremost, so our students aren’t left hanging in the balance at the end of the legislative session.
In 2014, nearly 60 percent% of Rep. Munoz’s constituents voted to repeal SB 21, the oil tax legislation that gave away Alaskans’ money to Big Oil. Rep. Muñoz did not listen to her constituents. Instead, she, along with her Republican majority, fought against repealing SB 21. Because of SB 21, Alaska will pay $775 million in tax credits to subsidize the oil industry in 2016 alone. Justin will not be a member of a legislative caucus that kowtows to the oil companies and their tax subsidies like Rep. Muñoz . He will listen to his constituents and vote accordingly.
Justin will always support victims of sexual abuse, especially children. Rep. Muñoz used poor judgment and abused her position as a publicly elected official when she wrote letters asking for leniency for convicted child abusers. Rep. Muñoz said she would lay awake worrying about the length of a child molester’s prison sentence. What should have kept her awake was that a child had been sexually molested. Clearly, she must not understand that a molested child will spend the rest of their life with the damage that has been inflicted on them. Justin will work to protect our most vulnerable citizens, not those who abuse them.
Justin Parish is exactly what House District 34 needs right now — a strong new voice, ready to work with other sensible voices in the Legislature, to chart a new course for Alaska’s future.
Vote Justin Parish for House District 34 on Nov. 8.
Nancy Courtney
Chair, Tongass Democrats