Liz Vazquez - West Anchorage

Name: Elizabeth (Liz) Vazquez

Occupation: Administrative Law Judge (Hearing Examiner), Dept. of Health and Social Service – State of Alaska

Website: http://www.lizvazquez.us

Registered Political Party: Republican Party

Last book you read: How to Win a Local Election

Favorite movie: Secretariat

Why are you running for the Anchorage Assembly?:  I am running to make a contribution to Anchorage and because I am deeply concerned about the direction the current majority on the Assembly is taking this City. Under the Charter, the Assembly has the authority to manage the City, and acts as a board of directors working with the mayor to provide needed services at a reasonable cost employing sound financial controls. Just as I focused on consumers as a member of the Chugach Electric Board of Directors I will strive to serve the needs of taxpayers and citizens combining fiscal restraint with sound budget planning so that there is a majority on the Assembly genuinely concerned about the City's economy and its taxpayers.

What one sentence best describes your philosophy of how city government should be run?: With certain exceptions, such as Education and Public Safety, government should operate within its means as any business does to provide needed services. A city provides for the future by expanding the tax base through growth of the economy and creating jobs. Government should complement rather than compete with the private sector and make Anchorage an attractive place to do business and to live.

What letter grade would you give the current assembly, and why?: This is like asking what grade you would give a class of 30 students, when some are doing well and others are failing. A teacher does not grade the entire class, and one cannot grade the assembly in Toto. Downgrading one member or a bloc of members because of poor performance by the majority is an unfair measure. With respect to the current incumbents running, I would offer the following individual grades:

Birch – A
Drummond – D
Gray-Jackson – D
Guttierez – D
Starr – A

My "D": grades are for those Assembly members who have demonstrated fiscal recklessness by approving employment agreements when presented with only draft contracts and without asking for or reviewing the financial statements of the City; assembly members are empowered to and required to request the production of financials when making major long term financial decisions. Approving large long term expenditures based on uncertain revenues was not exercising good judgment, or good governance. Those members who I graded with a "D" forced the City to cut bus service, close a branch library and make other cuts because they have allocated the City’s budget more toward paying municipal employees than providing services to citizens and taxpayers.

What letter grade would you give Mayor Sullivan’s administration, and why?:

I would give Mayor Sullivan's administration a solid A. His ability to turn around a $17 million deficit into a temporary $19 million surplus is a clear demonstration of his ability to manage, analyze problems and make difficult, principled decisions based on careful prioritizing. 

What are your thoughts on the 2008 union contracts approved by the Assembly? Is there a link to those contracts and the city's current fiscal situation?: 

Anchorage's economy has grown steadily for many years.  Before these contracts were signed, Anchorage was in much better shape than most other U.S cities. It did not have a deficit and paid good wages. We had not suffered a mortgage meltdown and had steady employment.  But it was clear that 2008 and 2009 would be difficult years from a financial perspective. Unfortunately, during this troubled financial period then Mayor Begich and certain members of the Assembly decided to negotiate and approve five year employment contracts that substantially increased benefits and wages to such extent that they exceeded the City's revenues at the time and will add approximately $195,000,000 to the City expenses over their life. The Assembly simply decided to spend money on certain employees to the detriment of needed services, and Anchorage's taxpayers. This vote was taken on draft contracts without the Assembly having proper financial statements. If the usual 2-3 year contracts had been used with standard cost of living adjustments (as in previous agreements) based on actual financial conditions, Anchorage would not have had to cut services and could instead work on improving the private sector economy. These contracts now must be paid in an economy that is not robust so that they are contributing to the City’s financial problems.

What are your thoughts on the budget reductions proposed by Mayor Sullivan over the past two years? Are they too much? Not deep enough? A right amount?: At this time, I believe the cuts are sufficient although some are painful and were avoidable if the Assembly had done its job in 2008. However, it is possible that we may need to see more in the future should certain legal issues require substantial settlements from the Municipality or if the economy weakens further. No one wants to cut bus service or libraries, however there are occasions when economic conditions dictate that difficult decisions be made and careful priorities followed especially when long term employment contracts commit the city to spending it can no longer control. In my view, Education, Public Safety and basic street maintenance are areas that should be affected last. 

What city services would you like to see reinstated, and how would you suggest they are paid for?: Reinstating lost bus service would be my first choice. We may consider taking a modest portion of the projected surplus for this service.

Are property taxes too high? What consideration should be given to alternative taxes like the tobacco tax, or a sales tax?: I believe property taxes are too high and are a burden to many property owners. The solution does not lay in new taxes or higher tax rates; instead, the solution is in an expanded tax-base. Property taxes bring in more revenue when both commercial and residential properties are increasing in value, which is the sign of a vibrant economy. So the city should be on a course to working with the private sector to grow and diversify the economy thereby creating new jobs. If I were to support a sales tax, it would be predicated on three conditions: 1) Sales tax revenues would be used to offset property taxes on a dollar for dollar basis; 2) Repealing the inventory tax; and 3) Businesses be compensated for sales tax collection.

What is the most important issue affecting the city as a whole?: There are several interrelated issues that really can't be isolated. Ultimately, we must make Anchorage more competitive and attractive to business both in and out of the Anchorage bowl. New business development means an expanded tax base and more jobs. In short, we must do everything we can to reinvigorate the Anchorage economy especially since it can be anticipated that state revenue sharing may decline in future years.

What is the most important issue facing your district more than other districts?: As I visit with voters, a constant concern is the state of our economy. Anchorage is beginning to look down on its heel and there is an increase in “For Lease” signs in retail spaces, and offices. Several well known stores have recently closed. I share this concern and am running to get the economy moving by making Anchorage a place that is open for business with a City government that works with businesses rather than fighting them

Challengers (non-incumbents) -- What specifically will you bring to the assembly that your incumbent opponent has/will not?: I bring a wealth of experience in business, law, as well as management skills I have previously demonstrated as a member of the Board of Directors of Chugach Electric Association. I bring my law degree, two MBAs and a proven track-record of saying “no” to special interests as well as being a mother of a school aged daughter and a person who loves living in Anchorage. 

Should an agency other than the Anchorage Police Department be allowed to issue parking tickets to vehicles parked downtown? Why or why not?: This seems like a good idea that would put policeman back on regular patrol. However,  the last time Anchorage had  private enforcement of traffic tickets it did not work well and there were abuses.  I would support this idea in principle, but the difficulty is in the details of implementing it.

Should the city extend the disabled veteran property tax exemption to widows and widowers? Why or why not?: Property tax exemptions in general should be assessed by the need balanced against he cost to the City. This is an example of how an engaged Assembly member can make prioritized decisions based on the facts rather than rhetoric. 

The last municipal election had the lowest voter turnout in at least 20 years.  Why should people head to the polls and vote on April 5?: Because Anchorage is at a crossroads and faces an uncertain financial future so that it needs an Assembly that makes sound decisions based on actual and accurate financial information with the attitude that it offers services to grow the economy and help its citizens.