OPINION: Alaska’s path north to a better future

We live in Alaska for many reasons. We have fellowship with land and sea; we appreciate the work opportunities available to those who are ready, willing and able to work; we love the independent spirit of our country; we think independently, but we support each other.

Unfortunately, policies promoted by the Biden-Harris administration and its allies in Congress have made it difficult for us to enjoy the Alaskan lifestyle we value, and as a result, many of our friends and family have left the state they love.

Alaska families are feeling the pressure and facing unreasonable financial hardship through no fault of their own. Instead, it was a government conducting an economic experiment as old as civilization itself – members of Congress believed they could finance their endless wish list simply by printing the funds needed to do it. Any high school economics student would know this better, but now we are suffering from this failed economic policy coming out of Washington.

The backdoor inflation tax has harmed everyday, hard-working people across the country, but it is especially felt in Alaskan communities.

From day one, the Biden/Harris administration has put working families last with policies that stifle economic growth and burden households, businesses and the labor they employ. Small businesses in particular have faced soaring inflation as they are sandwiched between falling discretionary income for their customers and increasing wage pressure from employees who are also struggling to keep up.

As a business owner and investor in Alaska, I have seen firsthand what inflation has done to our state and Alaskan families, and it is sad to see Alaskan families making increasingly difficult decisions, whether it is taking a second (or third) job, pursuing an education, or they deny themselves health care. This isn’t the Alaska we deserve and it’s not our fault; this is Washington.

I started my professional career with a passion for creating new businesses. I was recognized as an outstanding student at Baylor University for my major in entrepreneurship. Through my work with early-stage startups over the past 20 years, I have helped grow companies that have created hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of well-paying American jobs. My focus has always been on building companies that strengthen the American economy, including here in Alaska.

Alaskans need a representative who understands the importance of a thriving private sector continually enriched by entrepreneurship, will advocate for small businesses, and understands how the decisions they make on our behalf in D.C. will likely impact us at home.

While Mary Peltola was busy critiquing my domestic and international business experience, I was building and investing in private sector companies in Alaska. Unlike my opponent, I am the only candidate in this race who has signed an agreement with Alaskans.

Alaska’s future depends largely on common-sense policy and effective leadership at the federal level. Our state’s natural resources provide countless opportunities for new businesses in development, support services, value-added manufacturing and transportation, but these opportunities often prove impractical due to overly burdensome regulations, lack of labor availability and prohibitively high energy costs.

For Alaska, it is imperative that we stand up to government overreach so that business owners can do what they do best – take care of their employees, serve the needs of their customers, and continue to drive economic growth that improves our standard of living.

Unfortunately, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and their allies in Congress have made it clear in 67 executive orders and actions targeting Alaskans’ right to access and develop our resources: they want Alaska closed to businesses and the families that support those businesses.

Congresswoman Mary Peltola does not appear to be linking the national Democratic Party’s agenda in Alaska to the impact that agenda has and will have in our state if national Democrats take control of the U.S. House in the next Congress.

That said, there is hope. House Republican Party leaders have committed to continuing to prioritize Alaska in the next Congress, and there is strong potential for Alaska to have the Senate ready to support the House in this effort.

The path to a better future in Alaska is not complicated:

• Restoring Alaska’s right to responsibly produce oil and gas, key minerals and timber, and to sustainably manage our fisheries.

• Invest in education tailored to the workforce we need to support those industries and services that support this “core” workforce.

• Support policies that improve living standards in Alaska by lowering the cost of living. For example, making unused federal lands available for private ownership (less than 2% of Alaska is privately owned); expansion of basic infrastructure, including new roads, ports and bridges; rolling back or seeking waivers for outdated regulations such as the Jones Act and the Passenger Vessel Services Act; and supporting efforts to increase the availability of cheaper and reliable energy throughout Alaska.

Alaska families and businesses should not bear the burden of failed leadership in Washington. We need a wave of innovation and entrepreneurship in our state that will follow sound policy. The government needs to get out of the way and get back to helping us rebuild Alaska again.

Our country is destined for greatness, endowed with the most incredible natural resources in the world. Those who came before us understood this.

The world’s most incredible high-grade copper mine, Kennecott, was an impossible project at the time. This was done in Alaska.

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline was an impossible project at the time. This was done in Alaska.

Will we be the generation that let go and allowed our state to shut down for a braver time – for people with more initiative than us, or will we rediscover Alaska’s bold entrepreneurial spirit and create something even greater? It’s up to us. Future generations are counting on Alaska’s generation to keep our promise.

It is our responsibility – our responsibility – to keep the Alaska Promise: North to the Future.

I’m running for Congress to help us do this, and I’m asking you to join me in this effort and vote before November 5.

Nick Begich is a businessman and candidate for the US House of Representatives.

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