The Alaska Marine Highway is Southeast Alaska's primary transportation infrastructure and highway system. However, it is currently strained due to the state's $3.5 million budget deficit. Budgetary constraints aside, residents are dependent upon this transportation system, and I am committed to focusing the Alaskan legislature on the needs of those residents.
I continually meet with my constituents and other legislators to discuss pertinent issues. In September 2015, I met with researchers, business owners, and political leaders from across Southeast Alaska and Western Canada to discuss issues of mutual concern: one primary issue we discussed was how to improve the Alaska Marine Highway System. We need to find ways to make transportation more user friendly for Southeast Alaska residents and the business community whose economic viability depends upon it.