Debate #2: Ramras vs. Brown

Note: This is part of a story I wrote for the UAF Sun Star on the state-level debates.  This section covers the debate for House District 10’s seat between Jay Ramras and John Brown.

In the debate for House District 10’s seat, incumbent Jay Ramras (R) and challenger John Brown (D) found common ground on a few issues, but had fundamental disagreements.  Ramras, a successful local businessman who owns a restaurant and a hotel, is running for a third term in the legislature.  John Brown is an engineer and former union representative for Operating Engineers Local 302.

Brown and Ramras struck similar notes in opposition to a proposal to move Alaska’s capital, saying such a move would be tremendously costly and would devastate the Juneau-Douglas community.  Both conceded, however, that the capital’s location provides obstacles to constituents who wish to visit and make their voices heard.  As a solution, both men said they support the construction of a road to Juneau.

The two differed on the subject of university funding.  While both expressed their support for land grants from the state as a means of funding the UA system, they disagreed on how the land should be managed.  Ramras stated that he supported selling the land through private agencies, Brown favored leasing the land to keep it under public control, saying, “I’m wary of putting the University’s land into private hands.”

Like Kelly and Kassel, Brown and Ramras also disagreed over the issue of project labor agreements.  Ramras opposed PLAs, saying that they unfairly favor unions over private contractors.  Brown retorted that Ramras was, “sadly misinformed,” and that plenty of PLAs have gone to non-union contractors.  Brown cited Fort Greely’s missile defense project, saying that due to PLAs the project had been built by both union and nonunion workers, and had been finished on time and on budget.