Genevieve Mina: for a Fiscal Plan to help low-income households by carlos matías
Genevieve Mina, as Anchorage’s District 19 candidate for the Alaska House of Representatives, would like to title this interview, “Representing the Community.” But more significant is her idea of taxation that helps the disadvantaged. This interview was conducted days before the August 16 elections. Other candidates did not respond to our questions.
Genevieve Mina was born in the United States. She has been the only candidate of Asian (Filipino) origin to the House of Representatives. “I have lived in Airport Heights practically all my life, graduated from our district’s public schools, such as East High School, and grew up with friends in Russian Jack and Mountain View. My family sacrificed their lives to migrate here. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. My community has made me who I am, and I love Alaska very much.”
She worries that Alaska has one of the worst cases of brain drain in the country; its fiscal volatility; and that it is on the front lines of climate change. “I am passionate about representing Alaskans, especially those who have felt neglected by government. I will stand up for the underserved and work to make sure our government helps our people.”
What are the needs of Anchorage, District 19? The main ones are neighborhood safety and economic security. The district includes Mountain View, Airport Heights, and Russian Jack, neighborhoods where kids play in the streets and bicyclists ride on the roads. We are between two freeways and there are many businesses. The neighborhoods experience speeding and pedestrian accidents. I will advocate for safer sidewalks and improved multi-modal transportation.
House District 19 has a higher percentage of low-income households. Programs like Medicaid, food assistance and the Permanent Fund Dividend are incredibly important to many working families in this area. I am committed to achieving a bipartisan Comprehensive Fiscal Plan to fund these programs. We must make investments in infrastructure and improve the state’s ability to invest in critical services, such as health care and public education.
What can you bring to Anchorage? My family values and strong roots in the district bring a new energy to local politics. My family immigrated from the Philippines, which reflects many immigrant and refugee experiences in this district, as well as our majority-minority constituency. Growing up as the only American-born child in an immigrant family, I learned to communicate across cultures and perspectives, a skill that has enhanced my commitment to promoting underrepresented Alaskans in civic engagement. This district is my home, and I am excited to bring this perspective to the legislature.
What do you plan to do for Hispanic, Asian, African American, and Alaska Native populations? As a political activist and community organizer, my values come from the immigrant experience and the importance of solidarity among immigrants. These communities have diverse issues, but they are united by systemic oppression in this country. We must do justice to all, especially indigenous peoples. What do you think of Dunleavy’s and Bronson’s policies? They are different, but they are both small government. I disagree. I believe that public institutions are fundamental to a strong society. I am especially dismayed by Mayor Bronson’s failure to support Alaskans without housing. To help the most vulnerable Alaskans and fight poverty, we must strengthen social security, public school funding, Medicaid, mental health services, and investment in affordable housing.
