Independent Andrew Halcro, Republican Sarah Palin and former two-term governor and Democrat Tony Knowles laid out their agendas and ideas for running the state if elected.

The underlying theme from each candidate wasn't new. Knowles repeatedly brought up his past record as governor and said he would reinstate many programs he instituted that were cut in the Murkowski administration.

Halcro several times reminded business leaders of his past experience as a House legislator and as a current small-business owner, stating that he has the background in both arenas to make things happen.

Palin's assertions, meanwhile, focused on the need to bring Alaskans together to work out the state's issues, thus eliminating the divisive atmosphere currently surrounding Juneau.

Halcro and Knowles discussed their plans to improve gaps in health care coverage, education and in getting Alaska's gas to market. Palin offered general ideas on improvements in these areas, but said specifics needed to be worked out by representing groups.

Energy needs were the main topic of the day, with heavy focus on gas line issues as well as on alternative methods of supplying energy and rural needs.

All candidates said Alaska should be a leader in alternative energy methods, such as wind, bio-diesel and hydroelectric.

The gas line

To get the state's gas reserves to market, Palin said that the state needs to open the discussions to companies other than the main North Slope producers. The state should lay out its conditions for a contract, including access to gas for residents, access of the pipeline for independent companies and leaving out references of oil taxes.

Knowles said his plan still has the gas line following the oil pipeline to the Alaska Highway, then heading off to Canada, with a spur line continuing to Southcentral. Knowles had a saying as governor, "My way is the highway." His plan includes a way to get a contract through the processes of public review, submittal to the Legislature and a signature by Aug. 1, 2007. A contract will include time commitments, provisions for Alaska hire and union labor, and the use of local contractors. It will exclude references to oil taxes.

Halcro suggested building off the work that the Murkowski administration has already done. "It's not perfect, but it's a sound beginning," he said. "Few companies in the world could afford this project. We're not putting out an RFP for copier paper here. This is a $30 billion project."

Health care

All agreed that health care programs must be expanded. Halcro and Knowles specifically noted the need to expand the Denali Kid Care program that offered health care to children.

Halcro also suggested fixing the structural problems in the system, in part, by expanding programs to help educate nurses and other health care providers, and by helping middle-income families better afford health insurance. But Alaskans need to help make themselves more healthy, he added, and the state should more fully embrace a wellness concept.

Palin noted that several studies have been done and recommendations issued - including those from Commonwealth North - on how to address the health care problems in the state, and the governor needs to implement those suggestions. The state also needs to allow more competition into the market and require that providers give patients understandable bills, which will allow individuals to take on more responsibility, which will save money, she added.

Knowles said that Alaska has to recognize that spending money to expand care will ultimately reduce costs. He outlined his plan to spend $12 million to expand the Denali Kid Care program, and to invest in preventative measures such as for programs targeting the need for vaccinations, tobacco cessation and worker safety. The governor also should create a means so that drug companies bid competitively for business.

Education

Candidates were asked what the three main issues with education were in their views, and how could those problems be solved. Each candidate noted that the high schools should focus more efforts on vocational education programs aimed at kids who choose not to attend college.

Knowles said Alaska needs to develop a pre-kindergarten program, and enrich the current Head Start program. The scope of studies for kindergarten through 12th grade should follow the performance of the students and not the schools. The state also needs to ensure all children have health care coverage. Universities should have more need-based scholarships and the honors program that offers free tuition for the top 10 percent of high-school graduates should be expanded.

Halcro said he would see expanding education support to perimeter programs, such as through charter and faith-based schools for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. He also supports expanding physical programs to help alleviate health care problems such as obesity and diabetes. He also proposed spending $9 million annually to give a laptop to every middle school student, a program he said has been successful in Outside schools.

Palin said the state must first work on the deficit in the retirement benefits program, saying that if the state doesn't fix this, good teachers won't take jobs here. She proposed a "serious investment" in the current teacher training program.

Other issues

During the question and answer period, the issue of changing the constitution to include a provision for subsistence for Alaska Natives was brought up.

Knowles and Halcro agreed that such a provision should be brought to voters as a way to unite all Alaskans, and take management of Alaska waterways out of the hands of federal officials.

Palin, whose family commercial fishes in Bristol Bay, disagreed. "My husband is Native, my kids are Native, but I don't want to see a constitutional amendment," she said. "I'm pro-subsistence for all Alaskans." She added that the state needs better management of the resource.

All had reservations about the proposed Pebble mine project, with Halcro and Palin taking a wait-and-see approach until the environmental assessments were completed and has assurances that no harm would come to the salmon stocks in the Bristol Bay fisheries. Knowles doesn't support the project because he fears it would threaten the salmon stocks regardless.

Candidates fully agreed on only one issue - Ballot Measure 2, a move to implement a reserves tax on non-producing natural gas leases. All three said the tax was a bad idea that would hinder development and subject lengthy litigation.