Opinion: Strong schools, safe communities and fiscal discipline are conservative values

I was born and raised in Alaska, and Eagle River is my family’s home. My husband and I both work in the construction industry and are raising our two daughters here. Like most Alaskan families, we value adaptability, discipline and personal responsibility. We expect the same from our elected officials. Unfortunately, what we’ve seen in Juneau from our district representative is more conflict than competence, and that hurts all of us.
This past session, Eagle River’s current representative, Jamie Allard, voted against a common-sense education bill, much of which was written by Sen. Rob Yundt (R-Wasilla). In fact, Allard was the only member of our Chugiak/Eagle River delegation to oppose it. Thankfully, three-quarters of the Legislature ultimately supported the measure to stabilize classroom funding and deliver important policy reforms. Our community deserves a representative who is collaborative, effective and capable of working with others to deliver results.
Divisiveness doesn’t deliver real results. When political performance takes the place of problem-solving, government grows less effective and more expensive. True conservative leadership means discipline, focus, restraint and getting results without expanding bureaucracy.
Leadership is about outcomes. Good leaders listen, analyze and make informed decisions grounded in data and practicality. These are lessons I’ve learned through decades of work in the private sector.
I do not support new taxes, especially without clear accountability. Working families are paying enough. Alaska needs firm spending boundaries and the discipline to define its priorities. Many state systems were built during boom-time growth, and we have not restructured them for today’s economy. We cannot keep cycling between dead-end options while ignoring the core issue: how to get measurable value for every dollar we spend. From there, we can evaluate our true needs, which may lead to responsible updates in fiscal policy or Permanent Fund Dividend calculations.
Fiscal responsibility means planning for volatility, setting clear spending limits, and focusing on what truly matters: jobs, safety and children. Every dollar should be evaluated for efficiency and impact to ensure our policies strengthen both our economy and our communities.
Oil is our shared resource, and the Permanent Fund dividend is proof of that shared concept. With shared benefit comes the obligation to think carefully about how we use our wealth and which investments bring the greatest long-term benefit to Alaskans. Responsible resource development remains essential to our state’s stability, and we must also recognize that strong schools and effective public services are key to reversing out-migration that continues to weaken our economy.
An increase in the Base Student Allocation was absolutely necessary. It had fallen sharply due to inflation since 2017, and delaying that adjustment would have placed greater burdens on property taxpayers while increasing dependence on federal funding. Both outcomes undermined local control and Alaska-driven solutions. Without restoring some education funding, we would have faced sweeping school closures and even larger class sizes, which is not in alignment with our united goal of an excellent and improved education system.
Putting students first does not always mean spending more. It means spending smarter — and doing so incrementally — so funding adjustments are sustainable and not a shock to other essential state departments. Inaction from 2017 until now was irresponsible. We must focus on core instructional quality, teacher development, and data-driven improvement systems that help schools strengthen outcomes over time. The policy reforms passed by the legislature this year are a good first step, not an endpoint.
We need to recruit and retain more high-quality teachers, especially educators who can connect and resonate culturally with students in Alaska’s rural and remote communities. We need to support professional growth and strengthen local control so schools can design solutions that reflect their communities.
Supporting education means supporting families. That means ensuring children arrive ready to learn, with access to early childhood education and safe, affordable childcare. These investments are the foundation of strong communities and a strong workforce.
Alaska’s challenges will not be solved by partisan posturing or political theater. We need serious, disciplined and collaborative leadership focused on results, not rhetoric. The future of our state depends on our ability to plan responsibly, spend wisely, and work together toward shared goals.
Eagle River deserves representation that shows up, listens and makes government work again. If elected, I will listen closely and work in a bipartisan manner to deliver results for all families in our community. I want my two young daughters to have as much opportunity as Alaska has given to me and my husband.
Ruby Jones is a Republican candidate for Alaska State House – District 23. Born and raised in Alaska and having lived in Eagle River for nearly a decade, she and her husband both work in the construction industry and are raising their two daughters in the South Fork Eagle River Valley.