Win Gruening: Questions that matter in Juneau’s next city election

By WIN GRUENING

July 30, 2026 – Looking toward October city elections, it’s time for Juneau voters to begin thinking about issues that matter to them and the candidates that are most likely to address them.

Elections are too often won on slogans rather than specifics. Before voters mark their ballots, they might ask themselves a simple question: Which candidates can answer the hard questions clearly, honestly, and with a plan?

Even in uncontested races, voters can use the period leading up to the election to gain commitments from candidates or hold incumbents accountable for past positions.

When the candidate filing period for the City and  Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Assembly and Board of Education elections concluded on July 27, a total of eight candidates filed for three assembly seats and three candidates for two school board seats. That leaves voters approximately two months to evaluate candidates before ballots arrive in Juneau mailboxes beginning on September 18.

Regardless of your political bent (and yes, I know these local elections aren’t supposed to be partisan – but they are), each candidate brings a different background and philosophy to the table that will affect their view on issues. The questions below address issues that I have written about in previous columns.

Economic Development:

Stable, good-paying jobs allow people to live in the community of Juneau. With the CBJ Assembly facing increased pressure on the budget, economic development will be more important than ever.

• Which current private sector industries (mining, fishing, tourism) have the potential for expansion? How can CBJ encourage that and which industries do you favor?
• Do you support the New Amalga mine project and associated Cascade Point ferry terminal?
• How can the city facilitate private-sector tourism infrastructure (e.g., Huna Totem and Goldbelt dock projects) while minimizing impacts?
• If you don’t favor these private sector investments, then what’s your plan to increase CBJ revenue?

Affordability and taxes:

Local debate has continued on property taxes, sales taxes, and whether city spending is keeping pace with residents’ ability to pay.

• Do you support the three tax measures on the municipal ballot? Which ones and why?
• How much more money should CBJ pump into affordable housing given that minimal progress has been made?

Basic services and public safety:

Water, sewer, solid waste, and public safety issues are showing up as pressure points for voters.

• What priority should be given to replacing CBJ’s current landfill?
• Do you believe that more money should be spent to address public safety concerns about homeless encampments and individuals?
• Is there more the city can do to achieve a permanent solution to glacial flooding in the Valley?

City spending and priorities:

There is criticism that the CBJ Assembly is spending more on discretionary items while residents want tighter fiscal discipline.

• Should the city continue to support a new civic center without knowing the final construction cost or the operation and maintenance subsidies that taxpayers will be required to fund in perpetuity?
• Do you support spending $9 million to raze Telephone Hill for housing?
• Should CBJ sell City Hall to a local non-profit at a $1 million discount?

Public institutions and budgets:

Juneau’s museum, recreational facilities, and other civic assets continue to raise questions about what the city should fund and preserve

• Do you support the sale of Mt. Jumbo gym?
• What level of financial support should the City Museum receive?
• Do you support comparable funding for Eaglecrest Ski area to that provided for pools, ball fields, and the ice arena?

Schools:

State education funding is directly tied to enrollment. Juneau’s school population has dramatically decreased over the past 15 years. Budgets are shrinking in the face of reduced support from the State.

• Should the Juneau School District consider additional school consolidations?
• What is the best way to approach balancing reasonable classroom sizes, program choices, teacher salaries, and administrative positions?

I hope these questions will help gauge your agreement or disagreement with the various candidates’ positions on important issues facing the Juneau community.

Elections have consequences and voters deserve to know candidates’ positions on issues before voting.

Win Gruening retired as senior vice president in charge of business banking for Key Bank for the State of Alaska in 2012. He was born and raised in Juneau and graduated from the US Air Force Academy in 1970. After serving as a pilot in the US Air Force flying in the Pacific and Vietnam, Win began his banking career with Rainier Bank in Seattle and moved home  to Juneau in 1980. Win has been involved extensively in various local and statewide organizations such as United Way, Junior Achievement, and the Alaska Committee.

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