I still remember getting my first Permanent Fund check when I was 12 years old in Soldotna, $1,000, I was thrilled. My parents made me put every penny in savings and taught me a simple rule: windfalls are for building wealth, not blowing on wants unless it’s a true emergency.

I’ve owned and run several successful businesses. When the company was making money, we paid good dividends. When we were barely breaking even, we had to be disciplined. Some partners screamed for “cash right now!” and we would sometimes give a small dividend just to keep the peace, but we never lost sight of our goal of growing the business so the big dividends could come later.

That’s exactly where Alaska stands today. We’re like a good company that’s struggling because too many people keep raiding the checkbook. Alaskans are fed up and rightly so. We’re skeptical because we see the waste, the handouts, and the special interests getting fat while our dividends get skinny. If I’m elected governor, two things happen on day one.

1. I’ll create a hard-hitting commission loaded with the best auditors, tech, and consultants money can buy. Every dime of state spending goes under the microscope to expose waste, fraud, and abuse for Alaskans to see. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and we’re turning the lights all the way on so you can trust your government again.

2. We stop saying “no” to Alaska’s future. For 30 years we’ve killed project after project while special interests and short-sighted folks cheered. They’re the real ones stealing your dividend. I’m flipping that culture from “no” to “yes.” We’ll open the door to responsible development that brings real jobs, diversified revenue, and yes, full PFDs again, even bigger ones down the road.

This isn’t rocket science, it’s basic business. We will argue, compromise, and then move forward together. It’s not the time to burn through our savings until they’re gone. It’s time for Alaskans to stand up, link arms, and build the strong, prosperous state our kids deserve.

Let’s quit the fighting and start winning, together.

         I’m Matt Heilala, running for Governor.