When our state income tax was abolished in 1980, we set the stage for almost complete dependence on oil revenues to fund our state government. Given that we have no control over the world price of oil, no control over the amount of oil pumped out of the ground and no control over the complex financial agreements we have with oil companies, we bound ourselves to the whims of others. That was and is the price of our dependence.
We DO have control over the decision to pay a modest income tax that will provide a predictable foundation for our government. That amount will not depend on circumstances beyond our control. We will be paying for our independence.
Isn’t independence something that Alaskans have always prized?
Bridget Smith
Juneau