Dear fellow Alaskans,
My guess is that, like me, you are relieved that our legislators were able to avert a disastrous, dangerous and costly government shutdown. Thank you, members of the Alaska Senate and House and all their staffers. Our representatives now need to press forward to create a long-term, modern and comprehensive budget strategy which will sustain the new reality of money in and money out, for the next decade, at least.
Nothing else happens during legislative sessions if the budget debate takes up all the oxygen. Part of the problem is ideological disinclination to pay for public services. Roads, postal service, safe air travel, coastal protection, education of our children and adults, uncontaminated food and water — all these basic needs come with a price tag. It is completely unreasonable to assume these services can be provided without assessing some kind of financial levy on the good folks of Alaska who enjoy living here. A responsible fiscal plan would impose moderate cuts on government spending — particularly in the administrative areas (maybe the Department of Administration can be distributed to admin sections within all the other departments — or the plethora of administrative divisions centralized).
A responsible fiscal plan would also reform the oil taxation structure to allow Alaskans to keep more of our resource dollars and impose a modest income tax. We used to have an income tax. It wasn’t a problem then, and it won’t be a problem now. The income tax would be progressive. Most Alaskans except maybe a block in the Mat-Su have signaled over and over again in polls their willingness to be taxed. There is absolutely no way to keep things running without sufficient funds. Money doesn’t fall from the sky. Let’s all do our part to keep the quality of life fantastic in Alaska. The House of Representatives has proposed a reasonable bill (HB 115) which features a progressive income tax that would focus on funding education. Without education, Alaskan youth will continue to fall behind in competitive knowledge which is key to interesting, well-paying careers. The Senate version is lacking but the Senate majority could be swayed by you, their constituents. This is a shout-out for Alaskans who are specifically represented by Sens. Stevens, Stedman, Hoffman, Micciche, Giessel and Costello. Please tell these members of the Senate that the stately approach to governing involves compromise to allow for progress toward a better future. Yes, the wealthiest Alaskans will pay a little more with a progressive income tax scheme. Why shouldn’t they? I’m willing, and so are many more of you who value our Alaskan lifestyle. I’ve called out these Senators because they could sway the impasse in the Senate we are currently facing. Our legislators are bound to answer to their specific constituents, but they are also bound to serve all Alaskans. Please do what it takes to help our state legislators move forward from this budget impasse. Onward to the future!
• Dr. Emily A. Kane lives in Juneau.