Gov. Parnell constantly talks about his guiding principles. The guiding principles of Alaska are found in a document called the Alaska Constitution. That document outlines the duties of our elected officials in regards to resource development: 

“The legislature shall provide for the utilization, development, and conservation of all natural resources belonging to the State, including land and waters, for the maximum benefit of its people.”

After careful examination, I was unable to find the section reading:

“The legislature shall provide for the utilization, development, and conservation of all natural resources belonging to the State, including land and waters, for the maximum benefit of outside corporations and their shareholders.”

While Gov. Parnell did not attend the constitutional convention, thankfully the guiding principles discussed there are still available for him and all Alaskans to read. Please let your legislators know that we are the owners of Alaska’s resources and they answer to us, not multinational corporations.

— Barbara Gazaway

Anchorage