The op-ed from Shannyn Moore ("Americans for Prosperity in Anchorage mayor's race? There's an agenda," March 8) advances a number of misconceptions about Americans for Prosperity and our role in Alaska. AFP is an organization devoted to restoring and advancing economic freedom, state by state. Over the past 10 years, our volunteers have helped grow our presence into 33 state chapters all over the country. Our volunteers work tirelessly to educate their friends and neighbors on economic issues that matter to them, and to press elected officials to advance our cause.
We opened a state chapter in Alaska last year because thousands of folks from around the state had shown an interest in taking action with us—and it's easy to see why. There are a number of critical economic issues facing Alaskans, and they want help making their voices heard. The continuous decline in throughput of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline along with low oil prices present long-term fiscal challenges. In the next few years, we're on pace to burn through billions of dollars in savings. Our elected officials will need to make tough decisions to protect our future and Alaskans need a voice in this process. Years of high taxes led to an absence of significant investment by the oil and gas majors. While production taxes have rightfully been reduced, self-destructive critics of the oil and gas industry will push to ramp them back up. The discussion of establishing a state income tax or a municipal sales tax here in Anchorage will continue to increase. Meanwhile, proponents of government-run health insurance continue arguing for Medicaid expansion
These are all big issues with far-reaching consequences and I'm confident our volunteers can win on these issues here in Alaska, because when volunteers have joined forces with Americans for Prosperity, we've been able to achieve tremendous victories around the country. For example, in Wisconsin, workers will now enjoy living in a right-to-work state. In North Carolina, citizens have enjoyed transformative budget reforms in the past few years.
So, why is the AFP model so powerful? It's because our message is simple and it resonates with the public: families need affordable, abundant energy, a reasonable tax bill and the opportunity to work or grow a business as they see fit. They don't need more taxes, more spending beyond our means and bigger government. That only seems to serve the special interests. That's why we invested in letting folks in Anchorage know that Ethan Berkowitz has consistently stood against these values when he's had the opportunity. He's voted for a state income tax, sponsored cap and trade legislation, opposed transitioning state employees from defined benefit to defined contribution plans and supported universal health care.
When it comes down to it, businesses have chambers of commerce, industries have their trade associations, and public employees have their unions. But who stands up for the little guy who doesn't want to be overtaxed, or who can't afford his utility bills or grocery bills? That's who AFP represents. Our volunteers advocate on behalf of those who don't have a paid lobbyist in Juneau. When the special interest groups make their pitches with hands out for more taxpayer funding, we keep our hands in our pockets. That's why people are attracted to Americans for Prosperity, and that's why our chapter is growing here in Alaska.
Jeremy Price directs the Alaska chapter of Americans for Prosperity.
The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com