Cuts, taxes wont solve deficit like oil tax reform
A push-poll isn't a poll that's intended to gauge public sentiment. It's meant to shape public opinion, and I'm sorry to report that I was invited to participate in a push-poll by our local state senator.
The first question implies that the only solutions to our fiscal problems include cutting state services or paying some form of new taxes.
Of the 18 questions that follow, only two focus on requiring Alaska's oil producers to pay us fairly for our oil and the tone of those questions was apologetic toward producers.
Only one question asks us what we might do to address the grievous giveaway of our children's legacy. Sadly, it requires us to choose only one option when, in fact, many facets of our oil taxation system are flawed including an embarrassingly low base rate, a ridiculous system of tax credits that only returns 60 cents of revenue to us for every dollar we spend on credits, and a scheme that reduces taxes on "new oil" from fields that have been producing for years.
Receiving such a poll from our lawmakers is hardly surprising since 10 percent of our state senate is comprised of oil company employees and the remainder of the majority caucus receive lavish support from oil industry sources and supporters.
How unfortunate for Alaskans that we don't have strong anti-corruption laws on the books.
— Eric Treider
Soldotna
Rechristen Foraker 'Sultana'
Finally, we got Denali changed back to its rightful name. Now we need to look at another named for someone from Ohio who was never here: Mount Foraker, named after Sen. Foraker. I've found references for two traditional Native names: "Sultana" which translates into "The Woman" and "Menlale" which means "Denali's Wife." Of the two I'd go for "Sultana," but in any case we ought to go back to a traditional name. People forget these mountains were renamed from their traditional names.
— Chuck Jamieson
Anchorage
Greed continues to create evil
Peanut executives going to jail for killing people with tainted peanut butter; car manufacturers polluting the air by cheating on emissions tests; bank executives getting bonuses for bankrupting their banks; CEOs making 300 times more than the average worker. Can you say, "greed?"
— Jackie Endsley
Eagle River
Trapping hard to justify today
A bald eagle was caught in a leg-hold trap set near Juneau. Seeing it, a lady sprung other nearby traps so no others would be caught and released the severely injured eagle, taking it to rehab. It perished. She is being taken to court by the trapper for damages and charged with breaking the law.
Really?
Let's do things right — beginning with, but not limited to, where traps may be set. And what the law ought to be when someone finds a pet or other unintended creatures in a leg-hold trap. Trapping may be very close, if it has not already reached that point, to where justification for it no longer exists.
— Jim Kowalsky
Alaskans for Wildlife
Fairbanks
ADN story illustrates need for change in energy for rural Alaska
Michelle Theriault Boots' article about Kodiak's renewable energy revolution (ADN, Sept. 27) was a heartening story, and timely considering Shell Oil's offshore failure. It is clear renewable energy projects will play a vital and increasing part in keeping Alaska's future bright. Running generators is a loathsome, noisy expense for too many households and communities in rural Alaska. Kodiak's exemplary transformation into a renewable energy all-star is an inspiring illustration of the diesel-free possibilities that are both practical and productive.
Although the article made me hopeful, and happy to see an example of renewable energy success in Alaska, there are significant limitations many rural Alaskan communities face in implementing Kodiak-style strategies for energy independence. The startup costs can be huge, there are issues with storing energy effectively, and existing gas-burning infrastructure self-perpetuates. It's downright tough to initiate change in rural Alaska where isolation and the elements make installing new forms of infrastructure extremely difficult and expensive (Illustrated, perhaps best, by ongoing efforts to rid the Bush of honey buckets).
The fact that Pillar Mountain and Terror Lake saved Kodiak residents money is the key to Kodiak's successful integration of renewable energy sources into the power supply. As President Barack Obama recently commented "People are saving money and helping the environment." If other Alaskan communities can make renewable energy projects translate into immediate economic benefits for residents, the Kodiak revolution will spread faster than the current incremental pace.
— Sean Mills
Chugiak
??The views expressed here are the writers' 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@alaskadispatch.com.