Plan's a work in progress
I applaud Gov. Walker's proposal to fix the state's budget deficit. As he points out this is a work in progress. The important thing is that we get the conversation started and work toward a sustainable plan. Our Legislators must accept their responsibility to join the Governor in crafting a solution that might not make everyone happy. It's called compromise and it's the art of politics.
I lost a lot of respect for Sen. Bill Wielechowski, whose plan is to tax the oil companies, spend our savings and pray that oil prices go up. That is utterly irresponsible. Bill, get your head out of the sand and show some leadership.
Our situation will not be as dire if we act now rather than kicking the can down the road. I urge the governor and the House and Senate to put their differences aside and do what is best for the long term interests of the state of Alaska and it's citizens.
Comments on hit-and-run seem to blame the victim
Comments from Alaska Troopers spokeswoman reported in this morning's Alaska Dispatch News story "Man seriously hurt in Wasilla hit-and-run" may sound acceptable, but do much to shift blame to the victim. Writer Chris Klint noted, "…Ahgook hadn't been wearing highly visible attire when he was hit." That statement was immediately followed by a quote from Beth Ipsen as noting, "Ahgook was wearing dark, non-reflective clothing at the time." These comments shift blame to the victim and appear absolve the hit-and-run driver of some responsibility.
We have no laws that require high-visibility clothing for pedestrians. We do, however, have laws that drivers are to operate motor vehicles with due care.
It appears that Mr. Ahgook was visible enough to be noticed by one motorist while lying in the ditch, but not visible enough to another while he was walking. It seems a bit of a stretch. Blame-shifting statements by our public safety agencies and Alaska Dispatch are irresponsible. In the recent case, they serve no one but the perpetrator of the crime by building an excuse for negligent and criminal behavior. Further, statements that tacitly absolve drivers when they fail to exercise due care make our community more dangerous for pedestrians (also known as human beings.
Resist temptation to raid fund and revive income tax
Senator Bill Wielechowski has the solution to our fiscal problems. Which is to rescind the tax credit provisions of SB21, spend wisely and gradually draw down our reserves until the price of oil rebounds.
We need to resist the temptation into being fooled that we need to raid the permanent fund, bring back the income tax and usher in a state sales tax so that 2018 will be the magical year when our fiscal house returns to normal. Our current fiscal situation is the new normal. Walker's cure doesn't work because it doesn't reign in spending. Especially the really stupid expensive projects like the bridge across the inlet and the Ambler mining district road just to name a few.
In addition to what Bill is proposing I am recommending a 'controlled recession.' A controlled recession is where our elected leaders and representatives reduce state spending gradually until it reaches the point that it can be sustained naturally without having to resort to raiding the dividend and other regressive taxes. Sure, some people will move and there will be less jobs for awhile but we'll come out of this a lot stronger-fiscally.
Raiding the dividend to pay oil companies to explore and produce doesn't really make much sense. Nor does it make much sense to raid the dividend so that the Pfeffers and Mckinnons of Alaska can line their pockets with our money. The bottom line is this, there will never be a 2018 unless our leaders reign in spending and the way to do that is with a controlled recession.
Not everybody is a Grinch
Apparently, Saul Molliver is a Grinch who doesn't like seeing people celebrate Christmas. Not only does he go out of his way to disparage the Christmas displays, he doesn't want anyone else to be able to appreciate them. If Saul and others don't want to see the holiday lights map, ignore it. But don't deprive those of us who aren't grinches -- especially those who are new to Anchorage -- from being able to admire the light displays.
By the way, the EPA isn't stupid enough to try banning Christmas lights.
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 letter for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.