Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, July 15, 2016

We Alaskans all need to do our part rather than do nothing, like legislators

After reading Rep. Gattis' opinion piece this morning (Commentary, July 8), I couldn't help but disagree with her premise. I agree with Gov. Walker that we do need to impose an income tax and some type of sales tax and that we should raise taxes on fishing, oil and mining industries. We cannot afford or continue to pay out all of these convoluted oil tax credits to the oil companies. We need to change these oil tax structures so that when I and many other residents give up part of our Permanent Fund, we will know it is not going to pay the oil companies' tax credits.

I have never agreed to a sales tax but am willing to consider this, knowing how dire our financial situation is. For most of us who supported and elected Gov. Walker, we are proud that he is willing to put the state of Alaska first rather than worry about making the tough and unpopular decisions that might not re-elect him. I wish more legislators had this attitude.

I feel we do need to tax the various industries — tobacco, alcohol, etc. We all need to do our part rather than nothing as our legislators are doing. As most of us know, the Senate and House are both controlled by those in the Republican Party, and so far they don't appear to want to make the big, tough decisions that are necessary to get out from under this huge budget crisis that we are now facing.
I am a 47-year resident of Alaska and remember when I did pay a state income tax. It is like being part of our state effort to work toward keeping Alaska above our financial crisis, where we all pitch in to do our share. I am willing to pay my share for this wonderful state of Alaska that I have had the privilege to participate in all these years. What are we waiting for? Are we waiting till after the elections to make the hard choices? That's playing politics, which we seem to be good at and where nothing gets done. I am sick of all these special sessions where nothing gets done, yet the legislators keep getting paid and we have nothing to show for it. We all want something done in this next session, so concentrate on raising revenue instead of cutting spending for which we've already done. Most of us anticipate a state income tax, so start the ball rolling now so we can work on the specifics to put before the voters.

— Dixie Lee Hudish
Anchorage

Jenkins’ view on state ownership of gas project is right: It’d be a nightmare

I agree with Paul Jenkins' (Perspectives, July 10) conclusions and his analysis of the state of Alaska being a partner in the gas mega-pipeline project. The additional concept of the state taking over the engineering, construction, operating the pipeline as well as competing for sale of the gas is a nightmare unworthy of serious consideration.

We are now paying the price for not diversifying our state industries.
Like it or not, the new gas pipeline will not proceed until there is a commitment for the gas at a suitable price. In the meantime, the Alaska population's social demands for money will have to be put in abeyance, and the state expenditures will need to be cut to match the current commodity prices. We must realize that our gas in the ground is but one of many fields in the world that are competing for customers.

— Roger R. Haxby
Anchorage

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Thanks for nothing, Lesil

Thanks, Lesil McGuire, for the per diem. During your vacation to Germany. On your way out.

This goes to every politician. The governor is slashing budgets, absent thought. Or maybe absent caring. And a $259 per diem is considered OK. I know some Republicans and Democrats alike who would never abuse their power. I guess if you're going out, retiring, you go all out. Traini, do us a favor and retire as well.
Despite my complaint, I am bipartisan. The anger is equal opportunity frustration. And I'm not happy about people wasting taxpayers' money on things like German vacations. $250 a day is like striking gold.

— Joshua Rees
Eagle River

Governor really is trying to reform Alaska’s oil and gas credit system

Lately, I have read some revisionist history about the governor's lack of support for oil and gas tax credit reform.

I have read, for instance, that the governor really didn't want to reduce the oil and gas tax subsidy outlay, or at least didn't truly make an effort to reduce our portfolio of credits.

This is simply inaccurate. True, the governor could have demanded more as his starting point or benchmark, and he could have sought reform of Senate Bill 21 while seeking reform of our credit system. (He actually did seek modest changes.) But his administration had at least two of its top officials largely dedicated to reform of oil and gas tax subsidies during the entire regular session and into the extended and special sessions.

When the House Resources Committee held 23 hearings on one bill related to our oil and gas tax subsidies, and didn't move that bill out of committee until months into the regular session — and not until it had gutted the governor's original measure — one should get a sense of what the administration was up against.
There have also been complaints about the governor's signing a "fix" that is only partially complete. Again, much of the Legislature — especially in the state Senate — did not want to reform tax credit subsidies at all. Period. I view the governor's signing what could get passed as akin to taking one meal per day when one would rather have three meals per day. It beats starvation.

I think the administration is aware that the North Slope net operating loss credits remain a problem that needs further reforming. Placing this topic on the special session call is evidence of this recognition by the governor.

— State Rep. Andy Josephson
Anchorage

Consider basing state tax on federal levy

I believe that Tom Williams' letter (July 14) was more or less throwing out the idea of the infamous flat tax for Alaskans. I somewhat agree with Williams; however, why not consider a 6 percent tax based on federal taxes? This takes care of the "write-offs" and is even simpler than the tax structure purported by Tom Williams. Consider.

— Rich Tarkiainen
Fairbanks

Smoking cannabis is safe

I would like to answer Patricia's question. She asks, is marijuana a safe smoking product? The answer is yes. Compared to tobacco and most other substances, cannabis is safe to smoke. It does not cause cancer and even has some preventative properties.

— Dave Lane
Santa Cruz, California

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 under 200 words 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.

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