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Time for the Senate to step up and approve state income tax
Our House of Representatives deserves commendation for dealing with Alaska's finances through House Bill 115 and not simply kicking the can down the road. A state income tax is an important piece in solving our financial condition. Failure to act now will in all probability mean a state income tax in three to five years many times the present proposed tax.
Please consider:
1. Alaskans are willing to help pay for state services. Alaska is the only state with neither an income tax or sales tax.
2. An income tax is equitable. It does not penalize rural Alaskans in the villages, as does a sales tax. If our income is low, little tax is paid. If our income is high, our tax is higher. The Bible teaches: "To whom much is given, much is required." This is equitable and fair.
3. An income tax is broad-based. Presently, hundreds who use our state services — ferries, docks, roads, airports, hospitals, etc. — and receive high incomes from oil, mining and commercial fishing, but choose to live out of state, pay no tax to Alaska. An income tax would include these in-state workers who live out of state. A sales tax would not.
4. An income tax will increase Alaskans' ownership of state services and encourage responsibility, for we are contributing to them. It will increase our control of the state and more independence from oil revenues.
5. An income tax is a long-term solution. State cuts have been severe. Additional state cuts will further hurt both our children (schools) and erode our economy (as families are forced to leave). Both are so vital to Alaska's future. If, in years ahead, oil quantity and prices substantially increase, an income tax can be suspended.
6. With our existing Permanent Fund database an income tax will be readily monitored and managed at minimal cost.
This is the time for our Senate to step up to the plate and enact an income tax. "Whoever pays the mortgage owns the house." Alaskans want to own their state. Contact your senator now urging their support for a state income tax.
— The Rev. Dr. Paul D. Beran
Juneau
State income tax needed now, but it need not be forever
When it comes to a state income tax to cover our ballooning deficit, the Alaska Senate seems to have confused legislation with holy writ.
Unlike the latter, there is nothing permanent about legislation. It is, or should be, a prudent human response to meet changing human situations. When we were awash with oil, we no longer needed our former state income tax and got rid of it. Times have changed; the Senate cuts aren't going to cut it, and it's clear that we need another revenue stream to meet Alaska's needs.
In common, I think, with most Alaskans, I am very pro-education, snow plows, road maintenance, Alaska State Troopers, and care for the infirm, elderly and very young.
An income tax is not forever. When our situation improves, it can be lifted, as it was previously.
What I'm hearing out of Juneau is the Lalalala song — white noise with no specifics — and it's killing this state. (Our lawmakers might consider the out-migration figures and reflect that every individual who's had to leave is a cut to the bottom line of Alaska services, retail and taxes.)
It is unclear why our senators seem to think that any income tax is forever. Of course it's not.
— Cheryl Chapman
Anchorage
Why do we keep raising Alaskans to believe everything is free?
As a society we can not afford to raise another generation of Alaskans and with them another generation of legislators that believe in a free lunch. Would you raise your children without instilling in them a work ethic that said "if you want something you have to work for it"? Well we have raised several generations of Alaskans and legislators who believe that somebody else must pay for everything we want from the state. Let the oil companies pay. Let the federal government pay. Let anybody but me pay. Do you raise children to understand that if they want a nice car, a nice place to live, nice clothes that somebody else will buy it for them — that they don't have to work for it? If not, then why do we keep raising generations of Alaskans to believe everything is free? Not only is it free, we will pay you money just for being an Alaskan.
The best thing you can do for Alaska is to give Alaskans their pride back. Allow them to say I'm paying my own way. Let them again be able to say "I'm a taxpayer and this is what I want for my tax dollar." Raise children to understand if you want something you have to pay for it, not somebody else. Or do we raise children to understand somebody sends them a big check every year for doing nothing.
We have raised too many generations of "give me" Alaskans. "Give me, give me, I want" is all we hear. What ever happened to "if you want something are you willing to pay for it?"
The mantra of "no taxes" is a cancer that is destroying the work ethic of our society. You need to initiate reasoned taxes if for no other reason than to start raising future generations to understand there is no free lunch.
It seems everyone is for education. Back before statehood we had a modest $10 taken out of every paycheck until we had paid $100 in an education tax. We have the lowest motor fuel tax in the country. Also the price of fuel is nearly half of what it was a few years ago. So when I hear business scream about higher fuel taxes going to put them out of business I ask how did they survive when fuel cost twice what it does today. I ask if they reduced their charges to customers when fuel prices plummeted?
We need taxes if for no other reason than to grow an Alaska future where people understand that you get what you pay for, not what the other guy pays for. That you work for what you want. When people have to start paying for what they get, the state budget will shrink on its own.
Please think about raising future Alaskans to understand a work ethic that is not based on a free lunch and a Permanent Fund dividend for doing nothing.
Ask yourselves, "Does our generation really have the right to use all the oil riches or do we have a duty to share those riches with future generations?" Is it a permanent fund? Or is it a fund to feed only our generation's greed? Yes use some of the funds earnings, inflation proof the fund, pare down nonessential services so we live within our means, but are we still entitled to a free lunch? No. As my 9-year-old friend would say "get over it." You won't die if you say the word "tax."
— Jerome George
Anchorage
Swampy miasma in DC
Who's the hardest working man in D.C.? Perhaps it's White House spokesperson Sean Spicer.
Despite his recent gaseous emission stumble, he's constantly playing defense on "gotcha" questions from the contentious Washington press corps. Meanwhile he often has egg on his face as he takes the fall for Trumpty Dumpty. The stench of a rotten egg suggests the yolks on us.
— Ken Flynn
Anchorage
Congratulations, House Majority Coalition; Senate get to work
The House Majority Coalition deserves a big thank you from all Alaskans for fulfilling their promise to go to Juneau and pass legislation to solve the budget crisis. The four elements — use of Permanent Fund earnings, reduced Permanent Fund dividends, reduced subsidies and an income tax — spread the pain fairly and lead the way to sustainable budgets in the future.
The Senate, on the other hand, deals with imaginary numbers and cuts which they maintain can be made without wrecking Alaska's economy and public education. Lacking the courage displayed by the House in approving a state income tax, the Senate won't name the amounts or programs they favor cutting. They try to pass that responsibility onto others.
Senators, it is time to stop playing politics and act as responsibly as the House has.
— Susan Olsen
Anchorage
Putin-linked think tank
So disappointed that article titled "Putin-linked think tank drew up plan to sway 2016 U.S. Election" was on page A-5 of Thursday, April 20th's ADN. THIS should be front page, top news and of grave concern to all Americans. Hopefully the investigation into this issue of Russian interference will continue to expose the truth, and that the truth will not be squashed by Trump's threat to media.
Americans need to do some hard introspection about what democracy means to all of us as a country, not what they are willing to put up with that infringes on it in order to get election results they want.
— Sandy Winfree
Anchorage
Thank you Lisa Murkowski, but the fight is not over
With so many issues boiling up every day, it is mind-boggling that Congress continues to spend time trying to attack women and their right to access affordable, quality health care. Is this really the way that President Donald Trump wants to chip away at the progress that we have made regarding reproductive rights over the last eight years?
Apparently. Last week, Trump signed a bill which repeals Title X. Title X is the nation's family planning program and helps ensure that all people — regardless of where they live, how much money they make, or whether or not they have health insurance, has access to basic, preventative reproductive health care. In 2015 alone, Title X provided nearly 1 million women with breast exams, nearly 5 million tests for STIs, and nearly 800,00 pap tests. This has nothing to do with federal funding being provided for abortion services.
Having worked for Lisa Murkowski previously, I truly developed a genuine respect for her. I believe that she wants to do what is best for Alaska. What's best is standing with Planned Parenthood. Murkowski understands that these are basic, but critical health care services that keep our families and communities safe and healthy. That is why she put principle over politics and voted against this misguided attack on women. But the fight is not over. We will continue to need Murkowski's support every step of the way, so I hope Alaskans will join me in thanking her for her support on this critical vote and let her know we have her back moving forward. Please continue to stand with us, Lisa Murkowski. Show us that you want to support men and women who need these services. Stand with us. We need you now more than ever.
— Lena Illig
Anchorage
Can't cut way to balanced budget
As a small business owner, I have seen first hand the recession that is bringing Alaska down. When I talk to friends and clients who are leaving Alaska, there is a common theme: With the uncertainty and big budget cuts caused by the Legislature's inability to develop a sustainable financial base for the state, they don't believe that Alaska will be as a good place to live or raise a family as it has been in the past. Cuts to K-12 and the university mean that their kids are not going to get as good of an education as they can find in other places. Continued cuts to capital projects, community development block grants, revenue sharing, etc. all mean that our roads are filled with ruts and potholes, our schools and community buildings are falling apart, and our parks are no longer safe, enjoyable places to teach our kids to get out and enjoy Alaska.
The lack of addiction treatment centers, mental health treatment, advocacy for the homeless and especially the crashing economy means that it is even more difficult to deal with the growing problem with the homeless.
Lack of funding for state troopers, police, fire and village safety officers means that the people who lose their jobs find it easier to get away with taking up crime to support their families.
After four years of testimony from economists and all sorts of other experts, it is time that the Senate realize that: You can't cut our way to a balanced budget; using the Permanent Fund is the equivalent of eating your seed corn; cutting the Permanent Fund dividend hurts the Alaskans who need it the most; past tax breaks and rebates to the oil companies mean that Alaskans are not getting the value that we should from our resources.
Wally Hickel must be turning over in his grave in outrage about the way our "Owner State" is being managed; income taxes are certainly the most fair way to have a broad-based revenue source.
Call your legislator now!
— Bob French
Anchorage
Only a quarter of Alaskans would pay a meaningful tax
We continue to hear how the state needs a "broad-based" tax to pay its way. I agree — but no way is the proposed income tax broad-based. Less than half of Alaskans pay federal income taxes, so only that number would pay a state income tax. Of that half, at least half have a low enough annual income that their state tax would be insignificant or nonexistent. So only a fourth of us would pay a meaningful tax (and those would generally be the folks who are now supporting their communities with their property taxes). This is not broad-based, by any definition.
A state sales tax would be paid by anyone who buys hard goods, whether Alaskan, nonresident worker, tourist, or even a legislator. This is truly broad-based.
— Don Neal
Anchorage
Don't gamble with Alaska's future
I was appalled to read that Click Bishop suggests gambling as a way to fund education, even proposing to change the gambling laws to do it. What's next? A bake sale? GoFundMe? This is so wrong!
First, condoning gambling as a means of financial gain is poor modeling for children. Although we want math students to know about game theory, they'll learn that lotteries aren't a good way to generate income, and neither should we allow raffles to pay for our children's most important work: learning. Secondly, public education is the foundation of democracy. Gambling with the funding is gambling with the future health of our state. Our students need to learn the intricacies of American history, the complex interactions of our three branches of government and how to thoughtfully participate in our government processes.
The quality and quantity of good teachers decreases when funds are cut, and the yearly uncertainty had become the norm, not the exception. If only the Legislature had to work under the same circumstances or would have to watch competent colleagues move to other states where funding is certain!
As a longtime educator I find it insulting that those who are supposed to represent us in the Senate will not do the obvious, levy an income tax on adults, but would rather target those who are least able to defend themselves, children. They seem too concerned with reelection and not concerned enough with asking the citizens to contribute to the communal good and the future of the state. If our representatives and senators had had the backbone to do this long ago, those who live part-time in Alaska could have contributed to the general good instead of making money off of Alaska resources and flying out of state on their off days. And those of us who love Alaska and live here full time would not be asked to gamble our state's and our children's futures.
— Paula Davis
Anchorage
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