Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, June 9, 2017

State income tax would be a partial solution

In Sunday's "$0$" article, I see that Gunnar Knapp has well laid out Alaska's fiscal issues. His statement, "I'm losing patience with those who argue for spending cuts that they can't identify and can't discuss" harmonizes with my thinking. My partial solution to Alaska's fiscal crisis is to have a state income tax. It would not dock the poor, but allow those if us with income to contribute. If we have to legally honor contracts and if we still want roads, troopers, schools and fire protection, our opportunities to cut are limited. On the other hand, if there are excesses on state salaries, or legislators, or benefits to employees, those could be wisely adjusted.

But one who wants cuts could well research where to cut before making bold blanket general statements suggesting cuts are the best solutions.

— Alice Wright Belden
Anchorage

Don't sacrifice children to help oil companies

I have two children in our public schools. If Senate Republicans get their way, the next generation of students won't receive the same education my children have. That's wrong.

There are several sticking points to the budget impasse in Juneau, but the most troubling to me is the Senate Republicans' cuts to education.

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It's not like the Senate isn't spending money. They want to give oil companies over $300 million in subsidies while cutting $65 million from public schools and, while they're at it, all state-sponsored pre-kindergarten to boot.

Sacrificing opportunity for children while spending money on the biggest corporations in the world is right-wing politics at its worst.

Senate Republicans need to stop stalling and start negotiating with the House majority coalition of Democrats, Republicans and independents to create a fair budget that doesn't put corporate welfare before children.

— Karen Compton
Anchorage

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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