Sales tax for residents best idea
As usual, Mr. Havelock will have us believe that an income tax is the best solution to the state's budget woes (Column, June 11). Given Mr. Havelock's age it's doubtful he has children to feed, clothe, take to hockey practice or put through school. He may not even have a mortgage to pay or if he does, pays reduced property taxes. He has also benefited as other Alaskans have for the 35 years or so since state income tax went away.
Again, as others will tell you, state income tax is deductible on your federal taxes. That is true for right now, but state tax deductions are targeted to be eliminated if and when tax reform goes through. Remember, it's also an itemized deduction, not a tax credit, so if one pays $2,000 you don't get $2,000 back. It only reduces the amount you've paid or might pay. Again, the PFD is a one-time payment and I would wager the majority of the people have their PFD spent less than a month after it's been received. A tax, on the other hand, takes money away every payday. So what's better for the economy, a one-time PFD dispersal or that 10 percent or so that isn't taken out of your paycheck? Impose an income tax on out-of-state residents and a sales tax where residents contribute; that would be best.
— Don Duff
Anchorage
Ad's numbers say little
I would like to comment on the "Facts don't lie, but people do," advertisement taken out in the Sunday, June 11 paper by the ANCSA Regional Association.
They state a lot of numbers in this ad but what actually do those numbers mean? Statements like, "Our collective work has paved the way for the success of our companies and ensured long-lasting benefits for our shareholders and the people of Alaska." What does this mean?
The ad states, "In 2015, the 12 regional corporations contributed an impressive amount of money to social initiatives and distributed millions to shareholders in the form of dividends and other value-added programs." What were the social initiatives and value-added programs? Educate the general public as to what you do, don't just publish numbers.
— Teri Penn
Anchorage
US foolish to turn its back on critically important Paris Accord
Before the Voyager 1 spacecraft left our solar system on Feb. 14, 1990, the probe's camera was turned backward for a photo of the Earth, at a distance of 3.7 billion miles.
In the photo, which was requested by astronomer Carl Sagan, the Earth is barely visible — only a pale blue dot. Referring to the photo, Sagan wrote: "To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish this pale blue dot, the only home we have ever known."
The Earth's 7 billion inhabitants are passengers aboard a gigantic spaceship — a ship so large that it would be impossible to build with our current technology and resources. Our ship has a life support system that includes a magnetic field that shields us from space radiation and solar winds; and a 300-mile-thick atmospheric blanket that allows life to flourish.
We have the essentials: food, water and other resources to sustain us as we hurl through the vacuum of space at 70,000 miles per hour in our orbit around our nearest star, the sun. We are part of a solar system about two-thirds the distance from the center of our galactic home, the Milky Way, which is about 100,000 light years across.
One of the most important long-term tasks in the operation any craft is maintenance. While Spaceship Earth possesses complex self-regulating systems, there are apparently enough of us on this planet, given our activities, to have an effect on those systems.
I believe the Paris Accord represents an effort to examine the condition of our spaceship and perform some preventative maintenance. It is our only home in a vast and lonely universe. I'm sure the late Carl Sagan would agree that the United States is foolish to turn its back on this critically important effort.
— Frank E. Baker
Eagle River
Lawmakers, time to work it out
Honorable members of the Alaska Legislature:
This game of brinkmanship must end for the good of every resident of Alaska. A government shutdown has the potential to destroy our already ailing economy and throw our state into a constitutional crisis. A Department of Transportation shutdown would jeopardize the almost $1 billion in construction projects underway in 45 communities across out state.
A shutdown means no public bathrooms, no food inspections, no driver's license renewals, no property transfers.
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I have lived in Alaska for over 40 years and have watched the legislative bodies and governors come and go. Many of them didn't get along very well and some outright hated one another. However, in the end, they all figured out how to work with one another. I have faith that this Legislature will, too, but time is running out. The health of our state rests with you.
— Mary Shields
Anchorage
Stevens set impeachment example
Back in 1974 I wrote to Sen. Ted Stevens because I thought President Nixon should be impeached. Sen. Stevens wrote back:
"Dear Jed:
Thank you for your letter informing me of your views about impeachment. If the House of Representatives sends a resolution on impeachment to the Senate, I intend to fulfill my constitutional responsibility in the fairest manner possible and make a judgment solely on the evidence presented by the prosecution managers of the House.
With best wishes, Cordially, Ted Stevens United States Senator"
At this writing articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump are being drawn up. If a resolution of impeachment is advanced to the Senate, I hope and pray that Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan follow the example of Sen. Ted Stevens, for the good of the country.
— Jed Whittaker
Anchorage
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