Letters to the Editor

Letter: Let’s be responsible

I hope all Alaskans saw the latest report from the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation. The fund generated a 2.13 percent return during the first quarter of this year. Yet the Permanent Fund’s $63.9 billion total balance was $931 million less than the nearly $64.9 billion at the start of the quarter, despite the net income growth, because money was appropriated from the earnings reserve account to help fund state government operations.

Now Gov.-elect Mike Dunleavy is pledging to fund a full dividend plus pay back the amount that was reduced from the dividend the past three years. This amount, approximately $6,700 per person for a total of more than $4 billion, will come directly from the earnings reserve account.

Since Dunleavy is very much opposed to any new taxes or other possible revenue sources, the state’s operating budget will also have to be balanced with the earnings reserve account. No amount of budget cuts will come close to balancing the budget. It seems many were bamboozled into believing that he actually had a legitimate budget plan, or maybe Alaskans will vote for anyone who offers them a pile of money.

Don’t be fooled by the shiny pot of gold Dunleavy is offering. It will deplete the Permanent Fund, decrease the PFD and take money away from future generations in the long term. I know it’s human nature to want more free money, but let’s all make sacrifices for the future of the great state of Alaska.

— Michael Henrich

Anchorage

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