Letters to the Editor

Letter: Dunleavy’s dishonest budget

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has cast the debate over Alaskan economics into an either/or choice: Either we fund state services, or we have a Permanent Fund dividend payment. It’s not that simple.

Since the Parnell administration sharply lowered oil taxes in 2013 via Senate Bill 21, the oil tax credit bill, the state of Alaska has run at a deficit. Proponents of the measure claimed increased production would offset the lower tax rate. However, production has remained flat, while per-barrel revenues have dropped. Now, we supply $1.2 billion in tax credits to the oil industry, but cannot fund public education. Any honest financial debate should include a consideration of those oil tax credits. Dunleavy has never put that on the table.

Meanwhile, thousands of Alaskans are employed by the university system, by tourism, by the ferry system, by health and social services, in the commercial fishing industry, and more. These industries bring money to the state. All of them will be damaged by Dunleavy’s reckless line-item vetoes. I, for one, would rather have a job than a PFD. But most of all, I’d like to see fair and firm taxation of the oil companies, long-term investment in a broad-based, healthy economy and a government that meets its obligations to Alaskans.

Rosemary McGuire

Cordova

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