I wonder if any of the ADN’s readers can name a tourist destination in America that does not have a sales tax. The only one in Alaska is Anchorage. Every other major city in Alaska understood years ago that tourism and business travel would be a great revenue generator with a sales tax. Years ago, the study that was done in Anchorage forecasted at least 39% of every dollar earned from a sales tax would come from tourists and business travelers.
That ballot to introduce a sales tax in Anchorage lost by two-thirds. That’s two out of three people who took the time to vote said no. So as we were all reminded more than 20 years ago that if we don’t take care of our town, no one else will either. No more blasting the money out of Juneau. No more federal money gifted by then-Sen. Ted Stevens. And oil revenues would be for sure declining, and that would guarantee less money for Anchorage.
It’s time for Anchorage to take care of Anchorage. Sales tax works. Ask any other town in Alaska with a sales tax.
Finally, don’t put any restrictions on the revenue collected. Property taxes don’t need to be lowered by sales tax money. That just a political angle to appear like we get something special for agreeing to tax ourselves. We don’t need a favor for doing what responsible communities all over Alaska are already doing, we need to show how much we care about funding the needs of our wonderful city.
— Gregory Carr
Anchorage
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