Remember when you last got a full Permanent Fund dividend, the state’s bank accounts were full and government was fully funded? All of that happened before Senate Bill 21was passed. Once SB 21 passed, we started paying tax credits to Big Oil and collecting less in taxes.
Now look at us: big cuts to the state, big cuts to the ferries, empty bank accounts, big cuts to schools and the university system. Big Oil, on the other hand, has walked away with billions of our dollars; they care about shareholders, not the state of Alaska. Big government wasn’t our problem, as the governor said after he promised everyone $6,500 — the problem is and always will be Big Oil ripping the state off because they bought off the politicians. Just saying.
— David Lewis
Homer
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.