After I moved to a Republican Senate district a few years back, I suggested to my representatives in Juneau that they should work to pass a comprehensive approach to our budget crisis, including new revenue. Oh no, was the response from my senator, it’s too early for that, we need to cut the budget first.
OK, maybe, but after they cut it as much as they apparently could and we started spending our reserves, they still refused to do anything — we’re in a recession, we can’t impose new taxes now. When Gov. Bill Walker proposed an income tax, the majority didn’t try to amend it or suggest an alternative, but simply refused to consider it. And so we went through some $15 billion in reserves.
Last year, concerned citizens said, at the very least, let’s raise taxes on the legacy oil fields. But again, most Republicans were adamantly against it. Since that vote we’ve watched the industry continue to cut jobs and largely ignore the long-sought opportunity to bid on sites within ANWR. The one principled thing the Legislature did accomplish on the budget was to agree to only take 5% from the Permanent Fund each year, a sustainable amount. But now we have COVID-19.
You would think that Alaska Republicans would be leading the charge for President Joe Biden’s bill to send $1,400 to most Americans, but I haven’t heard that. Instead, Gov. Dunleavy proposes to ignore the law passed to protect the fund — just this once, mind you — and pay thousands of dollars in dividends to all Alaskans, with no plan to fund government.
Next year is an election year, historically not the time to expect courageous leadership from politicians. The governor has essentially recalled himself, punting on the budget every year since he was elected, and it is wholly unrealistic to expect better from him next year. The Legislature needs to come together now, and move Alaska toward a budget that is fair to all Alaskans, including future generations.
— Fred Torrisi
Anchorage
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