We are teetering on the edge of a global depression unlike any the world has ever seen. The consequences threaten to be more serious than anything I have witnessed in my lifetime.
In the weeks, months and years ahead, the American people, and the most fortunate states such as our own, must undertake bold actions to meet our own needs and do our part to help the nation.
President Barack Obama has hit the ground running with an impressive team and a series of major initiatives that will help. All of us, regardless of party, should rally behind our president and our state officials to help them lead us to recovery and a new era.
As citizens of our unique Owner State, Alaskans can and should help our elected leaders make wise and long-term decisions. As private citizens let's revisit our core values. Let's bring our families together, give a hand to our neighbors and assist our nonprofits as they help those who are hardest hit.
Our governor, as the foreman of the ranch, must set the example and develop an activist agenda. She and the Legislature must embrace true statesmanship and be willing to try the unheard-of.
To back up our legislators, we need to pay them a decent wage, urge them to abandon partisanship and persuade them to hold their legislative sessions where the people can participate.
Our state senators and representatives make decisions every year involving billions of dollars. For their efforts they receive only $24,012 in salary and an allowance of $218 per day during legislative sessions plus $150 per day for projects tackled between sessions.
Most challenging, they must oversee the wise use of our 103 million acres of state-owned lands and natural resources that generate nearly 90 percent of the state's revenues and underpin our private sector economy. Setting the policies for developing our commonly owned assets requires the best talent we can attract.
The concept of a "citizen legislature" has always appealed to the public, but the job requires year-round attention and many sacrifices. Legislators have to establish living arrangements in their home districts and in Juneau. And to make ends meet, most of them face the challenge of finding clients or part-time jobs with no real or perceived conflicts of interest.
I was encouraged to learn that the Alaska State Officers Compensation Commission, chaired by former Senate President Rick Halford, has released a wise and reasonable report. They recommend that legislators receive a base salary of $50,400 plus per diem. At the same time they urge the Legislature to terminate the often-abused $150 per diem claimed between sessions.
These changes are long overdue.
To rise above partisanship, the best model I know is Nebraska. Starting during the Great Depression, that state instituted a nonpartisan, unicameral system in which legislators are elected to represent the people in their districts, not political parties.
This has worked well and would fit independent-minded Alaskans whose shared values and aspirations rarely show up in national party platforms.
Some of the best work in the Alaska Legislature has been accomplished by coalitions of Republicans and Democrats, including representatives from both urban and rural districts. In a time of crisis like this one, teamwork is essential. All parts of the state need to be heard from and cared for, and solutions based on real needs and opportunities must trump political cliches and rhetoric.
Finally after 50 years of statehood, let's face the reality that when the Legislature conducts its business in Juneau, only a small minority of our citizens can participate. The capital should remain where it is, but the Legislature should hold its sessions in Anchorage.
The days of challenge and financial struggle ahead will only be addressed adequately and overcome with the participation and effort of all our citizens. It's time to open the door and let them in.
Walter J. Hickel served as governor of Alaska from 1966-1968 and from 1990-1994 and as U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 1969-1970. He is the founder of the Institute of the North. His latest book is "Crisis in the Commons: the Alaska Solution." He can be reached at wjhickel@gci.net.
WALLY HICKEL
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