Alaskas fiscal situation: Free ride is almost over
John Havelock's analysis of our current situation in the Tuesday, Jan. 27 ADN is right on the money. We Alaskans have been riding the gravy train ever since the income tax was, in my opinion unwisely, repealed. Not only do we not pay neither a state income or sales tax, but we get free money every year just for existing and occupying space in Alaska. What a deal. But the free ride is about over, and it will soon be time to act like big boys and girls, and accept the responsibility of paying for the state services we receive: education, road maintenance, law enforcement, etc. Those who aren't willing to do so are welcome to go somewhere else and see how they like it there.
Fortunately, we now have a governor and lieutenant governor team in Juneau who, I believe, see the situation clearly and will take the steps necessary to deal with it. I hope the Legislature, which was complicit in getting us into our present situation, will see fit to cooperate with them, and not take short-sighted actions that will only prolong our financial problems.
— Jerry Brookman
Kenai
Payment plan falls short
The Mat-Su Borough, having shaken the federal money tree for their ferry, now proposes to repay at a little over a dime a dollar. If anyone out there is surprised, please contact me. I have a bridge I want to sell you.
— Andrew B. Leibert
Anchorage
Kochs' spending plan fuels political worries
The Koch brothers' plan to spend $889 million on the 2016 elections underlines the fact that the U.S. has slid over the cliff of democracy into oligarchy. Anybody worried about the fact that one family will own so many politicians?
— Royal Kiehl
Anchorage
Walker OK with science
I want to thank Karl Johnstone for his informative commentary, "Governor may regret Alaska fish board appointment" (Jan. 28). This article confirmed everything I had suspected and lent credence to my daily celebration and thanksgiving for our new administration: one that acknowledges and appreciates science.
Our former governor did our state no favors by disdaining and deliberately removing science from the decision-making processes by stacking and eliminating various boards and watchdog agencies. Of course, his actions did benefit many corporations but the state does not work for them … anymore.
— Sheila Lankford
Anchorage
Begich's accomplishments show how effective he was
Less than 30 days after Mark Begich left the U.S. Senate, the Obama administration proposed more wilderness in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, limiting offshore oil and gas development in Alaska waters and moving servicemen and women from our military bases.
Coincidence? I don't think so.
For the past six years as his chief of staff, I watched Sen. Begich stand up to the Obama administration and build bipartisan coalitions that prevented bad stuff from happening to Alaska. Consider the facts.
When the Pentagon wanted to move F-16 fighter jets and scores of service members from Eielson Air Force Base, Sen. Begich said no and held up the promotion of a four-star general to emphasize his point. The result: F-16s are staying put and Eielson is now the preferred location to house two new F-35 squadrons.
When the Interior Department wanted more wilderness in ANWR, Sen. Begich said no and prevented their study from seeing the light of day for two years. In 2009, in his first year in office, some two dozen senators co-sponsored legislation to turn all of ANWR into wilderness. Last year, because Sen. Begich worked across party lines, that perennial bill was introduced with just two sponsors — a Republican and a Democrat.
When the Obama administration wanted to shut down Alaska offshore development in their early years in office, Sen. Begich convinced them Alaskans can do development right. The result: the first exploratory wells in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas in 20 years, paving the way for Shell and others to help fill our oil pipeline.
As I learned from my time in Washington, D.C., being an effective senator requires more than name-calling and chest-thumping.
— David Ramseur
Anchorage
He cheated once …
I have great respect for New England Patriots fans, their enthusiasm and loyalty. However, Bill Belichick has previously cheated. Once a cheater … (you fill in the rest).
— Ken Smith
Anchorage
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