Regarding this past weekend’s ADN editorial on Alaska heading toward a fiscal cliff, you are right, but there’s more to the story.
You started your tale of fiscal woes in 2014, but go back to January of 2013. That’s when Lindsey Holmes, elected as a Democrat in West Anchorage in November 2012, switched her allegiance to Republican.
She then voted that session with other Republicans to pass Senate Bill 21, which took a big bite out of Alaska’s oil tax revenues. Saying “if we want to fund schools and roads and police, we need money to do it,” she must have believed Big Oil’s promise of increased production, a lie only a fool would fall for.
Fast forward to today: Alaska’s schools, infrastructure, and police are hurting for a lack of funds. Repeatedly elected by promising big Permanent Fund dividends, Republicans have practically crippled our marine highway, our university, our public schools and our police forces, all contributing to our outmigration problem.
When you vote, remember that Republicans, from Holmes to Gov. Mike Dunleavy, while calling themselves “fiscally responsible,” got us here. Simply put, voting for Republicans is killing our state.
— Tina Tomsen
Anchorage
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.