Editorials

"An Informed Voter Is The Best Defense Against Bad Government"

"CUT STATE SPENDING"

By Maurice Byers - May 3, 2003

I along with thousands of other Alaskan Voters sent you to Juneau to do one job.  Cut State Spending!  From what I can tell only 200 state jobs have been eliminated, likely through attrition.  Bombardment with commercials by public employees unions on television continues unabated.  I can only imagine their intense lobbying efforts.  All I keep hearing is how you need to tax me or steal my family’s PFD to keep this bloated government afloat.  But I still don’t see ridiculous programs like Denali (Boon for Doctors) Kid Care, the Longevity (Seniors Already Have Enough Perks) Bonus, Ridiculous (Political Rewards) rents for state facilities,  Public Employee (Way Better Than Most Private Sector) Salaries and Retirements, shall I go on? 

Reports from Juneau indicate many of you have lost touch with the overwhelming majority of Alaskans who sent you there.  You have come “under the spell” of the lobbyists and special interest groups skulking around Juneau trying to keep their hands in our state coffers. Is it now “Out of sight, out of mind” for the voters who put you in office?   This situation is untenable!  If you want to earn some credibility do the following:

• PASS HB 19 so we can earmark funds for education without all the “smoke and mirrors”.   

• NEVER again use “helping children” or “making Alaska’s children safer, healthier, or happier” as a justification for passing laws.  I’m the father of six, coach, and community volunteer and I can’t see anything the Alaska Legislature has done that helps children as much as all the TALK emanating from Juneau would indicate.

• PASS HJR 3 so you’ll be more inclined to do your duty and less tempted to steal the PFD.

• PASS SJR 6.  As far as I’m concerned it amounts to less time each of you is under the influence of the lobbyists and special interest groups who are pillaging OUR state coffers.

•  INCREASE eligibility for the PFD to 5 years residency.

• QUIT passing “feel good” laws that end up making more criminals of more Alaskans.  Read:  Clogging our courts and prisons.  (E.g. the recent lowering of the blood-alcohol level to .08.  Chronic drunk drivers are the problem, not the person who had a couple beers after work!)

• CUT state spending across the board by 25%.  Task every department head to do this or dismiss them and find someone who will.

• DO NOT PASS HB 157!  In the future I hope there won’t be a need for APOC but right now you folks are out of control! The public needs someone who can keep tabs as most of us have to devote all our time to work and raising families.  This goes hand in hand with arrogant legislation such as HJR 5.  It’s appalling that elected “representatives” could even entertain these items.   Personally, I’d be embarrassed to have my name associated with this legislation. 

• REMEMBER that growing the economy by creating more state jobs is an illusion.  Socialism is not the answer.

• LISTEN to your constituents J  

I and many other hard-working Alaskans are looking for some substantive reductions in the costs of running Alaska’s government.  Until we see those reductions, please know we are absolutely opposed to any attempt to generate more revenue by taking away more of our hard-earned money.    

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