Please enter into the record my testimony to the Senate State Affairs Committee on
SJR 19 / Constitutional Amend.: Permanent Fund Income. Date: May 13, 2003
ALASKA VOTERS ORGANIZATION
RESOLUTION 2003-10
A Resolution to the 23rd Alaska State Legislature in SUPPORT OF SJR 19, which authorizes an election to decide if the voters of Alaska wish to approve a Constitutional Amendment, that will protect the Permanent Fund Dividend program.
WHEREAS, most candidates elected in November 2002 promised they would not touch the Permanent Fund, without a vote of the people; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature and Governor are proposing appropriations from the Permanent Fund earnings, which is in opposition to the intent of the 1999 advisory vote and election promises made during the 2002 election campaign; and
WHEREAS, the legislature has failed to recognize the direct correlation between increased state spending and reduced oil royalty payments being the underlying reason for the growing budget deficit; and
WHEREAS, the legislature has continued to fund our state government at an unsustainable level, by making annual withdrawals from the Constitutional Budget Reserve; and
WHEREAS, the legislature continues to deplete our Constitutional Budget Reserve and has failed to submit any plan to repay this “rainy day account”, as required by the Alaska Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the annual Permanent Fund Dividend has become a huge economic engine most business owners and Alaskan citizens rely on each winter; and
WHEREAS, 83% of voters in the 1999 special advisory election clearly said they could spend their dividend better than the government and rejected the option of legislative appropriation of the Permanent Fund earnings; and
WHEREAS SJR 19 would insure that the fund’s principle remains protected through inflation proofing; and
WHEREAS, if approved by the legislature, SJR 19 will put the question of whether the Permanent Fund Dividend program should be Constitutionally protected on the ballot for all citizens of Alaska to vote on; and
WHEREAS SJR 19 would give the legislature much needed direction to solve the most serious problem currently facing our state;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Alaska Voters Organization, Board of Directors, that SJR 19 be approved by the 23rd Legislature and put on the ballot for a vote of the people; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature should prioritize spending and make the necessary cuts required to obtain a government of the size and cost that Alaska can afford, without negatively impacting those citizens most at risk;
Adopted by the Alaska Voters Organization Board of Directors; this 6th day of May 2003.
Alaska Voters Organization, Inc.
P. O. Box 2016
Kenai, Alaska
99611-2016
(907) 776-8008
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