Dunleavy doesn't dismiss a sales tax, with conditions
Two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch ... Does the lamb get a vote?
Good morning from Somewhere in Alaska!
Sitka sunrise by Rob Bussell.
Public testimony opportunities for Wednesday, Thursday
Legislation subject to public hearings over the next two days include things like involuntary commitment laws and payday lending. Take a look a the list. Legislators need to hear from you.
Dunleavy meets with House, Senate leaders to talk fiscal plan, sales tax
Nothing can be kept secret for long in the Capitol. Some legislators were positively giddy to learn that the governor said “everything is on the table” for discussion, even a sales tax. It’s apparently whatever it takes to come up with a sustainable and comprehensive fiscal plan.
The fiscal plan most developed this year is the one offered by Rep. Ben Carpenter, chair of House Budget and Audit Committee and co-chair of House Ways and Means. Even he has said he’ll vote against a sales tax if it’s not part of a responsible plan to stop the budget and PFD wrangling every year. That plan has a sales tax proposal, limits spending, reforms budgeting, cuts regulations, and fixes the Permanent Fund dividend calculation, among other things:
Takes the Permanent Fund dividend payment out of the annual budget process and require the PFD to be paid by the formula in law,
Places a limit on government spending in a manner that incentivizes economic growth,
Reforms state government management and budgeting practices, and
Promotes economic growth with business tax cuts, makes carbon credits available to Alaska resource developers, streamlines regulations, makes obtaining licenses easier.
Th Carpenter plan is built like the South Dakota plan. But of course, South Dakota doesn’t have things like a Permanent Fund and Power Cost Equalization, or Mental Health Trust.
We’ve seen so many tax proposals this year that it’s almost looking like one of them might emerge victorious. If Carpenter’s plan moves, then except for the five states that have no sales tax, a two-cent sales tax would retain Alaska’s ranking as the lowest state and locally combined sales tax rate in the nation, even in communities that already have a sales tax in place. We can see the Alaska Municipal League sharpening its sword already.
It’s been generations — 42.5 years, to be exact — since the personal income tax was repealed in Alaska (1980), and that type of tax would probably be a campaign killer for many who have to face reelection. Dunleavy does not have to face reelection.
And so, dear Reader, that is how the libertarian-conservative governor from Alaska softened the target as he rolls out his own sales tax proposal, which can probably not be passed in the days remaining this session, at least, leaving at least a $600 million — likely more — deficit in the budget that is quite a pothole, but will grow larger in the Senate, once senators get their add ons. The Constitutional Budget Reserve has $2.6 billion in it.
There are 28 days until adjournment day. Will there be a special session? I would not bet against it, lambs.
House passes $6.4 billion operating budget with compromise $2,689 PFD
The Senate now has a month to decide how to whittle down that dividend, which the majority wants to do.
Galvin head tax would need 70 more state workers to collect just $120 million
The fiscal note is marginally accurate as it probably doesn’t account for the number of Alaskans who will leave the state with their wealth or those who simply don’t work, won’t work, and surely won’t be paying the tax.
Why is Alaska Center (for the Environment) trying to take over Chugach Electric?
The group that is a surrogate for the Alaska Democrat Party, and that is funded by dark money from the Sixteen Thirty Fund and Soros, wants Anchorage to end the use of fossil fuels for heat and light. That includes natural gas. That could be very expensive, and yet, conservatives don’t typically vote in these board elections.
Sen. Sullivan condemns Russian sentence of anti-war activist
It’s what leftists like Putin do: Squelch dissent. You think the Anchorage Assembly is bad? A 25-year sentence for calling out Putin and his war machine seems a bit harsh.
Assembly cracking down on political speech
Object to mask mandates? Covid vaccine mandates? Critical Race Theory? All they have to do is label it hate speech and they can find ways to shut it down.
Facial recognition tech ban
The Assembly meeting was spicy on Tuesday. It was a special meeting called for the sole purpose of allowing outgoing Assembly members pass their personal legislation. Among items passed: A ban on facial recognition software by the municipality except in some circumstances. Finally something liberals and conservatives can agree on.
“DC Draino” is the keynote speaker on June 2. Get your tickets! Read about him here.
Former Chief Ken McCoy to lead Tempe police force
The Bartlett High School graduate and former police chief in Anchorage became diversity, equity, inclusion officer at Providence Alaska, but will now head south to where it’s hot and there are all kinds of crime issues to solve.
Milestone: 200,000 comments approved at Must Read Alaska in 7 years
While it’s the 8-year anniversary for the newsletter, we’re coming up on the 7-year anniversary for the website at MRAK. And nearly 10,000 stories have been posted on the MRAK site in that time. I highlight the 200,000th comment, which is a winner that represents civilized political opinion, with no name calling or foul language. Some comments about comments.
Juneau Empire going digital, will print just two paper editions a week
The sign of the times is that the press crew is being laid off, and the once mighty small-town paper that roared is struggling for survival.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart to everyone who subscribes to Must Read Alaska. Help spread share the news that balances the left-stream media.
MRAK Question of the week:
Portland REI closing due to lawlessness in Rose City
The outdoor store, which is almost intolerantly woke, is following Walmart and a bunch of other stores out of Multnomah County, where criminals run the show.
Lost at sea? Couple from Girdwood missing off coast of Mexico
They were loosely connected to Girdwood, and were experienced sailors heading to San Diego in the Ocean Bound, but have not been heard from for two weeks.
FDA says some types of Covid vaccines no longer authorized in US
Which ones? The original ones, including boosters. They only targeted the virus before it mutated. Also, lots of changes to recommendations for different groups of people, like babies, 65-and-older, and immunocompromised. Keeping up with the FDA.
This day in history
April 19, 2010, an explosion occurred on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig—located in the Gulf of Mexico.
April 19, 1933, John W. Troy, owner of the Daily Alaska Empire, was inaugurated as he 12th governor of Alaska.
COLUMNS
Win Gruening: Juneau is spending more, with taxes up and population flat
According to the City Manager’s Budget Message accompanying the presentation, the FY24 budget will break new ground with higher revenues and expenses than in any prior year in Juneau’s history.
Craig Campbell: Legislature must pass HB 61 - Second Amendment
The Second Amendment is a constitutional check on power by the federal government and clearly intended as a means of protection for an individual’s right to self-defense.
Rick Whitbeck: If Chugach Electric board goes woke, we go broke
There are three candidates being pushed by the Alaska Center for the Environment. Conservatives need to know they intend to shut off the gas.
Alaska oil: $84.32
Henry Hub gas: $2.37
Alaska North Slope Production: 497,870
Permanent Fund (principal and earnings reserve): $77,103,000,000
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