Spring in Alaska brings back familiar patterns. Temperatures reaching the 50s. The snow begins to melt, creeks fill up, mountains of dog poo appear on the lawns, and buds of green start to emerge on the trees. Equally noticeable are the budget deliberations in Juneau, which one way or another end up focused on the amount of the Permanent Fund dividend. But there’s a behavior pattern that builds to this endpoint. The governor proposes the maximum dividend, legislators do a bunch of arm-waving about the budget deficit, the education budget comes to the forefront, the Anchorage school board proposes to cut programs, education advocates call for increases in the budget, legislators host town halls, and, eventually, new taxes come into the conversation. Local media interview parents and students about the potential discontinuation of their favorite sports program or the closure of elementary schools.
Then the tug of war emerges — new taxes versus a cut to the dividend. The conflict is obvious if you pay attention, despite the rhetoric. Several types of taxes are mentioned, such as oil industry taxes, corporate taxes, S-Corp tax, personal income taxes, sales taxes, excise taxes on gasoline. This blur of taxes creates confusion and frustration. This is about the time when one or two local economists espouse about the value that the dividend brings to the Alaska economy. A brave journalist might write an article about how the Alaska economy has been in decline for a decade or so, and people don’t like to hear that. Last-minute machinations occur in Juneau as the session is about to end. A compromise education budget emerges along with the amount of the dividend, which is well below the maximum the governor proposed months earlier.
Another mediocre outcome for the state has occurred. Everyone is unhappy, but we got through it, right? Or maybe not, as we still have the threat of the governor’s vetoes.
I like what comes next: Several legislators write about how we haven’t solved the fiscal problem, just delayed it another year. It’s their courage I admire, and it likely assists them in addressing their self-image concerns.
It’s uncertain when or what crisis will prompt it, but eventually, some bold influencers will admit we can’t afford to pay the dividend. Hopefully, they reside in the Legislature or the governor’s office. They will also acknowledge that it’s illogical to tax some residents in order to fund unrestricted payments to the same residents and others who do not have a demonstrated need. In fact, it’s uniquely un-American. If this type of money transfer had positive economic impacts, it would have been adopted by all government entities in the United States long ago.
When we get to this point of honesty and courage, then the real conversations will begin — the ones that lead us to a solid fiscal plan for the state of Alaska.
Al Bolea is a retired leadership trainer and former distinguished visiting professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He’s also a retired oil and gas executive.
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JAMM AQUINO/JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
The tails of Alaska Airlines, left, and Hawaiian Airlines aircraft are seen at the gates at Kahului International Airport, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Kahului, Hawaii.
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Veterans Day is a national holiday that encourages communities to stop and thank those who served in the armed forces.
About 8% of Alaskans are veterans, a higher concentration than in any other state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
While some of the bigger Veterans Day events at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fairbanks were canceled this year, there are still plenty of events to attend to throughout the state.
The Municipality of Anchorage will be hosting a Veterans Day ceremony at Merrill Field at the 11th Air Force Memorial at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. Invited guests include Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, Alaska Territorial Guard, Canadian Arctic Members and local military and community leaders.
In Wasilla, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 43-3 will host at the Veterans Wall of Honor, 801 N Fishhook Road, at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Over in Palmer, the Matanuska-Susitna College will be doing a tribute to veterans at the Glen Massay Theater at 2 p.m. There will be a special presentation by Battle Dawgs, a POW/MIA Ceremony, and the guest of honor will be retired Sgt. Tom Spangler. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.
Arctic Light Elementary School on Fort Wainwright will host its Veterans Day Assembly from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the school gym. Guests are welcome to enter through the gym doors starting at 8:15 a.m.
In Fairbanks, the Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs will host a BBQ luncheon and a Marine Corps Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony. The open house luncheon will start at noon at 751 Old Richardson Highway.
There will also be a Veterans Day Town Hall at the 8 Star Events Center with members of the Interior Delegation to listen to the concerns veterans may have and to learn more about the veteran community. The town hall will begin at 5 p.m.
Interior Alaska American Legion Post 99 will continue its partnership with the Eielson Air Force Base Honor Guard and the North Pole High School JRTOC to host a flag retirement ceremony on Veterans Day. The ceremony will take place at the Alaska Rangers Camp at 5 p.m.
Down south in Homer, the annual Veterans Day Parade will begin at 11:11 a.m. Tuesday at the Homer Emblem Club Veterans’ Memorial at the corner of Lake Street and Pioneer. The parade will conclude with a ceremony at the Islands and Oceans Visitor Center. Veterans are then invited to enjoy a complimentary meal from the Homer Elks Lodge #2127.
Seward Public Schools will be hosting a program at Seward High School from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be served, and there will also be performances from the Band and Choir.
In Juneau, the Southeast Alaska Native Veterans will be hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony and Luncheon at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall at 11 a.m. The ceremony will also include a keynote address from retired Army Maj. Gen. Richard Mustion.
In Ketchikan, American Legion Post 3 will be hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony at 631 Park Avenue around 9:30 a.m. The ceremonies will conclude around noon with the presentation of 6 Quilts of Valor.
In Nome, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9569 will be organizing a Veterans Day Parade. The parade will start at 11 a.m. and will begin at the Post Office, and will end at St. Joe’s Park. The community is encouraged to come out.
See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com
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