On the State of Alaska's Fiscal Crisis From Mike Dunleavy

A POW Report reader would like to share the following message he received from Mike Dunleavy (who is running for Alaska Governor.)

Hardly a day goes by that we don’t hear about the “fiscal crisis” affecting the state of Alaska. Everybody agrees we have a problem. But there’s deep disagreement about how to fix it.

Governor Walker’s “solution” is clear: raise your taxes, slash your PFDs, and keep hiking state spending.

My solution is different: we need to seriously cut state spending. Our state government spends more money per capita than any other state in the country. Most states spend less than HALF of what Alaska does on a per capita basis. Did you know there are dozen states that spend less than a THIRD of what Alaska does?

Yet some politicians, including Governor Walker, talk as if we’ve cut state spending to the bone. This is nonsense, pure and simple.

One of the reasons I’m so passionate about protecting your Permanent Fund dividend is that I recognize what it represents for politicians: an “easy way out” to solve their budget problem. Instead of doing the tough work of reducing state spending, they’d prefer to just take the money from your wallet.

When government does this, the message Alaskans hear is this: we know how to spend this money more wisely than you. But one look at the state budget tells you – that’s not true!

So, the question is, what can we do about it?

First, we need to elect a Governor who will get serious about protecting your PFD, not slashing it as Governor Walker did. If you agree, I’d be grateful if you would join our team. Please click here and consider making a donation of $10, $20, $50 or more to help bring new and bold leadership to Alaska.

Second, we need to protect the PFD in our state constitution. It’s the best way to ensure the long-term survival of the Permanent Fund itself. Please contact your representatives and senators and ask them to schedule hearings for HJR 34 and SJR 1, which would protect the dividend in our constitution.

We can solve our state’s fiscal challenges and still preserve a healthy PFD for Alaskan families – provided we elect a Governor who has the courage to bring government spending under control. Please click here to help become part of the change that Alaska needs.

With gratitude,

Mike Dunleavy