Yesterday I gave you a quick heads up about tomorrow’s chance to testify before your Anchorage legislators, and on next week’s public testimony on the House version of the Operating Budget. The legislature writes the budget in old style Aramaic. So I thought I’d decipher a few things you might be interested in.
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I am writing this between tears today. Yesterday Alaska lost a statesman. Many of us lost a good friend. I’ve served with Max Gruenberg my whole career in the legislature. I got to know a man who – despite how some in the press who didn’t know Max might describe him (they saw that he fixed a lot of bills with amendments) – was a passionate, funny husband and father who cared deeply about others. He cared deeply about giving people born with little a chance in this world a fair shake. He cared deeply about fairness.
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Today I submitted legislation to close a gaping loophole in Alaska’s corporate tax. My press release on this bill follows.
If we are to close a nearly $4 billion budget gap, the revenue we seek needs to be balanced. It can’t disproportionately hit those who have little when we have tax loopholes that benefit those who have the most.
Every day I talk to legislators in both parties to see if we can build a bi-partisan fiscal plan. I’m trying to keep things calm. I’m trying not to say “no,” even to proposals that cause me concern. A fair compromise will have to include elements most members don’t love. Compromise involves principled give and take. I’m listening to everyone’s ideas, and hoping enough members of the Republican majority will also be willing to put together a balanced, fair, bi-partisan fiscal plan.
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Alaska is facing a massive budget deficit. The best way to address it is by working calmly and collaboratively, across party lines, to come to a bi-partisan solution. As the start of the legislative session approached, some of us learned that some Outside national political operatives have been hired– it appears quite clear – to monitor and eventually campaign against legislators who don’t do what they want on a fiscal plan. Having folks like that involved in your legislative process is too shadowy for my likes.
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The two Chairs of the “Anchorage Caucus” have arranged a public forum at the Assembly Chambers at the Loussac Library, this Saturday (tomorrow) from Noon to 3 p.m. I’d expect most Anchorage-area legislators will attend, and I plan to come to listen to you. If you come, I’d suggest you arrive early to sign in early.
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