ALASKA: The commissioner of the state Department of Revenue was in Kenai this week to give a presentation on the scope of Alaska’s fiscal crisis and looking for input from Alaskans to address the issue.This editorial originally appeared in the edition of the Peninsula Clarion.
Randall Hoffbeck spoke to a joint meeting of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce, and when it comes to looking for ways to ensure expenditures don’t outpace revenue, a roomful of business owners is probably a good place to start.
Indeed, Alaskans have gotten used to a relatively low tax burden, no state income tax, and a nice check courtesy of the Alaska Permanent Fund every fall. Part of the challenge in understanding the problem lies in grasping the scope of a $3.1 billion deficit.
